d@mb@ k@sihMu..

The Battle of Badr:"Those Are They Who Are in Truth Believers"

After that, Almighty Allah points out the attributes of those true believers: [They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when the Revelations of Allah are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord. (They are those) who establish prayers and spend of that We have bestowed on them. Those are they who are in truth believers. For them are grades (of honor) with their Lord, and pardon, and a bountiful provision] (Al-Anfal:2-4).

Then, without introduction, Almighty Allah directly resumes talking about the events of the great Battle of Badr, saying:

[Even as thy Lord caused thee (Muhammad) to go forth from thy home with the Truth, and lo! a party of the believers were averse (to it), disputing with thee of the Truth after it had been made manifest, as if they were being driven to death visible. And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His Words, and cut the root of the disbelievers] (Al-Anfal:5–7).

That is to say, Almighty Allah begins the surah with talking about the Battle of Badr, then He moves to point out the attributes of the true believers, and then He resumes tackling the events of Badr. This undoubtedly attracts attention, demands reflection, and makes one think why, especially that this is stated in a Book that [falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it] (Fussilat:42) namely the Glorious Qur’an. Thus, one wonders why the verses pointing out the manners of "true believers" are mentioned between the verses dealing with the events of the Battle of Badr. Moreover, what increases one’s state of wonder is the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he says about the Muslim fighters of Badr "How can you tell? Perhaps Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, looked upon the people of Badr and said, ‘Do whatever you want, for I have already forgiven you’" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Again, one wonders, "Why the people of Badr in particular?"

The answer to these questions lies in understanding the aforementioned verses and their contexts. The answer is because they are [in truth believers] (Al-Anfal:4). They are the participants of the Battle of Badr, whom Almighty Allah wants to describe to us and whose glorious attributes He wants to point out. They are those believers who reached the highest degrees in supporting Allah's religion and rendering it victorious and so they were granted Almighty Allah's support, for they were in truth believers. Therefore, they were worthy of Allah's great reward, honor, forgiveness, and bountiful provision.

Then, without introduction, Almighty Allah directly resumes talking about the events of the great Battle of Badr, saying: [Even as thy Lord caused thee (Muhammad) to go forth from thy home with the Truth, and lo! a party of the believers were averse (to it), disputing with thee of the Truth after it had been made manifest, as if they were being driven to death visible. And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His Words, and cut the root of the disbelievers] (Al-Anfal:5-7).

That is to say, Almighty Allah begins the surah with talking about the Battle of Badr, then He moves to point out the attributes of the true believers, and then He resumes tackling the events of Badr. This undoubtedly attracts attention, demands reflection, and makes one think why, especially that this is stated in a Book that [falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it] (Fussilat:42) namely the Glorious Qur'an. Thus, one wonders why the verses pointing out the manners of “true believers" are mentioned between the verses dealing with the events of the Battle of Badr. Moreover, what increases one's state of wonder is the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he says about the Muslim fighters of Badr "How can you tell? Perhaps Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, looked upon the people of Badr and said, 'Do whatever you want, for I have already forgiven you" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Again, one wonders, "Why the people of Badr in particular?"

The answer to these questions lies in understanding the aforementioned verses and their contexts. The answer is because they are [in truth believers] (Al-Anfal: 4). They are the participants of the Battle of Badr, whom Almighty Allah wants to describe to us and whose glorious attributes He wants to point out. They are those believers who reached the highest degrees in supporting Allah's religion and rendering it victorious and so they were granted Almighty Allah's support, for they were in truth believers. Therefore, they were worthy of Allah's great reward, honor, forgiveness, and bountiful provision.

Thus, Almighty Allah points out to us the attributes of His victorious servants while stating the wondrous events of the Battle of Badr, the greatest and most important battle in the history of Islam. That was why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) invoked Allah with the following heartfelt, moving, noble supplication: "O Allah, accomplish for me what You have promised me. O Allah, bring about what You have promised me. O Allah, if this small band of Muslims is destroyed, You will not be worshiped on this earth." The Prophet continued his supplication to his Lord, stretching his hands, facing the qiblah, until his mantle slipped off his shoulders. So Abu Bakr came to him, picked up his mantle, and put it on his shoulders. Then he embraced him from behind and said: "O Messenger of Allah, this prayer of yours to your Lord is sufficient, and Allah will fulfill for you what He has promised you" (Muslim).

Allah points out the attributes of those true believers so that we may realize and understand how and why they were granted victory, and learn the principles and values of the desired victorious generation.

All Muslims are touched and their hearts are bleeding for what is going on in the Islamic world today. We all have painful memories of the cruel scenes of the occupation in one Islamic state and the usurpation of another one, and the carnages carried out in a third. Whenever we remember any of such many painful scenes, our hearts grieve, our eyes shed tears, and our sense of responsibility towards our religion increases. However, some of us are content with the feelings of pity and sympathy and the shedding of tears, doing nothing else; whereas some others keep trying and endeavoring to reinstate the Muslim nation’s status and restore its might and honor. Yet, such devoted believers lack a successful approach to the laws and signs of Almighty Allah in this universe, and fall short of the crucial requirements of victory such as learning the lessons of history, fulfilling the prerequisites for victory, and, most importantly, becoming true believers.

On remembering the great Battle of Badr, we need to pinpoint the attributes of those victorious warriors who were in truth believers, and try hard to realize these attributes, heart and soul, and practically apply them to our lives. These glorious attributes of the true believers can be summarized in the following phrases from the first verses of Surat Al-Anfal:

* They keep their duty to Allah.
* They adjust the matter of their difference.
* They obey Allah and His Messenger.
* Their hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned.
* When the Revelations of Allah are recited to them, they increase in faith.
* They trust in their Lord.
* They establish Prayers.
* They spend of what Allah has bestowed on them.

When we realize these attributes, we will deserve to be among those [who are in truth believers. For them are grades (of honor) with their Lord, and pardon, and a bountiful provision] (Al-Anfal: 4). Only then do we become worthy of Allah’s support and help. Almighty Allah says: [When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank." Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise. When he made the slumber fall upon you as a reassurance from Him and sent down water from the sky upon you, that thereby He might purify you, and remove from you the fear of Satan, and make strong your hearts and firm (your) feet thereby. When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying:) "I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger"] (Al-Anfal:9-12).

The attributes of the true believers are so clear now, but who will apply and stick to them?

The Muslim nation is waiting for those [who are in truth believers] and when they come, victory will be achieved, for Allah says: [Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise] (Al-Anfal:10).

In fact, the Battle of Badr was witnessed by those who are in truth believers so let the members of this Muslim nation follow in their footsteps and be among those who are in truth believers.

Hudanesz pondered at 12:30:00 PM

* * * * * * * * *

* Saturday, October 15, 2005 *

We remember your birthday!

Ukhti Hakimah,

Selamat hari lahir ke 2*, semoga tabah hati tak berbelah bagi di jalanNya.
Sayang awak!

Hudanesz pondered at 2:36:00 PM

* * * * * * * * *

* Wednesday, October 12, 2005 *

Fasting of Penguin

By Dr. `Abd Al-Hakam `Abd Al-Latif As-Sa`idi

Lecturer of Entomology – Faculty of Agriculture – Al-Azhar University

Penguin is one of the sea birds that live in the cold regions. In fact, there are 17 species of these birds in the entire world. Only one of these species inhabits the North Pole territories while the remaining species are distributed widely in the Southern Hemisphere, extending along south Australia, Africa and America.

These species differ totally in their way of laying and hatching eggs. As for those living in the Southern Hemisphere, they spend the winter therein. With the coming of spring, they return in groups to their native land in the North Pole, covering (a distance of) hundreds of

miles until they reach their destination and proper location for reproduction. Upon arriving there, they start immediately building their nests out of stone pieces. Following three weeks from their arrival, they will have completed building these nests and the process of procreation. In the usual course of things, the female lays two white eggs mixed with blue color. The male penguin undertakes the task of brooding eggs instead of the female penguin, which is engrossed in seeking food in the deep-water seas. On the other hand, the male penguin goes on in a state of fasting for two weeks until the chicks (the young penguins) develop. When this happens, the male penguin rushes at maximum speed into the sea to drink some of the seawater and to eat from Allah’s provisions. It eats this food in a state of merriment whereas the female penguin (the mother) comes back in order to feed the flourishing young penguins.

Unlike all species of penguins, there is another kind called "the Emperor" which does not build nests for the young. Actually, it spends winter in the North Frozen Zone wherein it lays its eggs; the mother lays the eggs, not on snow, but on its hind feet. Sometimes, the male penguin (the father) may relieve her and they remain in a state of fasting throughout the winter season.
With the advent of spring, the ice melts and the eggs are incubated reproducing those young penguins. The secret behind this strict kind of fasting is that the (penguin’s) eggs require this specific degree of coldness. Practically, when the young penguins grow up, they start observing fasting through abstaining from food until their down falls out and their bodies are covered with feathers. At this very moment, they rush into water declaring the end of this fasting through having food and drink.

As for the old penguins, they also observe fasting for another period that is sufficient to replace their old feathers with another which is more glowing and flourishing. They throw themselves into the sea merrily as if they imitate the human beings when they wear new clothes on the coming of the `Eid that comes after fasting in Ramadan or as if the human beings imitate these wondrous creatures. More accurately, we can say, "It is a recurring Sunnah in Allah's creation."Allah, Most High, says,

[…That is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing]

From IslamOnline.net

Hudanesz pondered at 1:30:00 PM

* * * * * * * * *

* Tuesday, October 11, 2005 *

Someone Missed Me and I Missed Her Badly Too.

Hudanesz pondered at 2:00:00 PM

* * * * * * * * *

* Saturday, October 08, 2005 *

We've Scanned The Sky

Well, we’ve scanned the sky and we’ve sighted the moon
And we welcome the month of Ramadan
When we’ll fast together, all as one, to help and strengthen our iman

As the sun lay sleeping, beneath the blanket of the night
We rise early to make suhur, before the white thread of light
We’re patient and kind, throughout our day
taking time to remember how to care
And when the sun has gone and we’ve made iftar,
we break our fast and we share.

’cause we’ve scanned the sky and we’ve sighted the moon
And we welcome the month of Ramadan
When we’ll fast together, all as one, to help and strengthen our iman

So many of our brothers and sisters, all across the land
They have no food to eat at all, and they need a helping hand
When we fast from morning ’til the night, to fulfill our faith’s command
We feel the hunger and thirst they feel, and it helps us to understand

But, all too fast, the moon goes past, our month of blessings now has gone
But we’ll keep its spirit throughout the year, Everyday should be like Ramadan

So we’ve scanned the sky and we’ve sighted the moon
And we say “Farewell” to Ramadan
When we fast together, all as one, to help and strengthen our iman

An excerpt from Berita Harian:

Bicara Kalbu: Hanya sebahagian syaitan dibelenggu sepanjang Ramadan

Pada Ramadan semua syaitan dibelenggu, tetapi mengapa pula sepanjang bulan mulia itu ada orang Islam yang tidak berpuasa dan melakukan perkara yang mungkar?

Apakah kemaksiatan atau dosa itu tidak ada campur tangan daripada syaitan?

HADIS yang menyatakan bahawa syaitan dibelenggu pada Ramadan adalah hadis sahih yang diriwayatkan oleh sejumlah ulama hadis seperti Imam Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad dan Ibnu Huzaimah.Daripada Abu Hurairah bahwa Rasulullah bersabda bermaksud: “Apabila Ramadan tiba, maka pintu syurga akan dibukakan dan pintu neraka akan ditutup serta syaitan akan dibelenggu." (Riwayat Bukhari No. 1898 dan Muslim 1079) “Dibukanya pintu syurga dan ditutupnya pintu neraka pada Ramadan...” Ibnu Hajar dalam kitab Fathul Bari menyebutkan ada beberapa kemungkinan:

l Pertama, memang benar pintu syurga dibuka selebar-lebarnya pada Ramadan dan pintu neraka ditutup. Sehinggakan tidak ada orang yang dimasukkan ke neraka selama sebulan itu. Inilah yang memberikan semangat kepada hamba Allah untuk memperbanyakkan amal sepanjang Ramadan itu.

l Kemungkinan kedua, bahawa Allah membuka kesempatan kepada hamba-Nya untuk taat beribadah, yang mana taat itu menjadi penyebab masuknya mereka ke dalam syurga. Demikian juga dengan ungkapan ditutupnya pintu neraka. Ia adalah gambaran daripada dipalingkannya hamba Allah daripada keinginan untuk melakukan maksiat, yang mana maksiatlah yang akan membawa mereka ke neraka. Dengan dipalingkan daripada maksiat, maka seolah-olah pintu neraka tertutup pada Ramadan.Mengenai dibelenggunya syaitan, ada beberapa penjelasan daripada ulama mengenai maksud perkataan Rasulullah bahawa syaitan ‘dibelenggu’ pada Ramadan:

1 Al-Hulaimi berpendapat yang dimaksudkan dengan syaitan di sini adalah syaitan yang suka mencuri berita dari langit yang terjadi pada waktu malam Ramadan. Pada ketika turunnya al-Quran, mereka dihalang melakukan hal itu kerana dengan ‘belenggu’ itu, maka syaitan tidak mampu melakukannya.

2 Syaitan tidak berleluasa atau sewenang-wenang mengganggu dan merosakkan manusia seperti seperti biasa kerana umat Islam sibuk dengan ibadah berpuasa, bersedekah, membaca al-Quran dan berzikir.

3 Yang dibelenggu hanya sebahagiannya iaitu syaitan yang membangkang seperti yang dijelaskan dalam hadis daripada Abu Hurairah bahawa Rasulullah bersabda: "Pada malam pertama Ramadan, syaitan dibelenggu. Iaitu syaitan yang membangkang.” (Riwayat Ibnu Huzaimah, Nasa’i, at-Tirmizi, Ibnu Majah dan Al-Hakim)

4 Maksud ‘dibelenggu’ adalah ungkapan ketidakmampuan syaitan untuk menggoda dan menyesatkan manusia. Jadi mengapa masih ada kemaksiatan pada Ramadan? Bukankah syaitan yang biasa menggoda manusia telah dibelenggu? Berdasarkan pengertian di atas, ulama memberi empat jawapan:

5 Syaitan dibelenggu bagi mukmin yang melakukan ibadah ’puasa’ dengan penuh keikhlasan.

6 Hanya sebahagian syaitan yang dibelenggu, iaitu syaitan yang membangkang seperti dijelaskan di atas.

7 la juga boleh dimaksudkan berkurangnya perbuatan kejahatan atau perilaku maksiat pada Ramadan. Memang masih terjadi, tetapi tidak sebanyak berbanding bulan lain.

8 Syaitan dibelenggu, namun ada beberapa perangai manusia yang menyamai syaitan yang menyebabkan masih berlaku perkara maksiat. Kemaksiatan itu timbul kerana runtuhnya sifat mulia manusianya, adat istiadat yang rosak dan lingkungan masyarakat yang sudah ’bobrok’ yang dilakukan oleh syaitan daripada golongan manusia.

DIJAWAB Prof Madya Maznah Daud, pensyarah syariah di UITM, Shah Alam, Selangor

Hudanesz pondered at 2:50:00 PM

* * * * * * * * *