Penguin RushPonder these.....
N.B.: From time to time, I shall be posting entries which are rather religious in nature, from sources that are reliable and trustworthy, for the sake of reminding fellow Muslims ONLY. I may mention about (the wrongful) behaviours of certain people, but I shall STAY CLEAR from mentioning other religions (and I hope others can show that same respect too). In case you disagree with (some of) my points or they are somewhat less accurate, please correct me, backed be your solid evidence. Also bear in mind that mistakes come solely from my side and my side only, as a human being. And if this entry is not your cup of tea, do carry on reading other entries in this blog, as I'm sure there are those that may suit to your liking. Thank you.On Friday (16 June 2006), I attended one of the most powerful and 'fiery' khutbah Jumaat. Khutbah is more like a 'sermon', except that khutbah is an address of religious nature, delivered before the Friday prayer commences in mosques.
Anyway, during that particular khutbah, I was completely awake and alert, due to the khatib/imam outlining many reminders and accurate points. After the prayer ended, I heard some dissatisfied remarks made by a couple of 'jemaah' who commented that the khutbah was longer than usual and that the khatib was a bit cynical (I guess some of the points hit them in the nose).
I don't really blame the khatib for 'targeting' his jemaah like that. After all, Jumaat (Friday) prayers is the only time where men from all walks of life, income status, ages, faith level and physical attributes, come and congregate in mosques all over the world. If the same speech is delivered during other prayer times, only a certain group of people will gain benefits, since the number of jemaah/ma'mum is very much less, mainly older generation.
As for the younger generation, most are busy being young and all (just DON'T say busy committing sins, will ya!), so much so that we sometimes forget to appreciate the benefits of jema'ah prayers. Actually I'm not talking about others. Look at me - there's always a movie to watch, or a person to meet, or work to be settled at the office, or a place to go to etc etc, that a Maghrib (and Isha') jemaah is more often than not, missed.
Herewith, I outline some of the points from the khutbah (plus my own additional points), for the benefit of us all (including myself), especially the women folks who can't attend Friday prayers:
1. Other people have done it and chances are, so have we. After our passing, those whom we leave behind may also do it for us. A ceremony is held to pray for the souls and spirits of the dead. Village folks, friends and relatives are invited to pray together. Not that it's wrong, in fact it is very much encouraged especially if the prayer recitals are for our beloved parents. However, let's ponder this for a while. If say, during our lives, we hardly or never spend our time with Allah, how can we expect people to pray for us after we're dead? Is it fair at all? Worst still, if we hardly feel grateful for all the rahmat He has bestowed upon us. Not just that, for some, committing sins are just part of their lives, without feeling any remorse or humility. For examples; rezeki comes from doubtful or haram sources, lust for zina is fulfilled every other night, meeting the quota of having enough liquid everyday by drinking beers and vodka, ignoring the duty of paying zakat, prayers are hardly part of everyday's activities, etc. etc.
A friend has his own interpretation of "Life begins at the age of 40" and I kind of agree with him. He says, if we don't leave our bad deeds/vices behind and toss them far far away soon enough, chances are when we reach 40, it becomes very difficult and we might not be able to change at all - we become who we have been until the moment we die. This reminds me of an acquiantance, who is close to 40, married and just adopted a child, but is still berzina with girls as young as 18. Not enough with that, he even brags about with whom and how he does it with and ridicules those who try to correct him. Masha' Allah, Na'u zubillah....our lives can be snapped away any day, any minute, any second, regardless of what age. Don't change when we are 39 1/2 years, let us change NOW instead of expecting/relying other people to pray for us after we die.
2. Muslims should disassociate themselves from everything harmful and sinful. Terrorism and violence are things that have been much talked about. However, these issues are something that we may be able to refrain ourselves from getting involved in. A motivator once said - if someone wants to change the world for the good, he/she must start by changing him/herself first. If everybody does this, then automatically the world would be a better place. Therefore, for us who live in Malaysia, there are issues that are much closer to home that we need to tackle first. For a start, for those who smoke, quit NOW! There's no point in arguing whether it's haram or makruh, because facts have shown that smoking causes harm not just to the smokers themselves, but those who are close to them. That should be a good enough reason to quit... Why should continue doing something when it's known that no good can come out of it? If we dare not do other bad/sinful things, then why should smoking be any different? Media advertisements on cigarettes have long been banned in the country. However, it is 'puff-of-mouth' advertisements that are helping cigarette companies to sustain themselves. Children see examples of adults smoking almost everywhere; eventually some of them will tend to have a smoke and so the bad habit is passed on from one generation to the next.
Problems of drug addicts is another thing. Drugs don't come cheap and (rather) easily, which is why drug addicts also steal, break-in and sometimes kill. Try to ask for some drugs from any addict. Very likely, they will shove you away and say 'if you want it, buy it yourself'. Therefore, getting involved with addiction to drugs is something that you do by choice. So choose which path to walk on....
Also, there are other worrying issues like crimes, rapes, domestic violences, mat rempit, cult etc etc...
3. Just like other prophets before His time, Nabi Muhammad was faced with immense ridicule from many sides when he tried to spread the wahyu of Allah. Ever since, histories have shown that Islam and Muslims have been subjected to unfair treatment and cruelty.
It is one thing, that there are those who openly/indirectly attack us (need I quote the many obvious examples?), but it is another thing when there are Muslims who also support these groups.
I once received a disgusted look from an elderly man, the minute he heard my Muslim name, though initially, it was he who started the conversation. Luckily, I managed to reconcile myself and the least I could think of was "this is an Asian convention old man, you are not really welcomed here. So, you can take off your ugly cocky look and shove it down your throat."
I also come across a person in a forum who openly declares that his life's mission is to make people realise that Islam and Muslims should be entirely wiped out from the face of Earth. He is one of those who spread the same agenda through many different websites, blogs, publications etc. out there...
Then, there was one time in a Malaysian newsletter publication, where a non-Muslim complained about our Azan being disturbing (despite each Azan lasts only for a few minutes). His article is supported by a Muslim editor/chairman (can't recall) on the grounds of freedom of speech.
Also, beware of those;
1. who fight in the name of freedom and martyrdom - remember Osama and Bush anyone (and those who back them up)?,
2. who fight in the name of human rights, and hide their true nature under family's or own (political) reputation - remember this certain Article X anyone?
Wallahua'lam...
posted by The Pisces Man @ 7:03 am
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