Gaza: Discussion with a friend

Assalamualaikum,

I've received an email from my ex-schoolmate, Azrul Arif inviting me to discuss the issue of Gaza. Well, I'm more than happy to respond since I've no partner to discuss such kind of thing vigorously in UTP. So, i've put my initial comment in his facebook to mitigate further... i would say 'intellectual discussion'. Here is his response:

_________________________________________________________________________

Maaf. Agak terlambat balas komen kau sebab kesuntukan masa yang aku hadapi.

aku setuju dengan pendapat kau yang mengatakan bahawa hanya hamas yang bertanggungjawab ke atas perang ini.hakikat sebenar adalah serangan tersebut sebagai satu reaksi terhadap sekatan yang dikenakan ke atas gaza dalam tempoh jangka msa yang panjang tidak disedari.bagaimanapun, pada masa yang sama, pendirian inilah yang dipegang oleh sesetengah rejim pemerintah Arab seperti Mesir.

berhubung dengan penubuhan sebuah negara Israel yang merdeka di kawasan tersebut,aku masih belum melakukakan analisis yang lengkap berkaitan isu tersebut. tetapi pada masa yang sama untuk melihat isu tersebut sebagai isu berkaitan visi dan misi Zionis semata-mata bagi aku tidak wajar.Isu tersebut perlu diperhalusi sedalam-dalamnya. Bagi aku secara peribadi misi dan visi Zionisme bukanlah sesuatu yang mengejutkan. Mana-mana naratif-naratif besar( agama dan ideologi) mempunyai visi dan misi masing-masingyang akan bertentangan dengan visi dan misi naratif-naratif besar yang lain. Dalam isu palestin hal ini menimbulkan petentangan antara Zionisme dan Islam.

andai diperhalusi dan satu analisis yang lebih mendalam dilakukan, kita akan mendapati bahawa satu bentuk toleransi antara bangsa Yahudi dan Arab di kawasan Palestin bukanlah suatu hakikat yang musahil. Malah kalau kita meneluuri sejarah kaum Arab dan Yahudi kita akan mendapati bahawa bangsa Arab dan Yahudi berasal dari satu bangsa yang sama yang lebih besar.Malah penubuhan satu negara yang menyatukan bangsa Arab dan Yahudi bukanlah sesuatu yang mustahil.

Justeru. di sini secara peribadi, aku rasa kita perlu menelusuri satu persoalan yang penting. Mengapakah permusuhan antara golongan Yahudi dan Arab muncul tatkala pada tempoh yang lalu krisis ini tidak muncul atau jika muncul sekalipun pada skala relatifnya kecil?

bagi aku sentimen anti Yahudi tidak berakar umbi dalam Islam. Islam adalah satu agama yang mementingkan prinsip keadilan dan persamaan. malah turut ditekankan dalam Islam ialah Tuhan tidak membezakan manusia berdasarkan status dan bangsanya melainkan tahap keimannya.

tidak dapat dinafikan wujud beberapa kejadian dalam sejarah perkembangan Islam yang telah disalah tafsirkan sebagai penerimaan sentimen anti Yahudi.Salah satu kejadiannya adalah apabila Muhammad s.a.w. menghalau kaum Yahudi daripada Madinah. Tetapi perlu ditekankan di sini sebab penghalauan tersebuta adalah kesalahan khianat atau treason. Mana-mana entiti nasional menganggap treason sebagai satu kesalahan yang besar dan tindakan Muhamad s.a.w. wajar dilihat daripada aspek ini bukannya aspek anti-yahudi.andainya tindakan muhammad s.a.w. dilihat sebagai tindakan anti Yahudi, maka, bermakna Muhammad s.a.w. telah melakukan suatu tindakan yang bertentangan dengan Islam. Andainya ini berlaku bermakna runtuhlah doktrin2 Islam. Oleh itu, aku mlihat semangat anti yahudi dalam kalangan masyarakat arab dan Islam merupkan suatu penyelewengan terhadap prinsip-prinsip Islam.

Sebab kepada pengkhianatan pula sering kali dilihat sebagai satu bentuk penentangan terhadap kerasulan Muhammad s.a.w.. Aku tidak menafikan ini merupakan salah satu faktor penentangan tetapi ini hanya merupakan faktor minor.Kepercayaan ini hanya dipegang oleh sebahagian kesil daripada komuniti Yahudi di Madinah iaitu komuniti rabbi.

Faktor major yang mendorong penentangan terhadap pemerintahan Muhammad s.a.w. di madinah merupakan faktor ekonomi. Pemerintahan Muhammad di Madinah telah membawa kepada reformasi ekonomi. reformasi ekonomi yang dibawa oleh Muhammad menimbulkan satu ancaman terhadap perniagaan yang dimonopoli oleh mereka di Madinah. Ancaman inilah yang telah membangkitkan penentangan terhadap pemerintahan Muhammad di Madinah. Pada masa yang sama, penolakan kerasulan Muhammad digunakan sebagai salah satu justifikasi bagi menyatukan pelbagai lapisan kelas ekonomi komuniti Yahudi. Justifikasi-justifikasi keagamaan digunakan bagi mengekalkan sokongan golongan bawahan Yahudi terhadap golongan penguasa yahudi. Golongan penguasa yahudi berjaya mengekalkan sokongan golongan bawahan yahudi melalui pembentukan suatu hubungan kebergantungan golongan bawahan terhadap golongan yahudi. Andainya doktrin-doktrin agama ini tidak dimainkan oleh golongan penguasa yahudi, mereka akan kehilangan sokongan daripada golongan bawahan yahudi memandangkan reformasi2 ekonomi yang dibawa Muhammad s.a.w. akan membawa kepada penambaikan keadaan sosio ekonomi kaum yahudi daripada golongan bawahan.

Pada pendapat aku huraian-huraian di atas dapat menjelaskan rasional utama pembentukan sebuah negara Israel merdeka di kawasan tersebut.

Israel ditubuhkan pada tahun 1948. Tahun 1948 merupakan antara tahun-tahun pembinaan ekonomi selepas berakhirnya Perang Dunia Kedua. Perang Dunia Kedua telah menghancurkan asas-asas ekonomi yang masih lagi bersisa selepas zaman Great Depression 1930, krisis ekonomi terburuk dalam tempoh moden.

Latar belakang ini memainkan peranan yang signifikan dalam membincangkan rasional penubuhan negara Israel.

Pra Perang Dunia Kedua dimulakan dengan krisis ekonomi terburuk pada tahun 1930, yang mana impaknya merebak ke seluruh pelusuk dunia termasuk Malaya di bawah pemerintahan kolonial British. Krisis ekonomi tersebut menyaksikan dasar-dasar perlindungan ekonomi dilaksanakan oleh mana-mana kerajaan yang berdaulat. Hasilnya situasi ekonomi bertambah buruk.

Krisis ekonomi ini memberikan dua kesan yang signifikan

• Taraf sosio-ekonomi penduduk bertambah buruk ditandai dengan jumlah pengangguran yang tinggi,penguncupan pertumbuhan ekonomi dan merudumnya jumlah perdagangan dunia.

• Kebangkitan golongan pelampau sayap kanan dan ekstremis nasionalis hasil daripada kegagalan gerakan kontra sayap kanan

Pada masa yang sama kita perlu melihat kepada struktur demografi Eropah. Kaum yahudi merupakan antara kaum imigran di eropah selain daripada kaum-kaum lain. Peratusan kaum yahudi yang signifikan membolehkan mereka mengekalkan budaya dan adat resam mereka.Bagaimanapun, terdapat sebahagian kaum Yahudi yang telah berasimilasi dengan etnik tempatan. Hasil perkembangan ekonomi dunia pada tempoh sebelumnya, terdapat sebahagian kaum yahudi yang berjaya membentuk entiti perniagaan yang berjaya. Bagaimanapun, kita tidak dapat menafikan majoriti kaum yahudi terdiri daripada kelas menengah dan kelas bawahan.

Krisis ekonomi pada tahun 1930 telah membawa kepada kemusnahan pencapaian ekonomi yang memberangsangkan pada tempoh sebelumnya.Justeru,dasar perlindungan terhadap ekonomi tempatan perlu diambil agar perasaan tidak puas hati dalam kalangan rakyat terhadap status sosio ekonomi mereka dapat dibendung. Dasar perlindungan ini menumpukan sasaran kepada dua pihak, negara-negara asing dan kaum imigran. Tarif-tarif terhadap barangan import dinaikkan hingga menjejaskan jumlah perdagangan dunia dan perbelanjaan awam dipotong.

Kegagalan kerajaan menangani krisis ini terutamanya di Jerman, kerana halangan-halangan yang dikenakan oleh negara lain terhadap barangan Jerman telah membawa kepada kebangkitan perasaan tidak puas hati rakyat terhadap kerajaan. Ini menyebabkan golongan penguasa mengambil tindakan terdesak bagi mengembalikan sokongan rakyat terhadap mereka. Perasaan anti imigran terutamanya yahudi dipropagandakan.Pada masa yang sama, golongan kontra pelampau sayap kanan gagal mengatur strategi bagi menghalang kebangkitan golongan pelampau sayap kanan. Nazi mulai mendapat dokongan daripada rakyat jerman. Seterusnya adalah sepertimana yang tercatat dalam sejarah.

Kaitan dengan penubuhan negara Israel 1948

Perasaan anti imigran termasuk anti kaum Yahudi telah menyaksikan entiti-entiti perniagan milik kaum imigran dirampas dengan tidak sah oleh pemerintah di sesetengah negara Eropah bagi mebiayai kos perbelanjaan perang. Justeru, bagi golongan pemilik entiti perniagaan, penubuhan sebuah negara merupakan satu keperluan yang penting bagi mengekalkan hak-hak kepemilikan mereka kerana hanya negara berupaya menjamin hak-hak kepemilikan mereka. Pada peringkat ini idea ekstremis sayap kanan Yahudi yang memperjuangkan penubuhan sebuah Israel Raya di Tanah Arab menerima sokongan yang signifikan daripada golongan pemilik entiti perniagaan. Pada peringkat sebelumnya, idea ini hanya berlegar dalam kelompok kecil kaum yahudi.

Pada masa yang sama, kuasa imperialis seperti britain dan amerika syarikat melihat rantau arab sebagai sebuah kawasan yang strategik memandangkan kawasan ini merupakan kawasan yang kaya dengan minyak. Pada masa yang sama, kesatuan soviet turut berminat dengan kawasan timur tengah atas sebab yang sama.

Persaingan antara kedua-dua kuasa imperialis menyaksikan kedua-dua kuasa tersebut berusaha menyebarkan pengaruh mereka di kawasan timur tengah.penubuhan negara israel yang merdeka di rantau arab dilihat sebagai satu inisiatif bagi mempertahankan pengaruh mereka terutamanya britain dan perancis di rantau arab.pembentukan negara boneka seperti israel,uae,kuwait merupakan inisiatif yang penting kepada britain perancis dan amerika syarikat kerana mereka perlu mematuhi atlantic charter yang menjamin hak penentuan nasib bangsa dan negara kepada penduduk tempatan.pembentukan negara boneka membolehkan pengaruh kesatuan soviet dikekang di rantau arab. Ini merupakan rasional di sebalik sokongan kuasa imperialis besar terhadap pembentukan negara israel.

Pada masa yang sama, kita turut sama mempertimbangkan situasi dan kedudukan sosio ekonomi masyarakat arab. Secara umumnya, taraf sosio ekonomi masyarakat arab pada tempoh tersebut rendah melainkan golongan pemerintah atau golongan bangsawan. Hal ini menyumbang kepada kebangkitan idea-idea nasionalisme dan xenophobia (benci akan orang asing) yang melampau. Kebangkitan fahaman ekstremis ini memainkan peranan yang sama seperti eropah, melindungi golongan pemerintah daripada kebangkitan rakyat.Pada masa yang sama, terdapat sebilangan kecil kaum Yahudi yang berjaya mencapai taraf sosio ekonomi yang relatifnya lebih tinggi daripada majoriti masyarakat arab. Gerakan-gerakan yang kontra kepada gerakan ekstremis nasionalisme amat lemah atau hampr tiada menyebabkan ideologo nasionalisme yang ekstremis berjaya mempengaruhi majoriti masyarakat arab.

Justeru kemasukan imigran-imigran yahudi ke kawasan arab menimbulkan tentangan yang hebat daripada masyarakat arab memandangkan masyarakat yahudi dianggap sebagai imigran asing. Pada masa yang sama, bagi kaum imigran yahudi, sebuah negara yang merdeka dapat menjamin hak mereka untuk menikmati hak-hak asas mereka.pengalaman sewaktu perang dunia kedua menguatkan lagi kepercayaan mereka. Fungsi negara sebagai pelindung kepada rakyatnya mendapat dokongan kuat daripada kaum yahudi.

Aku berpendapat krisis Israel Arab berakar umbi dalam tempoh yang lebih lama, mendahului penubuhan negara israel. Bagi aku, krisis ini berakar umbi daripada persaingan antara golongan penguasa dalam komuniti masing-masing yang pengaruhnya berakar umbi daripada komuniti masing-masing. Andainya sokongan daripada golongan yang diperintah dalam komuniti masing-masing melemah,maka, kejatuhan golongan penguasa merupakan suatu yang tidak terelakkan. Pada masa yang sama, aku turut berpendapat. Golongan rakyat bawahan sama ada komuniti yahudi atau arab menghadapi masalah yang sama, keadaan sosio ekonomi yang tidak memuaskan dengan seblangan golongan minoriti dalam masyarakat menikmati taraf sosio ekonomi yang lebih baik.

Aku kurang bersetuju dengan pendapat kau bahawa penubuhan negara israel merupakan asas kepada krisis ini tetapi bagi aku penubuhan sebuah negara israel yang rasis merupakan asas kepada krisis ini. Aku menerima dua solusi terhadap krisis ini. Satu entiti nasional yang menggabungkan komuniti arab dan yahudi yang demokratik dan adil tanpa mengira apa nama entiti nasional tersebut. Kedua, aku menerima solusi dua negara berbeza yang demokratik dan adil. Aku tidak menerima solusi dua satu negara yang bersifat rasis sekalipun dinamakan palestin atau dua negara yang berbeza yang rasis.

Pandangan atau pendapat kau berkaitan pandangan aku ini amat dialu-alukan. Aku juga berminat nak mengetahu lebih lanjut tentang rasional-rasional kau yang membawa kepada kesimpulan yang kau buat dalam komen kau.

sekian

_________________________________________________________________________

Here is my 'answer':

(Sori in english sebab reference aku kebanyakan in BI. So, kalo nak translate ni bahaya jugak. Aku bukan pandai pun nak translate. Plus, bg can la foreigner baca... hehe)

First of all, we have to understand clearly Zionism, its movement and thought. Zionism is a political ideology that calls for the ‘return’ of the ‘Jewish people’ to their ‘homeland’ to which they have ‘historical and religious right’ i.e the land of Palestine. It emerged as the main response for the Jewish question just like what you have mentioned and a lot more. It considered that the only solution to the problem is to have their own home and state, just like any nation in the world. To achieve this goal, World Zionist Organization was formed on 1897.

It is also important to note a distinctive feature of the Palestinian-Zionist conflict, namely that both parties do not just dispute over rights, but over facts as well. With such dispute over facts, there is little room for developing intelligent argumentation, because facts are verifiable empirically only. For example, the American Zionist Organization published a booklet named “Deir Yassin: History of a Lie” in which it ridiculously denied the well-known massacre of Deir Yassin in which the Israeli forces killed all inhabitants of the village on the 9^th and 10^th of April 1948. In other words, a form of consistent fabrication of historical facts is practiced by this body to validate the religiously based Zionist claims.

Now, let’s talk about Judaism. Judaism has a distinctive nature among the Abrahamaic religions. Being a Jew is determined by two parallel factors, belief and heredity. Belief refers to believing in the four common basics in their different versions. As for heredity, it is determined through motherhood, every child born to a Jewish woman is a Jew. Most of the Jews, and based on the concept of the chosen people, regard God (Jehovah) as their God and religion as an identity rather than a faith. Hence, we can say Judaism in the sense of religion and ‘Jewish People’ in the sense of a nation. They do not conceive any form of missionary to convert people to Judaism, apparently because of the concept of the chosen people. While non-Jewish is called as ghoyim based on this concept, whom can be treated just like an animal, most of the time even worse than animal. Racism is very much evident here.

Islamic Stand Towards Zionism

Many Muslims around the world, probably under the influence of local media, or some religious leaders, believe that Muslims should fight the Jews for being Jews, and not Zionists for what they have done. Indeed they do not see the distinction between the two. Yes, I agree with you. Such a racist belief is wrong, and contradicts the Islamic worldview that considers all humans equal. Islam is indeed against all kinds of racial discrimination and insists on the essential goodness of man, known as “Al-Fitrah”.

Islam does not ask Muslims to hate or fight the Jews just because of their belief, but it opposes Zionism, and sees in it a bitter adversary for two main reasons:

1. Racism

2. Illegal Palestine Occupation

Historically, Jews lived in Muslim areas and under Muslim rule without any political conflict, indeed they became an active part of the local culture, and some of them were scientists, philosophers and politicians, mainly so in Andalusia. After the fall of Andalusia, they were subjugated, with the rest of the people, to religious oppression, and thus they escaped to North Africa and Ottoman Territories seeking safety in Muslim lands. The Jewish Question and anti-Semitism is very much a product of Europe and not of the Muslims. Hence Muslim’s conflict with the Jews starts since the emergence of Zionism that sought to occupy Muslim lands and expel its people.

Palestinian Struggle Against Zionist Project

The Great Palestinian Revolution erupted on 1936. The spark of the revolution was on 15 April 1936 when a group from Al-Jihadiyyah, founded by Al-Qassam and then led by the 75 year old legend military leader, Farhan Al-Sa’di, killed two Jews in an attack near Nablus. The revolution demanded the stoppage of Jewish immigration and transfer of properties to the Jews, the handing of the affairs of the country to Arab local administration. The general strike lasted for 178 days which is the longest strike held by any people in human history.

Consequently, Peel’s report is produced. The report recommended the partition of Palestine into two states: one Jewish and the other Arab, just like what you have suggested. However, the resistance grew stronger. Unfortunately, they didn’t achieve independence. Yet, they managed to urge the British to issue the White Paper of 1939 that promised the Palestinians independence within 10 years which never come true until now.

High Fertility Rate of Palestinians.

Under the influence of the Zionist, U.S.A had forced Bevin, the British foreign minister declared the abandonment of White Paper, and handed over the issue of Palestine to the newly established United Nations. UN met in 2 April 1947 to discuss the issue and decided to form a special committee. The committee came up with two main projects:

The first project, supported by majority of members proposed that:

1. Palestine should be divided into two states, Arab and Jewish.

2. Arab State should be established over 42.88% of Palestine, inhabited by 725 thousand Arabs and 10 thousand Jews.

3. Jewish State should be established over 56.74% of Palestine, inhabited by 498 thousands Jews and 497 Arabs.

Two third majority was secured in the second vote after several of the members were subjected to American political pressure. The decision was clearly unlawful and it exhibited the double standard of the UN since its early days. The Zionists voiced their acceptance though they did not have the intention to abide by it as demonstrated in their practices during the 1948 war. They expelled the Arab population and occupied more land than had been assigned to them.

The reason is quite obvious. It is because the proposed Jewish State would not be full-fledged Jewish; especially if we bear in mind the high population growth rate among the Palestinians then which is around 10%. Thus, they had not options but to expel the Arabs. Now, the Palestinian population growth rate is 3.5% yearly which is the highest in the world. It is considered as a threat to the survival of Israel.

Consider all the points that I’ve delivered, your solutions are almost impossible to be implemented. Israel is an apartheid state and will always be maintained by war. They had no intention to live in peace with the Arabs even though they know that Arabs are their brethren.

Islamic Stand

Any land inhabited by Muslims is a Muslim land that does not belong only to the ethnics group that inhabit it, but to all Muslims. As land owned by Muslims throughout the generations, it should not be forsaken by range of owners at anytime. Palestine was Holy for Muslims since the beginning of their history. It was the first Qiblat and the destination of the nightly journey of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, known as Al-Isra’, and the departure point of his journey to heaven, Al-Mi’raj. Since then, Jurusalem has been known as the Gate to Heavens.

Based on above undertsnding, once a land is violated or occupied by non-Muslims, it is the duty of all Muslims to defend it and return it to the orbit of Islam.

Islam’s View on Reconciliation

Since the forsaking of Muslim lands is not allowed in Islam, then any reconciliation that leads to permanent loss to enemies or surrender Muslims right is not tolerated. Even if such an agreement is done, though respecting covenants and treaties is in principle obligatory to Muslims, such an agreement is void and not binding because it lacks legitimacy right from the beginning.

However, in cases where peace is needed to prepare for the next round, or if continuity of war brings unbearable hardship that can be avoided without causing permanent losses. Muslim leadership may then decide the best course in these circumstances. Thus, temporary agreements and truce declarations are acceptable, even if they continue for long periods just like the recent ceasefire.

Fatwa

The general position of the majority of the scholars on this issue was as follows: Palestine is a Muslim-Arab land that belongs to all Muslims throughout the generation, and no one has the right or the authority to give it up to others. Jihad is the way to liberate Palestine. Zionists are violators who have extorted Palestine from its owners and their action should not therefore approved in any way or under any conditions. The fatwas have furthermore stressed the necessity of preserving the Islamic identity of Palestine and rallied the will and power of the Ummah to liberate it.

Wallahu’alam…..

Source:

History of Palestine-Dr. Mohsen Mohammed Salleh

UTP Demo Against War In Gaza

Up to now, the medical officers of Palestine have confirmed that 42 people had died in Gaza alone, yesterday, adding up to the increasing number of death to near 1000 people.

(Source: Berita Harian, 14Jan2009, 10.20am)

Therefore, the UTP management team has agreed to organise a demo agains war in Gaza after the friday prayers. The details of the demo is as follow:

Date ; 16 Jan 2009

Time: 2.15 pm

Attire: White shirt

Venue: in front of Masjid An-Nur

Everyone is invited to join. Funds will be collected for the Palestinians. This demo would be jointly organised by MPPUTP, RM, SRM, RCSU, FIRC, ISC and also supported by the management team of UTP.

"Jadi kepada anak-anak muda, saya ingatkan, perhebatkan perjuangan jangan dibazirkan tenaga muda itu sebab akan ditanya nanti, zaman muda kamu ke mana kamu habiskan? Akan buruklah nasib badan jika dijawab dihabiskan di pub dan kelab (maksiat) sebaliknya akan berbahagiakan yang menjawab dihabiskan untuk perjuangan antara lain membela nasib umat Islam Palestin sekalipun melalui demonstrasi "
(kata penulis yang kini sudah berumur dan sudah tidak berupaya utk turun berjuang)

Source

Answer to herei

Assalamualaikum,

herei: why do you use the word JIHAD when you know it is meant to be used in the fight against the west? that is how they perceive it. you will bring this fight but it only religion that you hide behind.

29 Dec 08, 16:16

herei: live the truth ... not a lie.

1 Jan 09, 12:46

herei: if it is true then stop the hatred and violence that is your real motivation and show us this peace you speak of... but you can't

1 Jan 09, 12:48

herei: because it is all just a lie.

1 Jan 09, 12:49

herei: show us this religion of peace... take your JIHAD against the untrue muslims

1 Jan 09, 12:49

herei: then there will be peace for all.

1 Jan 09, 12:50

herei: but all you know is teaching YOUTH JIHAD.. Teach to fight the untrue muslims..

1 Jan 09, 12:51

Those statements are taken from my cbox. In this particular post, I would like to counter all his ignorant allegations.

First Point: Definition of Jihad

The meaning of JIHAD is ‘Striving’ or ‘struggle’. It is used in Islam to refer to a variety of different efforts enjoined upon the believers. Striving to keep God and His Messenger more important than loved ones, wealth and one’s own self is the most basic form of JIHAD prescribed on every Muslim. Doing the righteous deeds prescribed by God is itself a JIHAD. The Prophet was reported to have said,

“The best JIHAD is the perfect hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).” (Bukhari)

On another occasion, someone asked the Prophet if he should join the war against the Quraisy tribe whom threatened the life of Muslims. The Prophet responded by asking him whether his parents were still alive and when he replied that they were, he said, “Make JIHAD by serving them.”

JIHAD is usually translated by the Western media as “holy war” is a greatly misunderstood principle in Islam. There is no term in Arabic which means “holy war”. War is not “holy” in Islam it is.

Now, the truth is revealed!

Second Point: True Terrorist

A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. antisocial elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.

The question is who’s actually causing terror to humankind? Muslim? Then how many countries that Muslim has destroyed? How many lives lost in the hand of Muslim? And most importantly, where is the root of evil actually? History tells everything.

You know who’s actually being destroyed, killed, slaughtered and raped! It’s very obvious! It’s Muslim!

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.

See what’s happening in Palestine? What’s wrong of defending our own land that has been hijacked by Zionist? While you people allow them to kill unarmed children, women and old people of Palestine. And of course you know that there is no Israeli that can be defined as ‘Civilian’ since all of them including school children are allowed to carry weapon. Yet, you see Muslim as terrorist! How ignorant you are.

Third Point: Islam is a religion of peace

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims are terrorist, there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not a religion of terror.

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error” [Al-Qur’an 2:256]

Fourth Point: Don’t judge a car by its driver

If you want to judge how good is the latest model of the “Mercedes” car and a person who does not know how to drive sits at the steering wheel and bangs up the car, who will you blame? The car or the driver? But naturally, the driver. To analyze how good the car is, a person should not look at the driver but see the ability and features of the car. How fast is it, what is its average fuel consumption, what are the safety measures, etc. Even if I agree for the sake of argument that the Muslims are bad, we can’t judge Islam by its followers? If you want to judge how good Islam is then judge it according to its authentic sources, i.e. the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. USA and UK are both Christian-dominated countries. Is it fair for me to say Christian is the religion of terror for what they have done to Iraq, Afghanistan and also Palestine?

If you practically want to check how good a car is put an expert driver behind the steering wheel. Similarly the best and the most exemplary follower of Islam by whom you can check how good Islam is, is the last and final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Besides Muslims, there are several honest and unbiased non-Muslim historians who have acclaimed that prophet Muhammad was the best human being. According to Michael H. Hart who wrote the book, ‘The Hundred Most Influential Men in History’, the topmost position, i.e. the number one position goes to the beloved prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh). There are several such examples of non-Muslims paying great tributes to the prophet, like Thomas Carlyle, La-Martine, etc.

Conclusion

Now, Let us see who’s telling a lie. My advice is read and understands first before you are ready to critics anything about Islam teaching. Because you won’t find any flaws in this perfect religion of God which comes from the undisputable word of God which is Al-Quran and preached by Prophet Muhammad, the last messenger of Allah.

Well, it’s not ended here. There’s more to come. Hope you can put off your ego to read this. You can also refer to this website if you still don't believe me. Wallahu’alam.

Reference:

1. Al-Quran
2. Hadith
3. Contemporary Issues – Dr. Bilal Philips
4. Common Questions About Islam – Dr. Zakir Naik

Perspektif 2008: Demi Masa

“Demi masa. Sesungguhnya manusia itu benar-benar dalam kerugian, kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan mengerjakan amal saleh dan nasehat menasehati supaya mentaati kebenaran dan nasehat menasehati supaya menetapi kesabaran.” (Al Asr: 1-3)


Dapatkan Mesej Bergambar di Sini

Hanya tinggal beberapa minit sahaja lagi, tirai 2008 bakal dilabuhkan. Pentas 2009 menantikan persembahan baru yang pastinya tidak pernah sepi dari mehnah yang menggunung tinggi. Sejenak meniti tirai 2008 yang penuh suka dan duka, tawa dan airmata, ceria dan nestapa. Segalanya diadun menjadi rempah yang enak untuk memberi rasa kepada sebuah perjalanan yang bernama kehidupan. Maka alam maya pun pasti tersenyum dengan keindahan warna sebuah kehidupan yang dicipta oleh tuhan rabbul alamin.

Wajibnya kita selaku hamba Allah bersyukur atas dua kurniaanNya yang tidak terbanding iaitu Iman dan Islam. Sia-sialah 20 tahun kehidupan tanpa kedua-duanya. 100 tahun yang dilimpahi kejayaan bersifat material tetapi kosong Iman dan Islam pasti juga tiada guna.

“Dan bahawa sesungguhnya inilah jalanKu (agama Islam) yang betul lurus, maka hendaklah kamu menurutnya; dan janganlah kamu menurut jalan-jalan (yang lain dari Islam), kerana jalan-jalan (yang lain itu) mencerai-beraikan kamu dari jalan Allah. Dengan yang demikian itulah Allah perintahkan kamu, supaya kamu bertaqwa.” (Al-An‘am: 153)

Jangan dilupakan pada sifat Ikhlas iaitu meniatkan setiap kata, tindakan dan jihad yang dilakukan hanya untuk Allah, mencari keredaan dan ganjaranNya tanpa mengharapkan harta atau kemasyhuran atau kedudukan atau pangkat atau kemajuan atau kemunduran. Sungguh, tanpa ikhlas, segala amal kita umpama air yang mengalir pada dedaunan. Maka celakalah mereka yang mengharapkan selain daripada Allah.

“Katakanlah: Sesungguhnya sembahyangku dan ibadatku, hidupku dan matiku, hanyalah untuk Allah Tuhan yang memelihara dan mentadbirkan sekalian alam. Tiada sekutu bagiNya, dan dengan yang demikian sahaja aku diperintahkan.” (Al-An‘am: 162-163)

Tahun 2008 menyaksikan kebangkitan semangat bagi diriku setelah usiaku yang punah hancur atas matlamat yang sia-sia. Syukur kepada Allah atas petunjuk yang diberikan. Tidak lain dan tidak bukan mukjizat Al-Quranul Karim. Tatkala aku keliru, Allah menurunkan ilham buatku melalui beberapa ayat yang aku teliti tidak lama dahulu.

Pada awal tahun, aku telah meletakkan beberapa target sebagai Key Performance Indicator (KPI) untuk menentukan tahap kemajuan diriku. Out of 8 items, I’d just fulfilled 4 of them. Bermakna, aku tidak memenuhi standard yang aku tetapkan sendiri. Walau bagaimanapun, aku sebenarnya telah memenuhi beberapa items yang aku letakkan sebagai indicator untuk tahun-tahun seterusnya. Tahniah buatku. Hehe. Mungkin kena rombak balik KPI ni. Kebanyakan item yang tak berjaya dipenuhi itu adalah berkaitan dengan berat badan dan kesihatan sebenarnya. Haha.

Dari segi gerak kerja dakwah, Alhamdulillah, walaupun masih merangkak-rangkak, sekurang-kurangnya ada insan yang mahu menarik diriku yang hampir tergelincir daripada perjuangan harakah Islamiyyah. Sungguh, tiada detik yang lebih berharga sepanjang hidupku melainkan saat aku mula berintima’ dengan perjuangan gerakan Islamiyyah yang merupakan salah satu tuntutan syahadah. Alhamdulillah.

Rasulullah s.a.w bersabda: "Seseorang muslim dengan seorang muslim yang lain laksana satu bangunan yang tersusun, saling kuat-menguatkan di antara satu sama lain". (Hadith riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Sabda baginda lagi: "Tangan (atau pertolongan) Allah itu bersama jemaah. Sesungguhnya serigala itu memakan kambing yang terpisah (dari kumpulannya)". (Abu Daud meriwayatkan hadith seperti ini.)

Sabdanya lagi: "Kamu wajib bersama jemaah muslimin dan Iman (pemimpin) mereka". (Hadith sebahagian riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Dari sudut pandang akademik pula, Alhamdulillah. CGPA yang baik namun masih boleh dipertingkatkan lagi. Harap Allah kurniakan daku kekuatan untuk terus meningkatkan prestasi akademik demi kemaslahatan dakwah. Jangan sesekali kita pisahkan akademik dengan dakwah kerana sesungguhnya ia sudah menjadi kefarduan buat kita yang dari awal menerima tanggungjawab ini. Sebelum kita memilih bidang kejuruteraan ini, memanglah hukumnya fardu kifayah. Tetapi sekarang, hukumnya ialah fardu ain kerana telah terpikul tanggungjawab membangunkan ummah. Justeru, cemerlang dalam akademik bukanlah satu pilihan. Sematkan itu dalam minda wahai para pejuang Islam sekalian.

Aku melihat diriku bukan sebagai seorang pemimpin yang penuh hikmah (leader with wisdom) tetapi lebih kepada pakar dengan pengetahuan dan kemahiran (expertise with skill and knowledge). Hal ini kerana aku lebih cenderung kepada perkara-perkara teknikal berbanding keputusan yang bersifat siasah (politically-motivated). Justeru, maaf sahabat-sahabat sekiranya aku banyak menolak pelawaan kalian. Kepimpinan merupakan satu taklifan yang amat berat. Dan aku tahu sejauh mana kemampuanku lebih daripada kalian. Malang sekali sahabat-sahabat sekalian menilaiku hanya dari zahir. Justeru tidak mungkin kalian kenal benar dengan diriku. Aku mahu seboleh-bolehnya dengan kehadiranku, orang di sekitarku selesa dan senang. Yang paling penting, kemaslahatan dakwah dapat dijaga. Jadi, harapanku agar kelebihan kurniaan Allah ini dapat digunakan sebaiknya dalam perjuangan dan keburukanku dapat diperbaiki serta tidak menjejaskan usaha dakwah.

Tahun 2008 juga menyaksikan diriku banyak mengkaji tentang falsafah Al-Ghazali melalui beberapa karyanya serta sejarah konflik Palestin. Namun begitu, tak banyak yang boleh aku ceritakan kerana masih di peringkat permulaan. InsyaAllah, sedikit sebanyak pengetahuan itu akan dikongsi bersama melalui pelbagai medium termasuklah blog ini.

"Barang siapa yang tidur nyenyak dan tidak mengambil peduli urusan umat Islam maka ia bukan dari golongan mereka". (Hadith riwayat al-Baihaqi dalam “Shuab al-Iman”, at-Tabari, Abu Nua’im dalam “Hilyah” dan al- Hakim.)

Dengan itu, warkah ini diakhiri dengan ucapan Kullu ‘aam wa antum bil khair. Wallahu’alam.

Maal Hijrah 1430H

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Hijra (i.e. migration) (from Mecca to Medina) after the Conquest (of Mecca), but Jihad and good intention remain; and if you are called (by the Muslim ruler) for fighting, go forth immediately” (Bukhari)

Allah has also mentioned about jihad in surah As-Saff:

"O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in `Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that is indeed the great success." (61: 10-12)

Well, what an awesome reward to whom that perform jihad fisabilillah.. what's next for the modern day's hijrah? yes! you've got it right! it's good intention. in a very authentic hadith recorded by Bukhari:

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."(Bukhari)

Another related hadith...

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's Cause." The questioner again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To perform Hajj (Pilgrim age to Mecca) 'Mubrur, (which is accepted by Allah and is performed with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure only and not to show off and without committing a sin and in accordance with the traditions of the Prophet)."(Bukhari)

Yes, we are not in the age of prophet Mohammad and his companions. But still we can perform Hijrah but in different form. So, grab the chance!

Wishing you a golden year full of barakah from Allah. :)

What Can I Do?

(I dedicate this poem to all Mujahidins in Palestine and also to you...)

What can I do...?

Everyday,
The rumbling noise of tanks
Crushing cars are heard,

Everyday,
Exploding machine guns
Echo in the air,

Everyday,
Mountains of fire burns down
Our town...

What can I do...?

Each day,
The screams of mothers could be heard,
Each day,
The crying babies cry frantically,

Each day,
Men fight intensively...

What can I do ?
Each time an explosion occurs,
Bodies fall,
Each time a cry of freedom is heard,
Souls are lost,
Each time a mother cries,
A loves one is gone...
Anger grows...

What can I do ?
Break a sweat,
Shead a tear,
Lose my blood,
Sacrifice my soul ?