Wise men say, Only fools rush in
Elvis Presley
NEWSLETTER
LOVE #ISSUE 3
INTRODUCTION 4 INDEX
32 Language
7 MASTHEAD
36 Makal
10 Editor’s letter
38 CORRESPONDENCE
14 Behind the cover
42 BOOKS
16 Clapback
44 ourVOICES
24 Infocus
48 top 10: Cats
28 Gadis
NEWSLETTER
LOVE #ISSUE 3
LETS TALK ABOUT LOVE 88 WE LOVE TRAVELLING
122 WE LOVE ART
56 The Three Mosques
146 WE LOVE THE QURAN
68 I LOVE MY COUNTRY
150 WE LOVE LOVE
82 WE LOVE POETRY
156 Class, Ustaz is talking
PERKEMAS
NEWSLETTER MUSTAFA ROSLAN Editor in Chief Leading Editor Creative Editor Head Editor
SITI MARAHAINA BINTE AMRAN MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR NUR AKMA BIN ANUAR
Art Editor MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR, KAIYISAH NAJLAA BINTE KAMALUDIN, MUSTAFA ROSLAN Photo Editor MUSTAFA ROSLAN, MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR Assistant Editor MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR, MUSTAFA ROSLAN, MUHD AFIQ BIN ANWAR, KAIYISAH NAJLAA BINTE KAMALUDIN, TAHIRAH SYED SULTAN, NABILAH BINTE MOHAMMAD JUMLI, AHMAD SHAZLY BIN MOHAMAD ARIFF, NUR AKMA BIN ANUAR, NUR RASHIDAH SABANI Cover Art MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR InFocus TAHIRAH SYED SULTAN GADIS KAIYISAH NAJLAA BINTE KAMALUDIN Language AHMAD SHAZLY BIN MOHAMAD ARIFF, OurVoices MUHAMMAD FAIZUDDIN BIN FAUZAN Books MUHD AFIQ BIN ANWAR TOP 10 NABILAH BINTE MOHAMMAD JUMLI MUHD ASHRAF ANWAR, SALI ATIKAH BINTE ABDULLAH SANI Exco Representives MUSTAFA ROSLAN, IMRON RUSHDIE BIN TUKIMAN, Contributors AHMAD SHAHID ZAMRI, AHMAD NUMAN BIN MUHAMMAD FUAD, KAIYISAH NAJLAA BINTE KAMALUDIN, TAHIRAH SYED SULTAN, MUHAMMAD ‘ALAWI BIN AHMAD SAMSUDDIN, HIDAYAH ISMAILE, NABILAH BINTE MOHAMMAD JUMLI, MUHD AFIQ BIN ANWAR, MASAYU UBAIDAH BINTE MOKHTAR, MUHD ZUHAILI BIN MD YUSOF, AHMAD SHAZLY BIN MOHAMAD ARIFF, NUR AKMA BIN ANUAR, AHMAD MUNDZIR BIN JASMANI, ASHRAF BIN ANWAR, SITI MARAHAINA BINTE AMRAN AHMAD HAZIQ BIN ROSLEE, HUDZAIFAH HASBI, SUFI RIDHWAN, MUHAMMAD KHAIRULANWAR, ABDUL SYAKUR, MUHAMMAD FIRDA BIN ABDUL WAHID, MUHAMMAD BASHIR BIN ABDUL RAHIM, MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS BIN AHMAD, MUHAMMAD ZULKARNAIN BIN AZMAN, SALLEH BIN SALIM IRFAN BIN JUMADI, AHMAD FATHY IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM BIN HASSAN & DIYANA ZAIT, ABDILLAH AMIRNORDIN, AHMAD SYAAKIR BIN NOR RAZAK,
editor’s letter
TALK TO ME ABOUT LOVE
THE EDITOR’S FINAL LETTER
I
nitially for the final issue of the PERKEMAS newsletter, I decided to go rogue and refused to come out with a thought provoking and critical theme for the issue. To be honest I’m bored and frankly exhausted by such heavy problems. So everyone just needs to chill and relax. Including me. Much later on I discovered that the simplest titles are in actuality the hardest. Especially something as massive as love. Everyone has their own interpretations and limitations, making it even much harder and deeper to explore. And a heavy title like Love requires the most critical understanding. To marry the night reading papers upon papers by academics and religious scholars in their own understanding about the topic. Its limits.The transgressions. One thing I am certain this time is that I do not want to know the technicalities of love. To rationalize such a powerful emotion in long winded bland paragraphs would demean its essence and
PICTURES that did not make the cut for the magazine.
purity. And I didn’t want that. I want people to express what love means to them. In honest and clear statements. Like a person in love with calligraphy sees the world in differently than someone who is not. He sees words not as simple strokes of the pen, but rather an instrument of religious duty, history, artistry, discipline, philosophy and beauty. To a calligrapher writing is the purest express of love he could muster. Another reason why I wanted this issue to be about love is diversity. We live in a world where there are far too many differences and everyone is fighting about who is right and who is wrong. It is exhausting. And sometimes we wish everyone could be like us. It simplifies our already overly complicated lives. But isn’t that the problem. Love shouldn’t be about accepting just one form. It is more than that. We don’t need to punish ourselves and choose to love just one thing. And that is why I chose to reach out to friends and family from all parts of the world; Finland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Egypt, Jordan… I want a collective expression from different personalities and experiences. Everyone has a different way of showing what love means to them. Some may see it as a social, political and religious issue of epic proportions. Where modern liberals has blurred the lines of limits and transgressed the natural laws. And due to their love for freedom, people and nature, decides to redraw themselves the lines of love. Others see it as a form of exploring the world. Unfolding
editor’s letter new experiences and embarking in complete wanderlust. It is fascinating how a word translates differently to everyone. Luckily enough, we have two of our writers travelling this year. One in Paris. The other in Morocco. Both took stunning pictures. But hands down the stunning scenery of Morocco wins by a mile.
W
hat I know for sure about love is that it holds no bounds. It is impossible to understand and rationalize it, but you shouldn’t ever cut yourself from it. Never fear the unknown. Even in the darkest of tunnels, all we need is to follow the tiniest of light. And love has this way of guiding us to ends we don’t know about. To be fair this issue was a tricky one. Far trickier than the previous ones. With my final exams just around the corner. And being editor-In-chief, I can feel the beating stares of my books on my back every single day. But alas, this is my job. And I do my job well. The three issues my team and I has done in this short three month period, has been our greatest collective effort. And I couldn’t be more proud. We worked tirelessly. And still have time to do research on important issues happening in society, and hold three talks. It is always humorous to look back, what started out with naïve ideas being tossed in a restaurant, Alhamdulillah blossomed into something that reaches as far as Bosnia Herzegovina(Really, we have a couple of readers from there) and 22050 readers. I would be lying if I say it was an easy ride. It is not. Articles come and go. Emails unread. Deadlines unmet. Interviewees
pulling out at the last second. Editors scourging for the tiniest mistake. Pictures needed to be photoshopped. It’s a giant collective headache. From the first issue of Infocus in 2007, to Our Voices 2012, to the PERKEMAS newsletter 2016, I believe the Research team has throughout the years united to project a singular message of beauty of Islam. We’re not doing this because we’re getting paid. No, we are not. But because it is our duty to uphold knowledge to the highest degree, and to share what was learnt to all. And that I guess, is the greatest love of all.
T
hank you readers for being with us for these few months. We hope you truly enjoyed our newsletter. And to the team, I couldn’t express enough of my gratitude. We have fought well together. So for my final statement as editor-in-chief, I ask my readers to go to Youtube and listen to Tina Turner’s What’s love got to do with it? Apparently, everything.
- MUSTAFA ROSLAN PICTURES that did not make the cut for the magazine.
To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: mustafa.roslan@gmail.com
behind the cover
I
t took me a while to figure out what to put on the cover for this issue, as everyone knows, love is such a vast topic. What represents love? A couple holding hands gazing at each other lovingly seems to be a typical picture-perfect choice for the topic- but this issue isn’t just about that kind of love, the romantic kind. Rather, it is inclusive of all kinds of love, so I didn’t want to be exclusive for the cover. So I settled on where love is believed to come from, the heart. The heart, in its physical aspect is the most vital organ of an animal. Small as a closed fist, but holds the greatest responsibility, the responsibility of life. It is vulnerable as much as valuable, therefore protected by the sturdy cage of the ribs. Then there’s the intangible heart. Just as vital as its physical counterpart, for it holds all emotions and works together with the mind, to make decisions in life. I used to believe that there is no corre-
lation between the two, but as I grew, I began to think otherwise. Why is it that when you get nervous or excited you feel your heart pumping harder than usual? Or when someone hurts or disappoints you, it actually hurts, as if you were being hurt physically, when in fact no one even made physical contact. Or when you get embarrassed, you can literally feel your face burning up. Surely there is some sort of link, surely your emotions do in fact affect your physical being in one way or another. Certainly, as much as we have to keep ourselves fit to avoid health diseases to keep our heart strong and pumping, we have to keep our intangible heart sound as well. By freeing it from envy, hatred, jealousy, anger and greed. And filling it with love, love and more love. I am not blessed with the skills to illustrate, so you could say I played cheat a little for this cover. I do not own the original image, but thanks to the class con-
ducted by PERKEMAS’ Multimedia Unit (shoutout to MU!), I managed to turn it from an image of an actual human heart into an illustration of it. Though what you see as the final product may seem a little… simple, (our covers have always been pretty simple, no?), but what isn’t seen is the hours put into it. The time spent just staring at my laptop screen thinking of the ideal colour combination. Experimenting with arrangements. Consulting the editor-in-chief. Having to save, then edit, then re-edit again and again until we got what you see today. I guess it is safe to say I’ve had a glimpse of what it is like to be a designer. When you pay for a design, what you are actually paying for is their time, creativity, a whole lot of patience and, call me over the top, their sanity as well. So much effort left unseen to the eyes of the world. I gained much more appreciation for designers, as well as anyone in the creative field. But of course it is not only the creative
field that requires a tremendous amount of effort, rather all kinds of work in various fields require the same, if not more, amount of effort too. But what keeps us going? What drives us to persevere and not quit despite how hard it may be? Is it the money earned? The fame and recognition gained? Is it passion? Or maybe, just maybe, it could be…. Love.
L
ove, for the work itself, because we enjoy doing what we do no matter how hard it is. Love, for our family, as it is part of the means to provide for them in order to live comfortably. Love, for Allah, because we long to be loved by Him as He loves those who excel in their work. Love, for Rasululullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wasallam), by trying our best in following his footsteps. Who knew something that seems to
be a mundane daily routine, could actually be driven and powered by something so pure by the name of love. And work is merely an example, if you really think about it, everything could be linked to love. But what defines love? Love, is whole. It fills you up with so much joy and excitement, your cheeks hurt from smiling. It makes your heart flutter, expand, beat so fast it might skip a beat. It makes you want to know everything about the people you love. To want to be with them every step of the way and truly wish the best, and only the best, for them. You feel happy when they’re happy and you feel their pains as if they’re yours. Love also causes sorrow, so much sorrow. You will be disappointed time and time again. You will feel frustrated. Tired. On the verge of giving up. But, love, too, keeps you going. Somehow, despite everything, you’ll find yourselves not loving any less. And it may
very be that these very disappointments, all the quirks and flaws, only make you love more. Love, requires patience, strength, tolerance and understanding. There is something we have to keep in mind, though. Love is powerful and something this powerful, can’t be handled by weak human beings like us. The word heart, in Arabic, Qalb, also means change, or turn. And verily, the heart is ever-changing, ever-turning. It is the very nature of it and it is not something we can control. Therefore it is only wise to leave your heart with the One who created it, the only One who has the power to turn your heart, as well as others’. So love, love as much as you possibly can, but do not get too attached, and do not have any expectations. Leave your heart with Allah, then, and only then, will you be able to truly love. - MASAYU UBAIDAH MOKHTAR To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: rocketbyda@gmail.com
contributors
Imron Rushdie Bin Tukiman An avid photographer and apparently a secret writer. In Kembalikan Cinta, the writer explores the very simple truth about what true love is in the Quran and Sunnah. Studies in the faculty of Quranic Exegesis and Sciences, a talented musician and spends a lot of time in the gym.
Ahmad Mundzir Bin Jasmani Seorang dari Kuliah Dakwah & Usuluddin (Cinta yang Sempurna) Universiti Islam Madinah Al-Munawwarah yang berusaha untuk menghidupkan budaya pemikir dikalangan masyarakat khususnya Belia.
“Berjalan di dunia mengharap Syurga, C’est La Vie!”
“The more you know, the more you know you don’t know” - Aristotle
A year 2 student in the faculty of Usuluddin. The main artist behind all the covers for the magazine since the beginning.
Masayu Ubaidah Mokhtar
contributors
“
PENATNYE BUAT MAGAZINE. MACAM PERGI PERANG. MALAM TAK TIDO. PAGI SAMPAI PETANG GI SEKOLAH. TAPI BELAJR BANYAK.
Mustafa roslan
Muhammad ‘alawi At a young age of 23, Muhammad ‘Alawi Bin Ahmad Shamsuddin is the premier Arabic Calligrapher of PERKEMAS. The unofficial principal of AFIREEN, the tri-weekly calligraphy class held after class in the clubhouse. Mentored by a number of esteemed calligraphy masters. And a student of the faculty of Islamic Creed and Philosophy. Outspoken in class, often interacting with the professors and other students. When asked what is the biggest tip for calligraphy students. He simply replies,
“MESTI TULIS SETIAP HARI. TAK KESAH LAH. SATU JAM KER. TIGA PULUH MINIT KE. YANG PENTING SETIAP HARI KENE PIGANG PEN, KENE TULIS. BARU TULISAN KITE CANTIK.”
“
contributors
MUHAMMAD ZUHAILI BIN MD YUSOF When it comes to debate, there is no one better than Muhmmad Zuhaili Bin Yusof. A regular debater, with plenty of expereinces since his early days in Madrasah Al-Junied Al-Islamiah. He is masterful of his words and thoughts. Though Zuhaili is experienced in the world of Arabic debate, (featured in Mahasiswa Singapura Mengharumkan Nama Negara Di Mesir), every debate to him pose as a new challenge.
Hidayah Ismile
The lady is a beacon of art. A talent in photography, calligraphy, see her very own contributions in We Love Art. We are proud to have her in our pages.
The man loves to read, write, can speak Bahasa Melayu, English, Arabic and Turkish fluently. So teach us some Turkish words dear teacher. (LANGUAGE)
AHMAD SHAZLY BIN MUHAMMAD ARIFF
clapback
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ISIS & THE ISLAMIC STATE
“ISIS TU SEBENARNYE APE? “ISIS IS NOT YANG SEBNARNYE... ISLAMIC. DIE TU APE? ” BUT PEOPLE DON’T “ALL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES ARE KNOW DORANG UNITED AGAINST ADE KHALIFAH. THEY PAY JIZYA. ISIS. ISLAM IS THEY HAVE VIDEOS A RELIGION OF PEACE.” WHERE THE PRISONERS ARE TREAT“KENAPE ORANG ED WELL. HOW SEMUE TUTUP MATE MUCH OF THIS IS PASAL BENDE NIE. DARI THE TRUTH KITE OSAMA BIN LADEN. THEN PALESTINE AND TAK TAU. BUT... ISRAEL. NIE MUNGKIN HOW DO WE SAY ONE BIG THE ISLAMIC CONSPIRACY” STATE IS NOT ISLAMIC ” - MUSA, YEAR 3, FACULTY OF ARABIC LANGUAGE
- ASHRAF ANWAR, YEAR 4, FACULTY OF ISLAMIC PROPOGATION AND CULTURE
- MARAHAINA AMRAN, YEAR 2, FACULTY OF THEOLOGY.
- AFIQ ANWAR, YEAR 1, FACULTY OF DIRASAT
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ISIS & “HADAF ISIS ADALAH THE ISLAMIC STATE
clapback
UNTUK MEMBENTUK SISTEM KHALIFAH, BETUL BUKAN? TAPI MEREKA NAK NAIK KAN SATU SISTEM YANG SANGAT BAIK DENGAN CARA YANG SANGAT BURUK... MEMBUNUH... MENCOLEK... MERAMPAS HAK PERIBADI MANUSIA. ADAKAH INI CARA TERBAIK UNTUK MENAIKKAN KHALIFAH? KEMUDIAN, APAKAH PANDUAN ISIS PABILA MEREKA TAFSIRKAN AYAT-AYAT AL-QURAN. ADAKAH MEREKA MERUJUKKAN HADITH YANG SOHIH? ATAU TIDAK.” - ZUHAILI, YEAR 4, FACULTY OF ISLAMIC JURISPUDENCE
“ITS HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE THE MEDIA TELLS US SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE SO MANY HADITHS THAT COUNTERACTS THEIR ACTIONS. THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE REBUT THAT ISIS AS NOT PART OF ISLAM?” - AHMAD HAZIQ, YEAR 2, FACULTY OF ISLAMIC THEOLOGY
“UNTIL WHAT EXTEND ARE WE GOING TO WAIT? KITE KENE STOP NIE SEMUE SEBELUM TERLANJUT.”
- HUDZAIFAH HASBI, YEAR 3, FACULTY OF QURANIC EXEGESIS AND THE QURANIC SCIENCES
clapback
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ISIS & THE ISLAMIC STATE “THE MEDIA HAS BEEN “ ADAKAH IA SATU KEPROFITTING FROM WAJIBAN UNTUK THESE SENSATIONNAIKKAN DAWLAH ALIZE NEWS, AND BE- ISLAMIYAH CAUSE OF THAT THE SEKARANG? HUGE LINE BETWEEN RASULULLAH DIUTUSISIS AND ISLAM HAS KAN MEMBENTUKKAN BEEN BLURRED.” DAWLAH DAHAULU ATAU UMMAH? “SALAH SATU DARI TENTUNYA UMMAH... MATLAMAT KITA SEHARUSNYA ORIENTALIST ADALAH MUHASABAH DIRI MEREKA MAHU DARI FENOMENA INI. KELUARKAN ROH APAKAH KELEMAJIHAD DARI ORANG HAN KITA SEUMMAH. ISLAM. JIHAD YANG BAGAIMANA KITA DULU ISLAM TERAP- BOLEH BANGKIT MENJADI UMMAH MUHAMKAN DAH HILANG.” MADIYAH YANG BERSATU KEMBALI...” “ISIS SATU ISSUE YANG SANGAT BESAR UNTUK MASYARAKAT ISLAM DUNIA.” MUSTAFA ROSLAN, YEAR 4, FACULTY OF CREED AND PHILOSOPHY
- SUFI RIDHWAN, YEAR 4, FACULTY OF ISLAMIC AND CULTURE
- ABDUL SYAKUR, YEAR 3
- MUHAMMAD KHAIRULANWAR, YEAR 2
INFOCUS HOMOSEXUAL LOVE:
H
omosexuality has been a more pressing issue lately than ever before. There is a slight tendency among Muslims, to make homosexuality acceptable in the name of tolerance. On the other hand, there are those who would suggest summary execution of those engaging in homosexual behavior. This confusing message can be a danger in that it may erode and dilute some of our basic values. Homosexuality is, of course, not a new behavior. It has existed in almost all cultures and civlisations, but in few numbers and in secrecy, not with an open attitude as it does in the west. The homosexual, or the gay community, constitute a very active and powerful group and have strong political and social ties and access to the elites of the society, especially in the US. The agenda is a very simple one to make their behavior acceptable, and in the process recruit more to their ranks. Their so-
RIGHT OR WRONG?
phisticated campaign include promoting their agenda through legislation, presenting themselves as victims of prejudice and discrimination, helping to enact the gender discrimination act, legalizing and securing full benefits for same gender marriage, and even teaching at kindergarten level that the two-male or the two- female can be an acceptable alternative to the traditional family. Homosexuality is the sin of the people of Lut, and Allah condemns it explicitly in the Qur’an : “Do you approach the males of humanity, leaving the wives Allah has created for you? Nay, You are a people who transgress.” (26:165-166). There is a consensus among Islamic scholars that all humans are naturally heterosexual. Homosexuality is seen by scholars to be a sinful and perverted act. The Hanafite school states that the punishment of the homosexual should be less severe than that of the adulterer, and it is a punishment to be determined by the judge (ta’zeer). All Islamic schools of thought and juris-
prudence consider gay acts to be unlawful. They differ in terms of penalty: Imam Ash-Syafiei and Imam Ahmad were of the view that the punishment of the homosexual is the same as the adulterer. The Hanafite school is of the opinion that the punishment of the homosexual should be less severe than that of the adulterer, and it is a punishment to be determined by the judge (ta’zeer). Imam Ash-Syafiei and Imam Ahmad were of the view that the punishment of the homosexual is the same as the adulterer. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi of the ISNA said: “Homosexuality is a moral disorder. It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption... No person is born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or murderer. People acquire these habits due to a lack of proper guidance and education.” There are many reasons why homosexuality is forbidden in Islam. It is dangerous for the health of the individuals and for the society. It is a main cause of one of the most harmful and fatal diseases. It is disgraceful for both men and women.
INFOCUS It degrades a person. Islam teaches that men should be men and women should be women. Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood and a woman of her womanhood. It is the most un-natural way of life. Homosexuality leads to the destruction of family life. WHAT IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAMHOMOSEXUALITY OR PRACTICING HOMOSEXUALITY? In Islam, there is no legal judgment against people who feel homosexual impulses but do not act upon them. Only when someone acts upon homosexual feelings -- the behavior itself – is he then condemned and subject to legal punishment. Islam states unequivocally and unambiguously that homosexuality is a deviant behavior and that there is not even an iota of doubt that Islam condemns it. Even though our religion allows us latitude, more than most, to ponder and reconsider some issues, homosexuality is clearly and explicitly condemned by the Quran, the Prophet, and his progeny. But it does not mean that we hate homosexual people but rather that we find the transgressive behavior abhorable. We
need to help whoever has these tendencies, or practices such behavior with sensitivity or care. God has created everything in pairs, each endowed with physical and psychological characteristics to complement and complete one another. The “spousing” of male and female gender is original in human nature and out of this instinctive relationship the human race develops, continues and spreads. One of the criteria of a behavior that is beneficial to humanity at large is, “what if the action that you are promoting is exercised by a majority of the people of the world? Will it advance humanity or will it retard it?” In this case, human beings will cease to exist. There are people who argue the possibilities of being born homosexual, but even if there is a genetic propensity towards homosexuality, it is the nobility of the human spirit that can overcome it. We do not encourage the people with a propensity to alcoholism or gambling to keep on indulging in these vices, but rather encourage them to resist and overcome them We should do the same with homosexual feelings and tendencies. Whether one has the orientation or harbors “homosexual genes,” one’s feelings and desires cannot
dictate behavior. One may have a strong urge to have a homosexual contact, or to steal or kill. The nobility of the human spirit is to resist, and this is what elevates the human being to the status above that of the angels. As Muslims, it is our instinct to come to the defense of any individuals or groups who are discriminated against. While we abhor acts of discrimination against individuals or groups, we also place a high value on discretion. The individual’s right of choice is a fundamental value and it is a necessary condition for each individual to be accountable to God for his/her own actions. No one has a right to spy into the private lives and affairs of individuals. Even when these private affairs should incidentally be known, the admonition is to keep them private and protect those involved. However, when one openly declares one’s sexual orientation, a private matter, and then demands special consideration because of it, we find this an affront to the society’s well being. -TAHIRAH SYED SULTAN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: tahirahsyedsultan96@gmail.com
GADIS
Dont forget to love by Kaiyisah Najlaa Kamaludin
Everyone deserves to be loved. Whether the person realizes it or not. Everyone needs to be loved. Sometimes forgetting you are loved is the harshest of all realities.
GADIS
L
ove can be interpreted in many forms, love can be represented directly or indirectly. Love stems from the deepest vent of our hearts and love, was felt, shared and further enhanced with my late paternal grandmother’s gradual memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is a painful reality that has affected 44 million people as of 2015, predominantly targeting the 65 and above age group. This number unfortunately, is ever-increasing and rampant with the passing of time. Falling into the category of ‘chronic neurological disorder’, it is a severe form of dementia and begins with the onset of memory loss. Subsequently, thinking and behavior issues start taking place. This is when Alzheimer’s disease reaches its climax. And once it reaches the climax, its sufferer hits a new low… Waking up with a new identity every day became synonymous to me. Yesterday I was a neighbor from her kampong, the day before, I was a colleague at her previous workplace, but I was never her granddaughter. Pictures and keepsakes were vital at this point, as they were the only visual proof that we were all blood. That, and of course love and patience. Love, was seen when my father was struggling to convince that he really is my grandmother’s son. Love was seen when my father did not falter upon hearing the words ‘no, you are not my son.’ Love was the effort of trying, and love was the reason to never give up trying. “Give Up” is this persistent pessimistic visitor that keeps knocking on our door, begging us to let it in and surrender to it, especially during the toughest times. There were instances
where I was left alone with my grandmother during the ‘peak’ of the behavorial takeover. She would violently knock the door of the room I locked myself in and order me to come out, as she thought I was a robber that broke in. Hunched in fear, its either I waited for her angst to subside, or for any of my family members to return home from work and then, slowly exit the room. Her hyper moments would subside eventually, but that surely comes with bouts of convincing from our part.
A
lzheimer’s disease has the ability to mask the most genuine individual into somebody he or she totally is not, as elaborated from how my grandmother transitioned into someone with a ferocious behavior, far from her usually sweet, lovable and bubbly self. This newfound bizarre behavior that comes with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, was obviously new and shocking to us as a family. Being weak and letting it overwhelm us was not a choice. What was needed was strength to keep up with the progression. This gathered strength during those trying times was only possi-
LOVE WAS THE EFFORT OF TRYING AND LOVE WAS THE REASON TO NEVER GIVE UP TRYING ble if the foundation is based on love. Love kept us going. Before being inflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, love surrounded my grandmother wherever she went. Because she gave off love,
GADIS
she was returned love, and nothing short of that. The ‘chicken boys’ at the wet market would endearingly call her ‘Mak’, slip in a few more chicken parts than necessary, and so did her neighbours that she constantly exchanged dishes with. Whenever my friends came over, she would greet them wholeheartedly and smother them with four kisses minimum, on both sides of their cheeks. My friends were tickled by this trademark and routine of hers. A routine which she never got tired of. Through her, I learnt the definition of love, because to me, my grandmother defined the meaning of love.
L
ove, she said, or rather showed, comes with sincerity. In order for love to be felt and resonated through the hearts, it must first be stemmed from sincerity. There is no limit to the amount of love one can give. Therefore with sincerity, one will never feel burdened by outpouring limitless amount of love, something the world is in dire need of. When my grandmother lost her ability to love-due to the effects of alzheimer’s disease overwhelming her-we tried to applaud and appreciate the minute efforts she did to regain the forgotten meaning of love she once defined. Like, when she tried remembering back our real names, when she apologised for her rowdy behaviour. We applaud it. We appreciate it. We involve love. We do not give up. We cannot give up. Despite everything, life was not always gloomy and dark when
it concerns caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes role-playing as the different ‘characters’ was fun and made the situation less tense, and I got to know about the important people that shaped my grandmother’s past (one of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease is you remember more of the past rather than live in the present). On better days, her beautiful and gracious personality shined through when she finds out our true identities - her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Although she forgets at the very next instance, the smile and tight hugs she gave when she realized we are her direct family, made it all worth-it. Again, to not feel exhausted from this repeated process, needs, needless to say, love. In conclusion, everybody is fighting a hard battle, even those with Alzheimer’s disease, though most of the effects are beyond their control. If you see an elderly acting weary or disorganized in public but harmless for sure, do not be quick to make false assumptions or take flight. Approach and try not to ignore. For all you know, your help will definitely ease a lot of affairs on the worried-sicken family. When given a choice, always choose to spread love, not worry, unease, ignorance. Love I would appreciate if you could dedicate Al-Fatihah to Allahyarhamha Fatimah bte Kadimon, thank you and may Allah shower His love and rahmah on you - KAIYISAH NAJLAA BINTE KAMALUDIN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: kaiyisah.najj@gmail.com
LANGUAGE
The TURKISH LANGAUAGE
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ets take a stroll along the streets of Turkey. As you walk along the sidewalks you wind up near a park and stumbled upon a netizen spewing out ay çekirdeği at a bench. He catches a glance, and the jolly fellow walks up to you and greets, “Merhaba! nereye gidiyorsun evladım?” Like a cacophony of words it struck your ear and you stood there speechless. Panic you gesture at the dumbfounded old man
LANGUAGE by pointing ‘southwards’ and make a dash for the nearest toilet. Apparently anxiety is your least favourable trait, running away from problems rather than finding for resolve will not get you anywhere! ouldn’t it better if you were able to converse and hang around with him a little bit longer? Wouldn’t it be great, if he told you basic navigations around the area, the roads less travelled, the hidden shops tucked deep within the recesses of buildings and marketplaces offering great deals and promotions for the shopaholic at heart. But your lack of basic turkish language gets the better of you and it leads you to an awkward situation. Fret not, this article serves as a basic Turkish language guide, incase any of you readers are travelling to Turkey. Eager to be mesmerised by the Ottoman traditions and heritage that long savored victory centuries ago. As you munched on a börek at a local bistro fixing yourself to a light breakfast, you glanced at the congested streetways swarmed with locals flocking the market for grocery shopping. They are just a speck of a vast number of 75 million native speakers in Turkey who are a representative of their own cultures and traditions. Turks are generally very friendly and amicable and tends to the affairs of their affiliates seriously. So worry not, they are more than happy to help if you are keen in studying their language! Not wanting to be confined by the language barrier, you tried approaching the street vendors, the buskers at Taksim, the köfteci along the streets of Üsküdar, the brisk-walkers sauntering along the Kartal beachsides to try and have a go at learning Turkish, bear in mind that there are some languages that closely resembles the Turkish language and like their language peers, Azerbaican, and Türkmenistan, they are categorised under the Altaic family under the Oghuz branch. They closely assimilate each other in their grammer and pronunciation but slightly differ in their spellings and alphabet with their proponents widely approving the inclusion of Korean and Japanese language. It makes you wonder now that in the past the Ottoman Turkish language used to be written in Arabic alphabets. However ever since the Turkish language reform by Mustafa Atatürk during the early 30s, the Turkish language has been entirely reviewed, and ever since then has been writtened in Latin. A major shift from it’s Arabic and Persian origins. The Ottoman Turkish led the people of the era to it’s demise with the disassociation of it from one of the many Ottoman traditions and legacies thus regressing it from it’s İslamic values. There is a vast addition of archaic and new words that were registered and replaced with the former administrative Ottoman-Turkish language which led to it’s quiescency and disfunctionality. After wandering in and out of streets and markets, you meet with a Turkish youth and easily interacted with him. He decides to show you around and teach you abit of Turkish. Some important things to note, the Turkish language is mainly agglutinative, which is to say that the morphemes (pieces to a word) for example; it’s grammer, it’s singular or plural form
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are all conjoined in a word. It sometimes also have the whole sentence in the translated into just a word. For example: biliyorum = bil + iyor + m [verb + tense + possesive noun (I)], which means I know.
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fter clearing out on that, your Türk friend explains to you the features and the characteristics of Turkish language which actually subscribes to a systematic vowel harmonisation and the absence of grammatical gender. İt is also a phonetic language so when it is articulated, all of the vowels will conform in a consistent fashion adhering to only one common pattern when vocalising every alphabet. For instance, the ‘u’ as in put in the Turkish word uyumak is pronounced the same way as it is in the word unlamak. There are also additional alphabets to the language which are ‘ö ü ı ş ç ğ’ and the rest are mainly alphabets in the English language with the exclusion of ‘w’. The ‘ü’ is pronounced as ‘ue’ in blue. ‘ö’ as ‘i’ in third. ‘ı’ as ‘i’ in cousin. ‘ş’ as in ‘sh’ in shame. ‘ç’ as in ‘ch’ in chuck. Meanwhile ‘ğ’, it is non-verbal as it serves as a connector combining two vowels in a word. Now try pronouncing these basic words: ün (floor) göz (eye), sırt (back), şaka (joke), çok (very), ağaç (tree) as basic examples for all the Turkish additional letters exemplified above. Now after some practice you are ready to read the text below: “Çok ağaç olan ormanda odun toplayan oduncunun gözü ve sırtı ağrırken, oduncu bu ormanın ünlü bir şaka olduğunu düşündü.” Which means: “In a forest full of trees, a woodcutter who was collecting timbers hurts his eye and his back when a famous jungle joke struck his head” If you are able to read the short message above, you are ready to move with the familiarisation of common phrases used by tourists, below: Merhaba (Hi) Hoş geldiniz (Welcome) Hoş bulduk (Reply to welcom) Günaydın (Good morning) İyi günler/akşamlar/geçeler (Good day/evening/night) Güle güle (Bye bye) Teşekkür ederim (Thank you) Tanıştığımıza memnun oldum (It’s nice to meet you) Ben _______ gitmek istiyorum (I want to go the _______) Ne kadar? (How much?) Saat kaç şimdi? (What time is it now) _____ almak/satın almak istiyorum (I want to buy/purchase this) The list goes on but it will suffice for you to get by when trav-
LANGUAGE elling in Turkey Now you are ready to try and have a conversation with your Türk friend in Turkish! And remember the when travelling in Turkey later make sure İstanbul city is the highlight of your stay and do not forget to visit those baronial and magnificient medieval mosques with lofty towers after each melodious call to azan, and while you are at it, relinquish your soul with a cup of hot steamimg tea while enjoying the view of the bosphorus river in Eminönü with your Turkish friend. Hope you had a great holiday! Türkiye’de iyi eğlenceler! (Have fun in Turkey!)
TURKEY CURRENT AFFAIRS
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he world was shaken by the recent happenings that took place in Turkey caused by a group of soldiers attempting to overrule the government in a military coup. Tensions are rising and Turkey has never faced such a catastrophy in a long time. The military coup claimed success was brought to a failure after government soldiers opposed unwaveringly against them. There were many theories strung to this event. One of it claimed to be a plot of the government’s rival; the Fethullah Gulenist vigilante group’s attempt to overthrow the goverment. A movement led by exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, which the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced as “an armed terrorist organisation”. There are also theories that it was sparked by an armed conflict between the Kurdish insurgent groups and The Republic of Turkey and they a revolt against the government after years of having been discriminated and oppressed by the parliament party.
As the world witnesses what could be the start of the Turkey’s downfall evoked by internal conflicts that was aggressed by several groups trying to make their stand and assuming authority in Turkey. This in turn deteriorated Turkey’s state and economy. With the previous occurences that have taken place in other middle eastern countries, it’s a clear premonition of which countries might be targeted next. Turkey has never faced such a formidable threat before. With this, the state has always been taking security measures to ensure that the state is brought under control and appease tensions that are arising amongst civilians and the military. News, be it genuine or falsified are all showcased on the media, and whatever that is presented, viewers believe them naively and this can harm Turkey’s integrity. Journalists and reporters who are supporting or opposing a certain party or body have the power to incite animosity and hatred by their allegations. This can pose as a liable threat yet again towards the state. They have take pre-emptive steps to curb this from going on. They have banned certain social media platforms like facebook and twitter. The government can also ban the print and distribution of journals, magazines, newspapers, brochures, books and fliers during this period. This is to curb the the promulgation of beguilingly misleading idealogies and and also refraining from external interventions from unnecessary forces. With the uprising going on, mass dismissals and arrests of certain members of the authority were also conducted all over Turkey. Turkey has since been the core of attention and topics of discussion in political institutions from the all over the world. The future of Turkey is uncertain but much is to expect from the current President Erdogan who is currently holding position on solid ground with supporters defending and vindicating for his authority over Turkey to remain - AHMAD SHAZLY BIN MUHAMMAD ARIFF To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: shazlyariff@gmail.com
مقﺎﻝ أهمية تحقيق فلسفة التعليم األزهري بين التراث والواقع أقامت جلنة املكتبة حماضرة يلقيها فضيلة الشيخ فهمي عبد القوي ليلة الثالثاء، ،28/3/2016حتت العنوان حتقيق فلسفة التعليم األزهري بني الرتاث .والواقع .وكان املوضوع يف غاية األمهية ال يسع لألزهري أن جيهله ويتغافل عنه وبعد فإن من أعباء األزهري تصوير الواقع تصويرا كامال صحيحا ليوقع األحكام الشرعية عليه حتت مظلة معينة ،مكونة من املقاصد الشرعية ومن املصاحل ومن مراعاة املآالت واللغة العربية واإلمجاع وغريها .وال سبيل إىل إدراك الواقع بشكل تام إال بالتقدير واإلملام والتحري واالستفادة من تراث كبري بذل فيه علماء األمة جهدا على مر العصور .وال ينكر أحد أهنم يعلموننا منهج التفكري ،وتعلمنا منهم طريقة سوية يف التعامل مع النصوص وطرح القضايا .وإنزال األحكام عليها قبل أن نغوص يف الكالم عن الرتاث والواقع ،جيب على األزهري أن يعرف أ ّن العلوم دوائر متصلة يرتبط بعضها ببعض؛ منها ما يعود إىل العلوم الطبيعية وهلم جرا .نعم ،املطلوب من األزهري أن يفيد وأخرى تتعلق بالعلوم اإلنسانية ّ من الرتاكم العلمي واملعريف والثقايف الذي استفادته اإلنسانية ،لكن الذي يهمنا .اآلن على وجه خاص هو العلوم الشرعية لو أخذنا هذا اجلزء من العلوم ووضعناه حتت اجملهر لوجدنا أنه يف احلقيقة ،ثالث دوائر رئيسية أوالها دائرة علوم املصادر .فاملصدر الذي يعتمد عليه املسلمون والذي تدور
حوله حياهتم هو النص .فهذه الدائرة تشتمل على القرآن والسنة والعلوم اليت .ختدمهما كالتفسري وعلوم احلديث توجهنا لنحقق ثالثة الدائرة الثانية متعلقة بعلوم العقيدة والفقه والتصوف ،اليت ّ مقاصد اليت هي سبب وجودنا يف هذه الدنيا :عبادة اهلل وعمارة الكون وتزكية .النفس .وميكننا أن نسمي هذه الدائرة بعلوم املقاصد مث هناك أدوات وآالت ال بد من أن يتسلح هبا األزهري حىت يتمكن من التعامل مع النص .فكيف يفهم القرآن وهو غري عامل باللغة العربية؟ كيف ملم بعلم أصول الفقه؟ فجاءت الدائرة األخرية – يستنبط األحكام وهو غري ّ املسماة بعلوم اآلالت – حمتوية على علوم النحو والصرف واملعاين وأصول الفقه .واملنطق وغريها فللكشف عن مراد اهلل يستلزم لألزهري أن يتقن هذه العلوم كلها من آالهتا ومصادرها ومقاصدها كما فعله سلفنا يف استنباط األحكام فإهنم كانوا يدركون واقعهم ويفهمون معطياته وينظرون إىل النصوص ويتعاملون معها باألدوات العلمية الصحيحة وإال لكان فهمه للنصوص ناقصا زائغا عن هنج سلفنا يف فهمها ،فال نتخلى عن تراثهم بل نستفيد منه املناهج واألساليب يف التفكري وقواعد تفسري النصوص وتأويلها وأصول االجتهاد والنظر يف املبادئ واألحكام فال جنمد على املسطورات ونقف عند مسائلها ألهنا كانت أحكاما صاحلة .لوقتها وواقعها
مقﺎﻝ قال القرايف يف كتابه الفروق “تراعى الفتاوى على طول األيام فمهما جتدد يف العرف اعتربه ومهما سقط أسقطه وال جتمد على املسطور يف الكتب طول عمرك بل إذا جاءك رجل من غري أهل أقليمك يستفتيك ال جتره على عرف بلدك واسأله عن عرف بلده وأجره عليه وأفته به دون عرف بلدك واملقرر يف كتبك فهذا هو احلق الواضح واجلمود على املنقوالت أبدا ضالل يف الدين ”وجهل مبقاصد علماء املسلمني والسلف املاضني ِ فما املقصود إذن بكلمة (الواقع) اليت قد تكون يف أذهان كث ٍري ضبابيةً؟ الواقع يف احلقيقة أربعة عوامل :عامل األشياء وعامل األشخاص وعامل األحداث وعامل األفكار وليست مستقلة بوحدها بل تكون شديدة االرتباط والتعقيد بني هذه العوامل .وكما شاهدنا أن الواقع يف دوام التغري يتطور من عصر إىل عصر ويتقدم وال ينتهي إىل حال واحدة ،فيختلف من مكان إىل آخر ومن زمان إىل .زمان فعلى األزهري دراسة كنه هذه العالقات البينية العميقة اليت يف تصرفات البشر لتنزيل األحكام يف وضعها الصحيح ،وكذلك مراعاة القواعد مثل “ارتكاب أخف الضررين واجب” ،فكيف يبني احلكم الشرعي وال يعرف الضرر األكرب والضرر األصغر يف مسألة ما .ومثل “مراعاة االتفاقيات الدولية القائمة” .وغريها من القواعد الكثرية يف غاية التعقيد در الشيخ حممد إبراهيم عبد الباعث الكتاين حيث قال كالما يف غاية هلل ّ :العمق ;To find out more about our writer. Contact at Email: firda95@hotmail.com
من الفقه أن يعيش اإلنسان يف واقعه ومن الغلو أن يعيش اإلنسان واقعا ليس“ ”حباضره ولعلك تسأل :ما نتيجة اجلمود وعدم إدراك الواقع؟ أضرب لك مثاال ....ظهور التيارات املتطرفة كداعش كان حصيلة التأويل الباطل لقوله تعاىل (ومن مل حيكم مبا أنزل اهلل فأولئك هم الكافرون) فقد خلطوا بني اعتقاد انفراد اهلل تعاىل باحلكم للبشر وبني جريان األحكام الفقهية يف الواقع وجريان أحكام الفقه يف الواقع من قبيل خطاب التكليف املرتبط خبطاب الواقع حبيث يتوقف األمر فيه على تفقد األسباب والشروط واملوانع، فتحويل هذا األمر إىل االعتقاد وجعل التقصري يف إجراء األحكام قادحا يف يؤولون اآلية مفتقدي االعتقاد وسببا للتكفري خطأ عظيم تورطوا فيه .فهؤالء ّ اآلالت ،يسريون على منهج فكري سقيم مضطرب مفعم بالتشنج غاضب .ومندفع وعدواين ،عندهم محاس لإلسالم دون فقه وال بصرية وال أدوات للفهم وال يعين هذا أن األزهر حيتكر لنفسه حق تأويل النص أو أنه يقصر املعرفة على نفسه بل األمر راجع إىل منهج علمي رصني حافظ األزهر عليه ونشره وعلمه وأودعه يف الكتب .وعلى كل من أراد أن يشارك يف االستنباط من القرآن أال يقصر يف حتصيل هذا املنهج وإتقانه وإحراز الشهادة واإلجازة العلمية فيه ،وإال .فهو معتد على العلم ومقصر يف طلبه وتعلمه .ونسأل اهلل التوفيق - FIRDA ABDUL WAHID
correspondence NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND GUMMY SMILES: A FUN-FILLED DAY AT DAR EL-FURQAAN
love
for humanity Our prophet, peace be upon him, speaks highly of the custodian of an orphan, so what more an orphan?
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odaa with the dreamy hazel eyes, Jaabir with the helmet hair, As’ad and Sa’ed the two siblings with the mischevious grins, and baby Mousstafa with the chubby cheeks, were among the mood-makers of Dar El-Furqan which my team visited. It is one of the three orphanages prepared by the Humanitarian committee of Perkemas, in conjunction with Amal Day on the 15th of April. Dar El-Furqan is located at Makram El-Ebid
correspondence
TEAM DAR EL-FURQAAN GIVING THE THUMBS FOR AYTAAM
on the second floor of a building. Being single-leveled, there is no surprise that the interior is space-constraint. What’s surprising was this fun fact shared by their caretaker: it houses 37 children ranging from infants to pre-teens. 37! In a space no bigger than a typical 5-room flat in Singapore.
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hen we arrived, however, they were only 9 boys as the girls went out for some fresh air. Midway through the introduction game blowwind-blow, and at its most uncontrollable state, the girls returned. There were about 10 of them in total. Let’s just say the girls chose the right timing to make an appearance :p The energy of these kids were on the ball throughout, so much that some of the games’ decent rules were spiraling out of control and into a frenzy. But thankfully we had quick-thinking volunteers who attended to the situation and tamed it. Most of the activities played were interactive games that did not require vigorous running, taking the lack of space into consideration. We had a group-formation game, English lesson, arts n craft, a drawing competition and had recess together. The drawing competition was especially heartfelt because the kids had the freedom to interpret their idea of a good muslim
or muslimah and what they aspire to be when they grow up. These kids did not resort to the typical stereotypes of doctors, lawyers, but rather they aspire to be people close to their hearts, inspired by people who make them happy on a daily basis. Many chose to be a teacher, chef, driver and people-lover. This goes to show that the presence of adult figures is vital in the shaping and growing-up process of kids, and I have nothing but applause and salutation for these caretakers for filling the shoes of their parents well. We took the opportunity to have some chit-chat sessions over recess before parting ways. The kids were not quite familiar with the food we provided but they were polite not to refuse it totally. Some of us accompanied a few kids till their last bit of rice and some of us hanged around with them, talking about school and everything in general. Without realizing, the day approached the end. After photo-taking session and presenting hampers and tokens of appreciation, we had a last round of hugs between the volunteers and kids. These lovely kids. That taught us the true meaning of happiness, and appreciating every little things around you. - KAIYISAH NAJLAA KAMALUDIN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: kaiyisah.najj@gmail.com
correspondence
Photograph by Multimedia Unit
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n the 15th of April 2016, a group of PERKEMAS members, including myself, were given the opportunity to visit orphanages to lend a helping hand, in an event organized by the Humanitarian Unit. The orphanage that I was assigned to was called Dar El-Mustafa. Located in the 8th district, Dar El-Mustafa is an all-girls orphanage comprising of only 10 girls, aged 4 to 14. Considering my all-girls schooling background, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to visit an all-girls orphanage. My first impression of the orphanage when I entered was that it was considerably small for 10 girls and their caretaker to be living in. The orphanage was a one storey apartment roughly the size of a typical 5-room flat in Singapore, and consisted of 5 small bedrooms, a kitchen, two toilets, and a reception area. It saddened me to see the state of the orphanage compared to orphanages in Singapore, where the children were given a proper living space and an appropriate environment to grow and develop. We began our activities with self introductions and ice breaking games. One of the games we played was the hand twister game, where everyone would stand in a circle and link hands with the person opposite them. Each person would then try to escape from the tangle of hands (without releasing the hands of the person opposite them) until everybody is free. Sadly, the games we played did not suit the tastes of the young
girls, who were much more active and outgoing than we anticipated. To our relief however, the pillow sewing activity, strangely won their hearts over. None of them had ever attempted sewing before, and the idea of being able to make and keep their own personalized pillows appealed to them. The sight of the girls fawning over the quirky and fun patterns of the fabrics we provided for them eased the tensed volunteers as we helped them sew and customize their own pillows. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we did not manage to carry out some of the prepared activities such as bingo and a story-telling session. We rounded off our activities with a mini birthday celebration for two of the girls, 12-year old Nour and 10-year old Donya, who celebrated their birthdays recently. The two birthday girls cut the cake and we sang a birthday song as they received the wrapped school supplies we bought for them. We then ended our visit with a group photo-taking session and the presentation of the monetary donations and staple foods to the warden of the orphanage. ll in all, I was happy to have been given the opportunity to visit these orphans, to see how they lived their life everyday, and to appreciate all the things Allah s.w.t has blessed me with.
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- TAHIRAH SYED SULTAN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: tahirahsyedsultan96@gmail.com
books
Calling others about Islam
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PHOTOS PERKEMAS ARCHIEVES
s Muslims, we are required to present the good image of Islam to others, showing them that it is both beautiful and peaceful. We are not asked to convert the whole world to Islam, nor are we told to use force for others to accept it.Calling people to Islam is the duty of all Muslims. Not everyone will do the actual calling, but the whole Muslim community has a responsibility to support those who do. Many talk about calling others to Islam as though there is some mystical technique reserved for a special few with special knowledge. Let us understand first that it is Allah alone who calls people to Islam. Let us reflect upon our egos if we think that we are the reason someone declares the shahada. Who do we think we are? We talk about dawah and calling others to Islam, and yet we are the ones who very often don’t get up in the morning to pray. We talk about inviting people to be a Muslim, and yet we hardly go to pray in the mosque for our daily prayers. Again, it is Allah who calls people. We are simply invited by him to tell others what Islam is like. We are not even helpers. After all, Allah Almighty doesn’t need our help. Perhaps He has invited us to tell others about Islam because in doing so we can become better Muslims. In the Holy Quran, we are told to do it with “wise words and beautiful preaching.” The verse doesn’t go on to say that many will respond to our call. It doesn’t promise great results from our efforts, nor even that
we will see any results at all. We are simply told to do it. And as Muslim, we respond. If you want to call others to Islam, you don’t need to talk about Islam all the time. ”Excuse me sir, can I interest you in Islam?” might not elicit quite the response you are looking for. The majority of people aren’t really that interested. No matter what we just have to find a more comfortable way to approach them. In this book Mr Idris Tawfiq shares his journey, conveying the message of Islam to parts of the world such as Ireland and Scotland. Meeting with different cultures and peoples. Approaching the non-believers with the right attitude that respects people where they are and what they believe. An attitude that inspires good Roman Catholics to be even better Roman Catholics and good Jews to be even Better Jews. We are not fighting one another over goodness. We should learn to respect and embrace goodness wherever we find it, since goodness come from Allah and he alone. People are free to worship and believe as they wish. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was happy to live side by side with people who were not Muslims. And it didn’t threaten his faith one little bit to do so. - MUHAMMAD AFIQ BIN ANWAR To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: mdafiqanwar@gmail.com
ourVOICES
Love , Marriage,
and the Household.
O
ften in the Malay culture, the word wedding has a connotation with the word celebration. It popularly reflects our inner desires, or how a happily ever after should be like as how the media showcased it as. A real marriage on the other hand is an entirely different thing. Seeking success in it has been a prerequisite of all societies. We have always known that the current Malay community stresses on the big day much more than the contract of marriage. In the United States, the average timespan of ‘ happily ever after ‘ lasts about seven years or less. That is the average period of how long can the newly-weds withstand the challenges and trials they faced together before eventually going on separate ways. This is an example of a society which proclaims that they are well-advanced in this age of Reason and Science- without bearing the Divine Torch. I’m afraid that this will show in the local statistics. And that our community is going down the same hole that the West is facing for the last decade. To solve the basic marriage problems, we first need to make sure that we have laid the foundations correctly, a sturdy structure could withstand the harshest of winds. Then we can identi-
fy the problems and carefully and strategically fix the crisis. The basis of marriage as what to Islam has underlined is - fear and remembrance of Allah. It is the golden rule for all aspects of life- especially applicable to the rules of a household. The verses in surah An Nisa’ repeats that the rights and responsibilities of spouses begins with repetitive reminders of Taqwa. To withstand the challenges the Muslims face in the modern age, both the husband and wife need to know their responsibilities. Discipline and organisation are often emphasised in Islam. A husband is responsible for handling all affairs out of the household; finance, protection, and direction. The wife is his assistant, and is responsible for taking care of the house and the children. That is how the Prophet saw puts it: “Every one of you is in charge and everyone will be accountable for those given in his charge... The man is in charge of the household and the woman is in charge of the home of her husband and his children... “ The structure of authority and responsibility is the key to cohesion and proper functioning of the society. With that being mentioned, a husband cannot misuse his authority and take the services for granted, here’s another prophetic guidance to keep the husband’s authority in check: “The best of you are those who are best in dealing with their wives, and I am the best in dealing with my wives. “
ourVOICES
M
arriage is not what it is on the internet, dramas or magazines. Problems often arise between couples. No two human beings can always suffice the expectations of each other. What if a husband sees something in his wife that he dislikes? “No believing man should totally detest a believing woman (who is his wife). If he dislikes something in her, there would be something else in her that he would like. “ For the case of the wife, she should not be persuaded to what some modern ladies describe life as fun. Claiming that homemaking is dull, and children are a burden. It is not coincidental that pregnancy and nursing are female oriented tasks. God has
To solve the basic marriage problems, we first need to make sure that we have laid the foundations correctly, a sturdy structure could withstand the harshest of winds. given women these special talents and psychological empathy to take care of the children, there is no substitute for mother’s milk or her love. Her patience, kindness, willingness to sacrifice her own comfort, and her natural closeness to her children,
and her children’s natural closeness to her. A mother understands her children’s needs and problems without the need of them telling her. No childcare centre or kindergarten teachers can make up for the absence of the children’s parents. Islam ordered us to set our priorities straight, this includes the matters of the household- whether a major or a minor responsibility that is prescribed to the husband, his wife, or the children. Every one of us in the community needs to grasp his or her role. Like the archers in the battle of Uhud, it is the key to the fate of the entire squad. If archers hold on to their positions, the entire army will succeed. If they leave it for some distraction elsewhere, the entire army will succumb to defeat. All in all a family is the basis of any society. The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued and is essential for the spiritual growth of its members. It is quite common among us to find large, extended families living together; providing comfort, security and support to one another. - MUHAMMAD FAIZUDDIN FAUZAN
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Cats
the top 10
1
THE PRINCE OF BITTERIKH
WOLFIE JR
AGE: 1 year 3 months (Birthdate: 7/1/2015) BREED: British Longhair. In memoirs of Wolfie Senior, who fathered most of the cats taken care by the Singaporean students. BEHAVIOUR: Spoilt and craves for attention. LOVES: Water! Surprisingly, Wolfie Jr enjoys a full body bath every once in awhile.
Cats
the top 10
2
NARUTO
AGE: 2 years old. BREED: Chartreux. REASON BEHIND NAME: One of the owners was obsessed with the anime Naruto, hence the name. BEHAVIOUR: Soleh (obedient). LOVES TO: Sleep in weird places (in the closet or on a chair).
3&
ICHIBI
KIKIBI
AGE: Ichibi, 5 years old. Kikibi, 3 years old. BREED: Mixed Persian. REASON BEHIND NAME: Ichibi, named after a onetailed monster from the anime Naruto. The name Kikibi however was made up to rhyme with Ichibi. BEHAVIOUR: Sneaky. LOVES TO: Be cuddled and carried around.
Cats
the top 10
4
CICI
AGE: 1 year old. BREED: Persian. REASON BEHIND NAME: Named after President Sisi, with a little twist. BEHAVIOUR: Very loving especially towards her masters. LOVES TO: Smell strangers’ feet.
5
DULDUL
AGE: 4 years old BREED: Mixed breed. REASON BEHIND NAME: Named after Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s donkey. BEHAVIOUR: Attention seeker. LOVES TO: Wait by the door in hopes to be reunited with his long lost lover, Laila Aprilla.
Cats
the top 10
6
CHIPSY & ZIZO
AGE: 3 years old. BREED: Persian. REASON BEHIND NAME: Chipsy; as the former owner loves eating chipsy crackers when Chipsy was born and also because Chipsy eats the most among his siblings. Zizo; as the former owner was a fan of the footballer Zinedine Zidane. BEHAVIOUR: Though both are calm and reserved, Zizo however, is quite of a scaredy-cat. LOVES TO: Snuggle with people.
7
DAYYAN, DEENA & DORA AGE: 5 months old. BREED: Mixed breed (Siamese/Persian). REASON BEHIND NAME: Dora was named after Dora The Explorer, as she loves to explore! BEHAVIOUR: Dayyan; hunter, Deena; relaxed, Dora; adventurer. LOVES TO: Dayyan loves to chase his siblings around whereas Deena loves climbing on people’s shoulders and head. Dora however, loves to climb on tables and cabinets.
Cats
the top 10
8
OREO
AGE: 1 year 2 months old. BREED: Mixed Persian. REASON BEHIND NAME: Because of her greyish-white fur which resembles the oreo cookies. BEHAVIOUR: Pampered. LOVES TO: Welcome people at the door.
9
FIFI & ZEINA
AGE: Zeina; 1 year 4 months. Fifi’s age is unknown. BREED: Fifi; Turkish angora. Zeina; unkown. REASON BEHIND NAME: Fifi was named by its previous owner. BEHAVIOUR: Fifi enjoys sleeping whereas Zeina has a huge appetite. LOVES TO: Drink millo
Cats
the top 10
10
ZAHAB
AGE: 2 year 6 months. BREED: Mixed Persian/Shirazi. REASON BEHIND NAME: Because of her zahab (gold) coloured fur. BEHAVIOUR: Proud and haughty. LOVES TO: Sleep on people’s laps.
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LETS TALK ABOUT
LOVE DONT BE SILLY. OF COURSE WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF LOVE. LOVE EXPRESSED IN MANY WAYS. FROM ARTS. TRAVELS. HISTORY. WORK. PASSION... LOVE CONQUERS ALL. so LETS LOVE.
THE THRE MOSQU
Narrated A
The Prophet SAW said, “Do not set ou Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Alla Al-Aqsa, (Mosqu
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY M
EE
UES
Abu Huraira:
ut on a journey except for three Mosques; ah’s Messenger SAW , and the Mosque of ue of Jerusalem).”
MUHMMAD BASHIR BIN ABDUL RAHIM
KAABAH, MASJIDIL HARAM
“Dari Hotel ke haram dengan keadaan ihram, hati ku rasa Ketika sampai luaran mesjid, semakin gementar emosi hati membasah wajah ku. Semue fikiran berhenti kucuali nama vision sangat berbeza dengan apa di depan mata ku. Cahaya tenang, melafazkan kesyukuran kepada ilahi yang maha es
gementar, mengigil, sedih sambil rasa teramat gembira. ini, sehingga ku melihat Kabaah itu sendiri. Air menitis ilahi yang ku ucapkan. Apa yang dipamerkan di kaca telea Kabaah lebih bersinar dari segalanya di Mekkah. Hati ini sa memberi ku rezki untuk akhrinya menziarah rumahn-
MESID NABAWI, MADINAH
“Nikmatnya berada di Madinah sangat luar biasa. Berdegar ha mesjid Nabawi memanggil hati ku, seolah-seolah Bilal melaun kedua, pada waktu Zuhor. Ku melintas Babus Salam dan disa kan salam kepada kekasihku, sambil terimbas kembali keagon ku. Hati ku terasa berat sekali, tidak mahu meniggalkan sisi b memberi kesempatan untuk menziarah baginda pada masa ha
ati berjalanan dari Jeddah ke kota Madinah. Suara azan di ngkan azan. Akhirnya ku menziarahi kekasihku pada hari ambut dengan keharuman mesjid yang suci ini. Ku mengucapngan baginda. Setiap titisan airmata tumpah jatuh di wajah baginda. Pada hari terakhir ku berdoa kepada ilahi untuk adapan.�
JABAL HIRAA
“Pada malam yang sangat panas, ku mendaki gunung Tsur de gian gunung Sinai. Ku meneroka setiap sudut tanah gunung den dihadapan mata adalah Gua Hiraa yang bersejarah. Tempat pe kat Jibril membawa lafaz pertama dari ayat suci Al-Quran. La orang sahaja. Pemandangan masjidil haram bersinar pada mal pemandang itu.�
engan nafas yang tercungap-cungap. Tinggianya, setengah tingengan zikrillah. Akhirnya sampai ke puncak gunung Tsur, dan ertama yang mana wahyu diturunkan kepada Baginda, malaialuannya sangat kecil, hanya boleh dilintas oleh satu atau dua lam yang gelap itu, bagai intan yang disinari cahaya. Indah nya
Masjiid al-aqso
“Not many really know the difference between Masjid Al-Aq different mosques, but at a same place. But if they truly kno ter importance in Islam and civilisation, I will promise you everything to protect it. Anything.�
qso and the Dome of the rock. They are both completely ow about Masjid Al-Aqso and its incredible history and utwhether you’re Muslim or not, you will do anything and
DOME OF THE ROCK
“I remember entering the green doors of the completely engulfed by the majesty of the gold all I could do was stare for longer than a mom the a hill. It was almost too beautiful to comp
haram shareef for the first time and was lden dome. Stopped dead in my tracks, and ment at the beauty standing proudly on top prehend.�
IMaking LOVE SING my country proud
GAPORE d,no matter where I am
MAHASISW mahasiswaA
singapura mengharumk negara di
Mesir
pi
PICTURE; Ustaz Zuhali at the The World Association Of Al-Azhar International debate 2016
W aA
a
kan nama PENULIS MUSTAFA ROSLAN FOTO MUSTAFA ROSLAN
BERDAGANG PARANG
DI PADANG LARANG
MENGHUNUS PEDANG DI MEDAN PERANG MENGORAK WASILAH JANGAN DIHALANG WIRA ALAZHAR MEMBUKA GELANGANG
D
ebat merupakan satu perkara yang mencabar minda setiap individu. Ia mengubah cara kita berfikir, mengajar kita untuk melihat sesuatu perkara dari perspektif yang berlainan dan lantas menilainya dengan fikiran yang kritikal. Pada tahun ini Persatuan Pelajar & Mahasiswa Indonesia (PPMI) telah mengadakan satu initiatif untuk menganjurkan pertandingan debat bahasa arab di peringkat antarabangsa dengan kerjasama dari Kedutaan Indonesia di Mesir dan Perhimpunan Internasional Graduan-Graduan Al-Azhar Assharif (The World Association For Al-Azhar Graduates) Pertandingan tersebut berlangsung di bangunan The World Association For Al-Azhar Graduates pada 16 hingga 19 April. Antara barisan juri yang membuat penilaian ialah Sheikh Khaled Omran. Beliau merupakan salah seorang anggota Jabatan Fatwa di Mesir (Dar Al-ifta Almisriyyah). Pertandingan ini dianggap sebagai wadah bagi setiap Negara yang melibatkan diri untuk menampilkan kebolehan mereka dari segi kefasihan berbahasa arab dan intelek. Pihak PERKEMAS telah menghantar dua pasukanmpulan untuk mewakili Singapura dalam pertandingan ini. Pasukan A Singapura dianggotai oleh Ustaz Muhammad Zuhaili Md Yusof, Ustaz Md Ashraf bin Anwar dan Ustaz Muhammad Khair bin Amran. Pasukan B Singapura diwakili oleh Ustaz Muhammad Faizuddin bin Fauzan, Ustazah Sharifah Sakinah binte Syed Mohammad Tahr Alkadree dan Ustazah Nurul Adibah bte Mohd Yusoff. Pasukan A Singapura muncul sebagai naib juara. Malah, pasukan B pula berjaya untuk mara ke peringkat separuh akhir. Secara langsung, pencapaian ini membuktikan bahawa mahasiswa-mahasiswa Singapura dari Universiti Al-Azhar mampu bersaing di peringkat global kerana mereka telah membuktikan kebolehan mereka dalam bidang berdebat dan kefasihan berbahasa arab sehingga mereka berjaya menewaskan pasukan dari Afrika dan lain-lain lagi.
Lantas, mahasiswa-mahasiswa yang menyertai pertandingan ini telah mengharumkan nama Singapura di Mesir, dan secara khususnya di mata pihak penganjur dari The World Association of Al-Azhar Graduates. “Kami sepasukan memang inginkan kemenangan, tetapi itu bukanlah tujuan utama kami kerana yang lebih penting dalam arena debat ialah intelek dan pembentukan diri. Ketika berada di arena debat, saya belajar untuk menjadi individu yang tangkas fikirannya dan berani untuk mengutarakan pendapat yang bertentangan dengan cara yang profesional. Dalam masa yang sama, kita juga dapat bergaul dan berinteraksi dengan pendebat-pendebat dari negara yang lain dan memahami pemikiran mereka yang luar biasa dan selalu memberi pencerahan kepada intelektual saya. .� Demikianlah yang dikatakan oleh Ustaz Zuhaili, mahasiswa Universiti Al-Azhar, Fakulti Syariah Islamiyyah tahun keempat. Semasa ditemu ramah, Ustaz Zuhaili yang merupakan lulusan dari Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah berkata kekuatan bahasa Arab adalah senjata yang sangat penting dalam arena perdebatan. Beliau dan rakan-rakan seperjuangannya telah mula menceburi bidang ini dan berlatih semasa mereka menuntut di Madrasah Aljunied AL-Islamiah. Ini jelas membuktikan keberkesanan sistem pendidikan Madrasah di Singapura. “Saya kagum dengan kebolehan senior-senior dalam bidang berdebat sewaktu di Madrasah dahulu. Mereka fasih berbahasa Arab dan memiliki kemahiran diri yang luar biasa. Atas sebab itu, terdetik dalam hati saya untuk mencabar kebolehan saya dalam bidang ini demi mempertingkatkan diri dari segi penguasaan bahasa Arab, daya pemikiran dan juga pengetahuan am.� - Pada tahun 2014, Persatuan Pelajar & Mahasiswa Indonesia (PPMI) pernah menganjurkan pertandingan debat bahasa arab di peringkat Asean. Pada ketika itu, pasukan Singapura diwakili oleh Ustaz Zuhaili dan Ustaz Faizuddin dan mereka telah menjuarai pertandingan itu dengan menewaskan pasukan dari Thailand di peringkat akhir. Terdapat 16 pasukan dari negara Asean yang turut serta dalam pertandingan ini. - Pada tahun 2012 pula, Ustaz Zuhaili pernah menyertai pentandingan Debat Piala Mufti yang dianjurkan oleh Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah dengan kerjasama dari pihak Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) dan Persatuan Ulama Dan Guru-Guru Islam Singapura (PERGAS). Pada ketika itu, pasukan beliau muncul sebagai naib juara dan beliau dinobatkan sebagai pembahas terbaik secara kesuluruhan. - MUSTAFA ROSLAN
PICTURES; from left Khair, Ashraf and Zuhaili
PICTURE; 2nd from Top-Right, Ustaz Faizuddin and Ustaz Zuhaili receving the winning trophy for ASEAN Arabic Debate Competition 2014.
Picture; Ustaz Zuhaili receiving the best debater award by Ustaz Irwan Hadi at the Debat Piala Mufti 2012.
“
Ketika berada di arena debat, saya belajar untuk menjadi individu yang tangkas fikirannya dan berani untuk mengutarakan pendapat yang bertentangan dengan cara yang profesional.
“
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NATIONAL SERVICE man
OS
lETS JUST SAY SOMETIMES WE ENJOY THE UNEXPECTED. a SHORT STORY ABOUT LIFE IN NS.
I
t takes dicipline to wake up at 5:00am in the morning. It takes even greater will-power to do muscle burning exercise even before the sun rise. Everyday. For Madrasah students, the word National Service will send shivers down their spines. Two years of serving the nation. We listened in horror as our friends from non-madrasah background got enlisted. One by one they got called. Maybe even some of our friends got enlisted too. Their heads buzzed to the iconic no.2. We asked them curiously about their experiences in NS, expecting months and months of grueling harsh training under the humid
weather. Their skin darkened from all the hours marching in the sun. It sounded horrifying. But when I first got enlisted, it was not as different as the first day of school. No one knew who the other were. We all shared the same nervousness and anticipation As we got to the bunker, we all tried to ignore the awkwardness in the room. Back in school, we were mostly from Malay background, so there was no language barrier between us. But here, every race was mixed into a single room, Chinese, Indian, Pan-Asian, Malay... The early days drone by with more exercise than I could ever imagine. We learned how to march correctly, stand in perfect sa-
lute, learn how to project out voices so that it could reach a mile away. We ate healthily, glassing down more liters of water than ever. We were tested everyday. Physically and mentally. Whoever said in NS you didn’t work your mind was dead wrong. Soon the exercise felt like a norm. Dicipline was like the air we breathe. Without it everything would be chaos. Bunk mates turned good friends, always ready for a laugh before bed time. Higher ranked officials turned into mentors, always a listening ear when in need. Faster than a speeding boat, three months floated by and we’re all going our seperate ways. No more hearing my bunk mates’ snores and their rediculous complains of their girlfriends. No
more the dreadful morning alarm. Later the nights were accompanied by the smooth waves of the open sea. Always now and then my mind would drift back to the memories of NS. The fun times I had. But as Muslims waking up at five in the morning is not just a three month dance. We will spend our entire life waking up before sun rise for Fajr. The sound of the azan as our sargent. And our prayers as our routune exercise. Not for our country. But for a higher service. God. - MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS BIN AHMAD To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: firados93@gmail.com
“POETRY I LANGUAG
MOST DIS AND MOS POWERFU
IS GE AT ITS STILLED ST UL
”
- RITA DOVE
ready set go!
wande
LETS TAKE A TRIP AR TO MOROCCO. TO PARIS WE LOVE T WE WANT T
erlust.
ROUND THE WORLD. S. to cairo in ramadan. TRAVELLING. TO TRAVEL.
The City of Love
hello from the other side. way from the other side. a walk to remember along the romantic street of paris.
written and photographs by muhammad zulkarnain BIN AZMAN
Photographs and Written by MUHAMMAD ZULKARNAIN BIN AZMAN
S
ynonym with romance and love, the metropolis is one of the most famous cities in the world is flocked by millions of visitors each year. This city breathes love in the air and passion. Paris is a strong brand because it keeps delivering its love promise. It offers a wide array of cosmopolitan life and visual delights; the beautiful architectures and monuments, the innovative restaurants and cuisines, and the subtle combinations of art and history, which indeed makes the perfect setting for romance. Stroll along the neoclassical Haussmannian boulevards and the quaint riversides accompanied by candlelight dinners and you can see why the city lives up to its moniker. Founded around the end of the 3rd century BC, the city reinvented itself and flourished during the Renaissance, and became a more modern Paris after the construction and expansion under the Emperor Napoleon III. Present-day Paris has since become a cultural trendsetter, pioneer and icon. I spent a mere 3 days over here, but enough to cover the most famous and important landmarks. 1 Jour, Cafes and restaurants are a common sight in Paris, with Parisians munching baguettes and macaroons, and sipping le cafés with the companion of a book. First up was Place Charles de Gaulle, an area I find unique due to its echoes of the past in the present setting. At the western end is a blast from the past; the Arc de Triomphe. The monument honors those who fought for France during the French Revolutionary and the Na-
poleonic Wars, and symbolizes Emperor Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz. Beneath the arch lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Eternal Flame – literally eternal - rekindles every evening at twilight in honor of the millions of French soldiers who lost their lives for their country. Heading southeast is the Champs-Élysées, an avenue surrounded by luxury shops and fashion favorites. It’s like Singapore’s Orchard Road, but more sophisticated and sumptuous. This is the present, even though the boulevard is rich in history. Parisians roam along the streets, proud and arrogant, superior and chic written all over. But, in contrary to their appearances, the people of Paris in reality are not rude, therefore debunking the biggest misconception people have towards Parisians. Also, what makes the people distinctive is that they take more care in making everything beautiful – even in non-touristy areas. 2 Jour, Covered the most ground during the second day. Journeyed my way first to the magnificent Eiffel Tower. The iconic architecture standing all mighty and gracefully right in front of my eyes. Named after its designer Gustave Eiffel, the wrought iron tower was built for the Paris International Exposition – also known as the World Fair – and has since emerged as a global cultural icon and one of the most recognizable and most-visited landmark in the world. Tourists flooded around the tower attempting to get the best shots, and loving couples clung together trying to bask in the romantic French atmosphere. Naturally the tower is a place where romance blossoms.
Why Paris is called the City of Love is due to during the 18th century. It was at the focal point of the Romanticism movement in Europe, which preferred intuition over rationalism. This then played a major role in creating the Paris brand and attracting lovers all over the world.
F
ew steps down the wide boulevards and you will reach Musee d’Orsay, home of France’s national collection of fine arts. Right across the river Seine is the pyramid-shaped museum, the Louvre. It was first built as a fortress, then rebuilt as a royal residence and finally turned into a national museum by the revolutionary convention. The glass-covered museum exhibits collections from prehistory to the 21st century, and houses world-renowned works, with Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s The Dying Slave among the famous ones. I made my final stop for the day at the eastern half of the Île de la Cité, the heart of Paris, with the Notre Dame its epicenter. Eerily beautiful, the cathedral is the quintessence of French Gothic architectures. It was built for the expanding population during the 12th century, and has since turned into popular site in Paris, with it being the most-visited unticketed place in Paris. I didn’t get the chance to see the famous Gargoyles and the 13-tonne bell Emmanuel at the top of the cathedral, regrettably. 3 Jour: While Paris is beautiful and picturesque, the weather during winter can be unforgivable at times. Spent my final day with a visit to the steep and cobbled streets of Montmarte. At
the summit is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The landmark is a Roman Catholic church and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Paris, with the design exhibiting a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features. Climb over the countless steps and you’ll be able to experience one of the most spectacular panaromic (panoramic) views of Paris, all in the palm of your hand.
H
onestly, everywhere you go, the soul of the city makes you want to fall in love. Its beauty and elegance strikes you at every corner, while its zest and zeal engulfs you time and again. And compared to other cities in the world, the energy in Paris is chill and relaxed, not as buzzing and rushed, which to me, is conducive to love. Paris has been an enriching experience. If you love it, it will love you back. Till then, Au revoir, the City of Love! - MUHAMMAD ZULKARNAIN BIN AZMAN
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Marve Mo
Photogr Muhammad ‘Alawi B
elous orocco
rpahed by Bin Ahmad Shamsuddin
MARRAKESH, MOROCCO
HASAN II MOSQUE, CASABLANCA
BABOUSH SLIP ONS, JAME’ EL-FANNA SOUQ, MARRAKESH
THE KASBAH. A TRADITIONAL BERBER COMPOUND. AIT BEN HADDOU.
BOU ANANIA MEDRASA, FES.
OUZAZERTE STEPPES
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Ramadan Girls
Cairo is so beautiful during the holy month of Ramadan. The colourful lights that lit up the night streets feels like a warm hug. The wonderful food. The special dars only during the month. Terawikh hopping. We love Ramadan here in Cairo. Ramadan kareem.
PHOTGRAPHED BY HIDAYAH ISMAILE
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we
art
“This verse was written as a parting gift to my It is a verse I purposely picked to remind ourselves that i seeker of knowledge to fear Allah, for the fear i
teacher and mentor. Ustazah Atiiqah Suhaimi. in Allah does knowledge lies. For that, it is essential for a in him seperates the learned and the ignorant.� To find out more about our artist. Contact at; Email: muhdallavii@gmail.com Facebook: Muhd ‘Alawi Instagram: @allavii
“There is no r A personal life motto. When the demans of life b it upon myself to “Its alright. A mukmin’s rea
rest in Dunia.” begins to take a toll on this body, I always take o remind myself. al triumph is that hereafter.” To find out more about our artist. Contact at; Email: muhdallavii@gmail.com Facebook: Muhd ‘Alawi Instagram: @allavii
“A Basmalah practice on canvas plan
ne. Silver text on a black background.” To find out more about our artist. Contact at; Email: muhdallavii@gmail.com Facebook: Muhd ‘Alawi Instagram: @allavii
“Tidak Beriman Seseorang Melainkan Dia M Dirinya Diwani Jali In Re
Mencintai Aku (Nabi Muhammad S.a.w) Melebihi a Sendiri� ed - Symbolize Love
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The
TARBOUS
o
SH of EGYPT written and illustrated by Muhammad Irfan bin Jumadi
W
alking down the streets of historic Islamic Cairo, one could not help but notice shops selling flat-crowned brimless hats that are mostly red, are either short and cylindrical or truncated cones, and with tassels attached to the crown, dangling on the edge. These are tarboushes, or fezzes as the Western world calls them, and back in its heyday almost every men of importance had one on their head. The tarboush is one of the many iconic hats that can be easily recognized by anyone exposed to popular culture, just like the beret and top hat. The hat is often, but not always, associated with the wearers’ personality, whether they are a wise thinker, a comic relief or a scheming villain. Depending on who is telling the story, it is either seen as a symbol of relaxation, importance, mystery and the Orient, or as the symbol of backwardness, cruelty, and barbarism. The origin story of the fez hat is a complicated and highly disputed one. According to one of the many versions, the headgear originated from the city of Fez in Morocco, where the dye used for colouring the hats originated, hence the name ‘fez’. The hats eventually reached the shores of Constantinople during the 19th Century when Sultan Mahmud II issued a decree that made wearing a fez in place of a turban compulsory among military personnel and government servants, and soon other men, as part of his Tanzimat (Reformation) in order to modernise the Ottoman Empire. Another version claims that it is of Greek origin, and men living on several Greek islands wore them as part of their traditional garb. It is known as the phareon cap, and it was eventually adopted as part of the military uniform worn by the Evzones,
historic elite units of the Greek Army. As the fez gained its popularity throughout Turkey and the Balkans, it then spread outside into other regions, particularly countries with a significant Muslim population; in Egypt and other Arab regions, it is known as the tarboush, the term originating from the Persian word ‘sarpoush’ which means ‘head-covering’; in Tunisia and some other North African territories, it is widely known as the chechia and chenna; in the Indian subcontinent, it is known as the Rumi Topi, referring to the Byzantine past of Constantinople ; in the Malay archipelago, an elipse version called the songkok or peci began to be widely worn as the symbol of revolution, modernity and reformation, and the royal family of Java had a version of the headgear known as the kuluk manten. In the Western world, the fez became an icon symbolising the Muslim world in general and Turkey – and later Egypt – in particular. Fezzes are also associated with Freemasons who called themselves Shriners and established a fraternity that is heavily influenced by the culture of the Orient, particularly the Muslim world, often regarded as exotic and mysterious in their eyes. As the hats usually come in a shade of red, rumours started by anti-Muslim individuals had it that the colour red symbolises the blood of non-Muslims shed by Muslims. While fezzes are often shown as tall red cylindrical hats with tassels dangling on one edge, in reality they come in dozens of different forms and colours, depending on the place of origin. The Greek pharion is often seen as rounded, with a long tassel that hangs over the wearer’s shoulder. The same can be said about the North African chechia, except that the cap has a more angular edge.
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he Ottoman fez undergone extensive modifications from time to time: Sultan Mahmud II is often depicted in his post-reform portraits wearing a huge fez that appeared to be soft and had a thick tassel attached on its crown. As time went by, the Ottoman fez reduced in size, and lesser thread was used in making the tassel. By the time of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the truncated cone version of this headgear had reached its standard design that we know today. When the Ottoman Caliph AbdulMejid II was deposed in 1924 by Ataturk, he banned the wearing of fezzes, seen as the symbol of backwardness as well as Greek clothing – Turkey recently winning a war against the Greeks when the latter occupied Turkish territories had raised animosity between the two nations. Meanwhile in Egypt, the usage of the tarboush continued until the army led by the future president Gamal Abdel Nasser revolted and overthrew King Farouk, the ruling member of the Dynasty of Muhammad Ali Pasha. Within the timeframe of the monarchy, the design of the tarboush continued to evolve until the reign of Khedive Abbas II Hilmi, when a taller, less truncated version appeared. It is assumed that the trend of tilting the tarboush to a certain angle started during the reign of Sultan Hussein Kamel, successor of Khedive Abbas II. It was done so that the tassel is visible from the front. The list of materials used in making an Egyptian tarboush consists of a felt outer layer made of wool, an inner structure made of woven straw to give the hat the desired shape and make it firm, a silk tassel and a leather lining sewn on the inner rim. Occasionally a piece of fabric for the interior is included. To witness the making of one is a unique experience: First, the fez-maker takes a woven straw and goes to the ‘waga’, a huge machine used for pressing and molding the tarboush. The waga consists of a stove, hand-tightened presses, molds with handles attached and brass pails. The man then selects one of the pails, places the woven straw on it and presses it on heat in order to get the desired shape for the hat he is making. He then removes the straw and fits it inside the felt cap, still soft and floppy. In order to secure the straw inside, the interior of the felt cap was waxed earlier before. The man then places the hat on the waga and repeats the cycle of pressing the materials – this time with the felt attached – before removing it and trims away the excess pieces of felt and straw. A strip of leather is sewn around the inner brim. The purpose of the leather is to reduce the amount of sweat reaching both the felt and straw; otherwise, the hat would be easily spoiled and worn. As a finishing touch, a tassel is attached to the protruding stem on the flat crown. Many variations of tarboush exist in Egypt, but three remain widely manufactured: the Effendi tarboush, the Imam tarboush and the Muqri’ tarboush. The Effendi tarboush is easily recognized by its typical fez design, and it comes mostly in scarlet, maroon, black and navy blue. The tassels attached are either black or golden. Aristocrats used to wear one, and most of the hats sold to tourists nowadays are of this type. The Imam and Muqri’ tarboushes, on the other hand, are more angular instead of cylindrical, shorter and almost resemble pyramids. Most of the time, a piece of white cloth is often wrapped around them. Unlike the Effendi tarboush that has almost lost its grandeur and importance, both the Imam and Muqri’ tar-
boushes are still widely worn; the former is worn by graduates of the local Al-Azhar University, imams and Muslim scholars worldwide, while the latter is worn by the muqri’s, reciters of the Qur’an and scholars of Qur’anic sciences. One main difference between the two is the colour of the tassel; while the Imam tarboush is often seen with the standard black tassel, the Muqri’ tarboush has one in silvery-blue. The latter is also three times expensive than the Effendi and Imam tarboushes, each of the two costs about a hundred Egyptian pounds. As mentioned earlier, the tarboush was widely worn by Egyptians in the past, to the extent that it became part of local costume; to have your head bare was seen as uncouth and disrespectful. It was due to the tarboush that Egypt had, for a certain period of time, a negative relationship with Turkey, a country that made wearing a fez unlawful. According to a story, the Turkish government held a reception, and the Egyptian diplomat in Turkey, Abdel Malek Hamza, was present with a tarboush on his head. The Turkish authorities ordered the diplomat to remove his hat, which he did, but eventually he left the reception. The incident certainly left a huge impact on the relationship ties between the two countries. The tarboush continued to be widely worn in Egypt throughout the monarchy period that ended on 1952. To meet customer demands, factories and shops producing the hat sprouted all over the country, and in Cairo alone, there were dozens of them. When Egypt became a republic after the toppling of the monarchy regime, the tarboush was shunned and abandoned and seen as a reminder of the oppressive past regime. Gradually, the tarboush, the Effendi tarboush in particular, lost its fame. Customer demand became extremely rare that most manufacturers stop producing them. Up till this day, there are only two shops in Cairo that continues their operation, manufacturing them for Muslim scholars who still wear them as part of their uniform. Both of these shops are situated in the Ghouriyya district, and it is only the matter of time when they too have to cease their operation. From its disputed humble origins, raised to the status of becoming the symbol of modernity and progress, and eventually degraded to the level of anachronism and backwardness, the tarboush of Egypt undergone lots of modifications throughout different periods of time until finally becoming a relic of the past, much like the fate of the top hat in the Western world. - MUHAMMAD IRFAN BIN JUMADI To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: ijumadi2@gmail.com
love for the
Quran
PHOTOGRAPHS AND WRTTEN BY AHMED FATHY IBRAHIM
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he Holy Quran proved to be a universal language. On the 10th -14th of April, a 7 year old Indonesian boy’s performance stunned a sea of audience during an International Qur’an competition in Egypt. Musa La Ode Abu Hanafi, a non-Arabic speaker, was the youngest participant to take part in the competition held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Musa’s performance was unquestionably one of the biggest moments during the International Quran Competition. It was a perfect, faithful, and inspiring presentation which awed spectators. In an interview with Egypt’s news service, the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Musa’s father said that his son memorizes the whole Quran, as well as two Hadith books, the forty Hadiths and also Omdat-ul-Ahkam. “I am so proud that my son is taking part in this international competition,” Abu Hanafi said, while adding that Musa was also a participant in the Holy Quran competition in Saudi Arabia two years ago. He also expressed his hope for his son to be an Al-Azhar graduate. During the competition, Musa answered six questions perfectly. Grand Judge, Sheikh Helmy Gamal, the Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Quran Reciters Union, praised Musa’s composure and fluency in reciting the Holy Quran. Many among the audience
were moved to tears by Musa’s performance. After his recital, audience swarmed around Musa taking selfies and kissing his head, a mean of appreciation in the Arabic culture. Although Musa came in third during the competition, he won the judges’ and audiences’ hearts. In his speech during the closing ceremony, Minister of Endowment Affairs Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, praised Musa and his father. “May Allah bless (Musa), the youngest participant from a non-Arabic country, who does not even speak Arabic but perfectly recited the Quran”, he added. The Minister invited Musa to the commemoration of the Lailat al-Qadar during the holy month of Ramadan, when the President of Egypt himself will give a commendation to Musa. The International Quran Competition was held by the Egyptian Ministry of Endowment Affairs. A total of 80 participants from 60 countries took part in the competition, including Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Chad, Algeria, Mauritania, Yemen, Bahrain, Nigeria, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Ukraine and Indonesia. - AHMED FATHY IBRAHIM, a.fathy@mena.org.eg
we lov
EGYPT IS FAMOUS FOR ITS EPIC LOVE STORIES. THE MOST FAMOUS OF THEM CLEOPATRA AND JULIUS CAESAR. AN UNFORGETABLE IMMORTAL THROUGH TIME. FOLLOW THE LIVES OF MARRIED COUPLE USTAZ IBRAHIM BIN HASSAN & USTAZAH DIY THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE AS A COUPLE LIVING AND STUDYING IN EGYPT. JUGGLING SC written AND PHOTOGRAPHS by ibrahim bin hassan & diyana zait.
velove
E LOVE STORY,
YANA BINTE ZAIT. CHOOL & WORK, .
&
ibrahim
Have you ever fallen in love? Do you remember how willing you were to sacrifice anything for your loved ones? How their big smiles made all the sacrifices worthwhile. Well here’s a spoiler alert. Before marriage, some might foolishly think, “Of course I’d give up this and that…” But after marriage, reality is a pain. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
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t has been four years since I got married and honestly she is such an amazing wife. While still a student herself, she cooks, cleans, and she washes and hangs clothes like the ideal wife every man wishes for. Life after marriage has been an interesting roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. Unlike fairy tales, miscommunications and arguments happen in all healthy relationships. But it is the way we handle these situations that leads to various outcomes. Sometimes I wish I had better insight of what marriage is all about to help me sail the ship smoothly. I remember the time when I decided to get married before pursuing my degree in Egypt. Which simply meant that I will be stuck with that special someone for the rest of my life. What was I thinking back then? Having the responsibility as a son and a student and now adding the responsibility of a husband? Am I out of my mind? I am still young and life would be more adventurous when you are single and free. \Imagine when your group of friends invited you to a once-in-awhile get-together session to catch a movie you have been dying to watch but you half-heartedly declined as you have promised your spouse to go for dinner. Imagine the pain when you have to say no to the potentially best road trip ever with your best friends or else your spouse will be left alone at home and that will make you look like an irresponsible husband if you do so. Imagine you have to drop your pride in an argument that you are obviously right and your spouse is wrong but you just have to agree to disagree or else the argument could last for days. Imagine when you didn’t get to decide to have your favorite meal for dinner at your favorite restaurant so your spouse could enjoy hers. Imagine giving up your time to achieve your personal goals, hobbies or even the much-needed beauty sleep because it is better to have the quality time spent with your spouse. All these sacrifices may sound awful but it is one of the purest ways to show how much you care and love someone. You can’t
make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. Similar to the story of Prophet Ibrahim (may peace be upon him) 40 centuries ago, when Allah ordered him to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail, he did not hesitate or even ask further questions on the reason behind the act. The sacrifice was a trial for both Ibrahim and Ismail. But their love and trust to Allah made them submit their will to Him. Allah said in the Quran, “Verily, with every hardship comes ease.” (94:6) It is indeed with all these hardship and sacrifices my present life is better than before. I might think that catching movies and going for a road trip with friends is a good idea, but Allah has better plans for me. For instance, enjoying sushi with the love of my life. I was wondering why I could not have my favorite dish that night but He showed me that rather spending so much money for dinner, why not buy a meal for two and save some pennies? After all, a penny saved is a penny earned. Others might see me as being restricted from my freedom to leave the house as I please. However, instead of going out with my friends while leaving my wife alone, I could benefit the time at home to focus on my studies. While some people are having trouble and need a listening ear, I am blessed with a shoulder to cry on. What better way to end a day than having your loved ones by your side. My story sounds like my wife needs me 24/7 but it is in fact the opposite. She is a gift from Allah, The All-Merciful, and it is my responsibility to continue to fight for her love just the way I did before marriage and to keep her safe by my side. Many might not know that the Arabic word for sacrifice, ‘Qurban’, originated from the word ‘Qaruba’, which means near or to be near with someone you love. When one is willing to compromise and make sacrifices for others, that is indeed true love. - AHMAD IBRAHIM HASSAN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: ibrahimhassan.sg@gmail.com
&diyana There are times when I feel like giving up. When I feel like shouting, “this is unfair!” I often question myself, ‘what about me?’ Last night was one of those times. We just got home from grocery shopping. I put the handful of bags down and started to store the goods away. Later I decided to lounge while scrolling through my phone. To officially end my task of putting away the groceries, I entered the kitchen to wash my hands. My shoulders felt heavy. I pulled a face and heaved a long sigh as I stood over the sink filled with undone dishes. ‘No lounging tonight,’ I thought to my disappointed self. I grabbed the sponge and started to scrub the residue off the rice cooker bowl while exhaling a longer sigh. My arms started to feel sore from all the scrubbing. The dried residue at the bottom of the bowl was extremely stubborn last night. How I truly abhor washing the rice cooker bowl. Believe it or not, that is actually the main reason why I rarely cook dishes that involve rice. At this point of time, anger started to creep into me. The more I scrubbed, the more I felt annoyed. “You cooked all these for him the least he could do is to clean it up!” the inner voice ringing in my ear. I looked at the empty dirty pot of yesterday’s dinner on the stove - my next challenger. He entered the kitchen as I successfully rinsed off the squeaky clean bowl. He smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat. Just as it did 4 years ago. Later that night, the washing machine started to sound its little jingle - a sign for me to remove the clothes. I placed them on the aluminum clothing line and slowly started to hang the damp clothes. “You already washed all those dirty dishes and now you have to hang the clothes, too?!” the infamous inner voice rekindling the fire in me. My heart started to beat according to my mood. Furiously. As though reading my mind, he joined me in completing the chore. The fire slowly extinguished. But of course, there are always 2 sides to every story. When we were grocery shopping, he didn’t want to get that bunch of bananas but I did and he obliged. He advised me to get the cheaper brand of Earl Grey Tea but I had to have the more expensive one just because. He carried the twenty-litre water bottles up to our apartment five times because obviously, I can’t. At home, he was the one doing laundry while I was angrily scrubbing the dishes. He has been giving in to my wants and catering my needs but rarely gets home to a home cooked meal on a daily basis. If anyone should be angry, it’s clearly him. People have the impression that being married means you have life all figured out. Some think that marriage is only for people
who are capable of managing themselves. When 2 people can manage themselves only then are they ‘ready’ to manage an institution called family. One can’t be married without financial, physical, mental and emotional stability. It only makes sense. I, however, gained all of that through marriage. Getting married is one thing. Staying married is another. I was introduced to management the moment I got married. I am slowly mastering the art of management by staying married. I gained stability through marriage. I learned how to be more patient and forgiving. I learned to always look at myself before pointing at others. I grasped the meaning of sacrifice, compromise, gratitude, trust, and commitment. Above all I grasped the meaning of love. Love is when he buys food and never complains about not having home cooked. It is when he always do the laundry and scrub the toilet. It is when he saves you from your roach distresses. It is the simple thought of getting a gift for your parents. And it is definitely the bars of dark chocolates he gets you at your request. It is by staying married that I learned to love others around me, and to love myself. For me, marriage doesn’t break you, it makes you. Marriage is not a bed of roses. It is that, and more. It is the fragrance, it is the thorns. Most importantly, it is how it blooms. I still remember the eyes that I gazed at after our solemnization. They were full of wonder, excitement, curiosity. Four years on, whenever I look into his eyes, I see the times of comfort we have. I also see the pain that we share, the tears that were shed. His lines by his mouth echo the laughter that we regularly have and cherish, the sweet words and promises he made. His slight wrinkles on his forehead and the sparse strands of grey hair remind me of him worrying about our finance and working hard towards the uncertain future that we will embark. I have to say that juggling roles of being student and wife is challenging. I certainly would not be able to do it without a supportive and understanding husband. Also, the fact that he is going through the same thing I am makes it less unbearable. It’s not all smooth sailing but it’s still sailing nonetheless. And that is the most important thing. Allah’s promises are true. It is through my husband that I am in contentment , always in love, and under His mercy (rahmah). I am truly grateful for His gift. - NUR DIYANA ZAIT To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: nur.deezee@gmail.com
Allah’s promises are true. It is through my husband that I am in contentment , always in love, and under His mercy (rahmah). I am truly grateful for His gift.
Abdillah Amirnordin, USTAZ Imron Rushdie & USTAZ Ahmad Syaakir Bin Nor Razak THREE FUTURE USTAZ
FROM AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY AND USTAZ
Ahmad Mundzir Bin Jasmani FROM UNIVERSITY ISLAM
MADINAH AL-MUNAWWARAH GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRESPECTIVES ON LOVE. FROM LGBT TO THE EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE AND ITS TRESGRESSION.
CLA UST TAL
ASS, TAZ IS LKING
Lgbt by Abdillah Amirnordin
HOW TO ANSWER?
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’m Bisexual and I’m proud of it! What is it to you? It’s not wrong being gay! It’s only wrong when you step over the boundary boundaries”. Such expressions are no longer peculiar to the local community and those being involved in LGBT practices feel that freedom of love should not be enclosed by the tradition of races and religion. Time and again we were told about our predecessors that orchestrated such unlawful practices during Prophet Lut’s era and also during the volcanic eruption in Pompeii. I vaguely remember a fraction of Bastille’s song, Pompeii which goes “oh, where do we begin? The rubbles or our sins?” It is as though that the people of Pompeii knew that performing such lewd acts is a sin but they continued anyway. Let’s look at a different perspective about LGBT, it’s not about the specific act of practicing LGBT that is the main problem here, it is the distinct part of dangerous thinking that we can do whatever we love we can do and whatever we don’t we leave it be. Now it seems harmless but what about in 5-10 years time? If such atrocities goes on, one day rape could be legalized! (may Allah refrain us from it). In this issue, I will be focusing on questions revolving around LGBT that some or sadly to say most of us are either afraid, oblivious or plain inattentive to attend ignorant to ask. Please be reminded that the answers shared here is solely based on my personal perspective and is not an ultimatum. Do consult the nearest Islamic scholar/cleric/asatizah if any clarification pertaining this topic is needed.
Question 1: How do I instill a feasible approach for my best friend who has been involved in LGBT activities all this while? Before pacing back and forth, do take note that your best friend must be in a calm position and any provocative approach should not be presented in any condition. Let him feel that you are their listening ear and not just another friend feeding on their misery by not condemning and always encourages them to do good deeds. “Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” (Al-Nahl 16:97) Treat them as how you would like to be treated and tell them gradually that as a Muslim, there are things that they should and should not do. Remind them about the near future, what would it look like if they were to continue practicing LGBT? It would not only bring shame to themselves but also to their peers and families. Bring forth verses and narrations along with simple analogies that they can understand why Islam forbids such act. If all else fail, remember to pray for their guidance after each prayer performed.
Question 2: “I’m not gay, but I support the ‘pinkdot’ movement for its freedom of love” how do I answer to that? We offered the trust to the heavens and the Earth and the mountains, but they refused to undertake it, and were afraid of it. And (but) the human (being) undertook it (because) he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of the consequences of his undertaking) (Al-A’hzab, 33: 72) The verse above clearly depicts that humans are made to roam this earth as Caliphs but be mindful that Allah also mentioned that humans have projected and will continue to portray unjust decisions that leads to the destruction of this earth. What I am trying to say here is that some humans will continue doing things that are forbidden but in their eyes it is are not. They will try to compromise justify such acts and sought it to be legal and acceptable. They will say “I support freedom of love but I am not gay” and keep on supporting this kind of movement to show that they can adapt to the needs of the world. Verily, this world is just a gas station and we should look forward towards the long journey ahead. All the commandments that Allah has bestowed upon humans definitely reveal the wisdom behind it. There is surely a reason why Allah forbids people from engaging in LGBT practices and movements. To conclude, it is wise not to engage in such movements and not to provoke it either. If Allah wills the person to receive Hidayah (Guidance), he/she will possess it even if the circumstances seems like it won’t allow.
Question 3: I am an employer in a huge firm and I noticed that 2 of my employees are having gay relationship between them. How should I rectify this? If you are a good boss/employer you will find time to have a nice chat with them. You may refer to ‘Question 1’ for some of the processes. It is made known that any relationship visible in workplace or schools is prohibited in any country that you resided in. The first step is to acknowledge that they are having an intimate relationship that could be seen clearly. Afterwards, confront and remind them that such acts are disallowed in your firm. Take your time advising them individually personally that advocating LGBT practices is unlawful and gradually inform them about the consequences of doing so in a way that they can comprehend easily. Please do not be a hero/heroine by wanting to change them hastily for it may only end up worst worse than before. A timely reminder by Allah which goes Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people
until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron. (Ar-Ra’d 13:11)
Question 4: Ustaz! You have made mentioned that Islam practices freedom of speech and is a happy and joyful faith. Why is it then when I am happy and want to end up together with my loved one (same gender), Islam prohibited me to do so? The uniqueness about the religion of Islam is that as Muslims we are told to leave things that are prohibited and do things that are mandatory by Allah’s rules regardless it being so called ‘nonsensical’ or ‘harmless’ in the current situation you are in. Allah the almighty knows every single thing that he legislated will either be good if you deem to follow it or bad if you recklessly carry out the things that He the Most Exalted prohibits. Tell yourself this, why did Allah Azza Wa Jal created pigs when He forbids the ummah from eating it? Sometimes we must learn to understand what Allah wants us to understand. It’s not because of the fact that pigs have deadly viruses or they are unhygienic but it’s the fact that Allah wanted to test us whether we listen to His instruction per se. Once we get hold of that perception, we can easily understand the rest of the His laws. Pertaining to this particular matter, it is safe to say that when Allah forbids same-sex relationship, He didn’t close all the other options. You may try and convince yourself to like or love the opposite gender and “halal-ified” ‘hala-ify’ it by marrying him or her. As the verse in the Quran reminded us : You have been enjoined to go to war, and you dislike it; it may be that you dislike a thing and the same is good for you, and you love a thing and the same is bad for you: Allah knows but you do not (Al-Baqarah 2 : 216)
Question 5: It is to my knowledge that being a transgender is an awful act not forgetting very expensive due to the surgeries and implants and what not. Why do you think people still perceive becoming a transgender as a means of attraction? Fitrah or commonly known as human nature. Humans tend to do things based on instincts, affection, hate and what not. There are a lot of factors behind this shocking phenomenon which includes admiring the beauty or masculinity of the other gender. They will take the opposite gender as an example and make their own rendition of them to please the world. They will pass through any obstacles and hindrances to achieve their goal. But that’s where Islam comes in.
It’s normal to be able to reach a certain goal in order to be decorated with accomplishments and sorts such as aiming to be the best athlete or the best debater. But keep in mind that Islam teaches us the ways of moderation as to not be too extreme and too lenient in the things we do. Keep your surroundings in check and if the things that you do angers or irritates them, consult the asatizah for advices and ask them what you did wrong. Be mindful of others. If you think you are using your OWN money for those plastic surgeries and transplants, please do consider if you are using that hard-earned money to destroy yourself or for the betterment of the community.
Question 6: I realized that being part of LGBT community is wrong and I am seeking repentance. What are steps that I must go through? 1) Make sure your time is occupied with activities that are beneficial for you and the community such as volunteering in humanitarian efforts, visit homes for the less fortunate or take up a new hobby by joining singing or even a baking club. The more free time at your disposal, the more liable you are to do something impure. 2) Mingle around with friends that give good vibes and selfless in terms of giving positive reflections to you. You will automatically know which of your friends influence you negatively. If you are a Muslim, you may follow the above mentioned options whilst maintaining a series of repentance supplication that has been taught by our Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing be Upon Him). ‘ It is an almost impossible feat to rectify such an arduous character and attitude completely knowing that this kind of challenge has been sprawling in humans’ lives since thousands of years ago. The most precise thing that we can do is to prevent and refrain individuals from even going inches to it. In Qawaid Fiqhiyyah (Islamic Legal Maxims) the method is called, “ ”ترك المفاسد أولى من جلب المصالحwhich is a synonym to “prevention is better than cure”. Responsibility on this issue falls on everyone, specifically to young asatizah and scholars. Everyone is obliged to play their role as a Muslim. Do keep in mind that more of such matters will be raised in the future and it’s up to you to play your part as a believer to return those deviated back to the straight path. Please be reminded that your way of clarifying and solving such challenges will portray the way you preach. May Allah make us His trusted ambassadors and safeguard us from unlawful and improper practices. Ameen. - ABDILLAH AMIRNORDIN
To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: abdillah.alfitwah@gmail.com
CINTA
YANG SEMPURNA
“U, u tau tak persamaan u dengan matahari?”, bacaan message Whatsapp seorang lelaki. “Matahari? I tak tau lah apa u merepek! Apa maksud u?” “Marah ke? Oklah, kalau Matahari menyinari bumi, u nie pula menyinari kehidupan I, chia-chia-chia!” Ungkapan ‘pickup lines’ sememangnya sedang hangat dikalangan umum, khususnya para remaja, baik yang sedang dilamun bercinta, baru bercinta atau yang menunggu cinta. Ianya dipengaruhi program-program hiburan dimana artis-artis lelaki cuba ‘try’ artis-artis wanita dengan kekata yang bermaksud untuk mencuba nasib menggapai cinta. Akan tetapi, persoalan yang timbul, adakah kita sedang menggapai cinta yang dilarang walhal kita belum terlebih dahulu ‘bercinta’ dengan yang sepatutnya kita cintai?
CINTA ALLAH Ilusi banyak melalaikan manusia mencari cinta sebenar. Mencintai yang Mencipta kita ketepikan demi untuk mengejar cinta yang belum pasti dapat kita gapai. Tanya diri kita, sudah kita menunaikan yang wajib, seperti solat fardhu, tepat pada waktunya atau sebaik-baiknya? Adakah kita sudah menjadi seorang hamba yang benar-benar beribadah kepadaNya seikhlasnya? Adakah amalan yang kita lakukan di bumi ini sudah cukup untuk ‘memimpin’ kita dari Alam Barzakh hingga ke Padang Masyhar? Adakah kita sudah melakukan ibadah yang mencukupi untuk menunjukkan kecintaan kita pada Allah Subhanahu Wataala? Allah berfirman dalam Surah Ali Imran ayat 31: قل ان كنتم تحبون هللا فاتبعوني يحببكم هللا ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم وهللا غفور رحيم Katakanlah (Wahai Muhammad), jika kamu mencintai Allah, maka ikutilah aku (yakni ajaran Baginda) maka Allah akan cintai kamu dan mengampunkan dosa kamu, Sesungguhnya Allah Yang Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Penyanyang Menerusi ayat yang disebutkan diatas, antara yang boleh kita hayati adalah cara mudah untuk kita mencintai Allah adalah dengan menuruti Sunnah RasulNya, dan Allah akan mengampunkan dosa-dosa hambaNya. Menuruti Sunnah Rasul adalah dengan menghayati Ajaran, Amalan, Tingkah Laku dan perjalanan Baginda selama hayat beliau. Andai kita tersasar atau tersilap langkah, Allah tetap menerima ibadah hambaNya dengan hanya kita mengikuti apa yang
diajarkan Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam. Antaranya adalah seperti Hadis-hadis dibawah ini: Abu Hurairah Radiyallahuanhu meriwayatkan Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam bersabda: “Sesiapa yang mengucapkan ‘Subhanallah Wa Bihamdihi’, seratus kali setiap hari, akan diampunkan dosa-dosanya walaupun sebanyak buih di Lautan”. (Bukhari&Muslim) Naluri fitrah insan tidak pernah leka dari melakukan kesilapan, baik dihasut Syaitan mahupun dibelenggu nafsu. Tetapi, tanpa usaha dan tekad, segalanya pasti akan punah. Sebaliknya dengan keazaman yang tinggi, kesilapan-kesilapan ini dapat dielakkan dengan kita bertekad untuk meningkatkan ibadah kita sesuai dengan Sunnah Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam.
CINTA RASULULLAH SEBENAR CINTA “U, kalau kita dah sah nanti, I nak kita challenge lari-lari anak macam Rasulullah challenge dengan Aisyah Radiyallahuanha, itu baru relationship goals yang berlandaskan Islam”. Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam merupakan Pesuruh Allah yang terakhir diutus ke muka bumi ini. Baginda merupakan sebaik-baik contoh bagi manusia. Tidak salah bagi kita untuk mencontohi Rasulullah dalam kehidupan seharian kita, walhal ia perkara yang amat baik. Tidak salah juga jika kita ingin mencontohi Rasulullah dalam bercinta. Namun, menggunakan Baginda sebagai ‘Pickup Line’ yang benar-benar untuk manfaat sesuatu yang dilarang, bukanlah sebaik contoh untuk kita ikuti apatah lagi amalkan. Ada yang sanggup ‘menelaah’ buku-buku Sirah Junjungan dengan hanya berniat untuk ‘menghayati’ kisah-kisah cinta yang ada. Membaca Sirah Junjungan Nabi Muhammad Sollallahualaihi Wassalam adalah amat penting bagi kehidupan seorang Muslim, dalam pelayaran hidup kita di dunia. Kisah-kisah dari ranjau duri perjalanan dakwah Rasulullah hingga kepada cara Baginda berinteraksi dengan masyarakat sekeliling boleh didapati di dalam Sirah. Menerusi Hadis pula, seorang Muslim dapat mencontohi Ra-
sulullah dalam sebaik-baik ibadah dalam perjalanan kita menjadi seorang Muslim yang sempurna. Perkara-perkara yang mungkin tidak terdapat dalam penceritaan Sirah, dapat kita pelajari dan hayati menerusi hadis-hadis. Hidupkan budaya cinta Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam yang sebenar yang bukan setakat hanya dilafazkan atau dizahirkan, dengan sedaya upaya kita cuba ‘meniru’ gaya kehidupan seharian Rasulullah khususnya dalam kata-kata dan pergaulan, bukan setakat hanya pada amalan. Abu Hurairah Radiyallahuanhu meriwayatkan bahawasanya Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam bersabda: “Sesungguhnya aku (yakni Nabi Muhammad) diutuskan untuk menyempurnakan Akhlaq”
CINTA KELUARGA Keluarga merupakan lingkaran penting yang senantiasa ada disisi kita. Ibu bapa adalah pendidik pertama yang melentur kita sejak kita kecil. Tenaga dan ilmu yang mereka curahkan atas dasar cinta mereka sebagai ibu bapa pada anak sememangnya tidak mampu dibalas. Akan tetapi sudahkah kita berusaha sedia upaya untuk membalas cinta mereka? Adakah kita lebih mencintai mereka yang diluar keluarga dari keluarga kita sendiri? Mungkin ada memberi alasan, mereka ‘merapatkan’ diri dengan mereka yang bukan mahram atas dasar dakwah untuk mendekatkan mereka kepada Islam, walhal keluarga adalah mereka yang berhak mendapatkan cinta dari segi tunjuk ajar walaupun mereka berkeras menentangnya. Aisyah Radiyallahuanha meriwayatkan bahawasanya Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam bersabda: “Berbuat baiklah kepadanya (yakni keluarga), kerana apabila Allah mengkehendaki satu keluarga menjadi baik, Dia akan menunjukkan mereka ke arah pintu kelembutan” Mengukuhkan tali silaturahim antara keluarga adalah amat penting dalam Islam. Ibarat air yang dicincang tidak akan terputus, keluarga merupakan darah daging kita yang mana maruah mereka patut kita junjung dan jaga dari segala fitnah mahupun tohmah. Salam ibn Amir al-Dabbi Radiyallahanhu meriwayatkan bahawasanya Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam bersabda: “Sedekah kepada yang miskin adalah sedekah, manakala yang diberi pada ahli keluarga adalah sedekah dan juga mengeratkan tali silaturahim”. Seorang lelaki yang menjaga hak seorang wanita dari kalangan keluarganya sendiri dan menyalurkan mereka diatas dasar taqwa, akan mendapat ganjaran yang besar dari Allah Subhanahu Wataala nanti. Abu Said al-Khudri Radiyallahuanhu telah meriwayatkan bahawasanya Rasulullah Sollallahualaihi Wassalam bersabda: “Barangsiapa yang mempunyai tiga anak perempuan, atau tiga adik beradik perempuan, atau dua, dan melayani mereka dengan baik dan terhormat serta melahirkan rasa taqwa dalam diri mereka, maka Syurga dijanjikan padanya”
Cinta yang sempurna Nikmat cinta yang sempurna adalah pabila kita tahu cinta yang kita curahkan pada yang selayaknya itu diredhai oleh Allah Maha Pengasih Maha Penyayang. Cinta kekal abadi yang bukan dipandu amarah nafsu. Sebagai lelaki, kita patut menjaga nafsu kita dari dipengaruhi hasutan syaitan yang menggalak kita kearah yang tidak sepatutnya. Menjaga maruah seorang wanita juga merupakan tanggungjawab seorang lelaki. Islam telah mengangkat tinggi darjat seorang wanita. Seorang ibu mempunyai kedudukan yang tinggi berbanding seorang ayah. Seorang isteri mempunyai hak yang penting dalam pengurusan hal rumahtangga. Seorang wanita dilayan sebaiknya disisi Islam. Sebagai wanita, jangan mudah kita terpengaruh atau terpegun dengan kekata sang lelaki. Mahalkan harga dirimu, bukanlah maharmu. Harga dirimu sebagai wanita yang menjadi penjamin syurga buat kaum Adam yang ada di sekeliling sudah lebih dari mencukupi untuk menjadi ukur tara kedudukanmu. Jagalah hatimu dari mudah tergoda oleh nafsu lelaki. Jagalah auratmu dari mudah menggoda nafsu lelaki. Tak kenal maka tak cinta. Tetapi janganlah menggunakan ia semata-mata untuk memuaskan nafsu serakah. Islam sudah menunjukkan cara dan jalan yang sesuai untuk fitrah insani. Perkahwinan adalah antara jalan yang Islam sediakan. Namun, janganlah kita menganggap institusi perkawinan sebagai jalan pintas untuk kita melayan nafsu yang tersimpan. Perkahwinan datang bersamanya amanah dan tanggungjawab dalam menggelapai suatu keluarga. Amanah dan tanggungjawab yang mampu menentukan arah kita selepas Hari Perhitungan. Janganlah kerana nafsu, institusi yang suci lagi murni dicemari. Tingkatkan iman kita kepada Allah Subhanahu Wataala dengan meningkatkan ibadah dan cinta kepadaNya. Anas ibn Malik Radiyallahuanhu meriwayatkan bahawasanya Rasulullah SAW bersabda: “Ada tiga hal, yang jika tiga hal itu ada pada seseorang, maka dia akan berasakan manisnya iman. (Iaitu) Allah dan Rasul-Nya lebih dia cintai daripada selain keduanya; mencintai seseorang, dia tidak mencintainya kecuali kerana Allah; benci untuk kembali kepada kekufuran selepas Allah menyelamatkan darinya, seperti bencinya jika dicampakkan ke dalam api.” Ayuhlah, kita berusaha mengecap kemanisan iman. Sirami diri kita dengan mencintai menurut apa yang dituntut. Berusahalah kita mengecapi Cinta Yang Sempurna. “B, u betul-betul suka I tak? Kalau u betul-betul sukakan I, since kita belum mampu nak kahwin, kita jauhkanlah diri dari fitnah, kita tak perlulah message hari-hari, paling u tanya khabar dengan Mak I, I tanya dengan mak u, biar kita jauh dan tak terjatuh dalam fitnah, dari kita dekat dan dikelilingi fitnah, biar pautan rindu berjauhan membuat kita semakin mencintai, kalau jodoh I dengan you, maka jodohlah kita berdua, kalau tak kita sama-sama terima k?”. - AHMAD MUNDZIR BIN JASMANI UNIVERSITI ISLAM MADINAH AL-MUNAWWARAH To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: Mundzir@fanzuruu.com
Kembalikan Cinta
penulis imron rushdie bin tukiman
Cinta. Sebuah emosi dan perasaan yang diluahkan pada manusia dan lainnya. Penggunaan kalimah cinta ini berubah mengikut konteks keperluan dan perkembangan masa. Ianya membuat seseorang mengekspresikan perasaan belas kasih, membantu, patuh dan selainnya yang positif pada apa yang diinginkan. Namun ianya buta dan boleh membutakan. Manusia terbahagi daripada tiga perkara; akal, hati dan badan. Keperluan akal adalah ilmu, keperluan hati adalah cinta, keperluan badan adalah makan dan minum. Setiap insan akan bercinta dan dicintai. Adapun seorang yang beriman kepada Allah s.w.t mengetahui apa yang patut dilakukan dalam percintaan dan cara untuk bercinta. Baginda Muhammad s.a.w bersabda dalam sebuah hadith: “Tidaklah beriman seseorang itu sehingga aku (Nabi) dijadikan orang yang lebih dicintainya daripada kedua orang tuanya, anaknya dan manusia sejagat.” – Hadith diriwayatkan oleh AlBukhari, Muslim dan An-Nasai dari Anas Ibn Malik r.a. Hadith tersebut menyatakan dua perkara. Yang pertama adalah ukuran dan kedua adalah hadaf. Ianya menjadi kayu ukur sebuah keimanan dimana seseorang mencintai Allah dan RasulNya lebih dari segalanya. Ayat yang senang diungkap tetapi sukar untuk dilaksanakan. Apabila terdapat kecenderungan untuk menjadikan Al-Quran sebagai pegangan dan As-Sunnah untuk dilaksanakan, maka sempurnalah keimanan dan perasaan cinta tersebut. Perasaan cinta berubah mengikut konteks dan situasi. Perasaan cinta terhadap keluarga, teman, diri sendiri dan lainnya amat berbeza. Perasaan yang merupakan kemahuan dan hawa nafsu juga dinamakan cinta. Kehidupan yang penuh dengan kemajuan dan kejayaan sekarang ini, merubah hadaf cinta yang tulus dari hati. Terdapat kesan-kesan negatif pada perasaan cinta disebabkan tamak dan serakah di dalam mengejar suatu perkara. Dunia. Sebuah kehidupan yang penuh dengan kebanggaan, perlumbaan, permainan dan penipuan. Renunglah ayat Allah s.w.t di dalam surah Ali-Imran ayat 186, Al-Hadid ayat 20. Ramai yang maharajakan dunia yang sementara ini. Obsesi menahan diri dari pengabdian pada sang Pencipta. Apa yang dikejarkan bukanlah kebaikan malah sebaliknya. Kezaliman yang berlaku antara manusia adalah atas sebab hilang rasa kasih sayang yang seharusnya. Perilaku sedemikian memaparkan kejahilan manusia yang berlumba mengejar cinta pada kekuasaan dan kekayaan.
Perlumbaan. Mengeluarkan dua keputusan muktamad. Menang dan kalah. Kemenangan adalah kebanggaan, manakala kekalahan adalah kesengsaraan dan kegagalan seseorang. Benarkah kita diminta untuk berlumba dengan penuh kebanggaan dan membiarkan kekalahan seorang insan dalam kesengsaraan? Apakah kita lupa sabda Nabi Muhammad s.a.w: “Tidaklah (sempurna) keimanan sesorang dari kamu sehinggakan dia mengasihi saudaranya sepertimana dia mengasihi pada dirinya sendiri.” Hadith diriwayatkan oleh Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tarmizi dan An-Nasai dari Anas Ibn Malik r.a. Kasih sayang terhadap saudara seringkali diperlekehkan. Keperluan mengambil berat sesama insan menyempurnakan perasaan cinta. Kecemburuan, iri dan dengki menakluki hati, menambah noda hitam dan menjauhkan diri dari hadaf percintaan. Saudara, haruslah kita kembalikan erti cinta yang sebenar dan memperbetulkan tujuan bercinta. Ketulusan hati dan pengorbanan adalah asas dalam percintaan. Hasrat semua manusia dalam percintaan tiada banyak bezanya. Semua menginginkan kebahagiaan. Hanya cara mengekpresikan perasaan tersebut haruslah mengikut garis pandu Allah dan Rasul. Bentuklah niat yang murni dalam memperjuangkan cinta terhadap Allah dan Rasul. Perbaikilah ikatan persaudaraan dengan kasih sayang. Tutur kata tanpa perbuatan adalah sia-sia. Jangan sampai perasaan cinta terhadap dunia membatukan hati dan melupakan akan perkara yang menanti. Al-Wahn. Cinta pada perkara dunia, benci pada kematian. Saya tertarik pada percintaan dengan sebuah hadith yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Al-Bukhari dari Abu Hurairah r.a. dimana Baginda s.a.w bersabda: “Apabila Allah mencintai seorang hamba, maka Dia memanggil malaikat Jibril dan berkata: “Wahai Jibril, Aku mencintai orang ini maka cintailah dia!” Maka Jibril pun mencintainya, lalu Jibril mengumumkannya kepada seluruh penduduk langit dan berkata: “Wahai penduduk langit, sesungguhnya Allah mencintai orang ini maka cintailah dia!” Maka seluruh penduduk langit pun mencintainya. Kemudian orang itu dicintai oleh segenap penduduk makhluq Allah di muka bumi ini.” Semoga cinta yang dicari menenangkan hati dan diri. Semoga kita tergolong di dalam hamba Allah yang dicintaiNya. Cinta. Ianya dekat tetapi jauh, jauh tetapi dekat. - IMRON RUSHDIE BIN TUKIMAN To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: imronrushdie@gmail.com
APAB
BILA MALU YANG SEBENAR TELAH HILANG, YANG TINGGAL HANYA ‘MALU’? PENULIS DAN FOTO, USTAZ AHMAD SYAAKIR BIN NOR RAZAK
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orang macam mana ni ustazah suruh present aku tak nak..malu lah bnyk lelaki..kan malu itu separuh dari iman’. ‘Nur jangan lah ketawa kuat-kuat malu lah sikit ada lelaki sekeliling’. Haaa, dalam kedua hal yg berbeza ini terdapat satu perkataan sama yg diulang. Perasan tak? Cuba lihat balik. Tepat sekali! MALU! Melihat balik kepada kedua senario tadi, dapat tak kita bezakan antara keduanya? Pertama, malu tidak bertempat. Ini adalah sifat, atau boleh dikatakan sebagai penyakit yang sudah merebak di dalam masyarakat melayu kita, yang harus kita, lelaki dan wanita, jauhi dan ubati dengan segera. Menyimpan sifat ‘malu tidak bertempat’ ini akan menolak diri kita dari barisan yang pertama ke barisan yang terakhir dan akan menarik kita keluar dari bulatan atau golongan mereka yang berjaya. Yang kedua pula, malu yang harus ada dalam diri setiap manusia terutamanya WANITA. Sifat malu ini sukar hendak dijumpa dalam diri seseorang pada zaman ini, walhal sifat ini yang akan membantu memajukan diri, keluarga, masyarakat, diikuti dengan ummah.
Malah malu ini yang telah diperintahkan oleh Nabi Muhammad. Sudah tentu perintah yang datang dari orang yang mencintai kita, terkandung di sebaliknya, rahsia dan kebaikan yang tersirat. Suka saya untuk menyifatkan mereka yang pemalu sebagai permata yang dibalut perisai. Dalam bahasa Arab, kedua sifat ini berbeza lafaz dan maknanya, berbanding bahasa Melayu di mana perkataan malu itu hanya dapat kita bezakan melalui konteks penggunaannya. Secara ringkasnya, Al-khojal adalah malu yang tidak terpuji, manakala Al-haya’ merupakan malu yang digalakkan Islam. Apakah itu al- Haya’? Antara makna yang kita dapati adalah: 1-the state of being modest 2-polite 3-correct behavior that shows respect 4-chaste (refrain from what is contrary to morality or religion) Kesemua terjemahan bagi sifat haya adalah positif. Dengan itu kesan-kesan yang terlahir darinya juga positif. Wanita yang malu dan berjaga-jaga akan akhlaknya di depan khalayak ramai akan berkelakluan sopan dan, tidak kasar kerana mengetahui kelembutan itu fitrah wanita. Ini tidak bermakna wanita tidak boleh bermain sukan yang lasak seperti bola sepak dan sebagainya sebagai hobi. Malah Islam menggalakkan beriadah. Tetapi, kerana sifat malu yang menjadi benteng atau perisai dirinya, wanita akan terdorong memilih tempat yang sesuai, jauh dari pandangan lelaki dengan keyakinan bahawa perkara itu yang dituntut Islam dan merupakan moral asas manusia. Sebab itu Ibn Hajar mendefinIsikan haya sebagai satu akhlak yg memberi semangat kepada sesorang untuk mengelak dari perkara buruk dan menghalangnya dari kekurangan dalam memberi hak-hak kepada setiap individu yang tertentu. Inilah yang kita inginkan dari permaisuri-permaisuri pejuang Islam. Bersifat dengan haya akan melahirkan rasa hormat dari orang sekeliling. Apabila mereka dihormati, segala hak diberikan secara tidak langsung kerana kaum lelaki tahu nilai mereka dalam masyarakat. Bagaimana saya ingin tahu malu ini baik atau buruk? Khojal ini selalunya terlahir dari perasaan kurang yakin dengan kemampuan diri. Kita rasa yang kita lagi lemah atau kurang cerdik dari yang lain. Kita tidak mampu untuk berdepan dengan mereka atau mengemukakan pendapat kita dengan berani walaupun kita tahu kita betul dan dalam kebenaran. Mereka ini kebanyakannya lemah dari sudut sosial, tidak mampu untuk berkomunikasi dengan baik bersama yang lain. Mereka ini juga lebih suka mengelak dari berjumpa orang dan berdiam diri. Bila mereka duduk berbual dengan orang, muka mereka berubah menjadi merah kerana malu. Golongan ini seperti kami katakan sukar untuk menyampaikan tujuan yang tertanam dalam diri mereka. Haya’ pula adalah satu perasaan yang datang kerana rasa diri ini tinggi dan kuat hasil hubungan yang kuat dengan yang Maha Kuat lagi Agung. Sentiasa inginkan yang terbaik dan ingin berada di atas. Kita tidak bermaksud bahawa mereka ini sombong atau angkuh. Tetapi kerana perasaan inilah, mereka akan malu (haya) untuk menjatuhkan nilai tinggi diri mereka ini dengan kesalahan atau dosa-dosa. Mereka yang bersifat haya’ tidak terdaya untuk melakukan zina atau menipu walaupun mereka bersendirian. Ini kerana dia tahu keberadaan Allah, maka dia malu melakukan maksiat di hadapan Allah yang Maha Mengetahui segalanya termasuk apa yang tersembunyi di dalam hati. Sesungguhnya dengan haya’ ini hati kita menjadi tenang, nilai diri kita akan meningkat,sehingga
kita berjaya dan tunduk pada yang Agung. Kata-kata tentang MALU Tidak dapat dinafikan lagi kepentingan haya’. Ia dikuatkan lagi dengan kata-kata Rasulullah ﷺl tentang haya’. Pertama, ‘alhaya separuh dari iman’. Ibnul Athir mengatakan bahawa iman terbahagi kepada dua; mengajak kepada kebaikan dan mengelak dari kemungkaran. Seperti yang kita katakan, sifat al-haya’ menjauhkan kita dari melakukan maksiat,maka, sifat ini telah merangkumi separuh dari iman iaitu mengelak dari kemungkaran. Kedua, ‘al-haya itu baik semuanya’. Kita tidak akan rugi apa-apa dengan sifat ini kerana Nabi Muhammad telah bersabda yang bermaksud kebaikan akan datang mengetuk apabila kita malu. Jangan risau dan jangan khuatir. Sayyidina Uthman Ibn Affan merupakan seorang sahabat yang terkenal dengan sifat malu. Tetapi sifat malu beliau tidak menghalangnya dari meminta akan haknya. Jikalau beliau khojal, beliau tentu akan malu hendak berkahwin dengan Ummu Kulthum, adik kepada isteri pertama beliau yang telah wafat, ruqayyah. Kedua-dua isteri beliau ini merupakan puteri Rasulullah ﷺ. . Dengan itu Sayyidina Uthman yang pemalu, tidak khojal untuk menerima Ummu Kuthum sebagai isterinya kerana beliau tahu perkahwinannya yang kedua itu terdapat banyak kebaikan di dalamnya, selain sentiasa berada di sisi Nabi kerana ikatan kekeluargaan. Secara tidak langsung mutu kehidupannya meningkat kerana berdamping dengan insan yang teragung pernah dicipta di bumi ini. Jikalau sahabat lelaki yang sangat disayangi Nabi ini mempunyai sifat malu ini, maka sudah tentu tuntutannya lebih terhadap wanita kerana itu adalah fitrah mereka dan mereka memerlukan kepada perisai untuk melindungi mereka. Perisai yang bernama haya’. Apakah kaitan antara haya’ (malu) dan hayah (kehidupan)? Oleh kerana kedua perkataan ini sama kecuali huruf yang terakhir, kita mungkin tertanya apa kaitan antara keduanya. Sebahagian ulama menfsirkannya dengan mengatakan; apabila kita bertambah malu (haya’) dengan Allah dan makhluknya, hidup kita akan berubah menjadi lebih baik dan iman kita juga akan meningkat. Sesungguhnya hidup akan sempurna, apabila malu itu juga sempurna . Al-haya’ di dalam kamus lisanul arab juga bermaksud taubat. Apabila kita malu hendak melakukan atau mengulang dosa yang sama, kita sudah tepati salah satu syarat taubat. Apabila seseorang itu bertaubat, hati dan diri dia bersih dari dosa. Bila hati dia sudah bersih dari segala kotoran maknawi, dia adalah orang yang paling bahagia dalam hidup kerana telah mencapai matlamat utama iaitu mencapai keredhaan Allah. Apakah cara-cara untuk memiliki sifat haya’? Tentunya kita semua ingin memiliki sifat ini. Haya’ adalah sifat semulajadi yang ada dalam diri setiap. Sifat ini akan tumbuh, berkembang dan menjadi kuat apabila kita mengikut sebahagian dari langkah-langkah berikut: -mengikut perintah Allah dan rasa kehadirannya pada setiap masa -mengikut sunnah-sunnah yang diajarkan Nabi Muhammad kerana beliau merupakan sebaik-baik contoh bagi insan yang punya haya’ -tundukkan pandangan dari apa yang dilarang Allah. Sesungguhnya mata adalah anggota yang pertama mendorong kita melakukan maksiat. Beruntunglah mereka yang buta kerana
mereka lebih kurang terdedah dengan fitnah zaman ini! Wanita wajib menundukkan pandangan agar tidak dianggap murah atau senang menjadi ‘target’ kaum lelaki. Lelaki juga begitu, menjaga mata dari melihat kaum wanita sebagai langkah mengawal nafsu ammarah bissu’. -jangan sibuk mencari kesalahan atau aib seseorang. -bersabar ketika dilanda musibah. Sedih itu rahmat Allah, tanpa rasa sedih kita tidak akan kenal gembira, tetapi kesedihan itu harus dikawal, bukan sehingga mengilai atau terjerit. Maka wajib wanita elak kerana ia menurunkan nilai dan haibahnya kerana tidak dapat menerima ketentuan Tuhan. -bergaul dengan mereka yang mempunyai sifat ini supaya kita terkesan dengan mereka. -elak mendengar lagu atau menyanyi kerana lagu itu secara amnya mengandungi unsur-unsur yang tidak baik dan melalaikan. Malah, menyanyi di depan halayak ramai adalah aurat dan menjatuhkan maruah seseorang. Khusus bagi wanita: -memakai pakaian yang sopan, menutup aurat, tidak ketat sehingga menampakkan tubuh badan. -berbual sekadar yang perlu dengan lelaki ajnabi ketika di luar. Seorang Muslimah sejati akan hanya berbual dengan lelaki bila perlu dan topik perbualan dihadkan kepada urusan kerja. Dia juga akan mengubah intonasinya kepada lebih serius, bukan bermanja atau melembutkan suara sehingga lelaki yang mendengar tergoda. Malah dia akan mengawal kekuatan suaranya, agar didengar hanya oleh orang yang berada di sisinya. -menjaga mulut dari berkata-kata buruk. Suka berborak merupakan fitrah wanita. Tetapi wanita yang malu akan menjaga setiap perkataan yang keluar dari mulutnya, hanya yang manis dan santun , jauh dari mengumpat atau membatu api.
A
khir kata, saya mengajak kepada pembaca sekalian agar cuba memiliki sifat malu yang sebenar iaitu alhaya’ dan jangan kita bersifat al-khojal sama ada ketika kita bekerja atau belajar atau dalam keadaan apa jua sekalipun. Seorang mukmin harus professional ketika bermuamalah dan beribadah. Jangan kita samakan kedua sifat ini kerana makna dan kesan keduanya sangat berbeza. Khusus buat saudari-saudari sekalian, kami semua manusia mempunyai keistimewaan masing-masing. Kedua lelaki dan wanita diwajibkan menutup aurat. Istimewanya wanita, mereka diwajibkan bertudung. Kedua lelaki dan wanita diwajibkan solat. Istimewanya lelaki, mereka menjadi imam bagi wanita. Banyak lagi contoh-contoh lain yang menonjolkan keistimewaan masing-masing. Apa yang harus kita ingat adalah Allah yang menentukan semua itu kerana Dia Maha Mengetahui kelebihan kita. Saudariku, tuntutlah hak kamu yang berhak kamu dapat,jangan tuntut apa yang nafsu kamu inginkan. Jikalau itu memang hak kamu, maka tuntutlah ia dengan adab dan akhlak supaya tuntutanmu didengar. Hiduplah di dunia ini dengan sifat syukur dalam diri. Syukur atas segala nikmat yang melimpah sehingga kamu malu hendak tuntut apa-apa lagi.Malu kerana sikitnya ibadah kita bila dibandingkan dengan nikmat yang diturunkan. Kenapa kita malu melakukan ketaatan kepada Allah tetapi tidak malu melakukan maksiat secara terang-terangan? Jangan kita menjadi umat yang memupuskan al-haya’. Hidupkan kembali malu yang sebenar. Tidak malu hilang di dunia. To find out more about our writer. Contact at; Email: syaakir96@yahoo.com.sg
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