Lights

Allah bless our Master Muhammad whose Light precedes creation
and whose appearance brings mercy to the whole world.

Your Mercy I Almost Forgot

Allah, again I forgot
with your Mercy
the blind will see
the deaf will hear
the dumb will think
the mute will talk
the skeptic becomes convinced
the stammer becomes eloquent

and Allah, I'd almost forgotten to ask
that You Pour the utmost blessing and absolute peace onto our master Muhammad
with which complications are undone
and problems are removed
and all needs are fulfilled
and wishes are realized
and good ending to life
and the cloud showers rain with his (Prophet’s saw) countenance
and (pour also mercy) onto his family and companions
in every glance and breath
as many times as what You Already Know.

Wallahu a'lam

Hidayatus Salikin - Staying Away From Sins of The Tongue #3

The prophet (saw) said:

مررت ليلة اسرى بي على قوم يخمشون وجوههم بأظافيرهم فقلت يا جبريل من هؤلاء فقال هؤلاء الذين يغتابون الناس ويقعون في اعراضهم

During the night of Isra’ I passed by a group of people scratching their faces with their fingernails so I said “O Jibril, who are they?” Jibril said “they are people who backbite and humiliate others.”

Imam Ghazali (rh) said:

“Backbiting is more evil than 30 fornications in Islam, such is reported in hadith of the Prophet (saw)”

Backbiting is defined as talking about a third person, which if heard, that person he will not like it. The subject could be about his physical flaw, his words, his actions, his religion, his life, his house, his clothes, his animal, his ethnicity or anything else. These are all deemed backbiting and cruel (zolim), even if the accusations are all true.

Know that talking behind somebody’s back is sometimes allowed in 6 circumstances because these could bring good outcomes:
1. In reporting acts of injustice to the authority (qadhi); or report acts of injustice by an authority to the ruler (sultan).
2. In reporting sinful behavior with the intent that the perpretor cease doing it.
3. In talking about others in order to get a ruling (fatwa) from a mufti, such as “somebody is being cruel to me, what is your verdict, and what should I do about it?”
4. To prevent a person from befriending a sinner, as in saying “don’t mix with him, he is a sinner, a tyrant, or evil.”
5. To mention a name, which is tied to a deficiency he is well known for such as “the Blind”, “the Leper”, “the Limp”.
6. To mention somebody who is well know for being a sinner such as famous for his cruelty, fornication, drinking, thievery or others.


Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin - Staying Away From Sins of The Tongue #2

Imam Ghazali said in Ihya Ulumiddin:

"For every noble intention that can be reached either by tellling the truth or lies in equal likelihood, then lying is not allowed (haram), and if the intention can be achieved only by telling lies, not by truth, then lying is allowed (mubah). This if the intention is of mubah nature.

If the intention is of wajib nature, then telling lies is wajib to make. An example is if telling the truth would spill a fellow Muslim’s blood, who is hiding from a tyrant.

If the following intention cannot be realized except through deceit, then lying is allowed:
1. In a war fi sabilillah
2. In fighting off rebellion against a just government
3. In trying to reconciliate a person who is emotionally hurt

However it is proper that one tries very hard not to tell lies."

Prevent yourself from breaking a promise except due to weakness or emergency. Nabi (saw) has said (what we translate):

Three characteristics, any of them in possession shows a person as a hypocrite (munafiq) even if he fasts and prays: When he talks he lies, when promises he breaks, when entrusted he betrays

Safeguard yourself from backbiting , Allah The Most High said (what we translate):

Do not backbite each other, would you enjoy eating your own dead brother’s flesh? So be repulsed with it.

What we learn from this verse is that backbiting is as unlawful and disgusting as eating rotten flesh. Our Nabi (saw) had said (what we translate):

Fear backbiting, for it is more evil than fornication (zina). A man fornicated and later he repents, and Allah forgives. But Allah does not forgive a backbiter until he is forgiven by the person being backbitten.

Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin - Staying Away From Sins of The Tongue

The tongue is for you to make plenty remembrance of Allah, to read the Quran, to lead others towards Allah and the Hereafter, to invite people to good deeds and prevent from bad conducts.

With the tongue you are able to deliver what is in your heart, therefore refrain yourselves from telling lies whether for real or playful. Lying in humor will soon make you lie in earnest. Imam Ghazali said lying is a major sin, and the Nabi (saw) once said (what we understand from it):

Fear telling lies, liars are companies of the sinners, and both will be in Hell.

Lying is a door from doors of nifaq (hypocrisy).

Know that telling lies sometimes becomes obligatory (wajib) and sometimes allowed (mubah) due to need.

If lying is the only way out, then it becomes obligatory in these cases:
1. To prevent a person from being killed by a tyrant
2. To prevent another person’s property from being seized by tyrant
3. To safeguard another muslim’s wife or property from a tyrant.

If there is no other way, lying is allowed in these circumstances:
1. To make peace between opposing or arguing parties
2. To make peace between conflicting wives

Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin - Staying Away From Sins of The Ears

As for the ears, they are created to listen to the Words of Allah (a-Quran) and ahadith of the Nabi (saw) and to listen to the wisdom of the auliya of Allah (knowledge that enables you to know and fear Allah, and know the Akhirah). Safeguard your ears from listening to 5:

1. Matters of bid’ah, that are foul and out of consensus with syari’ah.
2. Backbiting. Anybody listening also gets a share of sin. A hadith translation: A person listening is a partner to the person speaking, and he is one of the backbiters.
3. Anything vulgar and disgusting.
4. Useless talk.
5. Conversation on sins committed by others.

Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin - Staying Away from Sins of the Eyes

Eyes are for you to see in the land and sea, with which you accomplish what you need, you see beautiful and magnificent sights in the earth and sky that shows existence of zat and sifat of Allah. Safeguard your eyes from 4 evils:
1. Forbidden sights such as foreign (non-mahram) women
2. (Forbidden sights such as) good looking youth
3. Making disparaging look upon fellow muslims
4. Looking at anything disgusting and humiliating

Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin Chapter 3 – Regarding Staying away from the Physical Sin

Imam Ghazali (rh) said:
Know that the religion is made up of two parts: First keeping clear of what is forbidden, second being obedient to what is commanded. Staying away from what forbidden is very difficult, but performing obedient duties is not impossible. To leave desires behind is very hard except for the siddiqun and for this the Nabi (saw) said (translated)

A muhajir is a person who leaves evil behind and a sabil on jihad is a person who declares war on desire.

And Imam Ghazali (rh) said further: "Know that you commit sin towards Allah Azzawajalla with all parts of your body, while they are gifts and trust from Allah, as if you ask for Allah’s help to commit sin towards Him. And that is the worst kufr towards Allah because all parts of your body are created to perform obedience towards Him. This is kufr on ni’mah not kufr on religion. What more, Allah entrusted you with your body, then you commit sin with them, so the betrayal (khianah) is the worst kind of sin."

All your body parts are citizens of your kingdom, so watch closely what you do with them. In the day of Judgement you will be taken into account, and there is no lying or hiding because your limbs will take witness with your past actions clearly, even if that day you hold your tongue from talking. Allah says (translated):

The day that we seal shut their mouth while their hands speak and their legs bear witness with sins they committed.

And Allah says more (translated):

On the day when their tongue, their hands, and their legs become witness with whatever they did.

Therefore it is appropriate that you safeguard all your body especially the seven parts: eyes, ears, tongue, private part, stomach, hands, and legs.
Hell has seven doors and you will not enter from any of them until you commit sin with any of your seven bodily parts.

Wallahu a'lam

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Hidayatus Salikin by al-Falimbani

Hidayatus Salikin was written in the 1700s by Sheikh Abdus Samad al-Falimbani (rh). This book was mainly adapted from Imam Ghazali’s (rh) Ihya’ Ulumiddin, discussing some elementary fiqh issues like solah with a tasawwuf flavor. Other issues discussed include manners, outward/inward sins, sifats mazmumah etc.

Sheikh al-Falimbani was born in Palembang in 116 AH (1704 AD). His father was a Yemeni - Sheikh Abdul Jalil bin Sheikh Abdul Wahhab bin Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mahdani, who had been appointed as a Kedah State Mufti. His mother, Radin Ranti was a Palembang native.

He studied Sufism of Sheikh Muhammad bin Samman al-Madani, and explored the mystical books of Shaykh Abdul Rauf Singkel and Samsuddin Al-Sumatera’i. Some of his other well-known sheikhs include Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Kurdi, Abd Al-Mun'im Al-Damanhuri, Ibrahim Al-Rais, Mohammed Murad, Muhammad Al-Jawhari, and Al-Mashri Athaullah. Al-Falimbani later became one of the most respected scholars in the Malay Archipelago.

Related to tasawuf Sheikh Al-Palembani took the middle path between the doctrine of Imam Al-Ghazali's mysticism and the teachings of 'wahdatul wujud’ of Ibn Arabi.

It is told that Sheikh Abdus Samad hated the Dutch tyrant who colonized Palembang so much, that he and his students fell trees and made their own ship to sail to Makkah.

Wallahu a'lam

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Not for the glory of it

Trying to keep awake…the least I could do is translate something.
After almost 30 years A Romzi and Ramli Sarip
sang this, I *think*I begin to get the message.


Chase not after sweet words
For it can put you to ruins
Chase not after lovely face
For it is a poison to you

Listen o friends
Listen along
I write not for the glory
But for the love
I have for fellow mankind
And to let your love be known

We on equal footing, we on common quest
What set us apart, merely world and its glitter

Listen not to the poems of deceit
For all they do is destroy your soul
Do listen to the poems of tradition
Handed down for generations today

Taint not your heart
Even with a blot of darkness
For it is like termites
Sooner or later they bring your downfall

Wallahu a'lam

CLEAN your selves 1st

I know your ideals
striving to make it CLEAN

you and your cliques are CLEAN,
really? I have my doubt
who sitting behind the stage?
while you folks dance about?
it is sad I shall say,
you chose the wrong route

Go CLEAN your insides
from ego and satanic whispers
God willing,
your faith will prosper

Stay mellow

don't let your heart be stained
don't let your outsides turn YELLOW

Wallahu a'lam

Mengenal Diri Dan Wali Allah 2/3/2011

Wise people have said:

طلب الشيخ واجب على كل مريد لو كان أكبير العلمأ

Seeking a teacher is obligatory upon each murid, even if he
is a learned scholar.

الإستقامة خير من ألف كرامة

Persistence (in practice) is better than a thousand
miracles.

Wallahu a'lam

A time to rejoice, again

Allah, give good tidings, blessing, and peace upon our Master Muhammad and his family, as many times as the glance we cast and the breath we inhale, the count of it only You Know.

A Brief Intro to the Science of Hadith

Saturday 6^th November 2010

Alhamdulillah, we completed the kitab Wishahul Afrah wa Isbahul Falah on 30^th October. Last Saturday we opened a new kitab – on hadith. Dependent on Allah's will, Ustaz Zakaria shall hold this lesson every Saturday at 10 am. Every one – men, women, children are welcome, and the lesson is free.

Translated from Mestika Hadis published by The Division of Islamic Affairs, Prime Minister's Department, 1973.

Definition of Hadith Nabawi and Hadith Qudsi

Hadith Nabawi

It refers to what has reached us regarding sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam, and his taqrir (silence) on certain actions of his companions when he became aware about them. This hadith (pl. ahadith) also refers to the physical descriptions and excellent personality of the Pophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Hadith Qudsi

It refers to the words of Allah, as narrated by the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam, described in the Prophet's own words. It is different from al-Quran al-Karim, the Kalam of Allah Ta'ala, which arrangement and pronunciation revealed upon the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam then was ordered to spread it to all mankind.

Every hadith has its isnad

The era of the companions and the time hadith being collected and recorded in books spanned many generations. Therefore each hadith carries an isnad.

An isnad (pl. sanad) is a silsilah (chain of narrations) consisted of narrators listed one by one. The isnad begins with the name of one's shaykh (teacher) and ends with the name of the companion receiving the hadith directly from Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam.

Upon inspection of the isnad and the characters of the narrator (rawi), a hadith can further be classified into many categories.

Hadith Mutawatir

Some ahadith are popularly narrated by many rawi in each level of the isnad, so popular it is impossible that all of them would conceive a plot to make up the hadith. These ahadith are known as "Hadith Mutawatir". The status of these ahadith are strong and they become proofs to Islamic ruling. It is not permissible to reject or deny these ahadith.

Hadith Sahih, Hasan, and Dho'if

Some other ahadith do not reach the level of Mutawatir due to the lesser number of narrators. They are divided into 3 categories: Sahih, Hasan, and Dho'if.

Hadith Sahih

A hadith that satisfies 5 prerequisites is called a sahih (authentic) hadith:

1. Unbroken isnad – the rawi are interconnected continuously from the beginning to the end.
   
2. Each rawi is of impeccable character ('adl).
   
3. Each rawi is of strong memory (dhobit) – or the hadith is legibly and neatly recorded, if written in a book.
   
4. The particular hadith being narrated is not in disagreement with another hadith being narrated by a more reliable narrator.
   
5. The hadith is free of defect (oddities, irregularities). What is considered defect and what is not is a long discussion, and not covered here.
   

Hadith Hasan

Hadith Hasan (sound) passes the 5 Sahih qualifications above,. However the level of 'adl and dhobit of its narrators are of slightly lower standard.

Hadith Dho'if

A dho'if (weak) hadith is a hadith failing any of the 5 qualifications stated.

Place of Ahadith

Sahih or Hasan ahadith are among the founding platform of Islamic Syari'ah; they are for daily practice and used as proofs to establish a ruling. Dho'if ahadith are not valid as legal proofs, but can be used to show merit of good deeds, thus encouraging the good; and to create fear of evil deeds and discourage the bad.

Identifying category of Hadith

A decision whether a hadith is Sahih, Hasan, or Dho'if is based on the superficial characteristics of the rawi and isnad. The decision could never be final, because there is always a chance of error on judging a rawi's trustworthiness; not to mention that even a liar sometimes speak the truth. We leave the absolute judgment to Allah.

Ustaz Zakaria said:

1. I studied Nailul Autar from Haji Hussin Besut; and Muwatta' from Haji Abdul Qadir Pondok Ga'al; plus some more Jawi kitab.
   
2. When ulama included a hadith without isnad in their kitab and said it is sahih etc., we take their word for it. They know better, who are we to dispute?
   
3. The new trend these days are to reject dho'if hadith, come a few years they will tell you to reject all ahadith altogether. Then we become like Kassim Ahmad.
   
4. You still get rewarded for practicing a dho'if hadith, such as in wearing a turban. If you belittle dho'if hadith, you in danger of becoming a fasiq (sinner).
   
5. A fasiq is not qualified to lead a prayer (become an imam) in Hanafi mazhab. To them beard is compulsory, so solah is not valid behind a clean shaven man according to Hanafi.
   
6. In Hanbali mazhab, a dho'if hadith can be used as a proof, if it is supported by other ahadith.
   
7. Ulama of old dislike to argue.
   
8. There are ahadith as acknowledged by older kitab, but lowered to mere "sayings of ulama" in the newer publishings. I trust the older kitab better. Examples of these ahadith:
   
   1. The beginning of deen is to know Allah (awwaluddin ma'rifatullah).
      
   2. He who knows his self, knows his God (man 'arafa nafsahu 'arafa rabbahu).
      
9. Never try to do instinbath just by reading a hadith. Besides 'ilm mustalah hadith, you have to master other branches of Islamic knowledge as well (nahu, sorof, asbabun nuzul etc) before you are qualified to derive ruling.
   
10. A dho'if hadith is still a hadith and deserves respect. In tasawwuf, a 40-year old who does not carry walking stick is considered takabbur (arrogant). He is not fit for Paradise.
    
11. Among the old ulama who carried walking stick include Haji Daud Bukit Abal, Tok Man (?), Haji Musafa Pasir Tumbuh, Haji Mahmud Bukit Besar Kedah (Janggut Merah).
    
12. An 'alim once said "It amazes me these young ustazs who graduated overseas, they come back and teach Tafsir, Hadith, but do not have an inch of turban around their head. What is use of knowledge without practice?"
    
13. Students who are not wara' (respectful) of knowledge – do not practice what they know - might graduate and become teachers, but Allah will afflict them with 3 miseries:
    
    1. They die young.
       
    2. They are isolated from the masses.
       
    3. They become "yes man" to the rulers.

Wallahu a'lam

Hope Is All I Do *sigh*

There are always excuses
you think you're well-prepared
but come that crucial moment
you find your strength, so impaired

There's always something

that you wait the whole year
yet when you about to catch it
you find your persistence, disappear

Time to rejoice

In the beginning there was a sprinkle of rahmah
About half way it is downpour of maghfirah
The end of it, the Fire put out, insha-Allah

Refuting root’s god-like status

Two days ago, a presenter at an IT conference was explaining some issues on security.

And she blurted away "root is like a god in UNIX" . I know it was said more for a dramatic effect, and she probably does not believe in god anyway. As ego took over, I grabbed a notepad and scribbled some points on why even though root can execute practically any command, a root is not a god even within its own environment. They are probably seven skies apart, no resemblance nor likeness whatsoever.

This all just for fun... you have to understand UNIX to make any sense of my rambling:

1. God exists, while root does not. root is just a user id, it does not represent any real identity – anybody with the password could be a root;
   
2. God has been present before everything else, while root was created during OS installation;
   
3. God will always be and will never cease to exist, while root can be erased when the hard disk is initialized (or another uid 0 deletes the root id);
   
4. God is beyond compare of anything else, while root can be imitated by another uid 0;
   
5. God stands by Himself wile root requires a proper shell environment and resources to execute even a simple command;
   
6. God is singular, while root could be many. Create another uid 0, just don't let your boss know;
   
7. God has boundless power, while root's power is limited. Root will not be able to create a user when a similarly named user already exists;
   
8. God has own free will, while root takes order from a superior. Else the human root would not have stayed up all night in the data center;
   
9. God has unlimited knowledge, root is dumb. Tell root to do chmod –R –x * and it will lock itself out, and thus lock you in the data center for another day;
   
10. God is alive, root is dead until somebody logs in or a cron job kicks off;
    
11. God can hear, root is deaf. Yell all you want, root will not listen and undo that rm –rf * mistake;
    
12. God can see, root is blind. Again, root does not see if your pwd is / or somewhere else when you do the rm –rf *;
    
13. God can speak, root does not. That's why it doesn't tell you it has been executing that infinite loop for the last 4 hours;
    

More importantly, God is able to create anything that could be created and terminate anything that could be terminated. Root's limited power is in effect only within its own shell. It is a superuser at best.

Glory to You Allah, there is no knowledge in us except those that You have taught us. Truly You the Most Knowledgable and the Most Wise.
God please increase in me knowledge.

Allah please send salawat and salam to our Master Muhammad and to all his family and companions.

Allah please place the Imams Abu Hassan Ash-Sha'ari and Abu Mansur al-Maturidi at the highest place amongst those that you love.

you poor soul!

O You who loves to hear the sobs of regret
O You who holds the Cure to disease an illness
all eyes have gone to sleep, but these poor eyes stay awake
crying at Your Door in the middle of night, in darkness
those sins, I committed them, I admit
yet I know You with conviction, full of Greatness
give mercy, that is Your Prerogative, don’t look at my failings
indeed Your Generosity and Forgiveness, are boundless.

Remember Him Every Time You Inhale

The night casts shadow
and the day brings light
the lakes ripple and the seas roll
those are signs of Allah’s Might

I hope the wind don’t stop blowing
because for every tree, twig, leaf, and fruit swaying
I raise my hands, supplicating...

I hope the the rain keep showering
because for every drop that is falling
I close my eyes, praying...

I hope my sight remains crisp
because in every glance it gives
and photon of light it receives
I dedicate a special wish...

I hope my lungs perform their best
for everytime I inhale my breath
( - how many times Allah alone has knowledge)
I supplicate that Allah send salawat,
salam, and blessing to our master Muhammad.

What's happening at Pondok Batu 10

The wise men used to say:

Seek knowledge from many a teacher,
but seek guidance from only one shaykh.

Saturday: Ustaz Zakaria teaching Wishahul Afrah (fiqh), and Hikam Tok Pulau Manis (tasawwuf).
Sunday: Ustaz Ismail Dungun teaching 'Aqa'id wal Fawa'id by Tuan Guru Haji Daud Bukit Abal.

Lessons are free and open to every body. Check out the latest schedule.

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pondokbatu10%40gmail.com&ctz=Asia/Kuala_Lumpur

Wallahu a'lam