The Path

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar radiyalaahu anhuma had mentioned, "Whoever wishes to follow the way of another, should follow the ways of those who have passed away. These were the companions of Muhammad sallalaahu alayhi wassalam, who were the best people of this Ummah. Their hearts were most pious, their knowledge was deepest and they were least pretentious. They were people whom Allah Ta'ala had chosen to be companions of His Nabi sallalaahu alayhi wassalam and for the transmission of His Deen. You people should emulate their character and mannerisms. By the Rabb of the Kaabah! The Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam were correctly guided."

Wednesday 7 January 2009

40 Days In Sabah


Assalamu’alaykum, 

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

May the Peace and Blessings of Allah, the One and Only, be upon those who submit their will to the Will of Allah Ta’ala and following the Path of Rasulullah (Sallalaahu Alayhi Wasallam). 

Say thou: “This is my Way: I do invite unto Allah - on evidence clear as the seeing with one's eyes - I and whoever follows me. Glory to Allah! and never will I join gods with Allah!” (Yusuf 12:108) 

By virtue of the fact that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was the Last of the Prophets, the duty of Da’wah and Tabligh devolves upon each and every member of his Ummat. 

“Ye are the best of Peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.” (Aali Imran 3:110) 

Tabligh is not a grouping but rather, as a work or as an effort on our Iman (faith) and Aamal (righteous deeds) through much patience in the undertaking of Dakwah. You will note that these four are the ingredients for man to save himself from eternal loss. 

“By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages); Verily Man is in loss; Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. (Al-Asr:1-3) 

“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity (attainment of happiness, success, prosperity, freedom from anxiety in this world and the next).” (Al-‘Imran 3:104) 

For this “call”, the Muslims are required to use their time, self and wealth for carrying the Kalimah and Salaah along with the knowledge and remembrance of Allah, forgiving our own rights and paying the rights of creations of Allah, with an intention to please Allah, we move in groups from house to house, street to street, village to village, town to town, and country to country exthorting the people to lead their life according to the life of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Companions (Radiyallaahu Anhum). No amount of opposition, threat, or persecution should defer them from carrying out this job which has, in fact, been the life mission of all the prophets in general and that of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasalam) in particular. 

Alhamdulillah, for this purpose, with the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, a Jamaat consisting of 8 brothers, had the chance to travel for the mission of da’wah and tabligh and meet the Muslim community in the state of Sabah, located in East Malaysia. We left Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 3rd December 2003 to Kota Kinabalu, the city situated on the West Coast of Sabah. Our main objective is firstly the attainment of the pleasure of Allah and secondly, self reformation. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by two local brothers who then took us to the nearby masjid at Kg. Bunga Raya, Kota Kinabalu. Prior to our arrival, the local brothers had made mesywarah (consultation) among themselves as to which areas and masjids that our jamaat will be sent. These are called “routes”. At each routes, we usually spend 2-4 days depending on the circumstances and the needs and requirements of the place. As the routes had been known, we were later sent to Masjid Nurul Iman, Taman Pantai Lok Kawi (better known as SABINDO area), Masjid Kg. Lembaga Padi in Likas, Masjid Kg. Unggun in Inanam, Masjid Pekan Menggatal, all in the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu. Then, we spent our time in Kota Marudu area about 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu. 

In Kota Marudu area, we stayed at Masjid Kg. Tanah Merah, Masjid Kg. Tigaman and Masjid Jame’ Kg. Bengkongan. Our next destination was Kota Belud where we stayed at Surau Al-Hidayah Kg. Pirasan, Masjid Kg. Kulambai and Masjid Kg. Kuala Abai. Then we headed for the highlands of Kundasang and stayed for 3 days at Surau Kg. Mesilou, one of the highest villages in Malaysia situated at over 2000m above sea level. 

We stayed for 3 days in each masjids, spending our time with the local people, and making Tashkeel. The word, “Tashkeel”, means to urge the people to give time for their respective masjids to revive the 4 amals of Masjid Nabawi during the time of Rasulullah (sallalaahu alayhi wasallam), [namely, Dakwah, Ta’leem Wata’llum (Teaching and Learning), Ibadaat Zikr (Worshipping and Remembrance of Allah) and Khidmat (Services)] and to come out in the path of Allah for self reformation and propagating righteous deeds for a number of days 3, 40, 4 months, 1 year, etc. The number of days is also not compulsory, it is only recommended just as it is recommended that a person studying first aid, for example, serves one month as practicals. While he will not be an expert in medicine, he will know the basic things to do during an emergency. Similarly, a person going out for 3 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc. does not become an expert on Shariáh, but he will learn the basic requirements of Shariáh. The more time he gives, the more he will learn and perfect himself. The time frame is not a criteria according to Shariáh

Throughout the mission, lessons have been formulated so that a person strives towards the fine qualities of the Companions of Rasulullah (Sallalaahu Alayhi Wasalam). Learning these fine qualities and practicing them will not only go a long way towards becoming the khalifa as Allah intended, but will also have something acting as a strong shield against wrong and wrongdoers in his daily life. By the Grace of Allah Ta’ala, his faith will be stronger, his salaat will be full of life, and he will gather sufficient knowledge for his daily requirements. He will get into the habit of remembrance of Allah Ta’ala daily, his behaviour towards fellow beings will become exemplary, and he will do none of these things for any reason, save for the pleasure of Allah ta’ala. Having striving for these qualities, he will want his fellow brothers also to follow the same mould, and will therefore find time to meet others in order to wish them to strive for the same qualities. 

“O Mohammed, invite (people) to your Allah with wisdom and better counsel, and argue with them in such a way as is best; verily your Allah knows the one who wanders astray from His path and He knows those who are on the right path.” (Al-Nahl:125). 

“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, “I am of those who bow in Islam?” (Fussilat 41:33). 

Alhamdulillah, one jamaat, consisting of 10 local brothers, had been formed to go out in the path of Allah for 40 days within Sabah, and by the Grace of Allah, we managed to tashkeel about 15 local brothers to spend their time for 3 days - 15 days. At one of the masjids, 3 teenagers, aged between 15-17, were the only people who performed the salaah daily and taking turn between them to be the imam. There were about 300 families of Muslims living in the area, but none of the male adults had come for salaah at the masjid. We were told that the male adults only care to come for Friday prayer at the masjid once a week. The 3 outstanding young men had spent their time with us all the time we were there, sitting in daily mesywarah after Fajr salaah, siting in ta’leem, bringing us to meet the local muslims from house-to-house and door-to-door and doing other aamals of masjid. When we moved to other masjid, they joined us along and that was the first time for them traveling in a mission of da’wah and tabligh. 

“Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: such are the sincere ones.” (Al-Hujuraat 49:15) 

Many people go to Sabah for various reasons. Some had gone there to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia or just to see it from afar. Many others had gone there for studies, business or pleasure. As for us, alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala make it easy for us to spend 40 days of our time in Sabah just for the purpose of da’wah and tabligh mission. 

I had never been to Sabah before. My knowledge of Sabah and the Sabah multi-cultural people and its different tribes were merely confined to information I read from books, magazines and the news. The fact is I did not know my fellow Muslim brothers in Sabah well enough. The brothers are from various tribes like Bajau, Kadazan Dusun, Sulu, Iranom, Murut etc. Having spent almost 37 days with them, sharing their joy and grief, sometimes eating on the same plate, sleeping under the same roof, my perception of Muslim brothers in Sabah has changed. I now grow a deeper brotherly love for the Muslims in Sabah. Subhanallah! You could never get this wonderful feeling deep inside your heart by just reading books in the comfort of your home. No sooner I realized the true meaning that every Muslim must be considered as one's real brother and must always be given affection, sympathy and sincere attention at all time. The fact that a person professes the faith of Islam automatically entitles him to brotherly respect and honor from all Muslims. 

“Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid, these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous.” (Al-Anfaal 8:74) 

After about 25 days in the midst of this mission of da’wah and tabligh, I received rather disturbing news from my wife back home. She wrote to me that our neighbour, the wife of a Wahabbi whom my two daughters, age 9 and 7, are learning the Quran, told my wife that she would not be able to continue teaching my daughters the Quran because she and her family had to dissociate themselves from our family since we are the astrayed people and the bidaatis, simply because we are involved with da’wah and tabligh mission. Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala has put a patience in the heart of my wife so as not to retaliate. 

“Verily, this is My Way leading straight: follow it; follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) Path; thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous.” (Al-An’aam 6:153) 

“And those who strive in Our (Cause), We will certainly guide them to Our Paths: for verily Allah is with those who do right.” (Al-Ankabuut 29:69) 

Sometimes people adopt a rude and insulting attitude towards me, but that was the first time for my wife. Alhamdulillah, we always have support from both sides of our families. My wife and I go out in Masturat Jamaat from time to time for a specified period. Masturat Jamaat enables the womenfolk also to propagate this Deen directly to other women. I told my wife not to forget the fact that the performance of the act of dakwah and tabligh means simply to follow in the footsteps of the Prophets of Allah, who were always the victims of the worst type of treatment. That is the usual and certain fate of those who take to the mission. And truly, the sweetness of iman could be tasted through sacrifice and mujahadah. 

“And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: “Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: ye are members, one of another; those who have left their homes, and were driven out there from, and suffered harm in My Cause, and fought and were slain, verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath - a reward from the Presence of Allah - and from His Presence is the best of rewards.” (Aali-Imran 3:195) 

“And the servants of the Most Merciful (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in gently (with dignity but without arrogance), and when the ignorant address them (harshly), they reply back with mild words of gentleness”. [Al-Furqan 25:63 ] 

May Allah Ta’ala give tawfeeq and hidayat to you and I for us to strive our utmost to use the trust that Allah Ta’ala had given us in the form of our Time, Self and Wealth in the best possible way for the Cause of Allah. As trustees, you and I, we are all accountable to Allah Ta’ala in respect of the trust that had been given to us. May Allah Ta’ala give hidayat to humanity through our meagre effort that is nothing compare to the sacrifices and hardship that had been faced by our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahabaah (Radiyallaahu Anhum) in the Cause of Allah. And may Allah Ta’ala give us all hidayat to follow Islam as shown by our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and practiced by the Sahabaah (Radiyallaahu Anhum). 

“Not equal are those Believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) hath Allah promised good: but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.” (An-Nisaa’ 4:95) 

Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline; or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, Or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause - then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious. (At-Tawbah 9:24) 

 Wassallam. 

 -Abu Muhammad Az-Zubayr-

6 comments:

  1. Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): “Inilah jalanku dan orang-orang yang menurutku, menyeru manusia umumnya kepada agama Allah dengan berdasarkan keterangan dan bukti yang jelas nyata. Dan aku menegaskan: Maha suci Allah (dari segala iktiqad dan perbuatan syirik); dan bukanlah aku dari golongan yang mempersekutukan Allah dengan sesuatu yang lain.” (Yusuf 12:108)”

    Salam ziarah dari saya,,blog yang menarik ,jemput muzakarah di blog saya….dan jadikan blog saya sebagai rakan anda..tq

    ReplyDelete
  2. abrar,
    semoga bermenafaat..tahun tu tahun yang mencabar bagi saya..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anak Pendang,

    Ahlan wa sahlan. Insha'allah saya akan ziarahi blog tuan...

    ReplyDelete
  4. haji..i hope you can write more often

    ReplyDelete
  5. norainimy,
    i hope i have time to write more.

    hainur,
    may Allah give us istiqomah and istikhlas in the work.

    learnquranonline,
    Jazakallah.

    ReplyDelete