Lamentation of a Traveler

A Short Conversation During Tashkili Ghusht (1)

2012-01-31T10:57:00.013+08:00

Once we visited a retired elderly man in his 60's at his home. After a brief ta'aruf (getting to know each other), one of us explained to him the purpose and importance of the work of dakwah and tabligh and invited him to join the effort.

"Tabligh is well and good but I disapprove you people leaving behind your family without any means and provision."
"But we do make due provision for our family before we leave for 40 days or 4 months in the path of Allah. We store the kitchen with groceries and fill up the fridge with chickens and meat. There's plenty of provision lay in a stock for our family and plenty of money in support of the provision and other expenses. We even make arrangements for the wives of our close friends and our relatives to visit our family during our absence to ensure our family's needs and welfare are being taken care of."

"You're talking about the zaahir (apparent) provision, what about the baathin (inner) provision?"
"Haji, perhaps you get the wrong impression that baathin provision to mean sexual needs and desire. That is not baathin provision, rather that is nafs and syahwat. Nafs and syahwat should be supressed and trampled. Baathin is something that is unseen - life in the grave, Mashyar, Mizan, the bridge of Sirat, Jannah and Jahannam - all these are the unseen revelations that had reached us through Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam, and we will most definitely face them. It is because of these that we leave our homes, learning to make effort on building up our imaan and yakin (faith and conviction) to Allah Ta'ala and strive to live our lives in aamal (practices) in accordance to the Sunnah of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam, so that when we return we hope for the guidance and strenghth from Allah Ta'ala to be able to continue to practice what we learnt and practiced in the path of Allah in our daily lives and teach and encourage our family to do the same. This is what it means by providing baathin provision for our wives and families."

Alhamdulillah, the respected Haji eventually sit together with us and listen attentively to a bayaan delivered after Maghrib solah and even stated his intention to spend his time in the path of Allah for 3 days.

Notice how weak our steadfastness as compares to the steadfastness and sacrifices of the Sahabah and their family radiyalaahu anhum for the effort of Deen.

After her father and Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam left for hijrah (migration) to Madinah, Asma' binti Abu Bakr radiyalaahu anhuma was left with her blind and aged grandfather, Abu Quhafah, who was then still a musyrik. When he realised that his son had migrated he was sad. Then he was worried whether he had left any cash for expenses. They had about four or five thousand Dinars in the house and her father, Abu Bakr Siddiq radiyalaahu anhu, had taken it all for the expenses of the journey. But she comforted her grandfather saying there was plenty in the house and nothing was lacking. In order to convince him, she collected some pebbles that were the size of Dinars; these she put in a pot and spread a cloth over them. Then she guided his old hands over the cloth. Abu Quhafah was very pleased that his son had not neglected them. Asma' radiyalaahu anha had done this for the old man's peace of mind, but in truth Abu Bakr As-Siddiq radiyalaahu anhu with a strong faith in Allah, had taken his all to spend in the way of Allah and His Messenger sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. And thus it is narrated to us the extent of steadfastness and sacrifices of the noble Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum in the matter of Deen.

When love for his wife and new-born son grew in the heart of the husband, Allah Ta'ala commanded him to leave his wife and son at an uninhabited place where there was no water nor food, no animals to hunt nor any plant. What they have was only a little provision that they had brought along. Imagine the devastation and sadness of the husband when his wife who was holding their baby tucked his dress and persistently asked him why he was leaving them behind in the dessert where there was no sign of living creatures. When his wife asked him if it was the command of Allah Ta'ala, he could only nod his head. The wife then said, "If it is the command of Allah Ta'ala upon you, then surely Allah Ta'ala will take care of us." The husband slowly rode away and vanished from their sight.

Soon the little provision that they have with them depleted. There was no water left to drink and there was no food to eat. The little baby began to cry out of thirst and hunger. Even milk from her breasts had dried out. She climbed up a hill in search of caravan or journeymen on the other side of the hill that might passed by. Having found no one, she ran downhill and climbed another hill searching for lifeline for her starved athirst son who never stopped crying. Still she could not find anyone on the other side of the second hill. She then ran downhill and climb up again the first hill searching for salvation. She travelled back and forth between the hills seven times in the scorching heat before she lost all hope of any assistance of any man. Only then her imaan and yakeen to Allah Ta'ala was absolute that none but Allah Ta'ala could grant her and her child salvation. And only at this moment of time, the help from Allah Ta'ala descended upon them. When she returned to her son, she found that a spring had sprouted forth from the crying baby kicking at the sand with his feet. And thus Allah Ta'ala reveals to us in the Quran the lesson of imaan and yakeen that had been acquired by the family of Khalilullah Ibrahim alayhi salam, his wife Hajar radiyalaahu anha, and their son Ismail alayhi salam.

A Guide Named Dhiyab - Part 2

2012-01-25T03:27:00.012+08:00

Although there were only two Palestinians and one Yemeni together with with eight local brothers, our jamaat attracted special attention of the locals wherever we went to during the ten days period (as usually is the case with foreign jamaat). Dhiyab and the two Palestinian brothers were always occupied attending to the locals that flocked them, though most of the time he merely listened to, observed and learned from the more experience and elderly Palestinian brothers' conversation, speeches and actions.

In the first ten days that we were together, my relationship with Dhiyab was more on ta'aruf basis (getting to know each other). I, sometimes would teased him, telling him that his American accent make me sick. He enjoyed talking about Yemen, its people, culture and heritage. He especially cherished the topic on historical Yemen and he was excellent explaining every single detail about it. I must say he is superb and exceptional as a tourist guide. You could feel the years and hard work that he had put in his work. It was hilarious when he once told me that he was fascinated by the "Malaysian method of dakwah" as he did not find it in America or Yemen. I have to explain to him that this particular work and effort of dakwah is very much in existence all over the world including America and Yemen except perhaps he was at a wrong place or at a wrong time.

At the end of the ten days khuruuj in the path of Allah, Dhiyab decided to use remaining time of his three months tourist visa in Malaysia to join us for another 30 days of dakwah and tabligh mission to Penanti, Bukit Mertajam in northern Malaysia, thus, completing the 40 days period. The two Palestinian brothers tearfully bid us farewell before continuing their blessed journey for another two months in Bangladesh.

It was during the later 30 days khuruuj in the path of Allah that Dhiyab and I were frequently paired together. And it was during this period that our relationship grew into a special bondship between us. Often when we visited the locals living in the surrounding area of the masjid that we stopped by, he would tell the people about the importance of making effort to acquire imaan (faith) and knowledge of Deen to practice. He would relate to them his own shortcomings before Allah gave him taufeeq and show him the way to struggle for Deen. As if I could still hear him said, "Come to the right environment of Deen in the masjid and spend some time for it. If I can give three months of my visa time for dakwah and tabligh, surely you can give just three days of your time. If you cannot give three days, then give two. If you cannot give two days, then give one. If you cannot even give one day, then give one hour of your time for dakwah and tabligh."

I realised that when a common person like me learns and reads the Holy Quran, the focus is directed more on perfecting the tajweed and makhraj in the recitation, deriving very little progress on tadabbur (reflecting on the meanings of the aayah). On the contrary, Dhiyab read the Holy Quran and ahadith deriving and gaining what he called "signals" from Allah Ta'ala that its entire content is based on dakwah. Verses that he read all could be related to dakwah. Once he developed an unbearable concern within himself resulting in him not being able to sleep for two nights and two days and losing appetite for food. As soon as we realised it, we urged and practically forced him to get plenty of sleep and rest and take plenty of food. Not only he developed deep concern for his parents and brothers who are living in America, he also has frenzied concern for the Arab Muslims - for he saw the blatant neglect of the effort of dakwah and tabligh as the cause of the Arab and Ajam (non-Arab) Muslims and the entire world to suffer as the consequences.

Hadhrat Maulana Inamul Hassan rahmatullah alayhi said, "A person's death puts and end to all his sentiments. It is therefore, better that he gives a right direction to his sentiments in his life time so that they may be useful after his death." Once he said, "One's life is spent in accordance with his sentiments. Whose sentiments are aligned towards deen will follow deen and he, whose sentiments are aligned towards material world, will run after the world. But all the sentiments come to an end with death. The death is inevitable and all the sentiments will be left behind. Whatever work of Deen is done it will be useful after death and it is to be done only with this intention. No worldly thing will accompany a person after his death. The only accompanists are his deeds."

The last night that were together as one jamaat before returning back to the Kuala Lumpur markaz, Dhiyab cried uncontrollably. The thought of parting company, going our own separate ways, were too much for him to bear. And all of us shared his sadness. But whilst we were glad and eager to return back to our family, wives and children, Dhiyab decided that it was just the beginning for his quest for the work of Deen. When we returned hugging our wives and children and family, he immediately continued his struggle in the path of Allah to Bangladesh.

He sought to be at the grave of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam

Instead Almighty Allah gives him the effort and work of nubuwwah

For it befit not the tiny Yemeni just as a tourist guide

The entire world is open for him for the effort on guidance and hidayah

May Allah accept our effort and his continuous effort and struggle and make it as a source of hidayah to the entire humanity. Aameen.

A Guide Named Dhiyab - Part 1

2012-01-19T02:17:00.008+08:00

On 8th November 2011, I ventured into a 40 days tour of dakwah and tabligh. We were initially instructed to make effort for 10 days in Paya Jaras and Sungai Buloh area, just outside Klang Valley, together with 7 other local brothers, 2 Palestinians, and a Yemeni young man named Dhiyab. I first saw him at Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling, the markaz of dakwah and tabligh in Malaysia.

Dhiyab was raised in USA, having migrated there with his parents at the age of 4. When he was 19 years old, he returned to Yemen to find his roots and learned Arabic and Quran. He was then an Arab youth who was an ummi, illeterate and knew nothing of Arabic - he could not speak his own language, let alone read and write. At the time when we were together in the jamaat, he eventually could read and understand the Quran but when you listen to him reciting the Quran, it sounds weird and incomprehensible.

According to him, by the time he was 19, he had an urge to return to Yemen to learn Arabic and Islam since he was deprived of the opportunity all the time when he was living in USA. He was like many of American Muslim youths who pass their lives void of any teaching of Islam in the godless environment, except of course, knowing that he is a Muslim.

Upon his return to Yemen, he begin to learn and speak a local Arabic dialect but having difficulties in the learning of Islam due to his encounters with Ahmadiyah Shi'ahs and Salafis that clouded and messed up his mind even towards the upright madzhabs (the righteous different school of jurisprudence) of Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Consequently, his fervour and devotion for knowledge slowly faded away.

Meanwhile, as he is able to speak English very well, he began to see an opportunity for him to make money in Yemen in tourism industry. All those foreign, European and American tourists that flooded the ancient civilisation-riched Yemen had turned him craving for worldly wealth. In a short span of time, he mastered the tourism trade and eventually got married to a local lady.

After 5 years of stay in Yemen, immersed in the lucrative tourism trade, Dhiyab then realised that he had lost his way by abandoning the very purpose that he returned to Yemen in the first place, that is to learn and practice Islam. He then tried to make an umrah trip to Makkah and Madinah for he developed a sensation to visit the grave of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam in Madinah. However, he had to abandon the plan when he faced hurdles and hardship in obtaining travelling visa to Saudi Arabia. Generally it is very difficult, for a Yemeni below the age of 40, to get a hajj or umrah visa. The strict requirement of having a Saudi sponsor and clashes and fights close to the Saudi-Yemen border made it almost impossible for him to perform umrah. He lived the remaining time in Yemen feeling anxious and disturbed.

One day, he was astonished when he saw a promotional tourism pamphlet that spotted a photo of a scenery that resembled the place he saw in his dream recently. It was a Visit Malaysia pamphlet published by the Malaysia Tourism Board. Somehow he perceived it as a way out from his anguish. It did not take him a long time to embark onto a journey to Malaysia.

When he reached Kuala Lumpur, he has no clue where to go or who to meet. Eventually at a masjid in the city centre, the figure of a man making earnest du'a had caught his attention. He was captivated by the sight. He approached the man, asking him where he could get Islamic education or lessons in Malaysia. The man told him that there are two ways that he might be able to fulfill his needs; one way is to get himself enrolled in an Islamic university or madrasa, another way is to go to the Jame' Masjid at Sri Petaling (the markaz of dakwah and tabligh) just at the outskirt of the city. He chose the latter simpler and faster way.

It was at the Markaz that he met the two Palestinian brothers who were in the midst of spending their time in a 4 months journey of dakwah and tabligh (2 months in Malaysia and 2 months in Bangladesh). Since the Palestinian brothers have ten more days of their time in Malaysia before heading for Bangladesh, they made tasykil for Dhiyab to join them for the ten days short tour of dakwah and tabligh. At first Dhiyab was adamant, refusing the invitation and insisting that he was trying to find a sheikh to teach him Deen - unshakable on his view that Deen may only be acquired through lesson from a sheikh or an ustaad and learning from kitaabs. After much persuasion, he agreed to give only one hour of his time to be in the company of the Palestinian brothers. Then one hour became two, three and one whole day and he then set to spend his time for ten days in dakwah and tabligh jamaat...and that was the time when I first met him.

A Report On Tablighi Jamaat Ijtema in Pakistan 1407H (1986)

2012-01-04T09:23:00.006+08:00

THIS IS A TRANSLATED REPORT ON TABLIGHI IJTEMA IN PAKISTAN IN THE YEAR 1407H (1986) BY SYEIKH SALEH BIN ALY ASY-SYUWAIMAN - EXCERPT FROM THE MALAY TRANSLATED BOOKLET ENTITLED "MENYINGKAP TABIR KESALAHFAHAMAN TERHADAP JEMAAH TABLIGH" (LIFTING UP THE VEIL OF MISCONCEPTION AGAINST TABLIGHI JAMAAT)

Bismillahirohmanirrohim

Our respected elder Syeikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz, Head of the Board of Fatwa, Dakwah and Islamic Guidance May Allah protect him from all evil and gives him taufeeq in his actions. Ameen.

Assalamu'alaykum warohmatullahi wabarokatuhu

My leave started on 01/03/1407H (04/11/1986) and I began a journey to Pakistan on 03/03/1407H (06/11/1986) together with a delegation of ulama and students from various universities including University Islam, Imam Muhammad bin Saud University, King Saud University, etc. We had really witnessed a miracle.

As soon as we reached Lahore (Pakistan), we were met by a group of righteous young men, whom the light if Ilm (knowledge) and Imaan (faith) were visible from their beard and faces. We headed to the airport masjid and performed our sunnah prayer there. Then we sat together with delegations from various other countries. Thus a man from among them delivered wonderful words in a bayaan (speech) that really touched our hearts.

Then we were taken to the Ijtema (gathering) place in Raiwind. A beautiful gathering that caused devotions of hearts, tears flowing down from happiness and fear of Allah. This was a gathering which resembled the gathering of jannatis (people of Paradise). There was no shouting, no repulsive feeling, no vain speeches, no trouble, and no lies.

Very clean indeed! There was no stench and no trash. It was very well organised, without the presence of police or security forces, without police patrols or guards, whereas the gathering attracted more than one million people.

The global and natural living surrounded by zikrullah, ilm, discources, circles of ta'leem (learning), and zikir day and night. By Allah! This was the gathering that revived the hearts, lighted and raised the level of faith. How beautiful and wonderful it was, for it gave us the living examples of the lives of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum, the tabi'ins and tabi'ittabi'ins rahmatullah alayhim - steadfast, ilm, zikr, good speeches, good actions, wonderful Islamic movements, faces lit by the light of imaan and ilm.

You would not hear but the words of tauhid and zikr, tasbih, tahmid, tahlil, takbir, recitation of the Holy Quran, salam, replying to salam, echoes of jazakallahu khairan, etc. You would not see other than what pleases you and inspires your heart, explicitly actions on reviving the sunnah of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam with novelty for you to take pleasure in every second. Truly this was a great gathering, magnificent and sweet!

Comprehensively it was the practical and actions applying the Quran and the Sunnah. How the Sunnah brought about noble life and exhilaration. And how I dearly wish such gathering could be held in Saudi Arabia since the country is appropriate for every goodness, and always surpassing other countries in every goodness since the reign of King Abdul Aziz, may Allah pardon him and sanctified his soul in Jannatun Na'im and gather us all in Jannatul Firdaus.

Individuals and personalities from these jamaat came from all over the world. They have one form, one appeal, one idiom, and one purpose. As if they were offspring from one person, or as if Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala creates one heart and share out amongst them. They have no aspiration except desire to hold fast onto the principles of Deen and making effort of rectification between Muslims, paving guidance for the non-Muslims towards the path of Allah. How could the confused and ignorant people dare to abuse and revile these righteous people?

Syeikh Abdul Majid Az-Zindany's statement about them, "They are the denizens of heaven that walk on the earth."

Which foul hearts that dare cursing and accusing them of things that are not there in them?

I reckon that the object of this jamaat is similar to the desire of the Government of Saudi Arabia in making improvements on people around the world, spreading peace and security in every corners of the country. From which angle could they be assaulted?

On the completion of discourses after Isha', when you direct your eyes to the right and left, you see ilmiyah halqah (wisdom groups) that you may join or follow whichever you prefer. Whichever halqah that you sit, you will get enlightenment of knowledge. When the nightfall is quiet and eyes are sleeping, you notice them standing in qiyam like pillars. At the later part of the night, you hear their weeping sound like beehives, begging and beseeching Allah Ta'ala for forgiveness of their sins and the sins of fellow Muslimeen, to guard and protect them and fellow Muslims against Jahannam, and pleading and praying for hidayah (guidance) to all mankind for the revival of the Sunnah of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam.

In short, verily this gathering is indeed befitting to be attended by scholars and students of knowledge, even every Muslims who fear Allah and hope for happiness in the Aakhirah. May Allah give rewards to its promoters, firm them up, assist them and grant their effort as beneficial to the Muslims. Verily He is All-Hearing and All-Granting of prayers.

Those who serve or doing khidmat are all huffaz of the Quran. Wheat grinders grind with bismillah, takbir, tasbih and tahmid. Bakers work with bismillah, takbir, tasbih and tahmid. We have observed and heard them without them realizing it. All praise to Allah who had opened their hearts, granting them taufeeq to always making zikr to Him and guiding them towards the Right Path, a thing desire by every Muslims.

And in truth, O' noble syeikh, whosoever participate and join them will certainly become da'ie ilallah through pratice and training and long-lasting companionship. Would it be better if I know them since I was a student at the University before, indeed I would have become "allamah" in da'wah work and all knowledge. This is, by Allah, what I declare to Him. And He, the Almighty, will certainly hold me responsible on this on the the Day where no wealth, nor kinship, nor help from anyone is of any use.

It would be nice if all the da'ie under your board could combine and mix in the gatherings and go out with them in jamaah to learn ikhlas, da'wah system, akhlak of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum, tabi'in and tabi'ittabi'in rahmatullah alayhim. May Allah be pleased with them all.

In conclusion, I pray to Allah to show that the haq is haq and give us the strength to follow it. May He revealed to us the righteousness in our affairs, granting us ikhlas and integrity, protecting us from self-deceit, nafs and shaytaan, assisting His Deen, raising His Words, honouring us with Islam and honouring Islam through us. Verily, He is the Owner and Sustainer of all things.

May Allah's mercy and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad sallalaahu alayi wassalam, his family and all his Companions radiyalaahu anhum.

Written by Student Pupil Syeikh Saleh bin Aly Asy-Syuwaiman,

Delegation of Da'wah and Islamic Guidance of Unaizah

Close Encounter of the Tabligh Jamaat - Pt 7

2011-12-29T07:55:00.002+08:00

"What are you saying?" I asked her. "You've changed." came a short answer from her sobbing voice. "In what way?" I asked. She kept quiet. "Do I go around seeking other women?" I asked. No answer and still sobbing. "Am I now frequenting pubs or clubs? Am I being harsher towards you? Am I neglecting you or our children?" I continued asking, trying to understand her. Silence. No reply. Wiping away her tears.

I now understand why most women (or most wives, to be more precise) feel threatened when their husbands are being approached or visited by tablighi brothers. The mere presence of strange heavily-bearded brothers talking to her husband could bother or haunt her, as if those strange tablighi brothers are going to grab her husband away from her.

It is natural for a wife to love her husband and vice versa. But sometimes a wife would go beyond the boundaries in such a way that she wants her husband all to herself. Whereas the obligations of a husband are firstly, towards Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam; secondly, towards his mother; thirdly, towards his father; fourthly, towards his mother-in-law; fifthly, towards his father-in-law; and then towards his wife. Often many wives failed to recognise these constraints of their husbands. She always want to be No. 1 in the sight of her husband, nothing less. It grieved me when I read in the newspapers or magazines or even on telly, how ignorant and moronic a wife can be when complaining of her mother-in-law (her husband's mother) intervention in their marriage. She would not be that mindless if she knows her proper place.

Stunningly, it is even easier for a wife to (unconsciously, I hope) place herself higher than Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. For instance, at the sound of the calling of the adhaan, when her husband is getting ready to go to masjid for solah, the wife scowls, "You said that you would bring me for shopping (or to do this and that). It's getting late and now you're going to the masjid." Her frowning and sullen face stops her husband from going to the masjid and hurriedly perform solah at home instead. At that point of time, the wife is putting herself above Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam!

Having said that, I firmly believe that it is the fault of the husband if, void of any effort on his part, his wife fail to recognise her position. Did not our beloved Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam tell us that every one of us is a shepherd and and every one is answerable with regard to his flock...that a man is a guardian over the members of his family and shall be questioned about them? Every one of us is a guardian and every one of us shall be questioned with regard to his trust.

Thus, I consider the night when my wife suddenly broke into tears was the very moment she began to realise that her husband is not exclusively hers. And that her rights and demands upon her husband is limited. That the right towards Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam is second to none. All praise be to Almighty All-Knowing Allah for the swift first spark of hidayah in an episode that I foolishly feared would ruin our marriage.

The rest of the episodes could be read in the chapter "A Wonderful Initial Effect of Fadha'il Ta'leem" and "An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat".

Close Encounter of the Tabligh Jamaat - Pt 6

2011-10-30T22:48:00.005+08:00

In this day and age when materialistic prosperity is the principal aspiration, and which unfortunately surpasses Deen in terms of chief priority, live revolves entirely around carnal and sensual pleasures. Thus, the purpose of life itself has been forgotten and the gift of life wasted.

Imagine, believing that you are a Muslim and suddenly realising just the opposite. Though my parents had given me a noble Muslim name, I never lived a life of a Muslim. I never ate my food like a Muslim should. I never slept like a Muslim should. I never went to the bathroom like a Muslim should. I never dressed like a Muslim should. I did not even look like a Muslim. I never talked like a Muslim should. I never even thought and felt like a Muslim should.

I did not live a life of a Muslim. I did not have a mindset of a Muslim. I did not have a heartfelt of a Muslim. And if Allah Ta'ala take my soul away before the blessed 3 days, I do not know whether I'd die as a Muslim. I will continue to beg to Allah Ta'ala for His guidance to do righteous deeds and beg Him to grant us proper understanding. May Allah Ta'ala bestow upon us correct understanding and the light of reason.

The first thing that happened to me when I arrived home was the jolt and quiver that I felt whenever I heard the Adhaan. It never happened before that I rushed to Masaajid at the call of the Adhaan. I remember one brother said at a discourse during the 3 days, "How does a farmer get the chickens to return to his backyard chicken coop? Let the chickens roam, peck, sleep and eat in the chicken tractor within the chicken coop for three days. At the end of three days, even if the chickens are outside roaming, they will return back to their coop. Subhanallah! If Allah could do that to chickens, indeed it is not difficult for Allah to cause the hearts of His servants to be attached to Masaajid after spending 3 solid days in the Masjid." It was then that I felt the amazement and admiration to his simple yet deep simile.

By the same token, I then had impression that all the while my usual sitting position at home was improper since my feet were pointing towards the Qiblah. Similarly, I abruptly changed my sleeping position as it too cause my feet to be pointing towards the direction of the Qiblah. I would not start eating my meals without first washing both my hands and cover my head. When I entered the bathroom to ease myself, I would cover my head and sometimes I would stepped back outside whenever I forgot to enter it first with my left foot. I began to direct my attention to the daily Sunnah of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam, whatever that I learned and practice during the 3-days period, with the hope that I would eventually changed my erroneous routines to the blessed Sunnah routines.

For a couple of weeks, my quest for practising the daily Sunnah continued. I regard it as something basic for me to do with just a little effort. After all, who would be so foolish not to grab the opportunity of obtaining the promise of a hundred rewards of martyrdom by Allah by just reviving a Sunnah? It turned out that what I regarded as something basic and easily done has actually had a tremendous effect on other people. One night, to my puzzlement, my wife suddenly shed tears, and I was dumbfounded as she wept, "I want my husband back."

Close Encounter of the Tablighi Jamaat - Pt 5

2011-10-26T17:33:00.002+08:00

The hijrah (migration) of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum highlights how they left their dearly loved homelands, an act that is extremely difficult for a person. They also left with the intention of never returning until their deaths. The hijrah was more beloved to them than the world and all its pleasures and that they gave preference to the Deen above mundane pleasures and were not concerned when these pleasures were lost. The Sahabah travelled from place to place to protect the Deen from evil, as if they were specially created for the Aakhirah and were its sons. It therefore appeared as if this world was created for them.

In February 1997, I finally had the sense and courage to take a leave on Friday to join my brother in a 3 days jamaat when I took a flight from Kuala Lumpur to join the jamaat in Johor Bharu. It was an experience beyond descriptions. Suffice to say that on the third day, I burst into tears with unexplainable emotions. I, for instance, could attempt to explain to you the taste of durian (a local exotic fruit) but you will not be able to appreciate it until you yourself tasted it. Verily, at the end of the 3 days, Islam had entered into me. I recalled a conversation that my brother had with my mother years ago when she asked him how he felt after his first 'going out for dakwah' for 3 days. My brother said, "I just became a Muslim." Indeed, I too just became a Muslim after my first 3 days in dakwah and tabligh effort.

Everything immediately changed for me right after the 3 days in the path of Allah. On the return flight, I saw a couple of monks with large beads in their hands. I thought, "O Allah! They are in the baathil belief, but yet they make effort to please whatever that they worship." I felt deed sympathy to the monks and at the same time I could not remember the last time that I made wird or zikr of Allah before the 3 days that I spent in absolute deeni environment. How I had wasted much of my time and age. The one disturbing question that always buried deep into my heart which, for ages, remained unanswered, "Did Allah create me only to live my daily routines of life like the non-believers - wake up, eat, work, eat, sleep?" Alhamdulillah, all praise belongs only to Allah, within that blessed 3 days short time frame, Allah Ta'ala had given me a crystal clear answer for it.

We are engrossed in businesses, occupations, farming and so many other engagements. It is only in these pursuits that all our time is spent. We have begun to serve the things that ought to be our servants. It is therefore necessary that we make the object the purpose of our lives which Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam was sent for and which was placed on the shoulders of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum. We should make this concern as our concern. Our mindset should be that we have been sent to this world for the responsibility of dakwah and tabligh and although we may engage in business, the business is the servant while Deen is to be served and is the true objective.

Close Encounter of the Tabligh Jamaat - Pt 4

2011-10-21T00:07:00.000+08:00

Right about the time when I first received my 'tablighis' guests at home, I had been offered a new job in another public listed company. Higher position, better pay and a posh comfortable office room with a great lake view. The job was another phase of trial that I had to endure.

Whenever tasykeel was being made that required me to take a few days off from office work, the first thing that came to my mind was how on earth could I take a leave when it was just a few days I had started on the new job. Those tablighis brothers ought to be more sensitive of my awkward situation. How could I possibly justify my leave after only a few days on board the new company? The excuses dragged from days to weeks, and from weeks to months. Even when months passed by, I still thought the excuse not to take leave was justifiable. The truth is I had put the importance to go out in the path of Allah for only three days as priority number 100. But as time passed by I began to feel more and more guilty about it. There were many times when the weekends were coincided with public holidays on either Monday or Friday, but I was still not serious enough to use the long weekend for the purpose of dakwah and self-rectification, even without having to apply for leave. Other things seemed more important that giving time for dakwah and tabligh effort. When you put ten cent coins right in front your eyes, you would not be able to see the millions of money in front of you.

When I were able to somehow painstakingly subdued the ordeals mentioned, I had yet to face another trial. This time the tribulation came from the person closest to me - my wife. My first initial contact with tablighi jamaat had invited averse and dissenting treatment from my wife. I could understand the rejecting attitude of my wife since the foremost thing that she saw from all those visits was to lure her husband away from her, away from home and away from family. But I could not understand the rather irritating controlling attitude that overcame her which I had never seen coming from her before. I know now that Shaytaan could have made special efforts to get our life companion to call in question, take issue, disapprove, defy and protest against the central and paramount effort that Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam had left to be continuously carried out by his Ummah after him. Let other people do it, but leave my husband alone! He is all mine, and mine alone. The most obedient wives could turned rebellious and unmanageable against her husband when it concern dakwah and tabligh. Mark my word in bold. You will never truthfully and faithfully know your wife until you experience this. The brief turmoil relationship of Adam alayhis salam and Hawa radiyalaahu anha came to mind.

"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 that 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-taubah 9:24)

Man's heart clings to his own kith and kin-parents, children, brothers and sisters, husbands or wives, or other relatives, wealth and prosperity, commerce or means of profit and gain, or noble buildings, for dignity or comfort. If these are a hindrance in Allah's cause, we have to choose which we love most. We must love Allah even if it involves the sacrifice of all else. If we love our worldly ties and comforts, profits and pleasures, more than we love Allah, and therefore fail to respond to Allah's cause, it is not Allah's cause which will suffer. Allah's purpose will be accomplished, with or without us. But our failure to respond to His will must leave us bereft of grace and guidance, "for Allah guides not the rebellious."

Close Encounter of the Tabligh Jamaat - Pt 3

2011-10-08T01:11:00.001+08:00

Throughout the 6-months period of constant tasykeel being put on me urging me to spend my time for three days in the path of Allah on dakwah and tabligh mission, I had to withstand several phases of trials.

Initially I was unenthusiastic and averse to the idea of changing my appearance and lifestyles. More often than not I was fighting with my inner self. I was pleased and delighted with the way that I looked, the fashion that I wore, the manner of my characters, the system that I followed, the scheme that I planned, plot that I designed, and the measure of my lifestyle. I then asked myself, why should I bother to change them and be incline towards the appearance and lifestyle of these 'tablighis'? I thought everything seemed perfect and in order with the way they were.

All those hysterical thoughts were constantly in my turbulent mind when the fact is that not even once I was told by anyone to change the way that I looked, the fashion that I wore, the manner of my characters, the system that I followed, the scheme that I planned, plot that I designed, and the measure of my lifestyle. The truth is that I had known nothing about Sunnah of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam, let alone loving the Sunnah. The reality is I let myself to indulge in those crappy thoughts, formulating reasons not to give my time to go out in the path of Allah.

The love for music and movies had been one of the contributory cause of a dilemma within myself not to immediately embrace the effort of dakwah and tabligh. I loved movies and musics. Yes, it was then a big deal to me. I thought what would I do with all those precious collection of hundreds of CDs and movies? No - I was not willing to part with the grungy songs of Nirvana, the trashy sound of Metallica and the rocking voice of Bon Jovi. But the silly thought really came as lame reasons for me not to join the noble and divine effort to strengthen my own imaan against shaytaan and my own evil desires. To some extent I still watch movies and listen to music. But I am now also aware of their evil nature. The pious and learned men say that music is the gate of munafeeq (hypocrisy). What more to say about films and movies that combine a cocktail of evils to sight, hearing and corrupting the mind. What we see, hear, say and think will definitely affect our heart - just like contaminated streams polluting a lake, so does music and movies affect a Muslim's heart. May Allah grant us all strength to totally be free from those evils.

Looking back at my younger self, I understand better the story of a skin tanner who had been all the time involved with the tanning of animal skins and had become used to the bad smell of the skins. He had been used to living in a bad smelling environment and bad smells had become second nature to him. In the meantime, the fragrant scents of perfume shops had made him sick. Really, those who become perplexed and agitated at the sweet-smell of Allah's and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam's obedience and those who are not inclined to a life of following the Sunnah, should be considered as having the same sickness as the tanner. In our dirty way of life and the dirty environment of sinful living, we spent a whole lifetime, so that our hearts and brains become familiar with those things and are inclined towards them.

The treatment of getting us to change that life is to slowly, step by step, to get us out of that environment of sin and to make us wander around the fragrant gardens. We should be brought to the gatherings of the pious and saintly ones and into their company. After frequenting these places for several days, we will realise, "In what dirty environment were we?" Then thinking about the life of the past, perhaps we would cry and sigh and will be very grateful for the company of the righteous ones. Gradually our noses will become used to the fragrant scents (i.e. in the love and service of Allah).

Close Encounter of the Tablighi Jamaat - Pt 2

2011-08-20T03:21:00.004+08:00

The idea of joining any so-called Islamic groups or sects had never appeased me at all. I do not like the branding of Islam. I tried as much as possible to distant myself away from those people who, I believe, more concern of calling people towards their leaders, parties or organizations. It's bad enough that people are using Islam to hide behind the evil and corrupted self-benefits, when all the real intent and purpose is to fulfill their own desires. Shouldn't a Muslim only concern towards calling people to Allaah Ta'ala and His Rasul sallalaahu alayhi wassalam instead?

Alhamdulillah, I did not see those undesirable and distasteful attributes among the many people that I had met and mixed around at Markaz Masjid Jame', Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, throughout the years. Though it used to bother me a lot that the people who are attached to the effort of dakwah and tabligh are regarded by many as belonging to a separate grouping or sect by giving the 'brandname' of Tablighi Jamaat. However, I told myself that perhaps people are used to the notion of branding others by what is being perceived. I mean, is it not true that people tend to call a man delivering newspapers to houses 'newspaper man', and those who sell ice-cream are called 'ice-cream men'? I suppose 'Tablighi Jamaat' got its name when people see them travelling or visiting from house to house, alley to alley, street to street, town to town or city to city in groups in the course of conveying the message of Islam. The word 'tabligh' itself literally means to convey, and 'jamaat' means a group of people. Alhamdulillah, I have yet to hear people call the muazzeins or the callers for prayers as Muazzein Jamaat!

The reviver of dakwah and tabligh in this specific form, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas rahmatullahi alayhi is reported to have said, "If I have to give this effort a name, I would have given it a name 'Tahrikul Imaan' (the reviver of imaan). Maulana Muhammad Ilyas rahmatullahi alayhi expressing his concern for the Ummat and the objective of this work states, "The object of this work is to create zeal and thirst in the hearts of those who have no zeal and thirst for Deen and its practices.When this is created in them, they will rush to the fountains of ilm (knowledge) i.e. to the Ulama." He also states, "The actual aim of this work is to teach the Ummat everything with which Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam came with i.e. to get the Ummat attached to a complete system of thought and practice of Islam." His predecessor, Maulana Muhammad Yusuf rahmatullahi alahi states, "The aim of this work is to achieve the level where Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wasallam had left for this Ummat." What is the level? 100% of this Ummat, men and women, are dai'e of Allah Ta'ala, 100% of this Ummat, men and women, safeguard the solah, tilawah, zikir, du'a etc.

In the meantime, although I had managed to come out with some lame and silly excuses, still numerous tasykeel had been asked for me to spend my time for 3 days in the path of Allah again and again. For each tasykeel that had been made upon me, I began to think harder what harm could it be done against me? Until one day I ran out of excuses.

Close Encounter of the Tablighi Jamaat - Pt 1

2011-08-12T22:57:00.007+08:00

All praise is for Allah. I praise Him and seek help from Him. I believe in Him and have complete trust in Him. There can be none to misguide the person whom Allah has guided and there can be none to guide the person whom Allah has caused to go astray.

To you and the rest of the world, they are known as "Tablighi Jamaat". To me, they are simply the people that had completely changed my life through the blessing and mercy of Allah Most High.

They had come to visit me at least once a month at home for almost six months. Headed by my elder brother, they came in group of four to six persons. They were all my seniors in age, most of them were childhood friends of my brother. Prior to that, I only knew them by names. Most of them were from my hometown. The first thing that I noticed about them were their unique dresses and long flowing beard. Being part of ethnic pushtun family, I had been familiar with kurta and shalwar, but recalled only occasionally put on the dress during my childhood days. Their beards were in different colours. My brother had grey black beard, another persons had mat black and dark brown beard, while the other one's was red. Amusingly, it was like 'United Colours of Benetton'.

I received them with warm heart. When they talked about Deen, I listened to them attentively but with some degree of caution. I was cautious that they would say something that was unacceptable to me, something totally different from what I knew about Islam, albeit my very limited knowledge of Deen. But what had been said during those visits simply fascinated me, especially when they told me the stories of, and narrations about the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum - about their lives with Rasulullah Sallalaahu Alayhi Wassalam. From all those nights that they visited me, not a night passed by without me feeling awestruck at the stories of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum. Their lives and actions simply astonished me. At that point of time I began to question myself how could I had only heard of a handful of them like Sayyidina Abu Bakar, Umar, Usman, Ali and Abu Hurayrah radiyalaahu anhum before this? How could the textbooks that I read at school failed to mention a great many more of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum? In this manner, we engaged in Deeni talks and discourses sometimes until fajr during those blessed nights.

Then whenever they were around, I began to frequent Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling, the central markaz of dakwah and tabligh effort in Malaysia which also host Madrasah Miftahul Uloom where hundreds of youngsters studying hifz and aalim. The Deeni environment there was so overwhelmed to me, as I began to mixed around with thousands of people that gathered there on weekends - talking, eating, joking, and more importantly sharing their concern for Deen. I observed that they not only look alike with one another, but they shared the same thing - one mindset and one heartfelt. Never had I witnessed anyone talked more about the bounties and greatness of Allah anywhere before - not just the discourses in the Masjid but also on the streets, in shops, at restaurants, while eating, while selling, while buying, by elderly men and youngsters - it was a whole new enlightening experience to me.

For about six months, I was like someone who wandered on a journey in the darkest of night, with thunder and lightning - every time the light (helped) me, I walked therein, and when the darkness grew on me, I stood still. And during this vital period, numerous tasykeel had been asked for me to spend my time for 3 days in the path of Allah.

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Pt 7

2011-05-14T02:56:00.003+08:00

The second tafakud resulted in the similar manner, same excuses, but even lesser effort to convince her on my part then before. I guess I myself was not fully ready for it and had a negative preconception about the result, though I could not help but felt bad about it. Then came the third tafakud.

I felt entirely different during the third tafakud. The first one was rather blurry for me. The second one was lacked enthusiasm on my part. But I was overwhelmed with shame during the third tafakud. At first I could not bear facing the same responsible brothers for the masturat effort for three consecutive times in three consecutive months. What would be their perception of me? How could I not convince my own wife to join me and the other couples in the blessed journey of dakwah and tabligh? All sort of shameful thought came to my mind. I've heard of a few unfortunate people's easy way out when they said that even Prophet Nuh alayhis salam's wife had disobeyed her husband. But I refused to compare my other half with the wretched wife of Prophet Nuh alayhis salam. How could I ever do that? And how could I even compare my effort with the great effort of one of the great Nabi of Allah, when Allah Ta'ala declares that Nuh alayhis salam had made the effort of dakwah "layla wan nahar" (night and day, day and night , ceaselessly) for 950 years? I know that I had to shun the feeling of shame facing men rather than bowing down in shame facing Allah Most High on the Day of Judgement. There is no other option for me other than to face the third tafakud. (Please note that I was fighting with my own feeling and in no way it suggests that the noble wise responsible brothers of the masturat jamaat harboured any awful thought against me).

Soon after I had faced the ordeal of the third tafakud, one of my dear friend, Edy Herianto Majlan @Abdul Hadi, who was also in the same masturat jamaat with me, suggested for me to buy all the necessary items at the shops in the compound of the markaz for my wife, in preparation for her to join the jamaat. It was something that I had never thought of before. What is the point of making tasykeel to your wife when there is no preparation made to ease her in making decision? Thus, I bought an abaya, a two-layered pardah, a pair of ladies gloves and a pair of stockings - all of them black in colour.

I laid all the items that I bought on the bed in front of her when I arrived home with a grin on my face. She shrieked when she saw them. Her shrieking came with words of disapproval but somehow I could see a smile on her face. She even tried the pardah in front of the mirror amidst her mumbling of complaints.

A day before the scheduled departure of our jamaat, I sat alone after zuhur namaaz in our old small wooden surau/musolla and made du'a to Allah Ta'ala after two rakaat of solatul hajat. I complained, complained and complained of my weakness to Allah until I burst into tears. I honestly could feel that my du'a would be accepted by Allah. However, it was not after more tests being put before me. On the morning of the scheduled departure date, I found myself pleading to her to join the masturat jamaat. I was ready with my luggage and bedding packed since the night before but she had made nothing in preparation. Nothing...and we were already late for masturat hidayat bayan. It was the longest plead to anyone that I could recall of. Abdul Hadi has been calling me several times over the phone. It seemed that the best I could do was to make her promise to join me in a masturat jamaat the next month when deep inside me I know that there would never be a fourth tafakud.

I was about to give up entirely and decided to join the local three days men's jamaat that was scheduled on the same day, when my last plead to her was, "You may promise me to join a masturat jamaat next month, but know this that you will have to join a jamaat that are strangers to you. You won't be joining people that you know, who are your friends like this jamaat." At the point when all hope and expectancy gone, as I picked up my luggage and bedding to leave, to my utter pleasant surprise she said, "Alright then."

Subhanallah! Truly Allah Ta'ala decides in the most astonishing and marvelous way!

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Pt 6

2011-05-09T05:45:00.001+08:00

"Why should I go out leaving the house and the children for three days? Is it not sufficient just to read the ta'leem at home with the children? If you want to go out for tabligh, then go! Leave me out of it." That might not be her exact speech word by word, but that was certainly the gist of it when I asked her to join the three days masturat jamaat that had been formed. I had to refrain myself from turning my invitation to a prolonged argument that may be detrimental to the whole intent and purpose - mainly, because I could easily get agitated and angry as a husband and as a father; another reason was because of the advises that I got from friends who have experience in masturat effort: "Hawa had been created by Allah Ta'ala from the rib of Prophet Adam alayhi salam. Hence, like the shape of the rib, women's liking and behaviour is naturally 'bended'. You cannot use force to straighten it, alas it will break in two. But if you leave it as it is, it will forever be 'bended'."

So, when the scheduled date to join the earlier formed masturat jamaat had passed in vain, I told my other half that I would go for another tafakud for the second time, albeit her protest.

Hazrat Mufti Mahmud Hassan Gangohi rahmatullah alayhi further wrote, "The objective of the tabligh jamaat is to learn the Deen and to become steadfast in it as well as to prepare others to do the same. It is often necessary to undertake distant journeys for this purpose. Just as men need to learn the Deen, women do too, but there is not always the infrastructure in place for this. To achieve this objective, it will be permissible for them to undertake journeys even to London on condition that they are accompanied by a mahram, hijab and other regulations are observed and no rights of any people are violated. In fact, doing this is beneficial and necessary for the Deen. If the children are not so small that they are totally dependent on their mother and if the grandmother is capable of caring for them, there will be no harm in the mother going. May Allah Ta'ala bless this journey, assist the jamaat, bring them back with success and take care of the children."

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Pt 5

2011-04-25T22:45:00.000+08:00

Hazrat Mufti Mahmud Hassan Gangohi rahmatullah alayhi wrote, "Upon the request of the women, Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam fixed a day of the week and a venue for women, to gather (to be addressed by him). In addition to this, women used to approach the Prophet's sallalaahu alayhi wassalam wives to learn and to ask questions. This is all reported in the Ahadith." He continued, "It is utmost importance for some arrangement to be made to teach women. Of course, it is necessary that such arrangements conform with the Shari'ah. For example, they should attend a venue in their locality donned in hijab and not in the company of non-mahram. If one of the women has to read from a book or say something, her voice should not reach any non-mahram male. No loudspeakers should be used and the women should not gather without good purpose. If they need to go to another locality, they should be accompanied by a mahram. If the regulations of the Shari'ah are flouted, evil will be the only product. May Allah save us from that."

Weeks passed by and we continued to spend our weekend for two and half hours every week. She would join the closed ladies circle of knowledge in the house whilst I would wait for her in the the adjoining masjid. When we took our children along, I would take care of our baby boy in the masjid, while our two elder daughters joined their mama in masturat ta'leem. Men are expected to take care of their children so that their wives would get full benefit from ta'leem, uninteruptted by children.

Meanwhile, after the weekly mesyuarah that I attended at Kuala Lumpur markaz, without discussing it first with my wife, I decided to enter my name for the first time for three days short tour in masturat jamaat. I then set for tafakud together with the other few brothers who also intended to go in masturat jamaat (as I said earlier, there were not many persons involved in masturat effort then). In masturat effort, the tartib and usool (rules and regulations) in accordance to Shariah concerning women are very strictly adhered to in order to preserve the chastity of womenfolk. For example, I first learnt that women's names are not to be written in the prepared sheet. It is sufficient just to enter the husband's name who represents the couple.

I felt a little awkward during my first tafakud for masturat jamaat. Tafakud is the aamal where a couple of responsible brothers would interview each individual men who are destined to travel in the same jamaat. What is your experience in masturat effort? Have you taken your wife to masturat ta'leem? Will you be using your own transport? (among other things asked). If everything is satisfactory, an amir or a leader among them will then be appointed. Only then, the jamaat will be endorsed and given a route.

All the jamaat formed will then be briefed of the tartib and usool of masturat jamaat. I must say that having listened to the briefing for the first time, I was astonished at the details and strictness of the rules and regulations in relation to the masturat effort, especially in preserving and elevating the chastity of Muslim women. So much so that there is one usool above the others, "Let the hearts break, but let not the usool break."

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Pt 4

2011-04-14T02:08:00.000+08:00

A marriage vows in Islam means the passing of huge responsibilities from the bride's guardian to the groom to do his utmost to safe the bride from the torment of Jahannam and guide her into the blessing of Jannah. That was the essence of a khutbah nikah (marriage sermon) that I, for the first time, heard in a marriage ceremony in India during my dakwah and tabligh journey there sometime ago. I had never heard such thing before. Not even during my marriage ceremony. The practice of khutbah nikah is alien in our country, at least not in the form that I've witnessed in India. The short speech was full of advices and moral exhortation.

Anyway, for quite some time, the mere mentioned of masturat ta'leem had invited extended negative rambling and nagging from my wife. I had to instantly kill the subject partly because I have short temper, but mainly because I knew I did not get it right the first time. But I have no choice - as a husband and a father, I could not just shove away my responsibilities towards my wife and my children in respect of Deen. There is no compromise. I had to find the solution.

Alas, alhamdulillah, in the midst of my troublesome, my wife befriended a few wives of my karkun friends who made occasional ziyarah at our house. From their visits, my wife had learnt about another place that host weekly masturat ta'leem not far from our area. Actually, I had known the place even before I first took my wife to her first 'disastrous' masturat ta'leem. But I threw away the idea of bringing her to this place thinking that the latter large double-storey bungalow house would appease her more than the simple rustic single-storey wooden house. And how I had gravely misjudged my wife!

It was the simple unadorned wooden house that opened up again the pathway for her to the effort of Deen. Open door and open arms, everything had gone perfectly well this time. My impure corrupted heart was astonished when she came out from her long-overdue second masturat ta'leem in jovial mood and full of praises to the host. It was totally contrary to her first 'bad experience'. It was a priceless lesson to me that I know I could not get by merely reading kitaabs. What my wicked mind thought as unpleasant and objectionable, turned out to be pleasant, splendid and delightful. Allah Ta'ala only requires pure concern for Deen from us, nothing more, nothing less.

In awe-struck, I was thankful to Allah that my plan for our first three days tour together in masturat jamaat was right back on course.

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Pt 3

2011-04-07T12:42:00.001+08:00

Hazrat Ali radiyalaahu anhu, as regards this statement, "Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire" (surah tahrim 66:5), has said, "Teach good to your household." In Tafsir Tabari, it is is like this, "Give them education and teach them good manners." No doubt men would have to shoulder this heavy burden. Nevertheless, womenfolk, being wives and mothers, the hands that rocked the cradles are the first madrasah-like institutions to the children. Since the time of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam and the Companions radiyalaahu anhum, it has always been the case, and it will continue to be the case that women manage the household, educate the children, whilst men go for jihad and work for provisions for the families. Thus, the piety of a mother would have huge impact in the development of pious generations and society at large.

Without experience and with limited knowledge that I have from conversing with those brothers who had been with masturat jamaat, I began the first step in introducing the effort of masturat jamaat to my wife. It was a disastrous result. Not knowing how to explain to her and for fear of outright rejection which I was not ready to swallow, I simply rushed her to go for the weekly ta'leem masturat one weekend. Ta'leem masturat is an amal where ladies from the surrounding areas would gather in a specific house to listen to the knowledge imparted. This amal is exclusively for ladies. It is conducted once a week for two and a half hours (usually on weekend) at a specific time and specific place.

Perhaps I was too eager and impatient in my effort. I simply told her that there was a 'ladies-only' invitation at a friend's house not far away. After some coaxing and convincing, she finally agreed to attend the house gathering. I drove her to the doorsteps of the house and made her enter the house to her annoyance and hesitation. Silly me! What was I thinking at that time? I could not blame her for feeling awkward in entering a stranger's house without anyone that she knew. The truth is I, myself did not even know the house-owner in person. At the end of her first ta'leem masturat, my wife came out with blazing fury.

"You left me with total strangers!", she said. "I felt out of place. I don't know anyone. I don't know where I was suppose to sit. I don't even know who the host is!" And her complaint and nagging continued until we reached home. I realised I had made some errors and I knew then it would be an uphill tasks for me.

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Part 2

2011-04-01T01:21:00.004+08:00

Before I focussed my attention towards masturat effort, I used to carry a wayward thought about the few brothers (at that time) who were involved in masturat jamaat. I thought of them as a little 'softies' and even the way they interacted did not appease me. Perhaps my head was clouded with the idea that masturat jamaat was about men serving women. But it just proved how naive I was about the masturat effort.

The object of dakwah and tabligh effort in general is to bring Deen alive in the entire world. The object of masturat jamaat in particular is to bring one hundred percent of Deen alive into the lives of every single women. This is the utmost importance, since nobody can ever be successful if he/she does not have Deen. No person can claim that he/she is pious and does not have to go in jamaat because of his/her piety. There is no end to piety. The person who claims to be pious is in reality the one who is most in need of going out in jamaat. The effort in jamaat is not confined to those who are far away from Deen and who are living on the streets but it is also and more important for those who are regular in solaah, zikr, tilawah, etc. to go out in jamaat in order to perfect these actions, to develop devotion and concentration in solaah and zikr, etc. and also to bring others (who are away from Deen) more closer to Allah Ta'ala. Masturat jamaat enables the womenfolk also to propagate this Deen directly to other women.

My wife had been regularly sitting in the circle of fadha'il ta'leem at home together with my children. Every night after Isya', I and my wife would alternately read the kitab - Fadha'il Amal. At that point of time, when her reading came to the chapter on virtues of dakwah and tabligh, she would stop reading and passed the kitaab to me to continue. I then realised that my other-half was still not willing to accept or support my involvement in the effort of dakwah and tabligh. She could see the benefits of ta'leem, but she still could not see any benefit to her and the children in being left by her husband, travelling in tours of dakwah and tabligh.

I just could not ignore the fact that true happiness in marriage and family only will come if both husband and wife, and all the children share the same thing - one mindset and one heartfelt. For the non-believers, they find it in fulfilling the common worldly desires. For us Muslims, we will find it in bringing the complete Deen in our lives. Thus, I started another quest for an effort to bring the work of dakwah and tabligh in my family. I thought, "If she is not ready for it - and nobody that I knew was gladly ready for it at first, including myself - I would present it to her in such a way that she would have no reason not to accept it."

An Introduction to Masturat Jamaat - Part 1

2011-03-17T01:42:00.002+08:00

About two or three years after my journey of dakwah and tabligh to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for three chillah (four months), I still did not place serious thought about the importance of involving me and my wife in masturat jamaat. Not until my friends, Salman Kantani and Sufi Hassan, came back from their first three days of dakwah and tabligh tour in masturat jamaat, together with their respective wives.

I remember Salman had just been married at that time. His parents had rejected the idea of him marrying a daughter of any karkun (tablighi). All sort of unreasonable excuses and vindication were placed before him. Perhaps they are not ready to accept another tablighi in the family, or they might have thought that a lady-partner not associated with dakwah and tabligh effort would eventually subdue and abrogate the 'extremism' in their son's way of life.

And it followed that with full blessing from his parents and barakah, Salman uttered the sacred vow of nikah to a fine lady who would later became one of the closest friends of my wife. As much as I want to say, "And they live happily ever after...", the best part did not end here. A couple of months after their marriage, the newly-wed couple, together with Sufi Hassan and his wife had embarked onto a tour of faith for three days for the first time in masturat jamaat.

Verily Allah Most High ordains the attainment of felicity (attainment of desires, happiness, success, propserity, freedom from anxiety in this world and the next) of mankind, men or women, in the practices of the perfect deen, insofar as he/she obeys Allah Most High and His Rasul. Women are greater in number than men in today's population of the world, whereas the number of children are larger than women. When womenfolks understood and have concern for deen, they will revive the environment of deen in their houses. When the environment of deen prevails in the houses of Muslims, there will come forth pious children - male & female - alim and alimah, hafiz and hafizah, mujahid and mujahidah.

Back from their three days tour in masturat jamaat, both Salman Kantani and Sufi Hassan did not waste time at all in alluring me with their karguzari (narration and description) of the tour in masturat jamaat. The magnetism of their karguzari had kept me listening to them for almost two hours in my car right from after Isya' prayer.And that was the first time anyone had ever put a serious thought on me about the importance of involving my wife in masturat jamaat.

And both Salman and Sufi Hassan had started a delightful episode of their lives having their respective wives as a driving force behind their intensifying effort of dakwah and tabligh. By the grace of Allah Most High, I surely would not let myself miss the ride!

Sufi Hassan - Part 2

2011-03-04T17:20:00.000+08:00

On the third day of his i'tikaaf at our surau, he started to make himself visible to us. Quickly and easily, he get himself acquainted with all of us karkuns especially when he quoted familiar hadith and sayings of pious predecessors in the conversation. At that time, we were not aware that he had extensively been reading from Fadha'il Amal for 3 days in the surau.

Sufi Hassan has a high-pitched tone when conversing. His conversation is always full of enthusiasm. At times he could be blunt and direct. But at the same time, he is witty and fun to be with. So far that I knew him, his bluntness or priceless humor quotes always related to deen. What I like most about Sufi Hassan is his spontaneous actions or reactions that reflect his sincerity. For instance, he would utter, "Terima kasih, Allah!" (Thank You, Allah!) when he suddenly remembered things or names, or "Ampunkan aku, Allah!" (Pardon me, Allah!) if he was unsure of things or names, in the midst of conversations. To some people it was funny, when actually, he was dead serious. Another instance is that he see all things, no matter how negligible it is, happened by the Will and Wisdom of Allah - something that most people failed or ignored to reflect.

Prior to his first 3-days tour of dakwah, as I said earlier, Sufi Hassan had been engaged in tarekat or sufism of Naqshabandi order, practising excessive wirid, zikr and durood. He even had a dream of being repeatedly stamped by a man with the word 'Muhammad' all over his body, the level according to him, is termed as "qulluman jasad". He was then taken to meet Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam who was sitting together with Hazrat Abu Bakar, Umar, Usman and Ali radiyalaahu anhum. In his dream, he was told that they liked his excessive recitation of durood shariff. Having said that, Sufi Hassan concluded that the ecstasy that he experienced during the past 18 years of his sufism practices is incomparable with his first 3-days tour of dakwah & tabligh effort. I guess one will never know how the feeling was until one experienced it oneself.

Sufi Hassan - Part 1

2011-02-15T02:38:00.001+08:00

Every night after Isya' solaah at our masjid, one of us would read hadith and commentaries from the kitaabs Fadhail Aamal and Muntakhab Ahadith to all musoleen. It is one of the daily masjid amal that originates back since 1997. There were a smaller number of musoleen in our old small wooden surau/masjid back then.

One night as any other nights, after the ta'leem of Fadhail Aamal had been read, we all headed own ways. Some of the more blessful among us continued the amal scheduled to fulfill the two and half hours, some headed straight back home, whilst some went for a night session of chai with friends. None of us, however, were aware of the presence of a lone figure behind the wall in the surau separating the men sections.

Haji Hassan had been listening attentively to the hadith on virtues of zikrullah (remembrance of Allah) that had been read that night. He had begun the first day of i'tikaaf at our surau, unnoticed by everyone. Although he lived not far away, he had never been to our surau and he did not know why he had chosen to make i'tikaaf there. Haji Hassan had been in the sufi order (tarekat)of Naqsyabandi for 18 years, and having cited tens of thousand of wirid, durood sharif and istighfar. But never had his heart and soul been rocked and taken away by the words of Allah Most High and His most beloved Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam as he felt that night. This prompted him to sneak onto the pages of Fadha'il Aamal while everyone was not around. The more hadith that he read, the more ecstasy they made him felt. He jotted a few hadith down in his note book.

In the morning, still managed to avoid our attention, he quietly observed us. After our daily mesyuarah (consultation) after subuh solaah, we would sit quietly in the surau until the time of isyrak for our daily wirid of tasbeehat, durood and istighfar. Unknown to us, the environment or mahul in the surau had really excited him. Even our sitting postures amazed him. It is customary for him to sit with both knees up and wrapped both his arms around the knees when he is making zikir. He thought it was offensive to sit like that. When he saw some amongst us sat in the same posture, he was overcame with awe. Little did he know that it is one of the sunnah ways of sitting.

The Story of Salman Kantani

2011-02-08T22:13:00.005+08:00

It has long been a tradition that every year, many bright young Malaysians students are sent to study in universities in United Kingdom, among other places. Having spent two to four years abroad, their return was keenly awaited by people close to their heart whom they had not seen for ages. The homecoming would typically come with with souveniers and gifts - a pair of rejected Clark shoes from Tommy Ball for elder brother, an England red rose rugby jersey for younger brother, a Liverpool or Manchester United away football jersey for kid brother, a couple of London t-shirt for kid sister, plenty of porno mags for close friends, and loads of Yorkie chocolate bars for everyone else.

A number of these young men surprised their parents and family members as soon as they arrived at the airport. Everyone at the airport expected to see a sharp-dressed young man with Bruberry jacket and Marks & Spencer pants at the arrival gate. Instead, emerging from the gate was a bearded chap with white skull cap on the head, wearing all white kurta and shalwar. Ironically, even those graduates from the universities in Egypt and Syria came back with fancy jacket and pants!

He was one of the many young Malaysians university graduates who came back from the United Kingdom a changed man. Bestowed with unpronounceable real name, he is known to us all as Salman, following the sahabi Salman the Persian radiyalaahu anhu. I first met him at our small old wooden surau/masjid. He had then spent time in the path of Allah after his graduation to Pakistan prior to returning home. Though a lot younger than me in age, I consider him as one of my mentors in the work of dakwah and tabligh. He progressed well in tabligh effort at younger age. His presence in our mohalla had opened up fikr for younger generations. But at the same time, he had been subjected to much taunting, trials and tribulations from the elderly people in our mohalla. The worst trials, unfortunately, came from his own parents. In the face of those adverse circumstances, he remained steadfast.

It really is not easy to try to live simple when the world around you expects you to live on the fast lane. When his peers looked for glamourous time consuming job, he opted for a teaching job that would secure him time for 40 days or four months for the effort and the advancement of his own iman and aamal. When his peers look forward for high wages and high-flying positions in large corporations, he opted for a low profile job that could give him more time to obtained piety and virtues in this world and rewards and benefits in the aakhirah. To me, really, when his peers are caught onto the web of slavery, he opted for being a master of his own time.

Sometimes whenever laziness overcame me and decided not to go to markaz, for instance, Allah Most High frequently used Salman Kantani to suddenly pop-out in front of my house on his motor-bike, asking whether we were ready to go to markaz for our weekly i'tikaaf. It was always the case for me, after seeing his big grin, alhamdulillah, my idleness instantly turned to liveliness, as I grabbed my bedding for another fruitful night at the markaz. He definitely is one of my circles of friends that fit the saying that a good friend is someone, when you see his face you would remember Allah Most High, and when you hear they speak, your knowledge of deen would increase.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 12

2011-01-26T16:28:00.000+08:00

I spend a lot of time by simply looking at the Ka'abah. I would sat down leaning forward close against the railing on the top floor of Masjidil Haram watching thousands of hajis circumbulating the Holy Ka'abah. It was mainly due to my laziness, but never lost my hope in getting rewards from Allah Ta'ala.

Keeping on reading Fadha'il Hajj had helped me a lot. In 45 days of my hajj journey, sometimes laziness overcame me. Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, the kitaab had kept me going. In one hadith, Hazrat Ibn Abbas radiyalaahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah said, "One hundred and twenty mercies descend upon the Ka'abah every day and night; sixty for those performing tawaaf, forty for those performing solaah and twenty for those merely looking at Ka'abah." Merely looking at the Ka'abah is a form of Ibadaah. Hazrat Saeed ibn Musayyib rahmatullah alayhi the well-known Tab'iee use to say that whoever merely looks at the Ka'abah with complete faith, becomes so cleansed of his sins as the day he was born. Subhanallah! How great is the mercy of Allah to this ummah!

In the midst of thousands of pilgrims encircling the Ka'abah, I caught a glimpsed of a towering man walking slowly towards Hajarul Aswad assisted by two men. It was a unique scene. The people made way for the towering man approaching the Hajarul Aswad. Normal men's height only barely reached his waist. I recognised the towering man from a news report I read before. At 7' 8", Haji Alam Channa of Sindh, Pakistan, the tallest man in the world at the time, kissed the Hajarul Aswad with much difficulty.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 11

2011-01-14T16:54:00.002+08:00

When I first arrived in Makkah a couple of weeks before wukuf at the Plains of Arafah, performing tawaf around the Kabaah at the ground floor square was an uphill task at any time with thousands of people cramming at one place. It was alarming and distressful to watch hundreds of people tried to squeezed in the corner of the Kaabah where Hajarul Aswad or the Black Stone is situated. No doubt the kissing of Hajarul Aswad is a sunnah and a gesture of love to the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. But how could those people justify the hardship caused by them to others when they forced their way through to the corner?

At this point, I have to reveal a despicable violation by certain few hajj pilgrims, right in front of the house of Allah. It is not to my enjoyment to bring out into open something that could disgrace other hajj pilgrims, but I consider it something beyond contempt that all of us should avoid when, by the grace of Allah, we are accepted to perform hajj or umrah. A handful Indonesian brothers, without shame, had taken advantage of the hajj season to provide an unsanctioned services of getting women pilgrims to kiss the Hajarul Aswad. It is not as honourable as it sound, in fact the manner in which they provide the so-called services was just simply tastless and nasty.

First, two men would approach women hujjazs to provide 'assistance' for them to kiss the Hajarul Aswad for a fee. An over-enthusiastic woman who agreed to their proposal would then be forcefully pushed towards the corner of the Kaabah, sandwiched between two men. She would have to hug from behind the man in front of her, whilst the man behind her would tightly hug her. I've seen a couple of women were in terrifying tears while being pushed forward without being able to back-off. Another woman was being pulled out by another couple of pervert men (perhaps after managing to kiss the Black Stone) in a condition that her hijab was pulled off and her hair disheveled. Once I walked near two men who were negotiating the service and I could not help but sternly rebuked the two Indonesian men. What a shameful act to promote!

May Allah Ta'ala have mercy on us all.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 10

2011-01-12T20:46:00.000+08:00

Up to the time of hajj, I had always been comfortable wearing only Pakistani kurta (shalwar and kamis). Only after hajj, I started to wear jubah as well. Hence, the whole time when I was performing hajj that year, I had only wore kurta whenever I was not in ihraam. It was rather amusing that I had been stopped a couple of time in Makkah by the Masjid al-Haram's security men, when I walked holding hands with my wife. On both occasions, they were shouting, "Haram! Haram!" causing other peoples' attention towards us. Apparently, the security men had mistaken me as a Pakistani Pushtun man holding hands with a non-mahram Malaysian woman. The fact that my wife wore white hijab that has a word "Malaysia" spelled in Arabic letters at the back of her head also contributed to the confusion.

On the first occasion, I tried in vain explaining to them our relationship as husband and wife from the same country. Even the stainless steel chain on my wrist with the word "Malaysia" that all Malaysian hajj pilgrims were required to wear as an identification would not convinced them of my identity. Only after I showed them a hajj identity card that has a photo of me did they notice the truth. Well, on the second occasion, I had the ID well-prepared and straight away showed it to them. And on both occasions they blushingly offered kind words of apology to us for the mistake. It was hilarious, really.

The ulama' say that when Allah Ta'ala gave the glad tiding to Ibrahim alayhi salam about the coming of his first son to be born, Ismail alayhi salam, through His malaikat (angels), they told Ibrahim alayhi salam that his wife would bear a son whom the called "haleem"; the forbearing son. Certainly true to their status, the Arabs, the descendants of Ismail alayhi salam, are charitable people, most clement and considerate, patient and thoughtful towards millions of the hajj pilgrims that poured into Hijjaz every year. They, the Arabs, are certainly most suitable to be the hosts and guardians of the two holy cities.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 9

2011-01-11T14:56:00.001+08:00

In Makkah, the fitnah of television set in each and every hotel rooms was indeed menacing and alarming. Even Madinah, the city of our beloved Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam was not spared of the raging fitnah.

The non-believers are prohibited from entering the holy lands of Makkah Mukarammah and Madinah Munawarrah. However, the enemies of Islam had sketched a master plan to destroy the sanctity of our holy lands. Though unable to be physically present at the holy cities, they seemed to had reached their goal by filing the holy cities with harmful and deleterious products - the most damning of all are television sets. They had cracked their heads for so long, thinking how to corrupt the minds of Muslims all over the world, even at their centre of devotion, during the acts of worship that suppose to be the harvest of piety. It looks like their strive and struggle had achieved fruitful results now that just a few metres away from the entrances of Masjid al-Haram, from every angles, vileness, indecency and vulgarity are being played and watched over the television sets in the premises surrounding the Masjid al-Haram.

Thus, the very moment that we discovered a television set was placed on the wall in each room in our hotel in Makkah, we resolved amongst us karkuns that everyone need to be told of its evil. Each and everyone of us would start among their respective room-mates. We started to convey the message to our room-mates of the fact that although a single good deed practiced in Makkah Mukarramah would equal 100,000 thousand good deeds practiced elsewhere, it was utmost important also to restraint ourselves from doing even a single bad deed, as it would also equal 100,000 bad deeds practiced elsewhere. Alhamdulillah, most of the hujjazs in our group shared our concern except for only a handful addicts who could not seem to resist the impulsion for the small screen.

As for me, nothing was more captivating than watching Pok Soh smiled broadly whilst I pushed him on a wheelchair towards Masjid al-Haram, with my wife pushing Mok Su's wheelchair, tailing not far behind, across a sea of devotees. Sometimes I would giggle with my wife whenever we heard Pok Soh mumbled, "Please don't trample me. I'm just a small-sized man." Probably the scene I cherished most was when. in one occasion, Pok Soh was carried on a stretcher by two strong and tall dark African men on their shoulders making tawaf around the Kaabah.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 8

2011-01-08T09:44:00.001+08:00

Every morning after subuh prayer I would rush back to the residential hotel. We would gather in a room that we had collectively agreed upon for our gathering place every morning for our daily mesywarah or consultation. Before the consultation started, someone would deliver an early morning bayan or a talk exhorting the listeners for the effort on deen. As the room was just enough to accommodate 4 beds, sometimes the many people that attended the morning consultation would spilled outside the room. Blankets were spread on the floor for us all to sit. We took turn between ourselves in conducting the consultation. The consultation generally discussed to what extent our effort in the work of dakwah and tabligh among the hujjazs in Makkah for the last 24 hours, and what would be the extent of our effort for the next 24 hours. It was also decided who would conduct the daily reading of the kitaab (book) Fadha'il Haji, Umrah and Ziyarat by Sheikhul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Zakariyya Kandhlawi rahmatullahu alayhi, and who will deliver the early morning bayan the next morning.

At approximately 10am every morning, we would spread blankets on the floor outside an appointed room and one of us would begin reading the Fadha'il Hajj. After sometime, a pair of us would go from room to room exhorting and urging the hujjazs to join in the assembly of the reading of hadiths relating to the virtuous deeds of hajj, umrah and ziyarat. A few minutes after the pair had join back the assembly, another pair would continue to make a round from room to room urging the same thing from the hujjazs. The rounds would continue until the assembly dispersed after about 2 hours for everyone to get prepared for midday solaah. The assembly would usually attracted a handsome number of hujjazs sitting in the circle of ta'leem.Sometimes during the rounds, we learnt that a hajji was sick and we would find time to visit him again later. These are the daily routines of our effort. My wife, on the other hand, would also read the Fadha'il Hajj to her room mates at an appointed time daily in her room. Alhamdulillah, we find ourselves absorbed and occupied during the whole duration of our journey for hajj. This was only due to the great blessing from Allah Most High.

One of my room mates was a hardcore PAS or Islamic Party of Malaysia's member. He used to say in amazement that even in Makkah and Madinah the tablighis were on the move with their programmes. His words caused a broad smile on my face although they were not actually 'programmes'. In fact, they were aamal or devine practices that Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam and his blessed Companions radiyalaahu anhum had taught and passed on to the ummah after them.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 7

2010-12-31T02:35:00.002+08:00

We arrived in Makkah al-Mukarramah about 12 days before the day of wukuf at the Plains of Arafah. Thus, we opted for haji ifrad, choosing to be in ihram for whole duration of that period. My first three days in Makkah was what I could only describe as confusing and chaotic. Unlike in Madinah where separation between men and women in the Masjid Nabawi was strictly observed, I seemed could not find any place in the Haram Shariff that were separated from women for devotion. There were instances where I had to pray in a saff (row) surrounded by women and it had caused me great distress.

It was not until the fourth day when, alhamdulillah, I finally found the gathering area of karkuns and the masyaikhs and elders of dakwah and tabligh where prayers and devotion could be carried out in calmness and peace. It was situated at the top floor near the corner of the single minerat of Haram Shariff. You might noticed that the other three corners of Haram Shariff have double minerats. Subhanallah! At the said single minerat top floor area, women seemed to assemble in harmony in the rear saffs and men converged in the front saffs, although there were no curtains or barriers between them. Only on a few occasions did I noticed some ignorant women tried to sit in front area to have a good look at the Kaabah. Someone would quickly asked them to go back to the rear area. The other places of the Haram Shariff seemed to be full of inseparable men and women, perhaps husbands and wives sitting next to each other fearing that they would get lost. I observed the situation twelve days before the day of wukuf at Arafah though as the people began to leave Makkah after performing the rituals of hajj, the other areas in the Haram Shariff slowly adhered to the separation rules.

Therefrom, every time my wife and I would go together to the Haram Shariff, walked across a sea of people, climbed up a couple of elevators and sit quietly at the peaceful corner - I, in the front row, and she, not far behind me. It was an added pleasure to have glimpses of our masyaikhs and elders in devotion at the same corner. Sometimes I would gather with the other Malaysian karkuns, sitting in small groups or halqahs, listening to a short targheeb given by a senior Malaysian tabligh worker or an aalim.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 6

2010-12-29T12:25:00.000+08:00

I first heard about Pok Soh when we were still in Madinah. People at my maktab were talking about an elderly man who got lost, not knowing to find his way back to the residential place after stirring out with the people to Masjid Nabawi. Only after two days, he was found in an ailing condition, broken down and severely dehydrated, submitted to the shivering weather of Madinah. Needless to say, he had to receive an emergency medical treatment. Like many other people, in the first instance, I was amazed as to how he got lost amongst the multitude of people, enduring the hardship and the weather, chill at daylight and cold at night, without any drink or food. Even at daytime, I wrapped myself up with a wool Pakistani blanket around my body. It was not until our arrival in Makkah that I had the opportunity to get to know Pok Soh.

He was a fragile man of about 75 years old from Kelantan. He was a very soft-spoken man who always put a smile on his face. He had never been out from his village in Nilam Puri, at the outskirt of Kota Bharu. He traveled for hajj with his sister, Mok Su, aged 63 years old without being accompanied by other able relatives or friends. The incident in Madinah had left him traumatized and impaired. He had turned out to be a sort of burden to his room-mates. They were complaining to the officials of Tabung Haji about his disability and inability to take care of himself...the filth and foul that he had caused them for not being able to care of his hygiene. It was during this time that I started to devote my attention to Pok Soh. Eventually, it was decided that he and his sister, Mok Su, would be placed in one room, specially for the two of them. From that moment, I had been taking care of Pok Soh, and Mok Su had been taken care by my wife.

Soon after, some of the other hujjazs thought that the two elderly brother and sister as our parents. All praise to Allah Most High, I and my wife still cherish the sweetness of hajj, particularly all the time spent with the two special elderly folks. I believe that Allah Most High sent us for hajj to also take care and give khidmat to the needy Pok Soh and Mok Su.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 5

2010-12-14T03:44:00.000+08:00

The meeting place of karkuns in the Masjid Nabawi was at the area right behind the floor of Ashab-ul Suffah. My journey on ziarah and hajj coincide with the year when most of the elders and masyaikhs of dakwah and tabligh effort performing ziarah and hajj. Hence, there were a large number of karkuns from all over the world sitting quietly in devotion at the place inside the Masjid Nabawi. It was like a gathering between a jord and an ijtima'. As if I could still see Maulana Saad Kandahlewi damat barakatuhu prays nafl solaat just a few feet from me. And Maulana Zubayr damat barakatuhu was being pushed on a wheel-chair to his sitting place. I could only manage to have a glimpse of the two masyaikhs in awe among the many other luminaries of this ummah who had endured harship on their selves and wealth for the sake of upholding the deen. I dare not even go near them for du'a out of fear of causing agitation and distress to them by my presence. Moreover, earlier muzakarah at Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling markaz discouraged us to flock in towards the elders and masyaikhs for the same reason.

For eight days in Madinah al-Munawarrah, I had been in the company of the elders and masyaikhs in Masjid Nabawi trying hard to keep a distance from them even though many other people still converged meeting them. Except in one occasion when an African brother besides me suddenly asked me, "Who are those persons whom the people huddled to meet?", pointing at the masyaikhs. I briefly told him who was who. He then told me that he would like to join the people in meeting them. As a matter of playing host to him, I stood up and brought him to the masyaikh that was sitting nearest to us. He turned out to be Maulana Tariq Jamil of Raiwind, Pakistan. He gave us a broad smile as he extended his hands. I requested du'a from him. While my African brother went up to the other elders and masyaikhs, I quietly returned to my place of sitting.

One day, in Madinah, I was on my way down in a crowded elevator heading towards Masjid Nabawi when I overheard a rather loud conversation behind me. A person told another person that he could have joined the hajj envoys in expensive hajj travel package since he's used to be driven around by a driver in government-provided car, but he had chosen to be with the common folks for this journey of hajj. I looked behind my shoulder looking at the man in his early 50's. I thought that he must have been a member of a royal family since he used the word "rakyat jelata" for common folks. But upon inquiry, he turned out to be an Assistant Director of a religious body in Malaysia! It then crossed my mind that I need to bring a local Arab karkun to meet him for khususi mulaqat.

The work of dakwah and tabligh in Madinah during hajj season, among other well-organised work, is that everyday after asar solaat, the ever hard-working local Madinah Arab karkuns would make themselves available at the place in Masjid Nabawi behind the floor of Ashab ul-Suffah for anyone karkun to guide them to meet anyone from his native country for khususi mulaqat. Alhamdulillah, on this occasion I managed to meet an English speaking local Madinah Arab brother and brought him to meet with the Asssistant Director at his room. Though they were conversing in Arabic, I shared the enthusiasm and diligence of the Arab brother. Masha'Allah! It turned up that the Assistant Director was a scholar of Darul Uloom Deoband when he was young.

After my hajj, I happened to bumped onto the Assistant Director on a few occasion, and even after his promotion he was so kind in acknowledging me, talking for awhile before we parted our own separate ways. We have a good relationship between us.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 4

2010-12-02T21:20:00.001+08:00

My first visit of the Holy Prophet SAW's masjid and resting place was none like I had expected. Despite my earlier effort in preparing to meet Rasulullah SAW with the best ethics that I could possibly do, I felt like a rough ill-mannered illiterate bedouin who came from the most remote part of the desert to the holy city of Madinah, unaware of the extent of greatness of his host. The narrative of the ignorant bedouin who had a pee in the Masjid Nabawi during the time of the Prophet SAW came to mind.

First, I got mixed up on the proper entrance door to visit the Prophet SAW. Instead of entering through Bab-ul Jibreel, I tried to enter the masjid through Bab-ul Baqee. Rightly, I had been stopped from entering by the guards since Bab-ul Baqee was the point of exit of the the flow of people entering from the opposite Bab-ul Jibreel. Still wondering why the guards had stopped me the first time, I tried to enter again without success. Finally, after a few vain attempts, I just stood outside Bab-ul Baqee feeling very sad looking from afar at the resting place of Rasulullah SAW.

Later, when dawn was approaching, I lamely entered Bab-ul Nisaa' hoping to find a good spot for me behind the Rawdah. The number of people was far more than I had expected and I was really struggling to find even a tiny space to sit. Like a lost bedouin who has no idea where he was heading, I walked over the shoulders of devotees again and again, inviting uneasy stares from the people around me. It was then that I felt like a ruthless moronic barbarian standing alone among the civilised cultured people.

Alas, alhamdulillah, indeed Allah Most High had extinguished the pride and self-sufficiency within me at that point of time in the most perplexing way. Truly, Allah is the One for Whom nothing is hidden from His Knowledge.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 3

2010-12-02T18:21:00.001+08:00

We started the journey from Jeddah Airport to Madinah by a fleet of buses. We were in flight group KT82, the second last group of pilgrims from Malaysia that was destined for Madinah before Makkah. It was a long journey to Madinah. I slept for the most part of the journey. An hour before reaching Madinah, I began to look at the notes that I had prepared for the journey. I recalled a hadith of Rasulullah SAW, "Whosoever come to me as my guest, with no other purpose than to visit me, I will be his intercessor." I immediately renewed my niyyat to make the journey only for the sake of Allah.

I was concern as to what extent my journey could be as close as the journey of Rasulullah SAW. I mean, there we were travelling by bus, without being able to stop at any masjids or places that Rasulullah SAW and the sahabah r.anhum had stopped for a rest, or to drink water at the wells that Rasulullah SAW and the sahabah r.anhum had stopped for a drink. I would not have the opportunity to stop at Mu'arras near Bir Ali/Zhul-Hulaifah even for a two-rakaat solah or a short du'a. And it would not be possible for me to get off the bus at Bir Ali (about 10km from Madinah) and walk from thereon bare-footed towards Madinah as did Rasulullah SAW and the sahabah r.anhum. Nevertheless, alhamdulillah, I still could recite durood sharif as much as possible. And I began to build up my devotion and fervor to meet with Rasulullah SAW by exhorting my wife of the virtues of Madinah al-Munawarrah and its inhabitants, the resting place of Rasulullah SAW and about 10,000 sahabah r.anhum who had served as the vanguards of Islam.

It was about 2am. I felt the warmth of Madinah as I entered the city and glanced again at my notes as I recited the du'a “Allahumma haaza haromu nabiyyaka, faj’al huliyy wa qho yatam minnanar wa a maa nanm minal ‘azaabi wa suu ‘al hisaab.” (O' Allah! Verily this is the land of Your Prophet SAW. Do make it as a cause for my salvation from the hellfire, protection from the torments, and protection from calamities on the Judgement Day).

After the hustle and bustle of rooms allocation, I managed to get a short nap. I then took a shower, put on my best dress and immersed myself with the green coloured raihan attar which I had bought in India and kept it safe for special occasion. I then slowly walked to the Masjid of the Prophet SAW.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 2

2010-11-06T02:52:00.000+08:00

Despite a little savings that we had, my wife remains optimistic that Allah Most High would make it easy for us to perform hajj in that year. We started going for Hajj courses conducted by Tabung Haji at the nearby masjid. Soon we went for injections, medical check-ups and before we know it, it was already time for us to make the special hajj passports. All these activities went on while we did not have any idea how to raise enough fund for the journey.

Then it was time for the hajj jord or assembly in the dakwah and tabligh markaz. It was only for menfolks. We were requested to assemble from morning till zuhur for a muzakarah or discussion briefing on the effort of dakwah and tabligh during hajj at the Hijjaz. By then I had already knew my flight group - KT82 - among the later batches, and the second last group scheduled to perform ziarah first at Madinah al-Munawarrah, before going to Makkah. The muzakarah was very comprehensive and clear. I've not heard anyone talk about the real meaning of hajj as the khudama' that had been tasked to conduct the muzakarah. Unlike the courses conducted by Tabung Haji that only talked about the manasik of hajj, the muzakarah focused on the meaning and spirituality of hajj and the hajj of the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam.

And then it was time for us to settle all the RM9,500 each for the hajj cost imposed by Tabung haji for everyone going for hajj by mu'asasah or general hajj package. It was also the cheapest among the hajj packages. Truly, we managed to pay for the cost only by the grace of Allah Most High. It was inexplainable. Suffice for me to say that when Allah Most High wills, then nothing could stop His will.

The Journey Towards Al-Khaliq - Part 1

2010-10-31T01:49:00.000+08:00

In the year 1423 Hijri (beginning 2003), I had been blessed with the opportunity to travel the Hijjaz with my wife for hajj, alhamdulillah. It all started during a weekly mesywarah (consultation) for the Kuala Lumpur region at the dakwah and tabligh centre, Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. Towards the end of the mesywarah, a senior person of Tabung Haji (Malaysia's Pilgrims Management and Fund Board) stood up to give a short announcement. He announced that Tabung Haji had been given a substantial extra quota for pilgrims for the forthcoming hajj season. Those who wish to perform hajj were required to write to Tabung Haji expressing their interest including those who had not even register or not in the waiting list.. He said we could open an account for registration with Tabung Haji with minimum amount of RM10.00 and top-up the account to the required amount later. I was very excited with the news.

I told the good news to my wife and she was overjoyed with it despite she was heavily pregnant with our fourth child, Muhammad Talhah. I felt her joy since a few days earlier she had told me that she wanted to perform hajj. All these happened despite the fact that we both had no accounts in Tabung Haji and we did not have much in our savings. The next thing I knew we were queuing at Tabung Haji counter and paid RM10.00 minimum payment each to open up an account. On our payment slips, it was written the year 2012 as an auto-run queue that notified us the year that we were supposed to perform the hajj. It was indeed a long queue!

Remembering Arwah Adnan

2010-09-23T11:24:00.007+08:00

The first time that I saw him was in a masjid in Hulu Langat, Selangor in 2002. He had joined us for khuruuj in the path of Allah for three days upon tasykil by Azizi, one of the karkuns in our mohalla (locality). That was the first time for him to join a mission of dakwah and tabligh. He was in his 50's, did not talk much but mixed well with us quickly and easily. On the second day, however, he told us that he had to leave for some personal matters. We urged him to complete the three days period as it would benefit him the best. I always remember an advice from our 'elders' that in the work of dakwah and tabligh, completion of the duration in developing our imaan is very important. It is just like a cake that needs to be baked in the oven for a specified time to get the best result. Even if all the ingredients are mixed correctly, it still needs to be baked in the oven for a specified time. Otherwise, the cake would be spoiled. Similarly, imaan is only acquired through patience and perseverance (mujahadah). However fully equipped a person with ilm or knowledge, he must combines his ilm with mujahadah in order to derive any benefit. All the time, to get the most precious thing that a man could wish for as imaan requires sacrifices. Sometimes one had to forego one's own comfort at home, sometimes it requires us to surrender our leisure time...the price of imaan is not cheap. Really, it depends on each individual in each different circumstances. Anyway, after much persuasion and exhortation, he finally agreed to complete the 3-days period required for the short khuruuj.

On the third day of that khuruuj, to our pleasant surprise, he agreed to my casual invitation for him to join me for 40 days khuruuj in the path of Allah in the following month. We had never expected him to easily agreed to such a long tasykil since through our experience, people (including me) would always give excuses for not spending a chillah or 40 days in the path of Allah or require more time before being able to do so. For the sake of doing justice to this article, I have to disregard my shame and embarrassment by revealing that it had taken me three long years before I managed to ease myself from the burden that had been delaying me from going for long tasykil. In those days, my brother used to say to me that the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum had endured 13 years of hardship in Makkah for the sake of imaan but it looked like I was going for the record of spending 3 days a month in the path of Allah for 13 years before going for my first chillah. Alhamdulillah, his 'sarcastic' tasykil had made me realised how unworthy I was for wasting my self, health and wealth for things that could not guarantee me salvation from Allah Most High in this world and the aakhirah. The only comforting thing is that, alhamdulillah, after 3 years of spending 3 days in the path of Allah every month, I had straightaway gone for 4 months khuruuj without having to spend 40 days first, as usually is the case.

A week after that 3 enlightening days in Hulu Langat, he called me saying that he had informed his family about his intention to go out in the path of Allah for 40 days the next weekend and guess what...? His family was fully supportive about his intention and even encourage him to do it. Another thing that I found very unique and peculiar about his case. Most of the time people encounter all sort of hindrances and unnecessary troubles from their own family members when they spoke of going out in the path of Allah in dakwah and tabligh mission. Husbands were being hassled by their wives, sons were being chided by their parents, fathers were being stopped by their children...all for reasons that would never surfaced if the journey is for worldly gains. Husbands would not be hassled by their wives even if they have to leave home for days or months for work or businesses. Sons would not be admonished by their parents to spend days for camping in unknown locations or years of studies in the countries that their parents call kuffar countries. Thus, I felt it was unique and believe it was a great blessing from Allah Most High for him to easily realize his intention without any hindrance from his family.

I remember meeting him again at Masjid Jame' Seri Petaling, the centre or markaz for dakwah and tabligh effort in Malaysia, where people with the same mind-set and the same heart-felt from all over the country gather to be organised in groups or jamaat to go out in the path of Allah for 40 days or 4 months or even for 1 year accordingly. We were gathered in the same jamaat together with 10 other persons of various age groups and backgrounds, destined for Sungai Petani in Kedah. While staying for a couple of days at the markaz, he happily told me that his wife and his two sons had accompanied him earlier to the markaz. He took them for a short tour of the adjoining Madrasah Miftahul Ulum that hosts hundreds of students learning to become huffaz and 'aalims. His face brightened up when he told me of his intention for both of his sons to become huffaz and aalims as well.

The first few days when we arrived in Sg. Petani, he was still wearing jeans and t-shirts. Most of the time he remained quiet, attentively observing the aamal and discourses of others. In those first few days he was even reluctant to give any suggestion or syor in daily mesyuarah (consultation). From time to time, I sat with him in private, sometimes responding to his questions on various matters and sometimes just engaging in casual chat with him. He was always in deep thought.

After about ten days, he appeared jovial, sometimes cracking jokes with the others. He developed a close friendship with an Indian mu'alaf from Klang in our jamaat. The two of them waked each other up for tahajjud (late night worshipping) every night. On the third week of our chillah, he again returned to the state of engrossing in deep thoughts as if he was overburdened with something. Then he started telling us bizzare things that he encountered. One night after tahajjud he saw our amir together with someone else from our jamaat wearing all white kurta and amamah guarding the main door of the masjid all night long when both of them were actually fast asleep. Another night after tahajjud he saw hundreds of people in all white jubah and amamah sitting in the masjid behind him. Though amazed and astonished with what he encountered , we cracked jokes about them. I remember telling him that perhaps the end of time for him in this world is near. He and the others were laughing about it.

On the nineteenth day of our chillah, he first acted as mutakallim (one who deliver a message of deen) during umumi ghast (house to house visitation). He was sweating profusely in those 45 minutes of visitation. The elders of dakwah and tabligh effort say that we could actually put into practical about 500 aayat of the Holy Quran during umumi ghast if it is done properly in accordance with its required manners. Dakwah is the backbone of deen whilst ghast is the backbone of dakwah.

That day on the twentieth day of our chillah, at about 3.00 am I was awoke by a loud cry. Immediately the lights in the masjid were switched on and everybody in our jamaat gathered around him. He laid reclining against a person. Apparently after tahajjud, he began to lie down on the bedding again when suddenly he held his head with both of his hand and cried aloud "Allah! Allah! Allah!". Before I knew it, I was already in the backseat of a car with his head on my lap speeding off towards Sg. Petani Hospital. It was quite a long journey as we were at a surau in a remote large rubber plantation settlements.

Arwah Adnan was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. 'Inna lillahi wa'inna ilayhi roji'un ("Surely we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return").

Upon request by his family, he was buried at Damansara. His funeral prayers were done both at Sg. Petani Hospital and at his house in Bangsar accompanied by a large gathering of people. We then continued our mission of dakwah and tabligh in Seremban area until completion of our chillah.

May Allah Most High be pleased with him and have mercy on him. May Allah Most High be pleased with and have mercy on us and the entire ummah as well. Aamin.

A Letter from a Journey

2010-07-29T13:40:00.005+08:00

Masjid Daerah Kuala Penyu. 28.08.08 (27 Sya'ban 1429)

Assalamua'laykum,

My darling wife. It's been ten days since I left home to go in the path of Allah. My jamaah consists of 9 brothers including myself. Our amir is Hj. Muhammad Zain of Sg. Kantan. I am writing this letter as a sunnah of our beloved Prophet SAW. We took of from KLIA on 21 August 2008 by MAS flight to KK. Earlier at Sri Petaling markaz, I met my senior at RMC, Ustaz Yahya, who was also on his way to K.Kinabalu to join a Pakistan jamaat there as mutarjim (translator). He got a RM400+ Air Asia return ticket to Labuan, and from there taking a RM20 ferry ride to KK. We could have saved some money on flight tickets if we take the same route as him. Bu, insha'Allah, whatever way we spent our money will have countless rewards from Allah SWT. Anyway, we reached KK at around 6.35am. We prayed solat subuh with difficulties on board the flight. Sadly on our jamaah managed to pray amongst the many more Muslims on board. Two brothers from Beaufort were waiting for us at KK Airport ready with a 10-seater van to bring us to Beaufort markaz. Masjid Kg. Bingkul is a large two-storey masjid that could cater for approximately 2000-3000 persons. This Beaufort markaz is built on a wakaf land from a large Pakistani family. Many of them are actively doing the work of dakwah and tabligh. This family is also related to Musa Aman's family.

We stayed at Beaufort markaz overnight before we were tasykiled to halqah Kuala Penyu. We were driven to Kuala Penyu by Ustaz Saiful and Ustaz Haswadi's cars and by a local karkun's van. Both of the Ustazs are teaching in a local school in Beaufort. Our first route is Surau Kg. Kepayan. Masha'Allah, only one active karkun who is a mu'allaf is doing the nusrah here. All his own family had reverted to Islam but his father, mother and siblings are still non-Muslim. This mu'allaf karkun family is very poor but he had been to IPB for 4 months. He drives a car which makes our 1993 Proton Wira looks like a Rolls Royce. They lived in a shed which makes our house looks like Taj Mahal.Truly, only in Bangladesh I've seen such a place for a family to live. But this poor family, even as I'm writing this letter, is making so much nusrah to our jamaat. He drove us around tirelessly in his 1978 run-downed car to meet the local people.

We are now at the second route, Masid Nurul Hayat, a district masjid of Pekan Kuala Penyu. We had much difficulties in convincing the chairman of the masjid to let us in. Only after giving several conditions that he let us stay in. One of the condition is that our jamaat cannot cook our meals. Sobri, the mu'allaf karkun, insisted that his wife would cook for our jamaat. My dear wife, she even washed our clothes and I'm sure that they do not own any washing machine. Alhamdulillah, I believe Allah SWT makes it easy for our jamaah to eat and keep our clothes clean using the asbab of this poor family because of your nusrah of cooking and washing clothes for the several jamaat that had come to our masjid. And I remember you a lot for this khuruuj (journey)...

Ah! I'm glad that I bring along my mosquito net tent. Subhanallah! This is a drastic change from the comfort of air-conditioned room at home.

My darling wife, I'm leaving behind you to take care of our kids. Please encourage them and keep encourage them to make amal. I know sometimes it is quite frustrating but it will be easier when you show them by example. I trust that you could handle this. May Allah SWT makes it easy for you and may the kids listen and obey as obedience to you is obedience to Allah and His Rasul provided you keep encouraging them for amal. Do not discard dakwah iman yakin at the time of ta'lim.

I wish you and the kids SELAMAT BERPUASA. May this Ramadhan and all the coming Ramadhan will be the source of much blessing to all of us. Hugs and kisses to Ayesha, Imaan, Zubayr, Talhah & Abudzar.

Wassalamu'alaykum.

Abu Az-Zubayr

Walk of Faith

2010-07-21T04:32:00.003+08:00

In July 2009, I began a journey in a jamaat to Sandakan, Sabah. Our jamaat is called "paidal jamaat" or walking jamaat since we practically walked along a given route stopping for two days in every masjid/surau along the route. This is a story of our walk of faith from Masjid Al-Jihad, Bukit Garam, Kinabatangan to Masjid BDC, Sandakan, stretching along an approximately 120km route.

We left Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling for the LCCT Airport after zohor. Two weeks prior, we had been pooled together in one jamaat to make effort on dakwah & tabligh beginning with a short tasykil at Sg. Buloh & Merbau Sempah areas. My good friend Hj Ramli was made the amir of the jamaat that include me, Pak Him, Pak Teh, Dr Firdaus, Nuruddin, Faisal and Hj Roslan. Together we then embarked onto the enlightening walk of faith to Sandakan, Sabah in the Borneo Island.

We arrived in Sandakan on 28th July 2009. Upon mutual consultation with the local responsible brothers, it had been decided that we would walk along the main route from Kinabatangan towards Sandakan Town. At 10am, we travelled by two chartered cars and reached our first "route", Masjid al-Jihad, Pekan Bukit Garam, Kinabatangan, about 100km from Sandakan . Pekan Bukit Garam is the furthest populated area accesible by road, situated right at the bank of Kinabatangan River. It is also called Pengkalan Bukit Garam.

About 100 families live in the area of Bukit Garam. 95% of them are Muslims, mostly from the tribe of Sungai. The Sungai people reminded me of the poor villagers of Bagerhat, Southern Bangladesh, where I had been to in 2000. They live a very simple life. They were very polite and ever ready to listen to words of dakwah. Their youths were exceptionally receptive. They flocked the masjid in large number.

I vividly remember geography lesson ages ago at school about the importance of Kinabatangan River to the Sabahans. It used to be the only mean of transporting out quality logs. Now, although it serves as an important source of water to the inhabitants of Sandakan, ironically the muddy river could not provide the people living along its bank with drinking water. The people have to resort to rainwater, and so did we.

The scarcity of drinking water had caused some children to come to the masjid with water containers to bring water back home as there were plenty of rainwater in the tanks there. As it is a sunnah to bathe on Fridays, we jumped into Kinabatangan River though we were advised to be watchful of crocs.

Our first walk in Sabah began late at 11am when the sun was stinging hot. As I and Pak Ibrahim were earlier assigned with cooking task, our amir sent us ahead by pick-up together with our luggages and beddings whilst they travelled on foot. Pak Him and I reached Masjid Baitul Mukmin, Kg Kasih Sayang, Kinabatangan, at 11.30am and we wasted no time in preparing food for other members of our jamaat 3.5km behind us walking. By the time they reached the masjid 45 mins later, the food was almost ready. Kg. Kasih Sayang has about 30 families, all of them are muslims. By nightfall, the chairman of the masjid, the contractor who was doing some renovation of the masjid, and a villager, all gave intention to go out in the path of Allah for 3 days. The chairman's son intended to spent 40 days in the path of Allah after SPM higher secondary school examination.

The single stove cooker and the kettle were among the basic necessities for us. Cooking was really a challenge in this remote and exotic area of Sabah. We had plenty of cash but not much food to buy. We had to be contented with whatever stuff that we could manage to find. Most of the time meals consisted of plain rice, salted fishes, and veggies. Here Almighty Allah had really taught us how useless and worthless money could be.

We walked for 25 minutes for a distant of 1.6km to the next route, Masjid at-Taqwa, Kg Usaha Jaya, Kinabatangan. There were about 50 families who lived here, 10 families were christians. We were joined by 3 youths from Kg Bukit Garam - Nur Eddie, Azrin & Muhamit. Muhamit, age 20, was assigned to me. We visited the local imam together. Earlier, Muhamit was given a task to deliver a short announcement after maghrib solah. He was in panic at first fearing that he would not be able to carry out the task. But, after delivering the announcement, he was so glad and happy that he could carry out the task. Alhamdulillah, may it be the beginning of him standing up for the sake of deen.

Our next route, Surau Wahdatul Fiqri, Kg Berjaya 1, Kinabatangan, is 3.4km away. Halfway walking, we were told by Nur Eddie and a local man who had earlier volunteered to transport our luggages ahead of us, that a person refuse to let them and the luggages in the masjid. Immediately I and Nuruddin were sent ahead to sort out the matter while the others continue walking. At the gate of the masjid, I was confronted by the person who tried to stop us from entering the masjid before obtaining permission from its chairman and religious office. Failing to reason with him, we just carried our luggages in. We then performed 2 rakaat solah seeking help from Almighty Allah. By the time the rest of our jamaat arrived, the man suddenly turned soft, joining us for drink and been telling the ehwal of the village in our mesywarah or consultation. Subhanallah! By maghrib time, the locals flocked the masjid as we got to know them better and we even had meal together prepared by the locals.

It was here that we met John, a young man from Sulu tribe, who had been working for Hj Abdullah, an elderly man of Kg Berjaya 1. When he was born, his father was in a jungle working, and a christian nurse managed to coax his mother to name him John, after the christians' John the Baptist. Hj Abdullah who is also his guardian asked us to give him a Muslim name. And so we named him Yahya after the prophet of Allah. He was very happy when everyone in the masjid embraced him for his new name. After isya', Nuruddin read a short hadith from Fadha'il Amal and delivered a moving talk about the importance of fadha'il taklim at masjid and at home. Immediately after, Hj Abdullah and the man who had first refused us entry to the masjid, asked us to get a copy each of Fadha'il Amal for them.

We then moved on to Masjid al-Hilal, Kg Berjaya 2, Bt. 6, about 1.6km away. This time, Pak Teh ismail travelled ahead with our luggages in a car driven by Imam Mazlin of Kg Bt 5. When we arrived Pak Teh was still outside the masjid, sitting alone, reading Muntakhab Ahadith at the stairs of the masjid. The door of the masjid was tight locked. We were perturbed as it was Friday. Again, I and Nuruddin were sent to meet any responsible persons of the masjid. A 15 year old young man known as Giant (as a character in Doraemon) led us to Hj Asmara's house about 100m away. An announcement was made by Hj Asmara welcoming our presence shortly before Friday khutbah.

We reached Masjid al-Ghaffar, Kg Perpaduan, after walking about 3.2km. Abd Rahman and Nur Yusry assisted us a lot, taking us visiting many local folks. A number of ustadzs from the peninsular lived in the vicinity of the masjid. Most of them rented houses here far away from schools where they teach as there is a steady supply of pipeline water in this area. The ustadzs were treated with bubur kacang after isya' while we explained our mission to them.

Nur Yusry, 17, the local young man, had made a superb effort on the local youngsters. A month before, about 20 of his schoolmates went out in the path of Allah for 3 days for the first time. They visited us in school uniforms with miswaak in their pockets. A number of his Form 5 mates intended to spend 40 days after the exam. May Allah make it easy for them.

Masjid al-Falah is 3.2km away. I and Hj Roslan arrived there early to do our khidmat. We were concerned about the little rainwater left in the masjid's water container. But, alhamdulillah, by maghrib time, the chairman of the masjid had arranged for a pick-up with a water tank to refill the containers. The chairman who is a retired school principal and also a local politician curiously asked us all sort of questions regarding the effort of dakwah & tabligh. We could not help but noticed his face brightened up each time he got the answer. By lunchtime on the second day he awkwardly eat together with us in the masjid. By asar he brought a friend joining in the discussion. By maghrib both of them gave intention to go out in the path of Allah for 3 days. By isya' 3 other local folks intended to join him.

Two ustadzs from Kelantan whom we met at our previous route, Kg Perpaduan, Bt 8, each came with their cars to drive us to Kg Ulu Dusun, 23km away. Though we were in paidal jamaat (walking jamaat), we are allowed to travel by vehicle if the distance is more than 15km. We arrived at Masjid Ulu Dusun, Bt 30, by the two cars and a pick-up driven by a Sandakan karkun. We were warmly welcomed by Imam Bustamin, 80 yrs of age, of Banjar tribe. There were about 150 families living in the vicinity, half of them christians. The were 4 churches in the four corners of the village. In the evening, we made ghast with the assistance of Mamat, a 12 yr old orphan, who guided us to muslims' houses. Mamat and his two brothers were deprived of schooling but they could read well enough from a free private tuition they had received from Imam Bustamin. From this ghast, we met a group of Banjar muslim youngsters. Glen, a Kadazan christian lad, was also amongst them. When all of his muslim friends were ready to go to the masjid, Glen agreed to join his mates. We gave him a sarong to wear in the masjid and he sat listening attentively to the sitting talk right to the end. Alhamdulilah, by then Allah gave him hidayat in accepting Islam. He chosed Ghazali as his muslim name.

From Kg lu Dusun, we walked to Kg Pertanian and stayed at the masjid there for a couple of days. Just about 800m from Kg Pertanian, behind a steep hill, is Kg Garinono. This route was the shortest in between so far. The two villages are famous for salak fruits. We had eaten 15kg of salak fruits between us in the period of our stay at both villages. Sadly, we found out the hard truth that the local folks here only came to the masjid on Fidays. During ghast, one local man even asked us when aproached, "Is it Friday today?" Ah! I should not be telling you the remorseful side of the Ummah...

Well, it is essential for every jamaat to travel well-prepared, even if we have to carry our own "ta'am set" (cooking stuff) that would help us to be absolutely independent of others for food. Dependency is only onto Allah. Alas, one must not let one's self and wealth becomes a source of burden to others, no matter how small it might be. This is the minimum requirement that every muslim has to strive to acquire. On the other hand, the noblest of characteristic that a Muslim could possess is to use his self and wealth for the benefit of other people, eventhough he himself is in the state of dire need. This noblest characteristic is prevalent in all Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum. The ta'am set is collectively acquired by everyone in our jamaat and used routinely by the khidmat pairs. As there were 8 of us, everyone took turns to have the taste of khidmat every 2 or 3 days. I had since stopped complaining about my wife's cooking after my first khidmat in a jamaat years ago...(grin).

Masjid at-Tauhid, Sakilan Desa Estate, is about 4km away from our last route. Again I was sent ahead of others with the luggages and ta'am set as it was my turn for khidmat. As we reached the road entrance to the masjid, we found out that the road entrance was ordered to be blocked by a locked steel bar by the estate's non-Muslim manager. After reasoning with the estate manager, the road entrance was eventually cleared.

On the third day of Ramadhan, August 2009, we began the 'mother of the walks' for a distance of 15km from Masjid Pekan Gum Gum to Masjid Pangiran at the outskirt of Sandakan. I will treasure the ecstasy and blessedness that I felt walking with my fellow believers, diligently humming dzikr in the remembrance of Almighty Allah. When we felt the toil we would stop briefly and one of us would remind us of the sacrifice and hardships that Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wasalam and the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum had to endure for the sake of deen.

Sandakan, the town faces Sulu Sea, not far from Amanilah (peace bestowed by Allah) in the old Muslim-dominated Sulu Sultanate era - now is known as Manila City. I could not help but noticed Sandakan's resemblance to the port of Algeciras in modern day Spain. It was the place where the great dai'e of Allah, Tariq ibn Ziyad rahmatullah alayhi landed with the other muslim faithfuls to spread the deen of Allah and brightened the European continent from utter darkness and total ignorance.

Comfort of Life

2010-07-14T14:09:00.003+08:00

My father told me one day

I was born the morning on Monday

He cuddled me close to his body

And whispered in my ear

Allah is Great! Allah is Great!

I guess I was too small to remember

When I was a toddler

The one thing that I could remember

When I cried night and day of hunger

My mother would not let me suffer

Feeding me, I recalled her smile and tender

Not long before I believed

My mother provided me with comfort of life

As I grew up, mummy and daddy's little angel

I felt more precious than a rare pearl

Daddy brought home candies and trifles

Not long before I believed

My father provided me with comfort of life

In a distant land I sat in lectures

Speaking the language of the past masters

In the company of strange exotic people I lingered

Not long before I believed

My degree provided me with comfort of life

Stuck in a little room every day

I took orders without any say

Every month I waited for the pay

Not long before I believed

My boss provided me with comfort of life

The persistence of the callers made me curious

Invited me to sit in the company of the wise and pious

Teaching me not to depend on others

For we are all helpless

When it is only Allah who provide us all with comfort of life

Praise be to Allah who showed me the Way

None others except Him for us to pray

Indeed I had long been drifted away

O my brothers! Please do not turn away

Pause and listen to what I have to say

Allah is Great! Allah is Great!

A Wonderful Initial Effect of Fadha'il Ta'lim

2010-07-12T15:23:00.005+08:00

You could tell the dwellers of a house by looking at its main door. If there is a cross on the door, then the dwellers of the house are Christians. If you see the endless knot or the wheel symbol on the door, then the dwellers of the house are Buddhis. If you see the Aum or Om symbol on the door, then the dwellers are most definitely Hindus. And you could tell the dwellers of a house are Muslims when you see "Basmallah" or "Assalamu'alaykum" written in Arabic at the door. However, when you enter Muslims houses nowadays, there is a great chance that you could not differentiate them with the non-Muslims houses. The mood and atmosphere in Muslim houses are the same as the non-Muslims' - the mood and atmosphere of "restaurants" (eat, eat and drink); the mood and atmosphere of "hotels" (sleep and rest); and the mood and atmosphere of "cinemas" (music and home theatre). Where is the mood and atmosphere of "madrasahs and masjids" that we are suppose to propagate in our houses...? In fact, with regard to the hopes we cherish, we are like him who hopes to reap corn after having sowed barley.

The following is based on true story:

A Muslim husband decided that he has to do something to change the mood and atmosphere of his house. Love for his wife and two small daughters prompted him to make some effort in bringing the environment of deen at home. After all what is the meaning of this life if he would be separated from his family in the aakhirah? Alhamdulillah, the pious wise men advised him to start a fadha'il ta'lim at home.

He managed to get a copy of the book, "Fadha'il Amal by Sheikul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Kandahlawi rahmatullah alayhi" (literally means the Book of Virtuous Deeds). The pious wise men told him that the book is to be read at a fixed place at home, and at a fixed time when everyone in the house is unoccupied or less occupied, starting with one or two hadith (approximately 5-10 minutes), thereby it should be consistently and gradually read with patient and persistent at the fixed time and place until the day of Qiyamaah. Thus he decided to start reading the book to his family at their common living room after he came back home from masjid every night after isya'.

The first time he opened the Fadha'il Amal to read, his wife did not show any interest at all, not even a slight gesture of appeal. She was watching the loud telly, and like Cleopatra who did not wish to be disturbed, she acted as if nothing happened, focusing more on what was being watched. Their little girl, aged 2, was playing with her baby sister. After a five minutes reading with a raised voice, he closed the book and said nothing to the cold reception.

Days passed by as he kept on doing the routine. Came back home from masjid, took the book from the shelf, sat down and read it to his daughters and wife. His Cleopatra wife seemed unmoved at all by the activity around her. Patient, he taught. The pious wise men told him he must constantly remind himself what he did was to please Almighty Allah, and that the hadith read was meant for himself. In this way, if nobody listened to him then he would not feel frustration, anger or sad. And even if everyone listened to him, he would not feel self-aggrandizing and pompous. The desirable result of fadha'il ta'lim would come with patient and persistent.

True enough after about two weeks, the first sign of acceptance appeared when his wife started to bring down the volume of the telly almost to mute, albeit she still wouldn't stare away from the telly. Another days passed when his small daughter started to notice what her father was doing. When she saw her father picked up the book from the shelf, she chanted in her cute little voice, "Ta'lim...ta'lim...ta'lim..."

Right about this time his wife then switched off the telly. He couldn't help but noticed that she was pretending to play with the girls near him, but trying hard not to acknowledge the reading of the hadith. The positive sign made him really look forward for the routine reading every night.

One fine night, as he began the reading with basmallah, his wife suddenly put on a scarf to cover her head, sat beside him with their baby girl on her lap. He was controlling his emotion by the sight of it and tried hard to conceal his solace and at the same time struggled to finish the reading, which by this time had been lengthened to 20 minutes. The next night, he gave her a ravishing smile as he said, "I've been reading this kitaab for a long time. I think it is now your turn to read."

Thus began the effort to instill the mood and atmosphere of masjid and madrasah in his home.

A Parable of A Wahabbi

2010-07-11T00:36:00.000+08:00

A man was drowning in the river. He frantically shouted for help, gasping for air in and out of the water. Along came a Wahabbi near the river bank. He paused and looked at the man. He then turned away from the dying man and said, "Bidaah! Rasulullah SAW had never drown."

An Encounter with Wahhabism - Part 4

2010-07-07T05:02:00.003+08:00

Needless to say, our relationship turned sour. I ceased to attend his weekly early morning lectures. We both merely exchanged faked smiles whenever we bumped onto each other in the masjid. By this time, from the many various muzakarah or discussions and advices that I had with various knowledgeable ustaadzs who are well-versed in all the four madzhahabs, it is crystal clear to me the fitnah of wahhabism that he was trying to advocate and spread.

After about a month, I realised that he was nowhere to be seen at the masjid on his usual weekly lectures. I was told that finally the other namazis had enough of his unconventional lectures. It happened one day when apparently he caused much stir and uproar among the people in the masjid when he gave the most disparaging remarks. He told the people openly in his lecture that the namaaz or prayer of those who pray fajar namaaz behind an imam who recited the qunoot du'a would be invalidated. These ridiculous statement had disheartened many people that finally caused his lectures to be cut off and cancelled. I did not know to what extent the damage of the remarks had caused. I was not there. But I remember feeling glad that the attempt to spread the fitnah of wahhabism in my masjid was finally over.

Meanwhile, my wife and two very young daughters was enjoying an attached relationship with his wife and daughters. Both my daughters were very fond of his daughter, their Quran teacher. Sometimes my wife would cook some food and a portion of it to his family. After all we are very close neighbours. Our house are only a few feet away from their house. And during all these time I kept all the encountering episodes between me and him to myself, seeing no point to involve my family in the matter that did not concern and benefit them.

However, the most unfortunate event happened during my 40 days khuruuj in the path of Allah to Sabah. My wife started to receive photocopied articles and materials in our post box, some of which were from a wahhabis' website and some others originated from Indonesia. Most of the materials written were utter rubbish and craps condemning the effort of dakwah and tabligh with the most deregatory and slanderous statements. A couple day after that, his wife called my wife over the phone asking her opinion about the articles, coaxing and alluring my wife to accede to the rubbish and craps stated in the materials about tablighi jamaat. Little did she knew that my wife had already traveled with me several times in khuruuj in masturaat jamaat (husbands and wives jamaat) and already had tasted the sweetness of making effort on imaan and aamal. In the end, when my wife refused to subscribe to her constant pestering, his wife then relentlessly told my wife not to send our two daughters to her house for the Quran recitation lessons anymore for her family had to severe relationship with my family for we are the astrayed (sesat) people! I briefly mentioned about this unfortunate event in my earlier notes 40 Days in Sabah.

It was just simply astonishing the extent of brainwashing he and his family were willing to force onto other people.May Almighty Allah have mercy on us and them.

An Encounter with Wahhabism - Part 3

2010-07-01T16:33:00.002+08:00

Towards the end of his series of weekly early morning lectures, there existed fractions between the namaazis of our masjid. His lectures were filled with allegations of bidaah, deviation and shirk to the usual practices of the people, particularly aamal that are being practiced in Malaysia. At the same time, I frequented Mazahirul Ulum, Masjid Jame' Sri Petaling bombarding the ustaadzs there with my questions and queries about his teachings that increasingly confusing to me.

The first bombshell was dropped on me during one of his lectures. In his excitement in convincing the namazis regarding a contested issue, he jolted me with his remarks when he openly said, "The whole of scholars or ulama' during the time of Al-Ghazali had unanimously agreed that Al-Ghazali had deviated (sesat)!" I instantly raised my voice asking him question in a disapproving tone, "Ustadz! Did you mean Imam Ghazali rahmatullah alayhi, the author of Ihya Ulumuddin?" "Yes!", he replied in a high tone. "In fact, the book, Ihya Ulumuddin is more rightly called **** (he mentioned the Arabic words which I could not remember) which means the trap of Shaytaan!", he said. I could not believe what I just heard. I was wrecked and traumatized. I could not think of better action to take but to instantly stood up and walk away from his majlis.

No sooner I found myself at his house for the third invitation. This time he did not spare me and wasted no time in intimidating me. At the very first words he dropped the second bombshell on me with a smile on his face. He told me that he sympathized with me and especially my family. He told me that I worked hard just to stuck myself in the path of deviation (sesat). Not only that I deviated (sesat) but I had also deviated (menyesatkan) my family. He then continuously abused and vilified tablighi jamaat, at the same time slandering and abusing Maulana Ilyas rahmatullah alayh and his family including Maulana Zakariya rahmatullah alayh. He took out a few copies of Fadha'il Aamal which had been marked with different luminous colours on the pages. We exchanged words and engaged in heated arguments until a handsome Arab visitor arrived at his house. I then left his house in pain and distress.

Alhamdulillah, the sting and agony in my heart quickly faded away. If he had the guts and courage to abuse and vilify one of the Imams of the Ummah, Imam Ghazali rahmatullah alayhi, should I pay heed to his abuses towards me?

An Encounter with Wahhabism - Part 2

2010-07-01T14:58:00.000+08:00

At the second visit, our conversation touched on more serious matters. He talked about Tauhid and Aqidah (Rububiyyah, Uluhiyyah, and Asma Was Siffat), something that was alien to me. Then the conversation drifted on the different fikrah that are in existence today. He made his opinion known to me about Ikhwan Muslimin, Maududiyaat, Jamiat Islami and PAS, among other things. When he started to talk about Sufism, I felt perturbed and upset as he made a sweeping assumptions that Sufism and Tassawuf is a practice that must be shunned and condemned by the Muslims. I could accept his opinion if he meant the practices of ignorant sufis but to impose total rejection is something that agitate me .(You may like to read an article that I posted On Tassawuf) . However, I kept the feeling to myself. I felt disagreement should not be an excuse for disrespect of any kind. I just wanted to maintain good relations with him.

At about he same time frame, someone from my masjid has already invited him to deliver early morning weekly lectures after fajar namaaz at the masjid. Hence, from the beginning I frequently sat i his series of lectures. The first thing that I noticed was that he purposely left the practice of reciting qunoot d'ua whenever he led the fajar namaaz. Sometimes his son who is a haafiz led fajar namaaz with the same attitude.

The first series of his lectures revolved around Tauhid and Aqidah. As I had heard it before, he explained Tauhid Rububiyyah, Tauhid Uluhiyyah and Asma Was Siffat, which till now is confusing me. He frequently quoted Ibn Tamiyyah rahimahullah. The second series of his lectures turned around fiqh. They mainly revolved around the issues of taqlid (following one of the four accepted madhahab, namely, Maliki, Hanafi, Shafie and Hanbali).

Note: I refrain fro writing more about his lectures because I fear that they would unnecessarily create confusion. It is necessary for you to be able to distinguish between his view and the correct views of the majority of the mainstream scholars or ulama'.

Anyway, he also mentioned "the top ten ulama' in the world" as his basis and authority who I suspected to be the Saudi Arabia's ulama' including Ibn Baz and Nasaruddin Albani. Once after one of the lectures, I urged him not to quote "the top ten ulama' in the world" but rather refer to the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum as his examples since not everyone would agree to the status of "the top ten ulama' in the world" but everyone would unanimously accept the lofty status of the Sahabah radiyalaahu anhum.

An Encounter with Wahhabism - Part 1

2010-07-01T10:44:00.001+08:00

To my pleasant surprise, he approached me one day inviting me for tea at his house. Before this, we just exchange salam whenever we crossed each other's path. I always admire him for the sunnah appearance in him. Long beard, clipped mustache and wearing robe or shalwar above the ankles. I called him ustaadz. Sadly, the sunnah of appearance or surah of Rasulullah SAW had been ignored by the general public at large and most of the ustaadzs. I felt we were sharing the same love for the sunnah of Rasulullah SAW. Obviously I was very excited in accepting his invitation.

The first visit was more on ta'ruf (getting to know each other) and also on the aspects of bidaah (religion practices which does not conform to the sunnah of Nabi SAW) which, according to him, is prevalent in the Ummah, particularly in Malaysia. He talked about the purported bidaah of tahlil, wirid and recitation of surah Yaa Siin every Friday, among other things. At that point of time, I was impressed by his concern for the Ummah since I lacked understanding about those noble practices and not enough appreciation about the importance of madzhaabs. He presented to me a couple of booklets relating to the bidaah of tahlil and some other bidaah practices. The source of the booklets is from Indonesia. (Later I read a few kitaabs written by prominent ulama' on the importance of madzhaabs and have several lengthy discussion relating to the matter with the ustaads at Mazahirul Ulum, Sri Petaling who are my constant source of reference).

I began to foster a relationship with him. I sent my two daughters, aged 9 and 7, to read the Quran with his teenage daughter. His children are well-versed in the recitation of the Holy Quran. He and his family had been staying in Madinah for many years prior to his appointment as a lecturer in a local university.

Later he invited me for a second visit to his house.

Beware of Wahhabism

2010-07-01T04:45:00.007+08:00

Call them Wahhabis, Salafis or Ahle Hadith. They are just the same bunch of people. This is a group who are promoting their incorrect beliefs under the catchy title of "Salafism". Although they claim to follow the way of the pious predecessors (salaf), they, in reality, follow the way of a select few scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah, who despite their vast knowledge, held several views contrary to the vast majority of the scholars and were heavily criticized for it.

To me they are a threat to the Ummah. And their numbers are growing. They are men with eloquent tongues. They speak of upholding the Sunnah and Shariat, but really they hold only to the fiqh of Saudi Wahabbi and the hadith of Albani. They claim that they are salafis (those who follow the pious elders) but really they are merely Wahhabis and Albaniyyuns (those who follow Muhammad Abdul Wahab and Nasharuddin Albani). They choose to deviate from the school of thought of the mainstream pious elders (Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah), adopting the unconventional, strange and extreme thoughts the Ummah had never heard before. Those who oppose them had been branded ahle bidaah, deviated and even musyriks. .

They pay no heed to the opinions of the the four accepted Imams of the Ummah and the Madzhaabs (the mainstream schools of thought), claiming to know better than the illustrious Imams and the pious elders, even to the extent of vilifying them. To them the pious elders of the Ummah was wrong and led the entire Ummah in deviation. These Wahabbis are the ghayr muqallids and staunchly oppose the practice of taqleed by the Ummah. Taqleed, in lay men terms, is a practice of following the expert opinion of the Imams of the Ummah and the pious elders of Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah in the matter of Deen. I believe only those who really appreciate the importance of following the Madzhaab will be able to see the danger of the Wahhabis' fitnah.

May Almighty Allah save us all from these fitnah.

And Allah Ta'ala knows best.

The Journey Continues

2010-05-11T04:06:00.001+08:00

I will have to leave writing this blog for awhile to fulfil another journey for rectification of faith, an effort of rectification of my iman and my aamal, for a period of 40 days. Please make du'a for me.

Travelogue - Germany Part 20

2010-05-11T03:57:00.000+08:00

Masjid An-Nur, Kleiner Pulver Teich 17 in Hamburg is one of the four masjids that are situated at the same stretch of road within 50 metres distant. The other masjids are Turkish, Albanian and Indonesian masjids. Masjid An-Nur and the Albanian Masjid are just next to one another. It was such a unique sight. At An-Nur Masjid itself, about 50-60 namaazis were present for each fard congregation namaaz. Nazali Sham, one of the hardworking Malaysian students in the effort of dakwah, was not a stranger to the local brothers here. Hamburg brothers from far and near gathered here daily to make local effort of dakwah and tabligh. At the time we reached Hamburg, the local brothers were about to shift the dakwah and tabligh centre from An-Nur Masjid to a new spacious masjid which was still under renovation at Bockmannstrasse 51, Hamburg.

One of the luminaries of Hamburg muslims was Ibrahim, an ahlul-bait, one of the descendants of our Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. He was one of the imam of the masjid. Ibrahim was also the one who had driven about 300km from Hamburg to Berlin, reaching Berlin at 3.00am and 4 hours later at about 7.00am drove our jamaat back to Hamburg in a van - reached Hamburg about 3 hours later. This type of nusrah or aid was simply astonishing, and commonly received by us from our untiring brothers in Germany. A brother from Hanover drove 170km to reach Hamburg with a 4-months jamaat from India at 8am and immediately drove us back to Hanover. Another brother, Kurshid, had driven 380km from Hanover to Amsterdam, Netherlands and drove back to Hanover an hour later. To us, those brothers had given the new meaning to the term "nusrah", which really reduce to the shame our meagre effort back home in Malaysia. Especially comparing them to me who is frail and sickly in driving and road travelling, the single journey that those brothers made to assist our movement is better than my whole lifetime effort on dakwah and tabligh.

Our last route in Germany was Masjid-ul Ummah, Kornstrasse 25, Hanover. Afzal Qureshi and Kurshid were well assisted by two Afghans, Salim Khan and Yunus, together with Hud, Muslim and Yusoff from Togo. It was here at Masjid Ummah that we met native German Muslims who had spent 4 months and 40 days in the path of Allah, among them Abdul Malek, Ya'cob, Abdul Hakeem and Nick Wolfgang - they were all German youths in their 20's. Abdul Malek spoke fluent English and good Arabic having spent one year in Yaman to learn the language of the Holy Quran. Going out in umumi ghast with them on the streets of Hanover, it was evidently clear the power of iman or faith overcomes every single odd. There, walking with me, were shining-faced heavily bearded German youths in all-white gamis and shalwar, their eyes fixed to the ground ignoring the temptation of the many women on the streets. Ya'cob to me once he was searching in his heart the one special amal or good deed that he would hold onto in his entire lifetime. For his concern, Almighty Allah honoured him with a dream meeting the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam who told him not to harbour ill-thoughts over other people. I listened to him in zealous for not even once I had been honoured with a dream of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. Perhaps I'm not worthy of such honour.

On September 27, 2004 we left Hanover and Germany ending an episode of our journey of faith. May Almighty Allah accept our effort.

Travelogue - Germany Part 19

2010-05-07T03:09:00.002+08:00

After four days at Erfurt, we arrived at Berlin on September 16, 2004. We were brought to Masjid Bait-ul Mukarram, Keinitzerstrasse 98. The chairman of the Masjid was a Bangladeshi and the imam was from Sham. Almost 24 hours there were people joining us for i'tikaaf. They were brothers from Lubnan Palestine, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, etc and most of them had spent time in the path of Allah from 3 days to 4 months. We were brought to visits Muslims from the surrounding masjids.

I felt rather nostalgic arriving at Berlin since it is one of the cities that I had stopped by whilst euro-railing for one whole month during the summer holiday back in 1990 when I was studying in England. I somewhat hope that the journey in the path of Allah would in some way serve as a redemption to all the foolishness that I had made in the same city in 1990 (such as collecting fragments of the Berlin Wall as souvenirs for a symbol of regained freedom!)

We also stayed at Masjid An-Nur, Haberstrasse 3, Berlin for a couple of days. The Arab Muslim community here had bought a desolated milk factory and turned it into a splendid huge 4-storey masjid complete with a shop, a canteen, a kitchen, IT centre, classes for children and even a gymnasium. Sadly, except for a nikah (marriage) occasion that was held here where many people-men, women and children, flocked in the masjid for a whole day and night, there were only a handful of mussalis that pray fard namaaz here.

At the occasion of nikah, we were utterly shell-shocked to see that the imam himself leading the others in singing songs (or praises) and the men then danced in the masjid in a big circle. Although the women were separated from men a the upper floor, and although the dancing and singing of praises might be an acceptable Arab culture, I personally felt that it was hideous and disgusting thing to do in any masjid. I am relating to you this story not to unnecessarily expose the repulsive and ugliness of the ummah or any specified community but rather to reflect that not all that we had seen and experience were all charming and delightful. The purpose is not to condemn but to ask forgiveness to Almighty Allah on behalf of the entire ummah in the matters that we had transgressed. And how much that I had transgressed! May Almighty Allah give taufeek to me and the entire ummah to practise only the blessed sunnah way of life of our Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wasalam.

And oh! At this masjid we managed to persuade Fairuz and Nazali Sham, the two Malaysian students that were together with us for the most part of our journey, to cut their hair short!

Travelogue - Germany Part 18

2010-05-06T19:53:00.003+08:00

We then travelled 170km to the east of Germany to Erfurt that used to be the gateway to the former East Germany from the West before the unification. We reached Masjid Madinah, Trommsdorffstrasse after almost 2 hours on the road. Although there were exciting things and wonderful scenery that could been seen during the road journey, I, as usual, slept all the way to avoid car sickness.

The imam of Masjid Madinah, Imam Hassan, is an energetic young man absorbed in the work of dakwah and tabligh. He read Riyadus Solihin after asar and Hayatus Sahabah after Isya'. He is fluent in English and acted as our translator, together with a couple of Malaysian students who accompanied us. From Masjid Madinah, the many dedicated brothers made intikali jaulah and tasykil at the surrounding masjids. There used to be bitter and cruel opposition against them from the wahabbi or the so-called salafi hardliners. But their constant tireless effort managed to end the harsh treatment and some of them rough wahabbis even join the effort of dakwah and tabligh and turned to soft and pleasing mannered person.

Dr Wa'el, a Palestinian brain surgeon working at Erfut Hospital organised a masturat bayan (ladies discources) at his house. As with every other masturat bayan, it had been delivered behind a veiled door as a measure to strictly separate men from women, with Dr Wa'el himself sitting beside translating the bayan. I just do not understand why the so-called learned men of deen here in Malaysia could let the veils separating the two genders in our masjds to be wide open, inviting all sorts of fitan in the pretext of teaching deen. It is such in contrast with any masturat bayan that I and my wife had been, where there was no sound of a woman's voice behind the veil, even their shoes were concealed from any man.

Dr Wa'el later told us that he is married to an American lady who had reverted to Islam. After involving in the work of dakwah, Almighty Allah totally changed their lives, turning their concern for the narrowness of this world to the concern for everlasting aakhirah. The couple shared the hope that one day Almighty Allah will change the environment of Erfut to the environment of Madinah Munawarrah during the time of our Prophet SAW.

Travelogue Germany - Part 17

2010-04-21T02:09:00.002+08:00

We returned to Pak Muhammadi Masjid in Frankfurt am Main for khudama' jord (the gathering of those who had spent 40 days and 4 months in the path of Allah) joining about 300-400 brothers from all over Germany during the weekend. Alhamdulillah, we had the opportunity to be in the company of personalities in the work of dakwah and tabligh such as Maulana Ibrahim Gujrati and Bhai Farook of Nizamuddin, India, together with Sheikh Yunus, the amir of France. We derived great benefits from the discourses, muzakarah and advises from those luminaries, mostly centred around the importance of love and affection among dakwah workers in particular and Muslims in general.

We then continue our journey to Fulda, 104km north-east of Frankfurt city. We stayed at Masjid al-Andalus, Von Schildeckstrasse 9. The masjid is just beside a synagogue which seemed like it was guarded by the authority for some reason. Well, certainly there were policemen present at the synagogue at all time.

Khaled of Palestine and Dr Khaled and Hassan of Mesr made nusrah to our jamaat together with many Malaysian brothers. There were an institution in Fulda that trained lecturers from Malaysia's Industrial Training Institute (ILP) under the Ministry of Human Resource - a 4-6 months "train the trainers" programme. At the time, there were about 25 Malaysians attending the programme.

On 11th September 2004, our third day in Fulda, there were a lot of activities in churches within Fulda until late evening which I felt rather odd but did not think much about it. We did not realise what transpired, not until during ghast (visitations) when we met a Muslim grocery shop-owner. We were chided and abused by the shop-owner, "You people are crazy! Look at you! You come here and dress like this...It was people like you who caused the 9-11...causing all the problems. Don't you see around you!? (I supposed he meant all the activities in the churches). Go away! I do not want you here." We were used to abuses, blames and rebukes thrown at us by our fellow Muslims. Sometimes it came from our own family members, friends and neighbours. But we were deeply saddened by this event.

So it was. Until then none of us ever thought, even for a split second about 9-11. But I am still wondering why the synagogue were guarded all the time...hmmm...

Travelogue Germany - Part 16

2010-04-20T04:27:00.002+08:00

Nurnberg city had been heavily bombarded during the World War Two. The remnants of the ruins were still visible, most of them intentionally preserved as a remembrance of the sorrow of wartime. A day before our arrival in Nurnberg, 22 MARA students from German-Malaysia Institute had just arrived from Malaysia together with a couple of MARA officers overseeing their placements. Nurnberg was a transit point for those students before they were placed to different institutions in Germany. We ceased the opportunity to meet some of them and gather them at Masjid Bilal together with the locals. We had prepared a feast for them after Isya', and alhamdulillah, Masjid Bilal that used to be filled with many namazis a couple of years ago before almost been deserted, began to be visited by namazis again at namaaz time.

On the third day, we then make consultation with the local brothers from Nurnberg and Erlangen and it was decided that we should go for one day to Pappenheim in Eichstatt district, 72km from Nurnberg city. On 6th September 2004, we reached Masjid-ul Rahman, Pappenheim, another Turkish-ethnic masjid. Masjid-ul Rahman is a tiny premise overlooking Burg Pappenheim, an old medieval castle. Upon our arrival, the local Turkish brothers immediately slaughtered a lamb for us and all of us enjoyed a delicious dinner with the local brothers.

There were a large number of Turkish community in Eichstatt. The majority of the Turkish Muslims worked in marble quarries as expert marble cutters. It is said that Eichstatt marble quarries produce the finest marble in the world- and the marble from here were used in the renovation and upgrading of Masjid-un Nabawi in Madinah Munawarrah. There were a masjid specially built for the workers at their workplace at the quarry where fadha'il ahadith were read during ta'leem at noon.

The Turkish brothers worked eight months a year. During the four months winter break, many of them spent their time in khuruuj fiisabilillah for 4 months in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey etc. Some of them spent their break in khuruuj for 40 days together with their respective wives in Masturat (ladies) jamaat. Evidently deeni environment prevailed in the area. We saw Muslim ladies in pardah walking on the streets. We witnessed the men all came to the masjid in the afternoon after work, their clothes and bodies all covered in dust. We were awestruck with the fruit of effort that they had been making in the middle of nowhere in the small town of Pappenheim. The glorious men of faith in the Ottoman era had come to my imagination at the sight of those rugged heavily bearded pious men. One day in Pappenheim had totally changed my view of the Turkish people whom somehow I had previously wrongly related them with the likes of Mustaffa Kemal, the enemy of Islam and the destroyer of deen in Turkey.

Travelogue Germany - Part 15

2010-04-09T09:44:00.001+08:00

Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wasalam hat us seit lang verlassen. Aber die Verantwortung fur Deen ist meine Arbeit, und Arbeit von den ganzen Menschen.

We left Regensburg (Ratisbon) for Nurnberg which is 106km away up north. Our amir and I left by train accompanied by Azizul who was our guide. The rest of the brothers left with two cars driven by Fatmir and Hisham, a Malaysian student doing his practical in Regensburg. I always volunteered myself whenever we have to split journey, opting to travel by train instead, simply because I was the youngest in the jamaat. The elderly brothers would find it difficult to take the train. Besides, I tried to avoid car sickness when travelling long distance. Nervous eyes stared at us - three bearded strange men wearing long robe above the ankles. However, the nervousness immediately turned to broad grin on the faces of those German passengers when we offered them some food and snack. A small gesture of kindness never failed to break the ice. If only it happened yesterday, I might probably be blunt and use Shah Rukh Khan's line, "My name is Khan. And I'm not a terrorist."

We reached Masjid Bilal, Zufurhstrasse 8, Nurnberg just before maghrib. To our surprise the rest of our jamaat who travelled by road were nowhere to be seen. They only reached the masjid at Isya' time. Apparently they had been followed by an unmarked police car for quite a while before the car flashed the word POLIZEI on the rear glass screen of the car and stopped them at the highway. Two plain clothes officer emerged from the car and headed towards them with hand on their gun. They checked all the luggages and passports. They were held for a long time that they all performed maghrib namaaz by the roadside on the highway.

When the police officers decided to release them, Fatmir the Bosnian then made dakwah to them. First he asked them to spare a little time for him to talk since they had taken away his time. He then talked about Allah, the Creator. Then he talked about the Prophets that Allah send for guidance. And then he talked about the Last of the Prophets, Muhammad sallalaahu alayhi wasalam, who was sent as a guidance to all mankind. He then made tasykil to them. All the while when Fatmir was talking, the officers listened attentively. Eventually, one of them said that he was an atheist. Fatmir then told them to bear witness that he and his friends were good Muslims.

I hope Muslims all over the world would strive to show the real Muslims way of life by following the examples that had been set by our Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wasalam and his Companions radiyalaahu ahum. It is very unfortunate indeed that the non-Muslims are deprived of the best example for mankind to follow because of the mistakes caused by Muslims all over the world who had abandoned the Prophet's way of life. Today Islam only exists in books and kitaabs on the shelves but void in the lives of Muslims.

Travelogue Germany - Part 14

2010-04-08T09:52:00.000+08:00

We made effort in Munchen city for eleven days, travelling 19km to the south of the city to Salih Sanli Masjid at Carl-Werystrasse 60 and then back up north to Masjid Umar, Bergmannstrasse 10, Munchen. Salih Sanli Masjid was a splendid masjid built on charity of Salih Sanli family - a Turkish family. We met Sheikh Salih Sanli himself who was a very affectionate person and supported the effort of dakwah. The masjid had a large collection of the Quran translated in many languages, including Malay language. It was like a huge library.

A couple of Pakistanis ethnic, Hussein and Tareeq, who were close with Sheikh Salih became our guide and interpreter in meeting the local Muslims, mostly of Turkish ethnic.

Jabir and his brother Furqan, made effort of dakwah at Masjid Umar. Jabir had spent 4 months and Furqan had spent 40 days in the path of Allah. We met one of the namazi, Raza, an Iraqi who used to be the follower of yarsan or kaka'i cult - a cult appeared in the late 14th century in Western Iraq. Although Muslim by name, the kaka'is do not observe Muslim rites and rituals. Although he had lived surrounded by Muslims, only when he was forced out of Iraq due to the war, Almighty Allah gave Raza hidayat to embrace Islam. We met many people, either non-Muslims or namesake Muslims, who took refuge in Germany after calamities like war and famine befell their native countries, and then subsequently embraced Islam. Raza was one of them, and another person was a Bosnian Muslim named Fatmir.

We met Fatmir at Masjid ar-Rahman, Hemauerstrasse 20, Regensburg, a city 128km north of Munchen. By the grace of Allah, through the effort of dakwah, he tasted the sweetness of iman and turned to be a pious Muslim. He had spent four months in the path of Allah. Almighty Allah gave him hidayat only after he had fled war-torn Bosnia and ended up as a refugee in Germany. There were many instances of such blessing in disguise by Almighty Allah.

Travelogue Germany - Part 13

2010-04-07T01:45:00.002+08:00

It was 19th August, 2004, when we reached Masjid-ul Ummah, Tagetesstrasse 6, Munchen or Munich. It had been almost one month since we first arrived in Germany. Masjid-ul Ummah was merely a cabin used by a group of German Muslims as their masjid. Here we met a tireless dai'e, Haji Abdul Wahid of Pakistani origin. Haji Abdul Wahid, together with Farouk and Bilal, both of Turkish origin made a sturdy and dedicated effort of dakwah and tabligh that is hard to surpass. It really astonished me how Haji Abdul Wahid could endure the exhaustion when making nusrah to our jamaat. He travelled back and forth from his house to the masjid nearly 10km away and to this date I still admire his strength of imaan that he was able to perform fajar namaaz in the masjid living such distance away. He also acted as our interpreter and guide.

I believe, by the blessing of Almighty Allah, Haji Abdul Wahid had gathered such strength of faith with the assistance of his German wife who was also very active in masturat or ladies jamaat. Masturat effort here was very good compare to other parts of Germany. Here masturat takleem (ladies circles of learning deen) was carried out once every forth night by alternating the houses. Oh! I should mention that Haji Abdul Wahid's wife was an excellent cook. He brought us all to his house for a hearty dinner. I couldn't forget the delicious halwa. Perhaps she's the best cook that I knew besides my mother and my wife.

We were brought during jaulah or ghast (visitations) to high rise apartments near 1974 Munich Olympic Stadium where many Muslims lived there. There was also a huge BMW plant and factory in the vicinity. The number of Muslims that worked there could be guessed by the number of masjids inside the BMW plant area - five masjids in total, all of which held Friday namaaz! I never had penchant for cars before, but after hearing this news I began to develop appreciation for BMW cars...astarghfirullah-al azim!

Travelogue Germany - Part 12

2010-04-06T23:55:00.001+08:00

There were 15 masjids in Augsburg. We had stayed for three days at Masjid Salahuddin, Frauentorstrasse 10, Augsburg. Maulana Mustafa Islam, a Turkish origin, from the nearby Turkish Masjid had been with us for nusrah. There were efort of dakwah at his masjid but i'tikaaf was not allowed there. Maulana Mustafa Islam had been studying at Raiwind Markaz, Pakistan for 9 years. He knows most of the ustaadzs at Sri Petaling Markaz when they were studying together at Raiwind Markaz.

Maulana Mustaffa Islam had gone out for one year in the path of Allah for dakwah and tabligh mission.He did not speak a word of English (although I suspect that he could and certainly he understood English), Maulana Sahb taught us a valuable lesson of appreciation and importance of holding to a madzhab or a particular school of mainstream fiqh. When asked by Haji Razali as to the most suitable name for a child , he simply said "Shafi'e" for boy and "Shafiyah" for girl, out of respect for Imam Shafi'e rahimahullah. Hj Razali's wife were pregnant at the time of this khuruuj and Shafiyah was born soon after.

We held a mini jorr or gathering for the many MARA students in Augsburg and one jamaat of three days had been formed. Among the students that I recalled were Naim Yusof, Zulfahmi Sujak, Khairul Hadi, Hasni Mohd Nor and Khairil Hussain. I've not heard from them since but I dearly hope that they continue to embrace the effort of dakwah and tabligh for their own benefits.

The basement in Masjid Salahuddin was turned into a kitchen where we prepared our food. I had been exposed to many different kind of tea. The black tea that is usually the favourite among the Arabs is to strong for me. I began to develop a liking on green mint tea instead. Despite all that I remember serving the local Boh tea to an Arab brother and, to our surprise, it has strong effect on him that no sooner he was all sweaty and feeling sick like someone who chewed his first paan.

Travelogue Germany - Part 11

2010-04-02T00:15:00.000+08:00

Ulama' and khudama' plays important roles in the effort of dakwah and tabligh. Muhammad Mahmood, a young aalim from Mauritania, was the imam of Arab Masjid (Multi Kultur Haus), Zeppelinstrasse 35, Neu Ulm, Germany. Both Imam Muhammad and Areen, a young Palestinian, had spent 40 days in the path of Allah. Their combination effort resulted in young Muslims inclination towards the effort of dakwah and young German natives submission to Islam.

Imam Muhammad Mahmood recited the Quran in the style that I had never heard before. But undoubtedly the best recitation that I had ever heard. The Friday khutbah, delivered by Imam Muhammad fully in Arabic, really moved our hearts. Imam Muhammad also taught the Quran to the children in the masjid.

Areen and his friends untiringly made effort on the youngsters. Areen received a solid support from his father, Tawfeek. I've heard countless times proud fathers talked and boasted about their kids achievement in worldly matters. But I treasured Tawfeek's delightedness of his son's involvement in dakwah effort.

Tawfeek brought me to visit his friend Esam@Abu A'la at the political asylum centre in Old Ulm and the three of us became good friends. May Almighty Allah guide and protect Esam who had strongly resolved to safeguard his namaaz.

During our stay at the Masjid from October 11-14, 2004, we learnt that 10 German young men had converted to Islam in the past 10 months and most of them actively engaged in the effort of dakwah. Among them, Amr and Wolfgang. Amr had embraced Islam after his best friend, a Turkish Muslim, died in a road accident. While attending the funeral prayer, Amr just followed others performing ablution and then joined in the funeral prayer.

Travelogue Germany - Part 10

2010-03-24T18:57:00.007+08:00

Before the work of dakwah has its roots in Switzerland, Muslims in Switzerland were seen as people of low morale and committed all kind of vices.The Schweiss people are the wealthiest among the Europeans. Practically whatever their worldly needs are fulfilled. But they are in dire need of contentment, serenity, complacency and peace of mind that could only be accorded by the deen of haq - Islam. It is said that two people committed assisted suicide weekly in Switzerland. It is the duty of each and every single Muslim to show the world, and these people in particular, Islam's way of life. And, alhamdulillah, with the work of dakwah and tabligh, the way of life of Rasulullah SAW has started to come in the life of Muslims here.

I'm proud to tell you that among the brothers that I met in Zurich who tirelessly made the effort of dakwah and tabligh were Subhinor and Abudzar, both are Malaysians. Subhi and Abudzar stuck closely to us all the time (about 5 days) we were there. From Madni Masjid we were taken to other masjids in the vicinity such as Xhamia Neseebach (Albanian Masjid) and to many other places to meet many Muslim living in Zurich including all the Malaysian staff stationed at Sauber-Petronas. Ziarad Khan, Muhammad Amin, Subhi and Abudzar were with us as our guides and mutarjim (translators).

I believe Abudzar is still living in Zurich. I hope he still is. There's a great deal of deeni contributions that could be derived from him over there. Once he opened up a Tai Chi class that had attracted many people in Zurich. I was not surprised of the attraction since he is a very nice person. He never failed to put up a smile on his face. Even when he was upset the smile never faded away. However he abruptly stopped teaching Tai Chi when he dreamed of Rasulullah SAW telling him that Tai Chi is not from him (i.e. not from Nabi SAW). And mind you that Abudzar related his dream to us back in 2004, four years before the brouhaha raised by the ignorant people here in Malaysia after the National Ulama Council made a fatwa of haram on yoga (something quite similar to Tai Chi) to be practised by Muslims. Anyway, Abudzar rode his superbike for 248km escorting us like a sole outrider from Zurich to Ulm, Germany.

Travelogue Germany - Part 9

2010-03-24T00:30:00.000+08:00

We were all having lunch at Madni Masjid, Zurich, when we heard a salutation from a heavily bearded handsome european man dressed in all white kamis and shalwar and white amamah who suddenly appeared at the entrance of the masjid. All eyes were beamed on him as we instantly answered his salutation. He just grinned and said in a perfect kelantanese dialect, "Ooo makey nasik ko?" A few seconds of silence then turned into eruption of astonishment and joy.

Muhammad Amin is an Italian Muslim living in Zurich. His presence at Madni Masjid were cherished by us all. He blended instantly with the three most senior among us as he speaks fluently the same language - Kelantan language. In fact he could not speak Malay language other than Kelantanese dialect.

Amin told us a fascinating story on how he first came into the fold of Islam. He had come backpacking to Malaysia from Italy in search of religion. Intrigued by hinduism, he had heard about a large hindu ritual gathering in Penang during thaipusam. However, what he uncovered at the ritual in Penang had turned him away from hinduism. The sight of people afflicting physical pain and punishment on their own bodies did not appeal to him at all as an ideal religion for him to embrace. He felt even more displaced and perturbed.

It was at night in the month of Ramadhan when Muhammad Amin was having a snack at a burger stall in Penang. He saw a scene that he had never encountered before. Crowds of people - men, women and children - all heading towards the same direction. He asked the burger stall lad about it and was told that they were going to masjid for prayer. When he eventually asked the lad about Islam, the young man scratched his head and told him to go to Kelantan to know more about Islam!

Amin did take a bus to Kota Bahru and, alhamdulillah, praise be to Almighty Allah that led him straight to dakwah markaz at Dusun Raja, Kota Bahru, Kelantan. With the light of hidayah, he not only embaced Islam but the work of dakwah and tabligh as well as did the early generations among this Ummah. He stayed in Kelantan for four years before returning home. Truly, when men really search and make effort on hidayah, Almighty Allah will surely grant them hidayah.

Travelogue Germany - Part 8

2010-03-21T12:53:00.001+08:00

Albstadt is a small city in Baden-Wurttemberg, located on the Swabian Alb mountains near the border of Switzerland. I and the amir of our jamaat reached the city by train whereas the others travelled by road. The majority of muslims here were hanafi-Turks. There were a handful of Pakistanis but they were all non-Muslim Qadiyanis. All the Malaysian students studying in Albstadt-Sigmaringen University here were very close with the Turks community here. Many muslims lived in the vicinity of Bilal Habesyhi Masjid. The weather was too cold for early August.

After three days in Albstadt, we were taken to Zurich by a Malaysian brother who was working at Petronas-Sauber in Switzerland, straight to Madni Masjid. Upon hearing the news that a jamaat from Malaysia would be travelling to Germany the Malaysian brother had contacted brothers in Germany requesting the jamaat to be diverted to Switzerland for a few days. Madni Masjid, Weinbergstrasse 147, Zurich was established under the banner of Swiss Muslim Society in 1996 to provide religious facilities to the Muslims living in Zurich city.

The effort of dakwah and tabligh had started in Switzerland in early 1970s. The first jamaat from Pakistan came to Switzerland facing all kind of hardship. Back then, there was hardly any masjid in Switzerland and the jamaat had to sleep outside in snowing season. Alhamdulillah, through their affort and mujahadah, Almighty Allah had caused the effort of dakwah been rooted in Switzerland. Now there are about 120 masjids all over Schweiss. In Zurich city alone there were 15 masjids, 6 of which were very active in dakwah and tabligh effort, including Madni Masjid.

Travelogue Germany - Part 7

2010-03-20T02:22:00.003+08:00

On August 1, 2004 we arrived at Fateh Masjid, Reuitlingen. The masjid was not in the planned route but we had to spend a night here for some reasons. We were told that not long ago the masjid had been used by some Turkish muslims to harbour Khilafaat Movement. We had no idea what the movement was all about. But apparently the German authorities had arrested some people from the masjid before to quash the movement. Even one Malaysian student who stayed nearby got called by the police to record his statement. Of course he frequented the masjid daily for namaaz for it was nearest to his house. And like us, he did not have any clue as to what the Khilafaat Movement was all about. Perhaps because of the unfortunate event, the handful namazis that went there and muslims nearby were unresponsive towards us. We really felt the pain and anguish the whole day and night.

The very next day we were driven to Sehid Jamil Masjid where we experience the opposite. Truly the greatness of Allah could be tasted. Only yesterday, at Fateh Masjid Almighty Allah gave us the environment of icy, frigid, impersonal, inhospitable and joyless but suddenly in Sehid Jamil Masjid Almighty Allah changed the environment to compassionate, kindhearted, loving, pleasant and cheerful. The ambience of the Ansaaris was felt in the distinctive quality and character of the namazis who had given nusrah to us - Muhammad Borhan (Habsyah), Nasir Ahmed (Pakistan), Muhammad-Abdul Kadir Goker-Salleh and Yusoff (Turkish). The brotherhood of Islam was prevalent here irrespective of language barriers. We discovered that our tough and rough Turk brothers were gentle and affectionate after all, and even more. The three days that we spent at Sehid Jamil Masjid made us realised that there is no end or limit to ikram muslimeen.

Travelogue Germany - Part 6

2010-03-16T04:43:00.001+08:00

The masjid, Bangladesh Islamisches Zentrum is situated at the most awkward place in the middle of a red light district. There were Muslim-Arab bars close-by selling wine and liquor. At night, the area transformed into vice centre with drug trafficking and prostitution dominated by middle eastern people.

We took turns among us to meet muslims at the bars in the vicinity of the masjid and we also made ghast patrolling the streets, meeting muslims from house to house with the help of a local guide. Once a woman followed us for some distance handing a flower to us, trying to tell us something that none of us could understand. Back home only children sometimes follow us when we made ghast.

After a couple of days at the Bangladesh Masjid, a squad of police in three or four vehicles called upon us when were listening to hadith of Rasulullah SAW in the morning. Imam Suhayl attended to the police queries while we carried on with the ta'leem. Our passports were thoroughly checked with a portable device carried by the police. After a while, a male and a female police officers came in the masjid to talk to us. We had a pleasant surprise when the officers, speaking in English, apologised to us for the inconvenience. The female officer told us that she had been to Malaysia and she was treated very well by the locals during her stay. She explained that they had to respond to a complaint lodged against us, and I believe it came from someone in the area who felt offended by our presence.We were very calm and I must say it was rather exciting and thrill for me to have the police as our visitors.

Imam Suhayl was a very nice person and a wonderful host. He had spent time for four months in the path of Allah and frequently travelled in dakwah missions throughout Europe. He had a room in the masjid and he taught mostly Bangladeshi children the Holy Quran and shariat. I still remember when we fried anchovies in the masjid's kitchen for our food and it gave unpleasant smell in the masjid. As it was near Friday prayer, poor Imam Suhayl frantically tried to get rid of the unpleasant smell by spraying deodorant. Lesson learnt by us - never fry salted fish or anchovies in any kitchen in the masjid.

Travelogue Germany - Part 5

2010-03-16T02:56:00.001+08:00

A gathering had been held in Bangladesh Islamisches Zentrum, Pfarr Str. 7, Stuttgart. Many brothers from the vicinity and adjoining states came to the masjid for this jorr (gathering). Two jamaats of 40 days had been form to go out in the path of Allah. Among them, four Malaysian students - Iznan, Nazali Sham, Azizul and Fairuz.

At this point, I have to mention about the invaluable and treasured aid and assistance that had been given by Malaysian students to the cause of dakwah and tabligh throughout our journey of faith in Germany. These students had taken turns to accompany us during our journey as our guide and interpreter. For a long time I held a rigid one track view that all children and kids would only get proper education in Islamic school or madrasah. The only thing that stop me from being adamant and inflexible about it to my own children is the holding back and lack of support from my wife (and this is due to my failure to enlighten her about the importance of it). I still fancy all my children to become haafiz or haafizah, and aalim or aalimah. May Almighty Allah accept my prayers for them. Nevertheless, my obstinate view is bendable after witnessing the effort and sacrifice given by the Malaysian students who had wisely made full use of their study break and more for the cause of dakwah and tabligh and turned out to be devout and pious young men themselves. There is hope after all for our children and younger generations.

Maulana Yusoff rahmatullah alayhi used to say that the purpose of dakwah and tabligh mission is not to produce huffaz but to produce deendar.

Travelogue Germany - Part 4

2010-03-13T03:35:00.003+08:00

It's quite a big task for us to know who the imam was among the namazis in turkish masjids. Everyone looks the same and they dressed the same as the europeans - casual clothes, pants and jackets. The imam could only be identified when he entered a room at the mehrab and came out wearing black robe and red and white turkish head gear. Back then, I used to giggle with amusement when sometimes the imam entered the room through a door and came out through another door with changed clothes altogether. I thought he was a bit like Clark Kent changing to Superman. But now I begin to appreciate the whole idea and rationale for the turkish imams to change to the proper attire. Here in Malaysia, I just could no bear the sight of any man wearing office clothes or tucked-in t-shirt and tight pants standing in front of the rows dare to be the imam for other namazis who are more appropriately dressed than he is. I believe it is a total ignorance of the sunnah and utter disrespect of fellow namazis for someone, though he is an appointed imam, to ignore the importance of proper muslim dress code when leading others for namaz. This type of ignorance is prevalent in Malaysia.

We arrived at An-Nur Masjid, Neisser Str. 10, Waldstadt, Karlsruhe on 25 July 2004 in two cars driven by Abdul Rashid and Ashraf Qureshi. An-Nur Masjid also served as an Islamic Centre for the muslim arab community in Karlsruhe. There were daily, weekly and monthly programmes for men, ladies and children. About 10-12 arab youths joined together making effort on dakwah and tabligh here - Abdelaziz Idrissi, Bali Abdelbaki, Tijani, Abdurrahman, Abdurrazak, to name but a few. Not long ago they all had attended an ijtima' of dakwah in France. They were muslim youths fulled of jazbah and energy.

Were were exhaustively brought to meet many muslims around Karlsruhe. We were brought to every muslim shops meeting the owners and waiting for other muslims there at the shops to meet. They also brought us to political asylum centre where we managed to gather muslims from Bosnia, Croatia, Trinidad & Tobago, Kurdish, Iraq, Palestine, Afganistan etc. They were refugees running away from turmoil in their respective countries, seeking better life in Germany. Since arrival, some of them had never known the direction of the qiblah, let alone performing namaz. We had gathered them at one place and one of us delivered a bayan. It was translated into many languages. This happened for two consecutive days. A lot of them cried during and after bayan and du'a. We were also moved by the sight. May Almighty Allah strengthen our iman and purify our amal.

Travelogue Germany - Part 3

2010-03-12T03:05:00.004+08:00

Selimiye Camii Masjid, Neuissenberg, Frankfurt am Main, was the first turkish masjid that we had been to. In fact we were the first foreign jamaat that came to the masjid. Initially we faced difficulty in mixing with a handful of turkish namazis that came to the masjid. Abdul Rashid, a moroccan arab brother, had done substantial effort in blending with the turkish community there. He was based at a nearby arab masjid but he was very close with the turkish imam, Imam Yusuf. If you are close with the imam or the baskan (chairman) of any turkish masjid, then consider you are accepted by the other namazis of the masjid. A few other local arabs joined Abdul Rashid in making the effort of dakwah from this masjid, doing intikali jaulah. Abdul Rashid's faithful ghast partner was his 10 years old son, Abdul Karim.
Ashraf Qureshi, a pakistani, also came from a nearby masjid to make nusrah to our jamaat. He drove us to suburban Langen some distance away, to meet a Malay man in his 50's from Perak. Ashraf Qureshi had met this man only once before. But in the spirit of muslim brotherhood and concern for another muslim, Ashraf managed to know where the man lived. The malay man lived with his Polish wife and two teenage daughters. The first time I saw him, he sounded as he spoke deutsch with thick accent (though I would not know the difference either). He was amazed and stunned with our unexpected visit but happily and warmly received us as his guests though I could not say the same about his wife. She looked unsettled and petrified with our presence. He later told us that his wife was terrified that we could be terrorists and tried to stop him from joining us at the masjid.
He was a jovial person. Having spent an evening with him at the masjid, from asar to after isyak, we could feel his tender love and concern for his daughters. He told us that the only thing he ever explained to his daughters about Islam was once when they were about to go somewhere in a family car, he started the engine and uttered "Bismillah". One of his daughters asked him what was he saying. He answered that it was a prayer of Islam, that whosoever said it before a journey would be saved. And that was all they knew about Islam.
We parted with the malay man later at night urging him to frequently come to the masjid and to always keep close in the company of fellow muslim brothers. May Almighty Allah guide him and us to the end.

Travelogue Germany - Part 2

2010-03-11T02:56:00.000+08:00

Generally in Europe, and Germany in particular, almost all masjids are ethnic-based. Everywhere we went to its either pakistani or arab masjid, indonesian or albani masjid. At first, I did not quite fancy the idea of masjids being known according to ethnicity but having spent most of my time in all those masjids for four straight months, I did not see any sign of division among the muslims in them. Muslims of all races and ethnicity bowed down and prostrated to Almighty Allah peacefully following one imam. In fact I began to appreciate the practice more when I compare them with the masjids in Malaysia. Though most masjids in Malaysia are shafie malay-dominant, we also cherish the existence of hanafi indian and pakistani dominant masjids. I only have a complaint against one particular indonesian masjid in Hamburg because it only was unlocked and opened once a week on fridays.

Apart from my unique and enlightening experience spending time associating and fraternizing with my fellow muslim brothers in turkish masjids, I had observed that there were basically three 'types' of turkish masjids. A masjid that has support of turkish government is called Diyanet. A masjid that has political motive swaying against the turkish government is called Milli Gorus. You could easily tell the difference between the two by looking at its carpet. Diyanet has red carpet and milli gorus has green carpet. Another type of masjid is Sulaymani where sufism dzikr was prevalent.

There were certain set of rules and practices that we learnt to adapt in each and every turkish masjid:

1. Wearing of khuff or socks were strictly observed all the time in the masjid.

2. Cleanliness was the utmost priority. One was expected to wipe dry and never left wet toilet seat, wudhu' area and kitchen area.

3. Farting was near absolutely forbidden in turkish masjid. We were told that there was an instance where a Malaysian student got thrown out from masjid by the collar when the poor lad farted and giggled. Seriously, never fart in turkish masjid.

4. Certain words like arabic word "ibnu" or urdu words "sikna sikana" (learn and teach) were self-prohibited or self-censored during bayan as the two words denote dirty words in turkish.

5. Du'a was always close with the word "al-fatihah".

Travelogue Germany - Part 1

2010-03-10T15:21:00.004+08:00

Im Namen Allahs, des Allarbermers, des Barmherzigen.

Unserer erfolg ligt in deen, bifolgen die befehle vont Allah Ta'ala, method vont Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wasallam.

Ahamdulillah, all praise be to Allah, we safely landed at Frankfurt Airport on 21 July 2004. We were in a jamaat of six brothers between the age of 37 to 66, all of whom had never been to any European countries before except me and Haji Kamaruddin, the amir of our jamaat. Haji Kamaruddin had travelled on dakwah mission before to Albania in early 1990s via England. I had studied in England from 1989 to 1992 and travelled to most of European countries during study breaks in that period. But it was my first journey on dakwah and tabligh mission to this part of the world. All of us were granted 3 months visa on arrival without any difficulty. The sight of men in white robe and amamah attracted some attention of other passengers who were lining up at the immigration, customs and security check-points at the airport. But there was an atmosphere of calm and friendliness when we were passing the security checkpoint. One of the security officer even cracked a joke with three of the elderly men in our jamaat , each one of them with walking stick, asking them cheerfully if they have any weapons to declare.

At the exit point we were greeted warmly by three Malaysian students - Iznan, Azizul and Yunus and a local Pakistani ethnic brother, who had been waiting for our arrival since before dawn. We were then driven to Pak Muhammadi Masjid at 212 Land Str, Frankfurt am Main in two vehicles.

Pak Muhammadi Masjid was a newly built masjid that was used as a transit masjid for jamaats coming to Germany. Germany has no specific centre yet for the work of dakwah and tabligh. We were told that brothers from the four corners of Germany - east, west, north and south - were all eager for the centre to be based in their own areas, making it difficult to decide where the centre should be. Nevertheless, they met once every three months at a designated masjid on rotation basis to discuss and decide upon matters relating to dakwah and tabligh. Our routes in Germany had been decided by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Iraqi upon consultation with our jamaat and some other responsible brothers in Germany.

We were to travel along these routes: Frankfurt-Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Reutlingen-Sigmaningen (Albstadt)-Zurich in Switzerland-back to Ulm in Germany-Augsburg-Munchen (Munich)-Regensburg-Nurnberg/Erlungen-Fulda-Erfurt-Bochum (from Bochum we would have to make consultation on the next routes according to needs).

Germany has about 5-7 million Muslim population or it could be more. About 3 million are the from Turkish ethnic. Hazratji rahmatullah alayhi used to say that when the effort on dakwah is prevalent in Germany, it will also move the effort of dakwah all over Eastern Europe such as Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Czech, Romania etc. The first time that we make ghast, we met a Turk Muslim. After a brief introduction, one of us started to remind us all about Islam and iman that Allah had blessed us with. The short reminder had affected our Turkish brother who complained that he also wished to become like us. He told us that he prayed to Allah for a strong iman and for Allah to give him strength to stop drinking wine. May Allah bless him and all of us Muslims with hidayat. Maulana Ilyas R.alayhi used to say, "The example of Deen and Iman is liken to a rose plant (deen) whose stems, leaves and flowers have all died and has lost its value. However, when effort was made on its roots (iman) it again blossomed and was admired by all."

Besides meeting a handful of muslims lived nearby Pak Muhammadi Masjid, we were taken to Ulu Cammi Turkish Masjid and Arab Masjid in Dietzenbach to meet more muslims there during prayer times. They gathered around us in large number listening to our targheeb and tasykil.

Three Nights in Bangkok

2010-02-08T19:16:00.012+08:00

Back in 1984 Murray Head sings:

"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster

The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free

You'll find a god in every golden cloister

A little flesh, a little history

I can feel an angel sliding up to me

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble

Not much between despair and ecstasy

One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble

Can't be too careful with your company

I can feel the devil walking next to me"

I'm not interested to talk about Murray Head, the song or music, but the lyrics written by Tim Rice, pretty much suggest how the wicked, harmful and sinful environment of Bangkok could adversely affect a person. Mind you, it was written by a non-muslim. What could then be the effect on a muslim?

A scholar of Islam once said that there are four clear enemies of imaan or faith: Shaytaan, Nafs (desire), Duniya (worshiping worldly gains) and Mahul (environment).

As my friend Saharudin Mohd Dan wrote, "...four days in Bangkok, without the proliferation of adzan calling everywhere makes me hastily wanna come home...Forget about the wicked lives..."

Another friend said, "In this period of time, our imaan is just like water. It becomes ice when put in refrigerator, and it melts when you take it outside."

To me, after three nights in Bangkok last week (not the first time for me) on business trip, I'd say do not under estimate the harmful effect of the environment around you. I felt like the solid fortress that was built around me came crumbling down. The harmful environment of Bangkok, at least, could make you look at the people with sinful thoughts (albeit with worries).

My first trip to Bangkok in 2007 was entirely different. Back then, even though my stay in Bangkok and northern part of Thailand was a lot longer than this, I was in a safe and sound company of tablighi jamaat. And the many masjids that we stayed in had become sanctuary and stronghold to our imaan. Last week was different. I had felt the harmful effect of sinful environment even though I was accompanied by the people closest to me.

"Whosoever does not guard his eyesight, Almighty Allah will remove the sweetness in ibadaat from him." - Hadith.

Thus, I realise that the only way to safeguard our imaan is to strive to make effort on our imaan until the strength of our imaan resembles the imaan of the Companions of the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. They are best among the people after the Prophets alayhimussalam. They would not allow harmful environment affected them, rather they had changed the environment around them whenever they marched to. Among the 500 strong jamaat that had been sent to routes leading to China, only 5 of them had reached mainland China. But out of this five luminaries, millions of Chinese had come into the fold of Islam!

You and I ought to be aware! The enemies of Islam among mankind are striving to turn the sanctuaries of muslims in the sacred and holy Makkah and Madinah into the harmful and wicked places elsewhere in the world. They could not enter these holy cities, no doubt. But even now you could bear witness that sinful acts are shown on telly a few feet from the doors of Masjid ul-Haram and Masjid un-Nabawi in Makkah and Madinah.

So let us all strive to turn Bangkok, London, Paris and New York into Madinah Munawarrah during the time of Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wassalam. Impossible!? It's impossible if we think we are the one who do it, but certainly, it is not at all impossible if we believe Almighty Allah is the one who will do it.

P/s Let's start changing the harmful environment in our homes.

On Duniya

2010-02-06T11:26:00.018+08:00

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi R.alayhi explained:

Everything which diverts one's attention from Allah is "duniya". If a ruler is diverted from Allah by his governing, then the rule and governing is "duniya". If being poor makes one negligent of Allah, such poverty is also "duniya". It is possible for a person to be a ruler or a governor and still remain righteous and religious and it is also possible that one can be poor and still be irreligious.

Hence, the person who disregards the commandments of Allah, is a worldly person, even though he may be poor and destitute. On the other hand, if a king, inspite of being a ruler over a kingdom, carries out the commands of Allah, he is a "wali" and most definitely not a worldly person. Actually “duniya” means being neglectful of Allah’s commands. Its not a name for children, wife, wealth and possessions.

The example of “duniya” is like water. A ship sails on it. As long as the water is outside and underneath the ship, it is the means whereupon the ship sails. But when the water comes inside the ship, then it can be the cause for the sinking of the ship and its destruction. Similarly, if the “duniya” stays outside the heart, as in the case when love for Allah Ta’ala and love for Rasulullah sallalaahu alayhi wasallam is above the love for wealth, children, wife and all relationships, then this “duniya’ is not harmful. On the contrary, it is a means towards Allah’s pleasure and nearness to Him. But when this “duniya” has entered the heart and the love for these worldly entities becomes uppermost over Allah’s love, then this “duniya” becomes a means towards his destruction because the heart has been created by Allah for Himself.

In a Hadith Qudsi Allah says: Heaven and earth cannot contained me. But into the heart of a believer I enter like a guest. Hence, the heart is like a royal palace which is only kept for the true King of all kings and not fro anyone or anything else. So if one allows a bhangi (remover of toilet buckets) with clothes soiled in filth to live in such a royal palace, then this will be a great injustice and the doer will deserve punishment. Therefore a person should leave this wretched “duniya” outside the heart and not allow it to enter inside.

But how can one ascertain whether “duniya” has entered the heart or not? If a person, at all times, is busy with the preparations for the hereafter, trying at all times to gain Allah’s pleasure and places every laws of the shariah above his personal gains, then you may take it that “duniya” is outside his heart, and that his heart is free from “duniya’s love”. For him, the “duniya” becomes the means of blessings and the means towards attaining the everlasting and true life. But if for the sake of his love for wife, or children, or wealth, or title, or business, or employment, a man casts the laws of shariah behind his back and make no distinction between halaal and haram, is not observant of preparing for the hereafter at all times, but at all times involve with earning wealth, then you may take it that “dunya” has entered his heart. This “duniya” will be a means towards his destruction.