oPiNiKu Yang PeRnAh Ke Radar SuRabaya(TapI nGgA' tErMuAt)

LAPINDO:TUNGGU ITIKAD PEMERINTAH

Di antara semua masalah kehidupan tak berujung solusi yang mendera bangsa ini, salah satunya yang sangat serius adalah ketidakseriusan pemerintah dalam menanggulangi luapan lumpur panas PT Lapindo Brantas,inc. Masalah ini sangat serius karena sudah satu tahun lumpur lapindo menyembur dan berbagai dampak destruktif akibat semburan lumpur ini telah memaksa masyarakat untuk beraksi menuntut ganti rugi dan solusi tuntas. Seperti aksi peringatan satu tahun lapindo yang di adakan oleh 300 warga perumahan Taman Anggun Sejahtera (perum TAS) dengan tabur bunga di lokasi semburan lumpur lapindo. Atau aksi warga desa Besuki yang menutup jalan masuk truk pembawa sirtu dan unjuk rasa warga dari 4 desa di spillway yang menuntut pemerintah untuk segera memasukkan 4 desa mereka dalam daftar area yang terkena dampak dari semburan lumpur panas. Bukannya gayung bersambut. Jerit dan tangis warga seolah tak pernah di gubris bahkan di sambut dingin dan tidak serius oleh pemerintah pusat (Metro,29/5/07).

Seperti kita ketahui dampak destruktif akibat semburan lumpur lapindo selain merusak lingkungan fisik juga sangat membahayakan kesehatan masyarakat setempat, yaitu bisa mengakibatkan infeksi saluran pernafasan dan iritasi kulit. Lumpur itu mengandung bahan karsinogenik yang jika menumpuk di dalam tubuh bisa mengakibatkan penyakit kanker dan menurunkan tingkat perkembangan kecerdasan otak, terutama pada anak-anak. Hasil penelitian ITS Surabaya beberapa waktu silam menunjukkan bahwa dari 10 kandungan fisika dan kimia yang di jadikan parameter, 9 di antaranya telah jauh melampaui baku mutu limbah cair. Misalnya, kandungan logam berat Hg mencapai 2,565 mg/liter, padahal batas baku mutunya adalah 0,002 mg/liter.

Menurut greenomics (11/8/06), sebuah LSM lingkungan hidup, kerugian akibat semburan lumpur di perkirakan menembus Rp 33,27 triliun. Angka itu meliputi kerugian yang harus di tanggung untuk memulihkan kembali (restorasi) 180 hektar lebih lahan yang tergenang lumpur, penanganan sosial, ekologi hingga dampak terhambatnya potensi pertumbuhan ekonomi dan bisnis warga serta dunia usaha yang menjadi korban luapan lumpur. Perhitungan yang di buat greenomics ini hanya meliputi kerugian jangka pendek. Artinya, kerugian ini masih berpeluang lebih besar lagi jika jika terjadi perluasan dampak turunan luapan lumpur dalam jangka menengah dan panjang.

Selama ini, hak pengelolaan migas di Porong tersebut di berikan oleh pemerintah pusat kepada PT Lapindo Branta,inc. Sementara izin konsesinya di berikan oleh pemerintah provinsi Jawa Timur. PT Lapindo Brantas sendiri merupakan operator pertambangan migas yang sahamnya di kuasai oleh Energi Mega Persada Tbk (EMP), perusahaan migas yang berafiliasi dengan Group Bakrie.

Pemberian hak pengelolaan sumber gas di Porong oleh pemerintah pusat kepada Lapindo termasuk bagian dari privatisasi/swastanisasi, yaitu pengalihan kekayaan publik (rakyat) kepada kekayaan swasta, yaitu para pengusaha yang memegang saham PT Lapindo. Privatisasi ini jelas berdampak buruk bagi rakyat. Pertama, perusahaan swasta kapitalis, dimanapun dan kapanpun, sering berorientasi pada keuntungan semata. Dalam kasus kekayaan migas yang di kelola oleh PT Lapindo, miliaran rupiah hanya mengalir kepada perusahaan tersebut, sementara masyarakat tak bisa menikmatinya. Kedua, perusahaan swasta kapitalis, dimanapun dan kapanpun, sering menghalalkan cara untuk meraih keuntungan sebesar-besarnya. Karena demikianlah yang telah,sedang,dan akan terus kita pelajari dalam sekolah-sekolah hingga perusahaan-perusahaan tentang prinsip ekonomi kapitalis : "meraup keuntungan sebesar-besarnya dengan mengeluarkan modal/menanggung resiko sekecil-kecilnya"-tanpa peduli apakah cara yang di tempuh akan melanggar hak orang lain ataukah tidak.

Melihat dampak buruk privatisasi pengelolaan kekayaan migas milik publik oleh swasta ini, sudah menjadi keharusan bagi pemerintah untuk ikut bertanggung jawab dalam menanggulangi permasalahan lumpur Lapindo. Menyerahkan sepenuhnya beban pada pihak Lapindo atau timnas penanggulangan lumpur semata adalah suatu kemustahilan. Pemerintah pusat sebagai pemegang otoritas tertinggi memiliki kewajiban melindungi rakyatnya dari berbagai ancaman, termasuk banjir lumpur Lapindo di Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur. Seperti yang di ungkapkan satu tahun yang lalu oleh wakil ketua MPR RI, A.M Fatwa di Jakarta, Senin (27/11/06),"meski ini hak prerogatif presiden, namun sampai saat ini belum terlihat adanya ketegasan dari presiden.....siapa yang menanggung beban hidup korban lumpur Lapindo, dan kapan luapan lumpur itu berhenti, tidak ada kepastianya, pemerintah tidak bisa santai, harus bertindak cepat."(www.eramuslim.com)

Benar, pemerintah harus menunjukkan kewibawaannya dengan bersikap tanggap,sigap dan cepat dalam melayani urusan masyarakat. Namun, itikad itu belum muncul hingga sudah satu tahun lamanya lumpur Lapindo di biarkan menyembur dan mengorbankan lebih banyak kepentingan hidup orang banyak. Ada dua langkah yang mau tak mau harus di lakukan oleh pemerintah. Pertama, berkaitan dengan solusi jangka pendek, pemerintah wajib mengatasi suatu bencana sesegera mungkin. Karena banjir lumpur ini bukan bencana alam alami/biasa,seperti gempa, letusan gunung merapi, dsb, maka pihak yang menjadi penyebab utama bencana tersebut harus bertanggung jawab. Dalam hal ini, pihak yang 'berkontribusi' dalam bencana ini adalah PT Lapindo, pemerintah pusat, dan daerah. PT Lapindo sebagai pihak pengebornya, dan pemerintah yang memberikan izinnya. Kedua, berkaitan dengan solusi jangka menengah dan panjang, hendaknya pemerintah melakukan reformasi bahkan revolusi terhadap sektor ekonomi kapitalis yang di terapkan saat ini. Segala bentuk eksploitasi oleh swasta (swastanisasi/privatisasi) atas kekayaan publik harus di hapuskan. Sebab, dengan ini kekayaan masyarakat berpindah tangan ke pihak pribadi/privat/swasta. Kemudian pemerintah segera mengambil alih tugas dan tanggung jawabnya sebagai pemelihara dan pengayom urusan rakyatnya sesuai dengan yang telah di ajarkan oleh islam sebagai syariah rahmatan lil alamiin bagi umat manusia, muslim dan non muslim. Karena "imam/penguasa adalah pengurus rakyat; ia bertanggung jawab atas rakyat yang di urusnya (HR Muslim)."

Sudahkah pemerintah kita menunjukkan itikad baiknya untuk melayani kebutuhan rakyatnya?....

SP ku yang pernah termuat di harian Surabaya Pagi(but lupa kapan?)

MEMUTUS LINGKARAN SETAN NARKOBA

Semarak peredaran narkoba di Indonesia secara transnasional membuktikan bahwa Indonesia adalah surga bagi sindikat peredaran narkoba internasional. Ironisnya,sanksi yang diberikan bago para pelaku baik pengguna,pengedar,dan bandar narkoba kurang bahkan tidak maksimal. Kapolri jenderal (poli) Sutanto mengaku kecewa atas hukuman yang kurang maksimal terhadap seorang tersangka penyalahgunaan narkoba dengan barang bukti 20 kg ganja tapi hanya divonis tiga tahun penjara. Ia juga mengaku kecewa dengan masih adanya pemutasian hakim yang menjatuhkan vonis mati bagi pelaku penyalahgunaan dan peredaran gelap narkoba,seperti yang terjadi di pengadilan negeri Probolinggo Jawa Timur. Selain itu,kapolri juga menyesalkan dari 43 pengedar narkoba yang divonis mati,hanya tiga orang saja yang sudah dieksekusi (www.eramuslim.com/23/2/06).

Apalagi setelah bandar jaringan narkoba internasional asal Indonesia,Akwang tertangkap dan hanya divonis 20 tahun penjara. Padahal barang bukti yang ditemukan polisi berupa kompas,peta,GPS satelite,dan potongan senjata semakin menguatkan dugaan Akwang sebagai anggota sindikat narkoba internasional asia yang bermarkas di Hongkong dan dipimpin oleh Peter Wong alias Mr Wong.

Sindikat narkoba internasional asia tidak sendiri. Ada sindikat narkoba transnasional lain yang beranggotakan negara afrika semisal Nigeria dan negara afrika lainnya yang tergabung dalam "WEST AFRICAN ENTERPRISES (WAE)".WAE saat ini telah merambah 80 negara termasuk Indonesia. Airport dan seaport adalah lokasi transaksi narkoba transnasional yang telah banyak dipengaruhi oleh jaringan narkoba internasional semacam ini. Di sini WAE menggunakan jasa kurir (trafficker) dengan ongkos 4000-5000 $ untuk sekali angkut tiap narkoba. Di luar negeri,kurang lebih 42 kurir telah di hukum berat. Bagaimana dengan Indonesia?

Memerangi jaringan narkoba internasional sama halnya memerangi teror dalam lingkaran setan. Padahal bahaya narkoba sudah di depan mata kita dan telah terbukti bahwa narkoba mengakibatkan daya pikir rusak,gaya bicara kacau,dalam jangka panjang (minimal satu tahun) nerve centre rusak,organ tubuh dalam dan sirkulasi darah juga rusak,kondisi fly bisa mengakibatkan pengguna narkoba melakukan free sex,alhasil mereka berpotensi tertular HIV/AIDS (Metro realita,12/7/07).

Tanpa bermaksud mengurangi atau melebihkan kuantitas bahaya masalah satu dengan masalah lain yang mendera negeri ini,masalah narkoba sama berbahayanya dengan masalah yang selama ini kuantitas prioritas bahayanya mungkin dianggap lebih oleh pemerintah. Kita bahkan anak kecilpun paham bahwa mencegah lebih baik dari pada mengobati. Dengan slogan "say no drug",kita berharap pemerintah akan lebih berani bersikap tegas terhadap pelaku kejahatan narkoba dengan menerapkan syariah Allah terkait sanksi terhadap pelaku narkoba yakni vonis mati. Vonis ini akan menjadi penebus dosa bagi pelaku di akhirat kelak dan pencegah bagi orang lain untuk mendekati jarum neraka ini. Dan pemerintah akan lebih berani memutus mata rantai peredaran narkoba yang beredar di tengah masyarakat dari kalangan menengah ke atas hingga ke bawah,dari usia dewasa hingga anak-anak. Dengan slogan "say no free sex",kita berharap pemerintah akan lebih berani untuk tidak melegalisasi atau melokalisasi tempat prostitusi dan segala bentuk perzinahan atau pornografi dan pornoaksi di negeri ini. Kita tentu berharap kita akan sembuh dari penyakit kronis yang menimpa negeri ini; busung lapar,flu burung,keracunan makanan,HIV/AIDS,permen formalin,mainan mengandung zat beracun,dan penyakit kronis lainnya. Kita juga berharap para elite politik kita sembuh dari penyakit korupsi,gila kekuasaan hingga lupa rakyat,agar mereka sadar siapa dan bagaimana sosok pemimpin ideal bagi rakyat yang dipimpinnya. Dengan menerapkan solusi fundamental dengan slogan "back to syariah with khilafah", pemerintah akan mampu memutus lingkaran setan kejahatan nasional dan transnasional termasuk kejahatan narkoba.

The Evils of Nationalism

The Evils of Nationalism

Written by Shaykh ‘Abdul-Aziz bin Baaz

Taken from: Naqd Al-Qawmiyyat-ul-'Arabiyyah (A Criticism of Arab Nationalism), Pgs .39-44) Translated by Abu Rumaysah Indeed, Islaam has forbidden the calls of the Days of Ignorance (jaahiliyyah). There are many textual evidences that forbid all of the characteristics and deeds of these times of Ignorance, except for those (good) practices, which Islaam has condoned. And from that which there is no doubt of, is that the call to NATIONALISM is indeed one of these calls of Jaahiliyyah. This is because nationalism is a call to something other than Islaam and a support for something other than the truth. And how many crimes, evils and severe wars has such calls of Jaahiliyyah brought about upon the people, causing great harm to their souls, their wealth and their possessions. The consequences of such calls was a break in their (Muslim) unity, a harvesting of Enmity and Hatred for one another, in their hearts, and a splitting between them into tribes and nations! Ibn Taymiyyah (ra) said: "Everything that is foreign to the call of Islaam and the Qur'aan, with regards to lineage, land, nationality, schools of thoughts and methodologies, then that is from the calls of the Days of Ignorance (jaahiliyyah). Once the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar argued, such that one of the Muhaajireen said: 'O Muhaajireen!' (meaning, come to assist me) And one of the Ansaar said: 'O Ansaar!' Upon hearing this, the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Is it with the calls of Jaahiliyyah that you cry out, while l am still amongst you?!' [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (8/137)] And he became very angry at that."[Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa (3/456)] From the textual evidences concerning this issue, is Allaah the Most High's saying: "When those who disbelieved placed in their hearts, pride and arrogance - the pride and arrogance of the Times of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah), then Allaah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers." [Surat-ul-Fath (48): 26] The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whosoever leaves off obedience and separates from the Jamaa'ah and then dies, he dies a death of (one in) the Days of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah). Whosoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for partisanship ('asabiyyah), calling towards it, or supporting it and then dies, he dies a death of (one in) the Days of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah)." [Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh (6/21), from Abu Hurayrah] In Saheeh Muslim (8/120) the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "lndeed, Allaah has revealed to me that you should have humbleness. And that no one should act proudly and oppressively over anyone else, nor should one boast over anyone else." Thus, there is no doubt that calling to nationalism is calling to partisanship ('asabiyyah)! And it is a call towards becoming angry for the sake of this partisan group, and fighting for it. Also, there is no doubt that calling towards nationalism is a call towards transgression, pride and arrogance. This is since nationalism is NOT a way of life that was divinely revealed, which would prevent its people from oppression and prideful boasting. On the contrary, it is an ideology from the Days of (pre-Islaamic) Ignorance, which leads its adherents to bragging about their group and having fanaticism for it, even if they are oppressors and the others are the oppressed!! So O noble reader, consider this well, and the truth will be made clear to you! Another evidence related to this, is what has been reported by At-Tirmidhee that the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Let the people stop boasting about their forefathers that have passed away - who are merely fuel for the Hellfire - or they will surely become more insignificant to Allaah than the beetle that rubs faeces on its nose. Allaah has removed from you the party spirit of the Days of Ignorance and the bragging about one's forefathers. Indeed, a person is either a pious believer or a wretched sinner. All of mankind are the children of Aadam, and Aadam was created from dirt." [Hasan - Reported by Abu Daawood (no.5116) and At-Tirmidhee (no.4233) from Abu Hurayrah and authenticated by Ibn Taymiyyah in Al-lqtidaa (p.35)] And the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Indeed there is no excellence that an Arab possesses OVER a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab. Nor is there (an excellence) of a white man over a black man, or a black man over a white man, except by TAQWAA (submissive obedience to Allaah)." [Saheeh - Reported by Ahmad (5/411) and authenticated by Ibn Taymiyyah in Al-lqtidaa (p.69)] This is in accordance with Allaah the Most High's saying: "O mankind! Truly, We have created you from male and female and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another. Indeed the most noblest amongst you, in the sight of Allaah, is he who has the most taqwaa." [Surat-ul-Hujuraat (49): 13] So Allaah, the One free from all defects, has made it clear in this noble verse that people have been made into nations and tribes so that they may come to know one other, NOT so that they could brag and be proud over one another! And Allaah, the Most High, considers the most noblest amongst them to be the one who has the most piety and taqwaa. Similarly, the hadeeth mentioned before it contains the same meaning, and it guides to the fact that it is from the customs of the Days of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah) to proudly boast and BRAG and to have FALSE PRIDE for one's forefathers and ancestors. This is what the calls of Ignorance lead to, whereas Islaam is in opposition to all this. Rather, Islaam calls to being modest, humble, and righteous and having love for the sake of Allaah. It also indicates that the true and sincere Muslims are only one of the branches of the children of Aadam, and that the Muslims are a single body and a single structure; each part supporting the other and each part feeling the pain that the other parts are suffering. This is as occurs in an authentic hadeeth where the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "A believer (in regards to) to another believer is like a solid building, one part supports the other." - and then he interlaced his fingers to demonstrate this. [Al-Bukhaaree (no.481) and Muslim (no.2585) from hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah] The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said: "The example of the believers in their mutual love and mercy for one another is like the example of a body, if one part of the body feels pain, then all the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever." [Al-Bukhaaree (no.6011) and Muslim (no.2586) from hadeeth of An-Nu'maan Ibn Basheer] O people!! I call to you in the name of Allaah. Does your nationalism direct you to these noble manners of mercy and kindness for the Muslims - both Arabs and non-Arabs - and of having mutual sympathy and concern for them, and feeling pain when they experience pain? NO, by Allaah!! Rather, it directs you to having devotion to those with evil manners and it calls you to breeding animosity and hatred for those who reject this false belief of nationalism. So beware, O Muslim who desires safety and salvation, and consider the reality of this matter with fair consideration, without being prejudiced by party spirit and desires!! Only then you will see the reality as it truly is. So may Allaah guide me and you to the means of safety and salvation. And it is reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (8/137), that a young man from the Muhaajireen and a young man from the Ansaar once argued, so the Muhaajir said: "O Muhaajireen! (meaning, come help me)", whereas the Ansaaree said: "O Ansaar!" When the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heard this, he said: "Is it with the calls of Jaahiliyyah that you cry out, while l am still amongst you??!!" The terms Muhaajieen and Ansaar are ascriptions that Allaah, the One free from all defects, loves. And He has praised these two groups very highly, in His saying: "And the first to embrace Islaam from the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar, and those who followed them in righteousness, belief and actions. Allaah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens of Paradise, beneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. That is the supreme achievement." [Surat-ut-Tawbah (9): 100] However, in the above incident, this ascription to the Muhaajireen and seeking help from them, and ascription to the Ansaar and seeking help from them, was considered to be from the CALLS OF IGNORANCE (Jaahiliyyah)! So what about those who adhere to nationalism and look for support from that and become angry for the sake of it??!! Is it not more befitting that this be considered one of the calls of Ignorance?! This is a matter about which there is no doubt, and indeed it is one of the clearest of all matters. And it has been established in the authentic hadeeth of Al-Haarith Al-Ash'aree, that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "I command you with five things that Allaah commanded me with: (Sticking to) the Jamaa'ah, hearing, obeying, Hijrah (migration) and Jihad in the Way of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So whosoever separates from the Jamaa'ah by a handspan, he throws the yoke of Islaam from his neck, unless he repents. And whosoever calls with the call of the Days of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah), then he is from the hoarded heap of the HELLFIRE!" It was said: "Even if he fasts and prays?" So he (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Even if he fasts and prays. So call (one another) with the call of Allaah that Allaah gave: 'the Muslims', 'the Believers', 'Slaves of Allaah.'" [Saheeh - Reported by At-Tirmidhee (no.2863), At-Tilyaalasee (no.1161) and others. Shaikh Al-Albaanee authenticated it in his checking of Ibn Abee 'Aasim's As-Sunnah (no.1036)] This hadeeth is absolutely clear with regards to debasing the call to nationalism. Those who call towards it deserve to be amongst the hoarded heap of the Hellfire, even if they fast and pray and claim they are Muslims!! So look at what a harsh threat and severe warning is being given here! It is warning every Muslim from the calls of the Days of Ignorance and from embarking on it, even though such calls may be beautified with false speech and enchanting words. Rather, NATIONALISM is a deception and a form of blind following which leads its adherents to the WORST and most DETESTABLE of consequences! And we ask Allaah to free us and save us from that! Source

The Way To Victory

The Way to Victory

Written by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab

Taken from: Al-Bidayyah wan-Nihayyah of Imaam ibn Kathir ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) sent an army under Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) for the conquest of Persia. ‘Umar (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) wrote him a convention as follows: “I command you and your army to fear Allaah at all times because piety is the best weapon against the enemy and the best strategy in the battle. And I command you and your soldiers to fear disobedience to Allaah more than you fear the enemy. If an army fears sins more than the enemy, Allaah brings them victory. Muslim victory is the outcome of the disbelievers' disobedience of Allaah. There is no power except with Allaah for they always outnumber us and have better weapons and tools. If we become equal in disobedience, they will conquer us due to more power; and unless we defeat them by righteousness, we cannot defeat them by power. You must learn that you have some angels with you to protect you and your deeds. So be careful and do not commit any sins while you are fighting in the way of Allaah. And never say our enemy is worse than us and that they cannot win even if we commit sins. Many nations have suffered at the hands of others who were less faithful as the magian who won over the Children of Isra’eel when they committed sins. You have to ask Allaah victory over your own selves in the same way you ask victory over the enemy. Ask it from Allaah for us and you.”

Source

Muslims' weakness:Causes and Cure

Name of Questioner: Concerned Muslim - Angola

Title: Muslims' Weakness: Causes and Cure

Question: Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. One wonders at the weakness that has befallen the Muslim Ummah. It has become so weak that its enemies no longer respect it. What are the causes of such weakness? Why have we become an easy prey to our enemies in the East and the West? Why do people despise us?

Date: 20/Jul/2006

Name of Mufti: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

Topic: Jihad: Rulings & Regulations

Answer:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In the first place, we earnestly implore Allah, from the depth of our hearts, to guide us all to the best, and to grant Muslims every success, power and strength.

The weakness that has befallen the Muslim Ummah is obvious to all. It is shown at all levels, political, economic, and social. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that we would become weak due to running after the worldly pleasures and disliking death. The main reason for this is the moral deterioration our Ummah is suffering from.

Responding to your question, the prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states the following:

Muslims have lost their power and become a weak nation because faith no longer has a place in their lives and behavior.

The majority of Muslims follow Islam in name only. They become Muslims because their families are so, or because they have been born in a Muslim country by Muslim parents. They lack strength in faith and enthusiasm to follow its teachings. Could people in such a feeble state manage to revive their power and restore their strength?

In fact the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) referred to the causes that would weaken the Ummah and belittle it in the eyes of its enemies. With the elapse of time, the Prophet's words in that regard have proved to be true. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Nations are about to scheme against you in the same way as greedy eaters vie with one another at the dining table.” One of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Will that relate to being few in numbers?” The Prophet said, “No, but your huge number will be of little effectiveness, and (Allah) will cast al-wahan in your hearts.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what does al-wahan mean?” He said, “Your hearts are strongly attached to the luxuries of life and you feel a strong aversion to death.”

See what causes weakness in hearts! It is running after the worldly pleasures and yielding to temptations of this life. When one does so, one becomes a slave to one's desires, and can no longer have control over oneself. One, in such a case, gets lost and has no real objects to seek in life.

It is temptations that turn a strong person to be a slave to a woman he is in love with, or to a worldly pleasure or benefit he is greedily seeking.

It is also people’s aversion to death that makes them prefer a humiliating life to an honorable death, unaware of the fact that their very humiliating life is a kind of death in disguise, while honorable death grants them eternity.

There is a line of verse that goes:

He who hasn’t died an honorable death in battlefield
let him suffer humiliation in life.

Also, the real problem Muslims are suffering from is a moral and a spiritual one. Also, we are lagging behind in the economic, political, administrative, scientific, and technological fields. But this is no more than a reflection to our main problem, that is, our moral and faith deterioration.

Tens of years ago we would complain about the tyranny of our rulers and the way they would treat their people as animals, not as respectable human beings. We would also complain about lacking democratic bodies that might protect us against the rulers’ oppression.

You know why we would suffer from that. It is because of both rulers’ and subjects’ degenerating faith and morals. It is because of the rulers greedily vying to be superior to others, following in the footsteps of the tyrants Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun. In addition to that, the moral and spiritual weaknesses that have afflicted people have helped those rulers to subject them further and further. Allah Almighty says about the people’s humiliation at the hands of Pharaoh:

(Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they did follow the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was no right guide,) (Hud 11: 97) and (Thus he persuaded his people to make light (of Moses), and they obeyed him. Lo! they were a wanton folk.) (Az-Zukhruf 43: 54)

It is being strongly attached to this world and having an aversion to death that made one grow selfish and unwilling to sacrifice anything for one’s Ummah.

It is our rulers' covetousness to stay in power that has made them manipulate people and employ hypocrites and evil people to help them in that regard. They may do anything to achieve that end even if it is to cooperate with the very enemies of their country. That is what has led to the fall of our countries and the humiliation of their people.

The disintegration the Muslim and Arab countries suffer from is not due to difference in ideologies or policies so much as it is due to difference in personal interests among those who are in authority.

It is those irresponsible people in authority that brought about the immense debts that some Arab countries owe to foreign ones and that are estimated at about tens of billions. Such debts add to the humiliation the Arab countries already suffer from. Those who have caused this do not fear Allah Almighty, nor do they give heed to the punishment that will afflict them in the Hereafter due to that. All what they aspire to is to fulfill their personal interests even if this is to be at the expense of their countries.

The spread of intoxicants and drugs among the youth and the purchase of such destructive substances by hundreds of millions reflects another aspect of the great moral degeneration we are suffering from.

Another reflection of the moral deterioration is that huge number of people who no longer bother if the means through which they earn their livelihood are lawful or not. Many people, for example, do not care about doing their duties at work as they should be done, and many others find nothing wrong in harming others if this will bring them more money.

Many of the dictatorial policies and wrong decisions that brought about domestic disasters in many countries have been motivated by the personal interests of many people in authority. Such people do not care whether their policies are in the interest of their countries or not, so long as they achieve their personal goals.

Another aspect of the problem we are facing is reflected in the maddening race of consumption, especially of imported goods, and the slow process of production, especially in the fields of agriculture and industry.

We have, unfortunately, turned to be useless. We speak and do not act; we import and do not produce. We are passive receivers; we imitate others and do not try to devise something ourselves. In a word, we destroy, not build; we sink into oblivion, not revive.

All what I have said emphasizes that our very task to overcome all our problems is to revive our faith and moral ethics and breathe life into our deadening state, so that we can restore our ability to act and help our nation progress.

Our nation is in need of a new spirit that can revive it and change its view towards life and things, so that it can get rid of the state of dependence it suffers from and become productive itself.

We should combat materialism, selfishness, opportunism, defeatism, favoritism, and all forms of cheating and deterioration in the fields of trade, culture, education, policy, et cetera.

We should combat such devices in the same way as we combat chronic diseases like bilharzia, tuberculosis, et cetera. We, moreover, should deal with such vices with more seriousness than we treat such diseases with.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Source

A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men

September 05, 2006

The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Real men are as rare as a reliable strong camel that can endure the burden of long trips; you can hardly find one in a hundred." (Bukhari)

In one of the houses of Madinah, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab radhiallahu 'anhu was sitting with a group of his companions. He asked them: "Make a wish." One of them said, "I wish to have as much gold as would fill this whole house, so that I could spend it in Jihad."

Then again 'Umar asked: "Make a wish." Another man said, "I wished that this house was full of jewels and pearls so that I could spend it all in Jihad and charity for the sake of Allah."

'Umar asked for the third time: "Make a wish." His companions said: "We don't know what to say, O leader of the believers."

Thereupon 'Umar said, "I wish that this house was full of men like Abu 'Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarrah, Mu'adh bin Jabal and Salim who works for Abu Hudhayfah in order to use them to spread the word of Allah."

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood radhiallahu 'anhu was frail man and once, one day his legs became uncovered. Some of the companions saw this and laughed at thin legs. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "You may laugh about his thin legs, but I swear by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, they will be heavier than Mount Uhud on the scales (on the Day of Judgement)."

Khalid ibn Al-Waleed radhiallahu 'anhu surrounded Al-Heerah and requested supplies from Abu Bakr radhiallahu 'anhu, who only sent him Al-Qa'qaa' ibn 'Amr At-Tameemi and said: "An army having men like Al-Qa'qaa' will never be defeated."

Abu Bakr radhiallahu 'anhu also used to say, "The mere voice of Al-Qa'qaa' in the army is better than a thousand fighters."

When 'Amr ibn Al-'Aas radhiallahu 'anhu requested supplies from 'Umar radhiallahu 'anhu during the Islamic conquest of Egypt, 'Umar wrote: "I have sent you (the equivalent of) four thousand men; four men each of whom are equal to a thousand others: Az-Zubayr Ibn Al-'Awwaam, Al-Miqdaad Ibn 'Amr, 'Ubaadah Ibn As-Saamit and Maslamah Ibn Makhlad."

Source

Strangeness and the Strangers

Strangeness and the Strangers

By Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

Adopted by Ammar ibn Abdullah al-Hindi

Based on a booklet by Ibn Qayyim entitled al-Ghurbathu wa al-Ghuraba

"Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers."

The Meaning of "Strangeness"

Many times in many situations the people that follow the religion of Allah feel a sense of not belonging, of being out of place, of not fitting in, and, in other words, of being strange. This feeling could occur in a gathering of non-Muslims, but, unfortunately, this feeling sometimes also occurs when one is with his fellow Muslims.

A person sees his brothers and sisters doing acts that are contrary to Islam, or taking part in innovations that sometimes even border on kufr (apostasy), yet he feels that he does not have enough power or courage to stop them in these acts. Some brothers and sisters, especially if they do not have enough taqwa or Islamic knowledge, sometimes buckle under the pressure of their peers and join in these acts, knowing that this is not what Allah wants them to do. However, feeling helpless, since it seems that they are alone in their ideas and without any support to help them do what is right, they succumb to such pressures.

These brothers and sisters, may Allah have mercy on them, should take consolation in the verses of the Qur’an and the many statements of the Prophet (saws) describing this very situation of strangeness that they feel.

Why Have They Been Called "Strangers"?

Allah says in the Qur’an,

"If only there had been, in the generations preceding you, people having wisdom, prohibiting others from evil in the earth; except a few of those whom we have saved from among them." (Qur'an Hud 116).

This verse speaks of the few people on earth, the "strangers", who prohibit mankind from evil. These are the same people the Prophet (saws) spoke about when he said, "Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings [ar. Tooba. This is a tree in Paradise. So the Prophet (saws) is giving the good news of Paradise to these strangers.] to the strangers." It was asked, "Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "Those that correct the people when they become corrupt." [Reported by Abu Amr al-Dani, from the hadith of ibn Masoud. It is authentic according to al-Albani. Another narration says, "Those that correct my Sunnah which has been corrupted by the people after me."] In another narration he said in response to the same question, "They are a small group of people among a large evil population. Those who oppose them are more than those who follow them." [Reported by ibn Asaakir. It is authentic according to al-Albani.]

These praiseworthy people are called strangers since they are a small minority among mankind. Thus, Muslims are strangers among mankind; the true believers are strangers among Muslims; and the scholars are strangers among the true believers. And the followers of the Sunnah, those that clear themselves from all peoples of innovation, are likewise strangers.

In reality, however, their strangeness is only because they are the minority and it is not because their actions and beliefs are strange. This is what Allah says in surah al-Anaam,

"And if you obey most of the people on Earth, they will lead you astray" (Qur'an al-Anaam 116).

Allah also says,

"And most of mankind will not believe, even if you (O Muhammad) desire it eagerly" (Qur'an Yusuf 103);

"And truly, most of mankind are rebellious and disobedient (to Allah)." (Qur'an al-Maidah 49)

"But nay, most of mankind are ungrateful" (Qur'an Yusuf 38).

Therefore, Allah, the All-Knowing Creator, knows the most of mankind will not follow the truth. Instead, only a small group of people will be set apart that truly and correctly believe in Him, the strangers from among mankind.

The strangers in belief, however, and the strangers in character and actions are in reality the majority of mankind, for they are strange to Islam and to the laws that Allah has revealed. Thus we see that there are various types of strangeness, of which some are praiseworthy, some are blameworthy and some are either praiseworthy or blameworthy. We will discuss these various categories separately below.

The Various Types of Strangeness

You should know, may Allah have mercy upon you, that strangeness is of three types:

The first type of strangeness is the strangeness of the "People of Allah and the People of His Messenger" (saws), which we mentioned previously. This strangeness is a praiseworthy strangeness, as it has been praised by Allah and His Messenger (saws). Therefore, this kind of strangeness should be sought and its people must be supported. This strangeness occurs in different times, in different places, and among different peoples. These strangers, then, are the true "People of Allah" for they do not worship ought save Him, and they do not take support from any path except the path of the Prophet (saws), and they do not call to anything except that which has been brought by the Prophet (saws). These are the people who left mankind when they (the strangers) were in need of them the most. For, on the Day of Judgment, when all other groups will go with that which they used to worship, they will stay in their places. It will be said to them, "Will you not go as the other people have gone?" They will answer, "We had abandoned the people (in this life), and we were more in need of them then we are today, and we will wait for our Lord whom we used to worship." [Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim] Thus it is apparent that this strangeness does not cause its bearer any discontent. Rather it is a comforting strangeness, a solace to the believers. This is because he knows that his helpers are Allah, His Messenger and those who believe [This is a reference to verse 55 of surah al-Maidah], even if all of mankind left and abandoned him.

These strangers are again described in a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik, in which the Prophet (saws) said, "It is possible that a disheveled, dusty person, with not many belongings [Literally, "with two headdresses"], who is not noticed among the people, if he asks of Allah, Allah will fulfill his prayer." [Reported by at-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim. Al-Albani said it is authentic.] Al-Hasan al-Basri [a very famous Follower – tabi‘ - known for his piety, asceticism and knowledge] said, "A believer is a stranger in this world, he is never afraid of its humiliation, and he never competes for its glory. The people are in one situation and he is in a different situation. The people are content with him, yet he is in turmoil [Literally, "tired"] with himself." From the characteristics of these strangers that the Prophet (saws) described is the holding on to the Sunnah of the Messenger (saws), even if the people abandon it. They, the strangers, leave all the innovations that their people invent, even if such practices should be common among them. They also stick to tawheed, even if the people corrupt it with shirk. They do not ascribe themselves to anything besides Allah and His Prophet (saws); they do not, that is, ascribe themselves to a shaikh, tariqah, particular madhhab or a group of people. They are dedicated only to Allah, with their sincere worship of Him and Him alone, and to His Prophet (saws), by following the path that he followed. These are the people who grasp the glowing hot embers [A reference to the hadith that is to follow], even though most of mankind - nay, all of them - blame them for this. This is the meaning of the statements of the Prophet (saws) alluding to the fact that they stick to his Sunnah, even if the people corrupt it.

Allah, all praise be to Him, sent His Prophet (saws) when mankind followed different religions, for there were those who worshipped rivers and trees, and there were those who worshipped idols, and there were Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians. Islam, when it first appeared among these people, was strange to them. If a person from among them accepted Islam and followed the call of Allah and His Prophet (saws), he would be shunned by his family and his tribe. He would live the life of a stranger among his people. Eventually, however, Islam spread far and wide. The Muslims became stronger and stronger, so much so that the strangers were those that did not accept the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (saws).

But, alas, Satan deceived mankind again. People took to the ways that their forefathers, who had accepted Islam, had abandoned until, finally, Islam became strange again, just like it had started and just like the Prophet (saws) had foretold. Nay, indeed, rather the true Islam - that which the Prophet (saws) and his Companions were following [this is a reference to the reply that the Prophet (saws) gave when asked what the characteristics of the "Saved Group" were] has become even stranger to the people then when it initially appeared, even though its outward signs and external relics are well known and widespread. [This is what ibn al-Qayyim, wrote in the 8^th Century of the Hijrah, wrote. Imagine our situations six centuries after him. May Allah protect us.]

How can it not be so, when these strangers are only one group among seventy-two others [the Prophet (saws) said in an authentic hadith that this Ummah would divide into seventy-three groups, all of which would go to Hell except the one Saved Group.], each of which follows its own desires and takes its passions as gods?

Those are the groups that base their teachings on doubts and innovations and whose sole purpose is the gratification of their own desires. Thus, the group whose goal is to achieve the pleasure of Allah by following the path of His Messenger (saws) will be the strange one among all of the other groups. This is why the true Muslims - those that adamantly cling to the Sunnah - will have the reward of fifty Companions. When the Prophet (saws) was asked about the verse,

"O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow right guidance, no harm can come to you from those who err" (Qur'an al-Maidah 105)

he said, "Nay indeed, order good and forbid evil until you see stinginess being obeyed, and desires being followed, and this world preferred [over the next], and each person being deluded by his own opinions. Then take care of yourself and leave the common people. For indeed, after you there will be days of patience, where patience will be like holding on to glowing embers. Whoever is able to do this will have the reward of fifty people that do like him." They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty of them?" He replied, "The reward of fifty of you" [Recorded by al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud with a weak chain but it has supporting evidence. Al-Albani calls it sahih. See al-Sahiha, #957]. This reward is due to his strangeness among the people.

So, if the believer whom Allah has blessed with wisdom and knowledge wants to tread upon this path, the path of Allah, then let him be prepared to resign himself to the life of a stranger among his people, just like his predecessors who accepted Islam were treated by the people. For indeed, he will be a stranger in his beliefs, because his people have corrupted their beliefs. He will be a stranger in his religion, due to what the people have done to it. He will be a stranger in his manner of praying, because the people are ignorant of the prayer of the Prophet (saws). He will be a stranger in his ordering of good and prohibiting evil, for the people have taken what is evil as good and they have abandoned what is good as evil. In short, then, he will be a stranger in all his matters of this world and the Hereafter, calling to the path of Allah and withstanding the harm of all those that go against him.

As for the second type of strangeness, then know, O reader, that this strangeness is the blameworthy strangeness, for its people are the evil sinners, the ignorant and the arrogant of mankind. Their strangeness is due to their refusal to follow the correct and straight path of Allah. This strangeness is the strangeness of not conforming to the religion of Islam and, as such, it will remain strange even if its followers are numerous, its power is strong and its existence is widespread. These are the strangers to Allah. May Allah keep us from becoming one of them.

The third category of strangeness is, in essence, neither praiseworthy or blameworthy. It is the strangeness that a traveller experiences when he travels to a different country, like a person who lives in a place for a short period of time, knowing that he has to move on. One aspect of this strangeness is that all of us, whether we realize it or not, are strangers in this world, for we will all go one day to our permanent abode in the Hereafter. This is the meaning of the hadith of the Prophet (saws) when he told Abdullah ibn Umar, "Live in this world as though you are a stranger or a wayfarer." Thus, this category of strangeness has the potential to become a praiseworthy strangeness if we realize the meaning of this statement of Allah’s Messenger (saws).

We pray that Allah bless us to be Muslims, knowledgeable and pious, and that He forgive us our sins and bless us with His Mercy. Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute to Him And Peace be on the Messengers. And all Praise and thanks be to the Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Source

The Evils Of Ignorance

The Evils Of Ignorance

By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah

From "The Book of Knowledge"

Taken from al-Muntaqaa Newsletter [al-Manhaj]

Allaah says: "And they will say: 'Had we but listened or used our intellects, we would not have been amongst the dwellers of the blazing Fire!' Then they will confess their sin. So away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire!" [Surat-ul-Mulk: 10-11]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimullah) said: "Allaah describes the inhabitants of the Hellfire with ignorance and He informs us that He prevented them from embarking on the path to knowledge. Allaah says, relating to us what they will say: 'Had we but listened or used our intellects, we would not have been amongst the dwellers of the blazing Fire.' Thus He informs us that they did not used to listen or comprehend, and listening and comprehending are from the foundations of knowledge and it is through them, that it can be attained." [Miftaah Daar-us-Sa'aadah (1/59)]

Allaah says: "And surely We have created many of the jinn and mankind for the Hellfire. They have hearts, with which they understand not, and they have eyes with which they see not, and they have ears with which they hear not. They are like cattle! Nay, even lower than that. These are the heedless ones!" [Suratul- A'araaf: 179]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimullah) said: "Allaah is informing us that these beings did not obtain knowledge for themselves through any of the channels by which knowledge is attained, such as comprehending, hearing, and seeing. Thus Allaah describes these wretched people as bearing a lack of knowledge and He likens them at times to cattle, and at times to donkeys carrying books. Sometimes He places them lower than cattle and at other times, He describes them as being dead and without life. At times, He informs us that they are in the darkness of ignorance and misguidance. And sometimes He informs us that there are screens enveloping their hearts, deafness in their ears and a veil cast over their eyes. All of these attributes indicate the detestability of ignorance, the dishonour of its adherents and Allaah's hatred for them. On the other hand, He loves the people of knowledge and He praises and commends them." [Miftaah Daar-us-Sa'aadah (1/59)]

Allaah says: "Then what is wrong with them (disbelievers) that they turn away from (receiving) the admonition? As if they were frightened wild donkeys, fleeing from a hunter or a lion or a beast at prey. Nay every one of them desires that he should be given pages spread out (with writing from Allaah telling them that Islaam is the truth). Nay, but they fear not the Hereafter!" [Surat-ul-Mudaththir: 49-53]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimullah) said: "Allaah says in this example of those who turn away from His words and from reflecting upon their meaning: 'Then what is wrong with them that they turn away from (receiving) the admonition? As if they were frightened wild donkeys, fleeing from a hunter or a lion or a beast at prey'. Thus, He compares them, in their turning away and their fleeing from the Qur'aan, to donkeys that run away at the sight of a lion or hunters. This is one of the most marvellous of comparisons and beautiful of representations, since those who are ignorant of what Allaah has sent His Messenger with, are like donkeys, for these animals do not comprehend anything. Thus, when they hear the sounds of a lion or a hunter, they run away from it in intense flight. This shows the extent of dispraise for these ignorant people, for they run away from the guidance, in which lies their success and livelihood, just as donkeys run away from that which has the ability to wound or destroy them." [I'alaam-ul-Muwaqqi'een (1/164)]

And Allaah says: "Is he who knows that what has been revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth, like him who is blind? Rather, it is only the men of understanding that pay heed!" [Surat-ur-Ra'ad: 19]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimullah) said: "What is being presented here, except for one who has knowledge and one who is blind? Allaah has described the people of ignorance in many places in His Book as being deaf, dumb and blind." [Miftaah Daar-us-Sa'aadah (1/49)]

CaRe AbOuT tHe WoRLd In A EyEsOrE

CaRe AbOuT ThE WoRLd iN aN EyEsOrE

i normally have a good eyesight.but at times it is failing(but no thanks,i need no glasses).yet,as it comes to our world's affairs,it rarely even must not fail.the world itself lets us see that what's been wrong with it,from mid east to southeast asia,from west to east,is an eyesore.almost nowhere else in this world is really secured from an eyesore.open our eyes and see. i'm just one in millions of people with such normal eyesight.you should have it too.we should have it coz we live in the same planet under the same sun,moon,stars and sky.in nature,we have one God,that is Allah,in this world and hereafter.it's no problem.the problem is that we're the peoples with different minds and hearts,spiritual beliefs,races and cultures,languages,etc but we hope for a better world for all of plural and different us.it remains solvable problem. at least,there are 3 keys to answer the problem above:first,build up our sense of belonging to this world then we'll care about it.second,what we've seen in this world nows seem unlike what we hope.peace versus war,friendship versus emnity,belief versus disbelief,care versus ignorance,etc.third,right,in one side,we're humankind as one unity.on the other side,we're plural and different in some things mentioned above.but it's no problem coz Allah has stated that,"mankind was but one nation.but different later.had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord,their differences would have been settled between them."(Qs.10:19). it's the art of life.man varies in lotsa things.black and white,friends and enemies,peaceful and rebellious,true and false,right and wrong,etc.it's always that way as long as we breathe the air.all we gotta do leave this matter in how Allah rules the game of life He created,through His shari'ah implemented by khilafah for the sake of universe.since islam is for all the universe,solution for all mankind's problems,despite their own different spiritual beliefs.most importantly,under the shade of khilafah,problems are totally not partially solvable.