Divine Intervention

When on a journey to an unfamiliar place, there are times that we lost our way. Worst still we could be heading to a dangerous road where we have to make a sudden turn for the sake of our safety.
May be we had already been on the wrong road for quite a distance while not realizing it but the signboards warn us of the danger and we have to abide by it.

My life had taken an unexpected turn when I fell sick for almost two weeks recently. This is the second time in my career life that I took a long leave while classes are still on. The first time was when I was wheeled into an emergency room and I ended up having to go for a major surgery. Subsequently, I was given one month medical leave leaving my students in the middle of a semester. Needless to say, my life had never been the same after that. Some major changes took place and my life moved on to a new episode. I found a deeper spiritual dimension that I never thought possible for my self.

This time around, another change took place, and it involved someone I sincerely care about.
Being sick for a long time where the normal medication only made a short term relief, I was deeply worried and was praying for a divine intervention and it came in a way that was unexpected. May Allah make this a change for the better. I have always believe that everything happen for a reason and it is always for the best. Likening myself to a tree, I see right now that some of my branches had broken, the leaves had started to fall and the stem is weakening from being fiercely shaken.

But I hope and pray that Allah will shower me with divine rain of mercy and forgiveness so that my roots would remain strong and for each broken branch a new stronger one will grow, the fallen leaves will turn into compost that will feed the roots.

Thank you Allah for giving me this test, I am looking back at the roads that I took because you are now calling me back. Each time I am being tested, it is a reminder that you are always there watching over me. I am tracing back my mistakes and carelessness and slowly taking baby steps in the new direction.

As human, we are actually a spiritual creature who's being given a chance to experience the physical world in order to be tested. We are also equipped with emotional dimension. Therefore when we are hurt, it could be out of physical, emotional or spiritual injuries. I went through a spiritual injury that had unfortunately affected me both physically and emotionally. The pain was therefore physical, emotional and spiritual, but with the mercy from Allah, I am recovering, Alhamdulillah.

But I believe this test is not solely for me, it is also meant for the other person.
To you out there, it's time for you to stop for a while and ponder deeply about this journey. Life is short, do not waste it with temporary enjoyment. Allah is Most Merciful, He is also watching over you very closely. Let's together make amendments while we still have the time.
We are not perfect. Our past history is full of mistakes and stupidity that shall not be repeated and the future does not promise an easy ride, there will be more bumpy roads, hills and valleys. But Allah has created everything so beautiful. We only need positive attitude, patience and perseverance to go through the journey while enjoying the scenery.

I look forward for the day when you are wearing the graduation robe, happily celebrating your excellent academic achievement while your heart remain humble and your faith is soaring high.

Weeds...weeds..Go Away!

My garden is full of weeds! They are everywhere and in some parts of the garden they have taken over the whole area. They make my garden looks ugly.

And what makes it worst, my garden can bee seen clearly by my backyard neighbour. Once they look out their kitchen window they will see my garden. In fact I think they see my garden more frequently than me. I have to get out of my house to see my garden but they can see my garden from inside their house.

So, as a short term solution, I decided that the monthly routine of mowing the lawn has to changed. The lawn has to be mowed more frequently, may be twice a month or even once week. Why? Well..monthly mowing fit the growth of the grass, but the weeds grows a lot faster and taller than my beloved beautiful grass. While the grass are still showing off it's beauty, the weeds are kind of taking the centre stage and attracting everyone's attention.

By mowing the lawn frequently, I hope I can hide the weeds, they are still there but at the same height as the grass. From afar, you will just see the green lawn eventhough it is actually a mixture of grass and weeds. But I would still do the weeding, I have to pull out these annoying plants because I know they are not grass. Other people might not see them, but I see them, I know they are there. It's my garden, I know what's in there.

Others might say, "Your garden is nice, beautiful.."
I would say to them, "No, my garden is full of weeds..you don't see them because they are hidden, but they are everywhere..I am very worried that they are going to take over the whole garden, it is progressing steadily..if I don't keep up with them I will lose this battle.."

Weeding the garden is difficult but not as difficult as weeding my heart. There are weeds everywhere, they grow every minute and I have to keep up with this battle continuously. Some weeds have been there for a very long time and I still can't pull them out..God, help me..because there are times that I can't recognize them. These dangerous weeds sometimes looked very attractive and deceiving. They even grow pretty flowers...

Sometimes, out of desperation I just hide these weeds so that they can't be seen.
But, who am I trying to fool? I know they're there...so what if people don't see them? Allah can see them...
Who is your judge? Human or Allah?

I have to be honest, but in my effort to be honest, I find that being honest to myself is the most difficult. Cheating others is not my habit but I do frequently cheat myself. Telling myself that it is okay when I know it is not.

Ya Quddus..
Ya Salaam..
I need your intervention
I need your help
I need you..

Benarkah Itu Adalah Cinta?

"Antara cinta dan keinginan untuk memiliki, tidak sama.."


Sebuah dialog di penghujung filem 'Ayat-ayat Cinta', sebuah filem yang diadaptasikan dari novelnya yang terkenal.

Dialog itu kedengaran begitu misteri dan sukar difahami. Bukankah setelah cinta itu hadir, secara nalurinya kita memang ingin memiliki sesuatu yang kita cintai itu?

Cinta adalah satu perkataan yang sering disalahertikan bahkan adakalanya disalahgunakan.

Berapa banyaknya insan yang kecundang diperjalanan hidupnya akibat 'cinta'? Ramai yang gagal memahami bahawa cinta adalah suci dan tidak ada kaitan langsung dengan perlakuan maksiat.
Cinta yang suci hanya difahami oleh insan yang tulus hatinya dan tidak akan sanggup menodai kesucian hatinya sendiri.

Seringkali kita mengalami perasaan ingin memiliki sesuatu yang kita cintai. Hati dan jiwa ini harus dididik dengan sungguh-sungguh bahawa mencintai tidak sama dengan memiliki. Bahkan adakalanya mencintai bererti membebaskan sesuatu yang kita miliki, kerana kita hanyalah pemilik sementara.

Apa saja yang kita 'miliki' didunia ini tidaklah kekal. Suatu hari ianya akan pergi, hilang atau kembali ke tempat asalnya. Apakah yang kita 'miliki' di dunia ini? Ayah, ibu, keluarga, harta, kesihatan, pangkat yang tinggi, bahkan tubuh badan kita sendiri.. itu semua akan hilang.

Seorang ibu yang sudah pasti amat mencintai anaknya harus memahami bahawa anaknya itu bukan miliknya. Justeru, si ibu tidak mempunyai pilihan selain menjaga dan memelihara anaknya mengikut panduan Pemiliknya yang sebenar.
Seorang ibu yang memupuk semangat jihad dihati anak-anaknya amat memahami siapa pemilik sebenar anak-anak itu. Ia sangat memahami untuk apa anak-anak itu dilahirkan dari rahimnya, bukan untuk dimiliki tetapi untuk dididik agar sama-sama mengenal dan mencintai Pemiliknya. Dan ibu itu merindukan hari bahagia dikala anak-anak itu kembali kepada Pemiliknya dengan lumuran darah perjuangan mengejar cinta yang abadi. Lapang hatinya kerana tugas dan amanah berat yang ditanggungnya selama ini telah selesai, insan yang dipinjamkan telahpun dikembalikan kepada Pemilik yang asal.

Nabi Ibrahim AS, ketika menyembelih anaknya sendiri telah mengajarkan kepada kita apakah itu cinta yang sebenar.
Mungkin inilah gambaran luahan hati insan agung itu, insan pembina Kaabah yang mulia itu, bapa kepada para nabi itu..
Anakku..
memang aku mencintaimu, sangat mencintaimu..
bertahun lamanya aku menunggu kelahiranmu,
namun kemudian kau kutinggalkan di padang pasir yang tandus,
kini aku kembali hanya untuk menyembelihmu..dengan tanganku sendiri..
aku sangat mencintaimu, tetapi aku tidak berhak memilikimu,
kerana kau sudah dimiliki, kau dan aku dimiliki oleh Pemilik yang sama,
dan Pemilik itu sangat mencintaimu..
dan aku lebih mencintai Pemilikku..
inilah bukti Cinta kita kepadaNya

Sebarkanlah cinta dan kasih sayang dengan ikhlas kepada semua, namun sentiasalah ingat bahawa setiap yang dicintai itu bukan untuk dimiliki, kerana semuanya telah mempunyai pemiliknya.
Sesungguhnya kita tidak memiliki apa-apa di dunia ini. Dunia ini sudah ada pemiliknya.
Jangan cintai apa yang kita miliki, dan jangan cuba memiliki apa yang kita cintai.
Cintailah DIA, Pemilik kita, Yang Maha Pengasih, Maha Penyayang, Maha Mulia, Maha Agung
Yang kekal abadi.

Terima kasih Diatas Ketulusan Kalian

Alhamdulillah majlis 'Reunion' yang dirancang telahpun berjalan dengan lancar.
28 tahun yang lalu kami adalah pelajar tingkatan lima yang ditakdirkan berada di dalam satu kelas yang sama. Di situlah liku-liku perjalanan hidup kami dipertemukan Allah untuk selama hampir dua tahun menimba ilmu demi masa depan masing-masing.

Kini pada usia 45 tahun Allah mempertemukan kami sekali lagi, tetapi bukanlah secara kebetulan sahaja, ianya telah dirancang dengan sungguh-sungguh oleh beberapa orang insan yang begitu tulus hatinya.
Sudah tentulah pertemuan kami 28 tahun yang lalu juga bukan secara kebetulan, Allah lah yang merancang segala-galanya. Tetapi bezanya ialah pertemuan kali ini adalah semata-mata didasari oleh rasa persahabatan sejati yang tidak mengenal perbezaan latar belakang dan pencapaian peribadi. Mereka yang merancang pertemuan ini sesungguhnya tidak mempunyai sebarang kepentingan apa-apa, semuanya dilakukan semata-mata untuk mengeratkan hubungan silaturrahim.

Pertemuan di bulan Syawal ini menepati saranan ulama' yang mengatakan bahawa disamping menziarahi saudara mara, sebaik-baiknya di bulan ini kita menziarahi atau bertemu dengan insan-insan yang sudah lama terputus hubungan dengan kita.

Pertemuan istimewa ini kuyakini dirasakan amat bermakna dan begitu menggembirakan kerana semua yang terlibat begitu ikhlas menghadirkan diri. Tiada sebarang upacara rasmi yang merimaskan hanya pertemuan santai yang melapangkan hati dimana adab-adab pergaulan tetap terjaga di sulami gurau senda yang melucukan dan mengimbau kenangan lama zaman remaja yang penuh dengan 'keserabutan'.

Alhamdulillah, syukur kepada Allah, pada usia ini kami dikurniakan kematangan fikiran dan hati dalam menerima semua teman-teman sekolah ini seadanya. Setelah dipertemukan Allah untuk dua tahun di sekolah, masing-masing telah melalui jalan sendiri yang berbeza kerana setiap manusia telah disediakan Allah dengan ujian yang khusus baginya.
Masing-masing telah melalui pelbagai pengalaman pahit manis, suka duka dalam meneruskan pelajaran, membina kerjaya dan alam rumah tangga. Sudah pasti di celah-celah kejayaan yang dicapai, ada diantara kami yang pernah jatuh, mengalami luka dan kecederaan yang parah di sepanjang perjalanan ini. Disamping airmata kegembiraan tentu banyak juga airmata kedukaan telah dititiskan dalam kehidupan ini.

Secara pandangan kasar, meskipun kita boleh mengatakan dia ini lebih berjaya dari yang itu, namun pada hakikatnya ujian hidup ini belum selesai selagi kita masih bernafas. Belum masanya lagi untuk kita menentukan siapakah yang berjaya dan siapakah yang tidak berjaya, dan bukan manusia yang berhak menilai kejayaan kita.

Langkah-langkah kehidupan masih perlu diteruskan dan segala kekuatan harus terus dikumpulkan untuk mencari bekalan pulang ke alam yang abadi dimana segala usaha akan diadili oleh Yang Maha Adil.

Walaupun begitu, pertemuan ini telah menyaksikan bahawa setiap orang masih tetap tabah dan mampu tersenyum dan tertawa. Alhamdulillah..sesungguhnya hanya kepada Allah sahaja segala pujian dan syukur harus ditujukan di atas segala nikmat yang dikurniakan.

Di doakan semuga Allah memberikan ganjaran sebaik-baiknya kepada semua insan yang bertanggungjawab di dalam pertemuan ini. Yakinlah, malaikat telah mencatat segala kebaikan kalian untuk dihadapkan kepadaNya nanti.

Ya Allah
Ya Rahmaan
Ya Rahiim
Berkati lah persahabatan kami ini
Ya Ghaffar
Ampunkanlah dosa-dosa dan kesilapan kami
Ya Jaami'
Kumpulkan lah kami sekali lagi
Di suatu hari nanti dalam kegembiraan yang abadi
Amiin Ya Arhamarrahimiin..

In Search of Sincerity

by Muhammad Alshareef

In one of the battles that the Muslims waged against the Romans, the Muslims - under the commandment of Maslamah( rahimahullah) - surrounded a city that had a tall and well-fortified wall. The siege went on for months.

Then one night, one of the Muslim soldiers came to General Maslamah and told him of a hole that he had accomplished to bore through the wall.
" It is only large enough for a slim soldier".
He knelt closer.
"Quickly, send with me someone who can squeeze through and fight the army on the inside until he has opened the gates for all of us to enter".

Maslamah sent out the news, and that night someone volunteered. In a sweeping assault the gate was opened and the Muslim were victorious.

Maslamah, overwhelmed with happiness, sent out the word that the soldier that entered the hole should come forward. No one showed. A day passed and the request was repeated. Another day, then another. No one arrived to take credit.

On the fourth day, a soldier approached Maslamah, his face wrapped in a scarf.
He said to him, "I have news of the soldier that entered the hole"
Maslamah sat up sharp, " Tell me who it is?"
"First, however" said the soldier,"he has three conditions before exposing himself, do you agree to this?"
"Off course" Maslamah said.
"The first is that you do not try to compensate him for what he did. The second is that you do not tell anyone who he is. And the third is that you shall not ask for his presence ever again. Do you agree to these conditions?"
"It is agreed" Maslamah said.
The soldier, uncovering his scarf said, " It is I, I went through the hole only for the sake of Allah"
Then, turning, he walked away.

After that day, Maslamah was often heard praying to Allah,
" O Allah, (on the Day of Resurrection) grant me companionship with the soldier of the hole"

Meneruskan Perjalanan

Ramadhan yang penuh barakah itu telah berlalu. Latihan spiritual itu telah tamat. Kini tiba masanya mengharungi perjuangan sengit menentang musuh di dalam diri sendiri.
Jiwa dan ruh yang telah melalui latihan di bulan suci itu seharusnya telah semakin merunduk kepada keagungan dan kebesaran Penciptanya.

Sesungguhnya perjuangan ini amat panjang dan memerlukan kesabaran. Kesabaran melakukan ketaatan dan kesabaran menjauhi larangan. Jalan yang harus dilalui sangat mengelirukan, jalan ke syurga kelihatan begitu sukar dan menyusahkan sedangkan jalan ke neraka amat indah, penuh dengan kenikmatan dan keselesaan.

Hanya kepadaNya harus dipohonkan agar diberikan mata hati yang mampu melihat jalan-jalan yang sebenarnya bakal membawa kebahagiaan yang hakiki.
Hanya kepadaNya harus dipohonkan agar diberikan kekuatan menempuh jalan sukar ini kerana Dia tidak menjanjikan kebahagiaan di sini, tetapi di sana nanti.

Di sini adalah tempat ujian. Secara lumrahnya, ujian itu akan melalui tempoh yang singkat, dan semakin tinggi markah yang ingin dicapai, semakin beratlah bentuk ujian itu. Oleh kerana ini adalah ujian, kita tidak berhak mempersoalkan mengapa begitu dan tidak begini, kita hanya perlu bersabar dan bersabar sehingga tamat ujian ini.

Dan akhirnya apabila selesai ujian, keputusan akan diumumkan, para pemenang akan disambut dan diraikan untuk mendapatkan ganjaran hadiahnya dengan ucapan,
"Salaamun alaikum bimasobartum.."
Sejahteralah atas kamu di atas kesabaranmu.

Sesungguhnya Allah beserta dengan orang-orang yang sabar.

Another Teary Farewell

As I stepped out of my last class today, I felt as if a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders. Another semester is over. I know my job is never ending, but the official job as a teacher to my students this semester has ended.
After giving them my farewell address, I invited them to speak up to the class. I honestly don't know what to expect from them, just any last words to me and their classmates.

I was pleasantly surprise to hear the words from them. I truly believe that they spoke from their hearts. Some of them spoke amidst tears flowing, their voices trembling, but what touched me most were the fact that the spontaneous words came out so beautiful. Beautiful words and sentences that can only came up from sincere hearts.

To all my students who spoke up today( and yesterday), thank you for your inspiring words. I am so proud of you. I hope now you understand the true meaning of sincerity. When you are sincere, beautiful things just came out naturally.
To those who choose to remain quiet, I believe some things are better left unsaid, the look on your face explained the unspoken words. My thanks to you too.
I have learned a lot from all of you.

To all my students, I wish you all the best. Be patient, be brave, be strong, you are here to be tested. Remember, just like the butterfly, you need to struggle hard to strengthen your wings so that you can fly.
May Allah guide you in this blessed journey of seeking knowledge to be a better person.
We might not be able to meet frequently in person, let us all meet in our prayers. And please remember my last request to all of you.

To all my students, if you feel the need to thank me, let me remind you again that the one who deserve the highest thanks and praises is HE, the One who created me and you. I won't be there for you all the time, but HE will.
Trust me. HE is The Most Merciful, HE is very close to you.