Injustice and the Ideology of Cruelty (8)

Allah’s Threat and Punishment upon Cruel Humans

There are many threats by Allah SWT stated in the holy Al-Qur’an for those who do cruel acts, a part of which is found in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Ibrahim, from verses 42-47, which read:

"و لا تحسبن الله غافلا عما يعمل الظالمون إنما يؤخرهم ليوم تشخص فيه الأبصار مهطعين مقنعى رؤسهم لا يرتد إليهم طرفهم و أفئدتهم هواء و أنذر الناس يوم يأتيهم العذاب فيقول الذين ظلموا ربنا أخرنا إلى أجل قريب نجب دعوتك و نتبع الرسل أو لم تكونو

37 abid

38 `Sunan Abu Daud dan Ibn Majah’ reference book `Etika Hakim dan Peguam’ (Judges and Lawyers’ Etiquettes) : Edited by Abdul Monir Yaacob

 

أقسمتم من قبل مالكم من زوال و سكنتم فى مساكن الذين ظلموا أنفسهم و تبين لكم كيف فعلنا بهم و ضربنا لكم الأمثال و قد مكروا مكرهم و عند الله مكرهم و إن كان مكرهم لتزول منه الجبال فلا تحسبن الله مخلف وعده رسله إن الله عزيز ذوا نتقام"

Which means :` Think not that God doth not heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them respite against a day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror, they running forward with necks outstretched, their heads uplifted, their gaze returning not towards them and their hearts (gaping) void! So warn mankind of the day when the wrath will reach them then will the wrong-doers say: ` Our Lord! Respite us (if only) for a short term; we will answer Thy call, and follow the apostle!’ `What! Were ye not wont to swear aforetime that ye should suffer no decline?’ And ye dwelt in the dwellings of men who wronged their own souls; ye were clearly shown how we dealt with them; and we put forth (many) parables in your behoof! Mighty indeed were the plots which they made, but their plots were (well) within the sight of God, even though they were such as to shake the hills! Never think that God would fail His apostles in this promise, for God, is Exalted in Power,- the Lord of Retribution.’

Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Al Kahfi, verse 29, which reads:

إنا أعتدنا للظالمين نارا أحاط بهم سرادقها و إن يستغيثوا يغاثوا بمآء كالمهل يشوى الوجوه بئس الشراب و سآءت مرتفقا

39 http://www0.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/declaration/11.asp,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innocent_until_proven_guilty

40 http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalcourt of Justice

41 http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.html

42 http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.html , Purposes and Principles , Article 1 and 2

43 Ref: Charter of the United Nation Introductory Note

Which means:` For the wrong- doers We have prepared a fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in, if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces. How dreadful the drink! How  uncomfortable a couch to recline on!’

Similarly a `hadith’ as told by Qatadah from Abu Mutawakkil An Naji from Abu Sa’id Khudri r.a., from Rasulullah SAW, who said,`If the believers who are cruel are safe when crossing the `shirath’ (bridge) above hell, they are then detained at a stop point between heaven and hell ( what is meant is the `shirath’ near hell)’ there they will be given (qishash) punishment from the cruel acts that they did whilst living on earth and between themselves. The punishment will go on until they are considered thoroughly cleansed from all sins before they are allowed into heaven. Therefore in the name of the Dzat (Essence)Who has  in His power, the soul of Muhammad, it is definite each of those who has lived in his place in heaven will know better the place of his habitat while on earth’.

And a `hadith’ as told by Abdul Aziz Al Majisyun, who said:` We were told by Abdullah bin Dinas from Abdullah bin Umar r.a; that the Prophet SAW said;`

قال :"الظلم ظلمات يوم القيامة"

Which means:`Doing wrong (abuse) will result in all kinds of darkness (in the hereafter) on Judgement Day.’

The Prophet SAW also reminded to be cautious and afraid of the do’a (supplications asking   from Allah) of the abused, because it (the do’a) will be granted by Allah SWT, as related

 

⁴⁵ Sahih (authentic) Bukhary chapter on doing cruel acts, hadith no.2347

⁴⁶Sahih Bukhary chapter caution and afraid of do’a of the abused, hadith no.2358

 

 

from Yahya bin Abdullah bin Shafiq from Abu Ma’bad (his own name, Nafidz) that his employee Abdullah bin Abbas from Ibnu Abbas radiallahu anhu, that the Prophet SAW sent Nu’adz to Yemen and he was elected a governor in a Yemeni district, he was also instructed to teach the Islamic tenets, and to collect `zakat’(Muslims’ obligatory alms) and their charitable alms, then the Prophet said:`

"فقال اتق دعوة المظلوم فإنها ليس بينها و بين الله حجاب"

Which means: `Be cautious and be afraid of the `do’a’(supplications asking Allah for help) of people who are victimized ( abused), because there is no barrier between their do’as and Allah (i.e. Allah will grant them their do’as)’.

From the above decree and the `hadiths’, it can be concluded that although those who did cruel deeds may live happily and prosperously now in this life without hardships and life’s miseries befalling them, Allah SWT’s threat and tremendously painful punishment will be heaped upon them as their dues in the hereafter, for all their cruel deeds while living on earth.

 

Para Juri bersama finalis and pemenang Bapa Mithali 2015 (6^th Jun 2015) anjuran Ain Society. Sudah empat tahun berturut-turut di berikan amanah untuk menjadi pengadil bagi acara ini.

Alhamdulillahi, masih ramai lagi bapa-bapa yang beristiqamah melakasanakan amanah dan tanggong jawab mereka dalam membimbing  keluarga. Semoga setiap usaha dan pengorbanan yang telah mereka curahkan untuk membimbing keluarga tercinta menjadi amalan sholeh disisi Allah swt dan seterusnya menjadikan ikutan huswatun hasanah kepada generasi mendatang.

Kepada anak-anak yang masih diberikan kesempatan untuk melihat wajah ayu dan susuk tubuh yang semakin layu, semoga Allah swt memberikan mereka kesempatan untuk membalas jasa dan pengorbanan orang tua mereka di dunia ini, dan kepada mereka yang sudah tiada lagi disisi, semoga Allah swt mencucuri rahmat terhadap ruh-ruh mereka dan semoga digolongkan Allah swt bersama hamba-hambaNya yang mendapat reda dan pengampunanNya, amin.

Injustice and the Ideology of Cruelty (7)

If studied and analyzed many of the reasons for the destruction that occurs on land and at sea, or even in earth’s space, results from the actions of man, actions that are based only on their own judgment and vengeful lust without divine guidance, that brings a lot more harm than good for themselves.  Allah SWT’s decree is also a warning and example for mankind, so they become aware and penitent of all mistakes and wrong doings that they have engaged in all along.  Hopefully they will start over and repent from the sins they had committed and from now on, celebrate Allah’s earth with Allah’s divine advice and guidance.

Punishing a Cruel Act

Since 9/11, there have been many names and labels of terrorism, radicalism, extremism, fundamentalism and many other names and titles that became linked to Islam, many untruths and deeds of cruelty blamed upon Islam or certain groups. These labels are also given to those who want to fight for Islam or defend their rights because they had been abused or oppressed. Whatever actions that may be taken, however, doesn’t mean that Islam allow any action that is cruel, certainly no Islamic scholar will say that the events of 9/11 is appropriate in Islam, in fact many scholars and Muslim leaders came forward to condemn these actions because Islam never accepts any cruel act, even as minuscule as the tiniest particle.

 

 

²⁴http://www.worldclimatereport.com/,http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM6avr07.pdf, http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM040507.pdf

²⁵http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7010522.stm : Man causing climate change – poll

²⁶abid

²⁷http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/01/america/NA_GEN_US_American_Muslims.php : Islamic Fascism

²⁸http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2001-09/12/article25.shtml : Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Condemns         Attacks Against Civilians: Forbidden in Islam and edicts compiled Ust Haniff in his book `Unlicensed to kill’.

²⁹surah An Nisaa, verse 40

Bandied about is the word `Crusade’ as a slogan of war against groups said to be terrorists, which indirectly affects all Muslims facing the current situation. This word that causes many wrong assumptions amongst world leaders is then changed to the `War on Terrorism and `War on Terror’.

A phrase like `You are either with us or against us’ makes the world community undecidedly split over ways of handling the cruel acts that had happened.

It is not an easy matter to accuse or give the same title to an individual or a group of committing a cruel act if the perpetrators are not seen carrying out these violent acts, unless they admitted to these violations or the accused had been charged and found guilty of these crimes.

If violent attacks causing multiple deaths, injuries, misery, chaos and destruction of property were done by groups claiming these cruel acts were carried out because they had been victimized, then Allah SWT prohibits and abhors these deeds, as in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Ali Imran, verse 57, which reads :

و أما الذين ء امنوا و عملوا الصالحات فيوفيهم أجورهم و الله لا يحب الظالمين

`As to those who believe and work righteousness, God will pay them (in full) their reward, but God loveth not those who do wrong’.

The Prophet SAW had also said:

وجعلته بينكم محرما فلا تظالموا

Meaning: `And I (Allah) has made the trait of cruelty (haram) strongly forbidden to you and so do not be cruel (to each other)

31 Crusade : crusade, taking part in the crusades : Translation English –Malay Dictionary

32 http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0919/p12s2-woeu.html : Europe cringes at Bush 'crusade' against terrorists, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1547561.stm

33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Terrorism

³⁴http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Terror

35http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/11/06/gen.attack.on.terror/

36 http://www.thenation.com/doc/20021111/bennis, The UN, the US and Iraq, ³⁷http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attackindex.htm : War Against Iraq

 

Islam forbids any action and a sentencing based upon just personal opinion, emotion or acting as judge to determine an injustice and punishment upon a certain party, as is reminded by the Prophet SAW in his `hadith’  related by Buraidah to mean as follows:

In the hereafter, judges will be divided into 3 groups, the first group will enter heaven and the other two will go to hell, the group that enters heaven knows the truth and sentences justly, for the group who knows the truth but are cruel, they will be sent to hell. Similarly for judges who sentence based on their own ignorance will be sent to hell.

If judges who are qualified and trusted to perform their duties had been strongly reminded by the Prophet SAW to judge carefully, we can imagine how much more of a burden Allah SWT’s threat and punishment will be upon an unqualified person who decides and judges based on his own personal opinion and view. Allah SWT reminded the Prophet SAW about this in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah An Nisaa, verse 105, which reads:

إناأنزلنا إليك الكتاب بالحق لتحكم بين الناس بمآأراك الله و لا تكن للخائنين خصيما

Which means:` We have sent down to thee the book in truth that  thee mightest judge between men, as guided by God; so be not (used) as an advocate by those who betray their trust’.

The prohibition to act or sentence without a just trial is wrong not only in Islamic jurisprudence but also in every other religion and legal jurisprudence worldwide, giving weight to this well known legal saying,` A person is innocent until proven guilty’. We can imagine the impact and unending repercussions of accusing not just certain groups (of cruel deeds) but this very accusation targeted at a religion.

No party has the right to sentence and carry out a punishment without a just legal process, a process if ignored and not implemented as determined, will definitely cause more chaos, applying instead the law of the jungle, where power is based on strength, that will result in injustice and the lost of compassionate feelings and peace from mankind’s life.

What will surface are suspicion, enmity, hatred, with each side bringing the other down to gain power and influence, all of which are against man’s pure nature and the teachings of Islam, for in Islam there aren’t any shortcuts to living a life of peace as, `The achievement of an objective doesn’t make the method (the violent method) permissible’.

In the world civilization of this current century each nation has its own laws in delivering   legislature and judicial system, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations have been formed with the vision and objective of safeguarding world’s peace and prosperity and to ensure that no individual or nation is exempt from getting justice, a charter that became effective since the 20^th October 1945 upon every sovereign nation.

Each nation must abide by the policies that have been determined. It is not surprising then, that cruel acts and the ideology of terror spreads, when there are failures to carry out these basic principles of fairness and justice, failing to address the purpose and objective upon which these bodies (the UN and ICJ) were formed.  The cruel ideology gets planted and becomes fertile not just within an individual but in groups, race, religion and even in a nation, causing a situation to be more chaotic with people living in fear  and all dreams of peace and prosperity destroyed.

Injustice and the Ideology of Cruelty (6)

The preparation to always be ready is an injunction upon Muslims, as in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Al Anfal, verse 60, which reads:

 

"و أعدوا لهم مااستطعتم من قوة و من رباط الخيل ترهبون به عدو الله و عدوكم و ءاخرين من دونهم لا تعلمونهم الله يعلمهم و ما تنفقوا من شيء فى سبيل الله يوف إليكم و أنتم لا تظلمون"

Which means: ` Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into ( the hearts of ) the enemies, and others besides whom God doth know, whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.’

Likewise in a true` hadith’ of the Prophet SAW, that prohibits Muslims from all kinds of cruel acts amongst mankind, Allah said `

وعن أبي ذر الغفاري -رضي الله عنه- قال عن رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فيما يرويه عن ربه -عز وجل-: يا عبادي، إني حرمت الظلم على نفسي وجعلته بينكم محرما فلا تظالموا

Which means:` Oh  My servants! I (Allah) have prohibited the act of cruelty against My Being and also prohibit cruelty amongst yourselves, so desist from being cruel to each other.’

Islam encourages compassion between mankind, that is respect, empathy and love between Allah’s creatures and if a firm action needs to be taken, it will only be done based on allowed principles founded upon noble Islamic laws, not based on temptations or retaliation of revenge and hatred. This then is the measurement in Islam to differentiate between a permissible and a prohibited act.

Islam prohibits its followers from all forms of cruelty and encourages truth and compassion in line with Allah SWT’s decree specifically for the believers, in Surah Ali Imran, which said:`

كنتم خير أمة أخرجت للناس تأمرون بالمعروف وتنهون عن المنكر وتؤمنون بالله  

`Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God.’

Also with the Prophet SAW’s saying  as reported by Abu Said Al Khudri, as follows :

من رأى منكم منكراً فليغيره بيده. فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه. فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمان

 

²⁰Maqaasid Syariah:Syariah’s purpose to protect 5 things; religion, life,mind,honour and property

²¹Asy Syuraa, verse 39

²²Asy Syuraa verse 41

 

Which means:` From Abu Said Al Khudri, he said,` I heard Rasulullah said,` Whomsoever amongst you see a wrongful deed ( prohibited by the religion) he should change it with his hand, if he is unable, he should then change it with his speech. If he is unable, then he should change it with his heart, and that is faith (iman) of the weakest degree.’

Allah SWT’s decree and the above `hadith’ clearly shows that Islam forbids its believers from cruel actions, because this characteristic is against the teachings of Islam and has no relevance whatsoever with the religion.  Islam on the other hand commands its followers to prohibit cruel acts with whatever strength they have and subsequently encourages good deeds amongst mankind.

Factors of Cruel Characteristics

There are various reasons why an individual may be influenced and trapped into acting cruelly, many factors can influence an individual to perform radical or extreme acts resulting in cruelty although initially he may only be an ordinary good, law abiding citizen of the state but changes in character and attitude by suddenly becoming aggressive, to the point of doing something against his personality and nature. This can all happen due to the following factors:

1)      Influence of the Mass media and the Internet Technology.

2)      Influenced by certain ideological concepts and thoughts until he feels that his actions are permissible by law.

3)      Sympathy towards abused groups makes him  act against Islamic law.

4)      Anger and hatred that exists towards groups that do all kinds of cruel acts with impunity.

5)      Doubts and suspicious feelings towards groups with specific agendas, who are one-sided and unjust in their actions.

6)      They were forced to act according to directives and in certain situations where there is pressure.

7)      Where there are confrontations and acts of provocation done to anger a certain group.

8)      Driven by emotion as a result of what is viewed as an injustice.

9)      May have good intentions when performing these cruel acts , without , however sufficient knowledge that these acts are strongly prohibited and are against basic principles.

10)  Influenced by events that happened in the country where a person had been , subsequently feeling that the act can be carried out where he currently lives.

11)  Influenced or used by certain factions to perpetrate cruel acts.

12)  Framed or punished before a trial is held to proof his guilt, or sentenced for a crime that was not committed.

13)  Driven by feelings of revenge, anger or hatred that exists as a result of  a cruel action that was done to him or upon a related person in his life.

14)  As a result of a divergent political form or ideology.

15)  Accusations of these groups thrown at each other, that the other group is the perpetrator of these acts of violence.

These factors above are some of the reasons why there are certain factions within Islam that do these cruel acts and justifying them with Islamic teachings, that  they have a right to carry out these acts, a matter of which arises from uncertainty and vagueness in determining the law for an act about to be done, whether the action agrees with or contradicts Islamic teachings, especially in facing the issue of an event.

In many cases, the above factors play an important role in influencing the perpetrator of these acts of violence who acted while in a state conscious or unconscious, or as a result of certain agendas, which culminates in these acts, causing more harm than good.  Although the action done is guided by thought, it sometimes contravenes with noble principles of a man’s life because it is driven by the element of temptation.

This corresponds with the reminder in Allah’s decree to mankind in Surah Ar Rum, verse 14, which said:

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Which means:` Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the need) that the hands of men have earned, that (God) may give them a taste of some of their deeds; in order that they may turn back  (from evil).’

 

Selamat Datang Ramadhan

Bersifat Pemurah Dibulan Ramadhan

Alhamdulillahi, dalam waktu yang terdekat ini kita akan kedatangan tetamu yang sering kita nanti-nantikan,iaitu bulan Ramadan yang suci, dimana Allah swt telah memerintahkan hamba-hambaNya untuk melaksanakan ibadat puasa, dan memperbanyakkan amalan-amalan yang sholeh. Firman Allah swt di surah Al Baqarah ayat 185 yang bermaksud:

“Bulan Ramadan, bulan yang di dalamnya diturunkan (permulaan) Al Quran sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia dan penjelasan-penjelasan mengenai petunjuk itu dan pembeda (antara yang hak dan yang bathil). Kerana itu, barangsiapa di antara kamu hadir (di negeri tempat tinggalnya) di bulan itu, maka hendaklah ia berpuasa pada bulan itu, dan barangsiapa sakit atau dalam perjalanan (lalu ia berbuka), maka (wajiblah baginya berpuasa), sebanyak hari yang ditinggalkannya itu, pada hari-hari yang lain. Allah menghendaki kemudahan bagimu, dan tidak menghendaki kesukaran bagimu, dan hendaklah kamu mencukupkan bilangannya dan hendaklah kamu mengagungkan Allah atas petunjuk Nya yang diberikan kepadamu, supaya kamu bersyukur”

Selain dari perintah untuk melaksanakan ibadat puasa di bulan tersebut, kita juga digalakkan untuk mengerjakan amalan-amalan yang dapat meningkatkan hubungan kita sesama manusia, seperti berinfak, bersedekah, berzakat, memberikan makan dan minum untuk mereka yang berbuka puasa, dan melaksanakan ibadat-ibadat sunat. Ini sebagaimana yang di sabda oleh Nabi saw yang bermaksud:

“Daripada Ibnu Abbas r.a. katanya, bahawa Rasulullah s.a.w. adalah seorang yang sangat pemurah kepada orang lain, lebih-lebih lagi pada bulan Ramadhan ketika baginda didatangi oleh jibril a.s. Jibril datang berjumpa baginda pada setiap malam lalu mengajar al-Quran kepada Baginda. Sesungguhnya Baginda bersifat pemurah dengan bersegera melakukan kebaikan umpama angin yang bertiup kencang.” (al-Bukhari dan Muslim)

Hadist ini membawa pergertian bahwa: Sifat Ajwadu, yang kita ertikan sebagai pemurah merupakan salah satu dari sifat-sifat Rasulullah saw. Ini juga merupakan salah satu sifat yang dimiliki oleh para Rasul. Sifat ini tidak dapat terdetik dalam jiwa manusia melainkan ia wujud dari sifat ikhlas, sifat qanaah dan kasih sayang yang amat murni sesama manusia. Hadist ini juga memberikan kita pengajaran bahwa, untuk melakukan sedekah tidak semestinya seseorang mempunyai harta atau wang yang melimpah ruah, kerana pada hakikatnya diri Nabi saw, bukan lah seorang yang kaya raya atau mempunyai banyak harta, tetapi para sahabat semua bersetuju bahawa beliau mempunyai hati nurani yang halus dan bersifat dermawan. Bersedekah di dalam Islam bukan hanya dengan wang ringgit dan harta yang kita miliki, kita juga boleh menyumbang dengan tenaga kita, atau tulang empat kerat kita, atau pemikiran kita, atau ilmu pengetahuan kita, atau apa jua yang kita miliki yang mempunyai nilai dan mendatangkan manfaat kepada seseorang, sepertimana yang di riwayatkan dari Jabir Bin Abdillah r.a dari Nabi saw bersabda:

Kullu mak‘ruufin sadaqoh,
Bermaksud: "Setiap sesuatu yang baik itu adalah sedekah”,

hatta senyuman yang manis kepada saudara kita yang lain juga adalah sedekah. Maksudnya walaupun kita tiada harta yang berlimpah ruah untuk kita dermakan kepada mereka-mereka yang berhajat kepadanya, kita tetap juga dapat beramal dengan budi pekerti dan kesantunan kita dalam bergaul sesama manusia, ini juga sebagai sedekah kita kepada mereka. Jika kita ingin memiliki sifat Ajwad, kita perlu lebih dahulu membersihkan jiwa dan hati kita dan menanamkannya dengan sifat-sifat berikut :

(1). Menanamkan iman dan taqwa yang kukuh kepada Allah swt,
(2). Menyemaikan sifat qanaah (sifat rasa mencukupi – tidak tamak atau bakhil) dan
(3). Menwujudkan sifat saling kasih mengasihani sesama manusia.

Sifat suka menyumbang atau sifat murah hati ini memang digalakkan oleh agama Islam, banyak sekali Firman Allah swt atau Sabda Nabi saw, yang mengalakkan kita untuk bersedekah kepada sesiapa saja yang membuntukan, kerana Allah swt juga berjanji barang siapa yang bersedekah akan dibalas dengan ganjaran yang berlipat kali ganda di sisi Allah swt, ini sebagaimana firman Allah swt di surah Al Baqarah ayat 261 yang bermaksud:

" Perumpamaan (nafkah yang dikeluarkan oleh) orang-orang yang menafkahkan hartanya di jalan Allah, adalah serupa dengan sebutir benih yang menumbuhkan tujuh butir, pada tiap-tiap butir seratus biji. Allah melipat gandakan (ganjaran) bagi siapa yang Dia kehendaki, dan Allah Maha Luas (kurnia Nya) lagi Maha Mengetahui"

Ganjaran yang diberikan Allah swt ini, merupakan dari sedekah-sedekah yang bukan wajib, seperti bersedekah untuk Masjid, Madrasah, persatuan-persatuan Islam atau berderma kepada orang yang membuntukan, derma atau sedekah seumpama ini telah Allah swt janjikan ganjaran yang berlipat kali ganda, bayangkan nilai pahala ganjaran yang wajib disisi Allah swt jika kita laksanakan perkara-perkara yang wajib seperti nafkah kepada keluarga, Zakat harta atau zakat fitrah, tentu sekali ganjarannya amat besar sekali disisi Allah swt, sebab itu penting bagi diri kita dalam kita mengamalkan perkara-perkara yang sunat jangan sampai perkara yang wajib kita abaikan, ini yang dikatakan priority atau keutamaan dalam beramal.

Ada pihak yang berlumba-lumba mengerjakan amalan-amalan yang sunat, tetapi sayangnya perkara yang wajib diabaikan nya, sebagai contoh, ada diantara kita terlalu semangat ingin mengejar malam-malam lailatul qadar, dia berjaga malam dan tidak tidur, terus menerus beribadat dari tengah malam sehingga dekat waktu subuh, sayangnya waktu subuh beliau tertidur kerana terlalu kepenatan sehingga hilang salat subuh yang wajib, ataupun dia bersemangat untuk laksanakan salat tarawih berjemaah, tetapi solat yang wajib (maghrib atau Isya’) dia tak mahu melaksanakan dengan berjemaah. Begitu juga dalam kita bersifat pemurah di bulan yang suci ini, kita juga diperingatkan oleh Allah swt agar mengelakkan perkara-perkara yang dapat merosakkan amalan-amalan kita, sebagaimana Firman Allah swt di surah Al Baqarah ayat 262 yang bermaksud:

" Orang-orang yang menafkahkan hartanya dijalan Allah swt, kemudian mereka tidak mengiringi apa yang dinafkahkannya itu dengan menyebut-yebut pemberiannya dengan tidak menyakiti (perasaan penerima) , mereka peroleh pahala di sisi Tuhan mereka. Tidak ada kekhawatiran terhadap mereka dan tidak (pula) mereka merasa sedih"

Peringatan dari Allah Azza Wa Jalla, agar orang yang menderma itu jangan sekali-kali menunjukkan sifat riya’ atau bangga diri dengan derma yang telah diberikan, kalau boleh jangan sampai orang lain tahu, kalau memang tidak perlu diberitahu, ibarat kata pepatah : Tangan kanan yang memberi sehingga tangan kiri pun tak tahu.

Begitu juga dalam kita beramal dan melakukan infak dan sedekah jariah, jangan sampai apa yang kita beri, kita iringi dengan perkataan perkataan yang dapat menguris hati si penerima atau mereka-mereka yang membantu menguruskan pemberian kita (kalau ingin beri “feedback”, berikan lah maklum balas dengan sopan santun dan penuh hikmah).

Semoga dengan kehadiran bulan Ramadan 1436H ini, Allah swt senantiasa memberikan kita pertunjuk, taufik dan hidayahNya dan seterusnya mengampuni segala kesalahan dan dosa-dosa yang pernah kita lakukan, dan membersihkan hati dan jiwa kita dari segala sifat-sifat yang mazmumah, dan semoga kita tergolong dalam golongan hamba-hambaNya yang pemurah dan yang diredai baik di dunia mahupun di akherat, amin, Yaa rabbal ‘alamiin. “Selamat mengharungi ibadat Puasa” .

Sekian : Abdul Jalil Abdul Razak

Injustice and the Ideology of Cruelty (5)

7). Allah SWT Will Not Give Them Guidance

Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Al An Aam, verse 144, which said:

       إن الله لا يهدى القوم الظالمين    

Which means: ` For God guideth not people who do wrong.’

All of Allah SWT’s decrees above show Allah’s attitude towards groups that do cruel deeds, they will not get a place by Allah SWT on this earth or in the hereafter, Allah SWT does not accept their way of life to a point that Allah SWT is unwaveringly firm in showing hatred, anger and curses upon them and for them the threat and punishment most painful has been prepared in the hereafter for their characters and their cruel deeds whilst on earth.

Although Allah SWT has such a firm attitude towards people who are cruel, this does not mean that Allah SWT does not accept repentance and give forgiveness to them, if they truly repent and return to the right path, because Allah SWT’s forgiveness is vast, as in His decree in Surah Ar Ra’d, verse 6, which said:

و إن ربك لذو مغفرة للناس على ظلمهم و إن ربك لشديد العقاب

Which means:` But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong doing and verily thy Lord is (also)strict in punishment.

In this verse, Allah SWT wants to explain to mankind that even though they have cruel traits and have done cruel deeds, should they then become aware and repent upon these actions, Allah SWT will still forgive and accept their repentance as His forgiveness is limitless.

Since the events of September 11, 2001 (911), there has been many usage of the words radical, extremists, terrorists, fanatics and words of a similar nature that are linked to certain specific groups, until there are factions who interweave radical and extremist traits containing elements of cruelty to be a part of the concept and teachings of Islam, that are, in their judgments that Islam does indeed teach its followers such traits. This adds to misunderstanding that already exists and current problems.  The characteristics of being (radical) can mean wholly radical, unsuspected major wrong doer or major crime.

When translated with reference to: http:// en. Wikipedia.org./wiki/ Radicalism, the meaning of radical from its basic word (English Language) can have several different meanings from different perspective, whether mathematical, chemistry, linguistics, politics, commerce or slang.

In a lot of cases, the title radical or extremist is given by one party to a certain group, especially in matters related to ideology or political knowledge in which the labeling party cannot accept the ideology, opinion or deeds of a certain group that are against their own ideology or opinion, or both parties have ideologies or principles that are vastly different from each other, giving rise to accusations between them over these titles, and this doesn’t  means that the accusing party that issues titles of radicalism, extremism, terrorism or fanaticism are themselves excluded from similar titles.

The words radical, extremist, terrorist or fanatic that are used to label a certain group become synonymous words to reflect the attitude and fearsome deeds done by that group, and much is linked with the problem of known political issues or ideology that encourages terrorism and destruction, which if viewed and researched, these traits and actions are not dissimilar to the cruelty that is prohibited by Allah SWT in all Allah’s decrees before this.

¹²Events of 9/11, 2 airplanes crashed into WTC in NY,USA

^.13. http://www.ntu.edu.sg/rsis/publications/conference_reports/Progressive Islam Conference06.pdf The meaning of progressive Islam-Syed Hussain Alattas

¹⁴. Translation Dictionary –English-Malay, Arranged by Ainon Mohd. And Abdullah Hassan

¹⁵. Ref:http://en. Wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicalism

¹⁶. Complete Dictionary; extremist demanding for opinions that are beyond bounds

¹⁷. Synonyms

 

In reality, whatever form of cruel acts that are done, be it destruction, damage, abuse, force, wickedness and wrong doing done by man, whether towards other men, towards Allah SWT’s creations, animals, plants or anything found on this earth are deeds prohibited by Allah SWT on mankind and Allah’s other creatures.  As well as the trait or human attitude that refuses to obey and be convinced of Allah’s existence, is deemed a form of cruel behavior, as in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Luqman, verse 13, which said:

و إذ قال لقمان لإبنه و هو يعظه يا بني لا تشرك بالله إن الشرك لظلم عظيم

Which means: `Behold, Luqman said to his son, by way of instruction: `O my son! Join not in worship (others) with God, for false worship is indeed the highest wrong doing.’

If the above decree of Allah SWT is examined, this verse clearly shows that all forms of defiance towards the essence of Allah SWT and His holy words are man’s wrong doing towards his Creator, for which there isn’t any sin bigger than this.

The traits of cruelty that Allah SWT has remarked on, in the above verses, brings a meaning and understanding that is much wider than the traits of radicalism, extremism or terrorism, in fact it encompasses ideological traits that, in political maneuvers or deeds causes damage, destruction, cruelty and other sufferings, when applied to every aspect of human life, mankind, creatures on this earth and towards the Creator. Allah SWT forbids upon people of faith (who believes in Allah) and also deems a cruel act, the labeling of terms of radicalism, extremism, or fanaticism used by certain groups to categorize another.

If deeds or traits that are cruel, under whatever given titles, labels, or names, are disallowed and prohibited in Islam, it is then, the responsibility of Muslims to prohibit, hinder and distance themselves from such acts. It is apparent from all of Allah SWT’s decrees and the `hadiths’ of Prophet SAW prohibiting Muslims from cruel acts on this earth, but unfortunately, there are certain factions of Muslims who do cruel deeds with the excuse that Islam allows these deeds,  or because they have previously been mistreated or abused by certain groups.

As a result of having been abused, they then similarly perform abuses that the abusing groups had inflicted upon them, if they were treated with brute force, they will also use similar force, or when they had been treated with violence, destruction and ruin, they will then do the same, in fact in a way more brutal than they experienced, as a form of retaliation and revenge of hateful feelings towards groups that had abused them.

The reasons allowing these cruel acts become more complicated when certain parties justify their actions by propping up their views using arguments that they brought forth from the Al-Quran and `sunnah’ (traditions of the Prophet SAW), whereby they argue that these acts of theirs are allowed by the religion. There appears to be different opinions, where these acts are justified from a particular perspective, like the Bali bombing although the majority of Islamic Scholars condemns these cruel acts.

 

Islam prohibits cruelty in retaliation to similar abuses, which however doesn’t mean that victims are not allowed to defend their rights, this being permissible in Islamic Syariah (jurisprudence), or acting within the scope of law that have been determined for the defense of self, as well as in a situation where one is abused or ill-treated by a certain group.  This however doesn’t mean that a person can intentionally, similarly abuse his abuser or the civil society of innocent people.

 

Islam gives a right to an individual to defend himself (his life), religion, mind, honor or property when it is felt that one of these five is under threat, but the action is just to defend these rights from being violated by any perpetrator, without retaliating more than the determined bounds, that is cruelty aimed at the perpetrators, by cruel violations upon the public. Such is the beauty of Islam in which cruel abuses should not be reciprocated with similar cruelty.

 

 

¹⁸ I fought terrorists! Abdul Aziz@Imam Samudra@Qudama,with arguments supporting his cruel acts

¹⁹ Unlicensed to Kill: Countering Imam Samudra’s justification for Bali Bombing, Ustaz Haniff Hassan and its contents, edicts of World scholars prohibiting acts of terror

 

Confirmation and prohibition of this can be seen in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Al Baqarah, verse 190 which said:

"و قاتلوا فى سبيل الله الذين يقاتلونكم و لا تعتدوا إن الله لا يحب المعتدين"

`Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits’.

The verse above confirms that the command to do `jihad’ or go to war, is permitted upon the believers by Allah, when the enemy starts the war first or is the first to violate, the command of war towards the enemy is only an act of self defense from being abused or violated and Allah SWT prohibits His believers from acting beyond bounds.  This doesn’t mean that Muslims only prepare themselves for jihad at the last moments when the enemy has struck. The preparation always to be ready is an injunction upon Muslims, as in Allah SWT’s decree in Surah Al Anfal, verse 60, which said: