Zholim

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 15th February 2009

The Prophet (saw) has said:

ما من عبد مظلوم فشخص ببصره إلى السماء إلا قال الله عزوجل لبيك عبدي حقا عليَّ لأنصرنك ولو بعد حين

Anybody who has been wronged, and raised his eyes towards the heavens
(supplicating for help), Allah will say “O My servant, I hear your call, it is
just a matter of time before I help you”.

In another hadith the Prophet (saw) broke down acts of zholim into three:

• One that can never be forgiven – taking something else besides Allah as a god.
• One that is accountable – a zholim act among fellow men. Will not be forgiven unless absolved by the party ebing wronged.
• One that can be forgiven – every sin committed on oneself.

Mu’awiyah (ra) said: “I would humiliate myself if I commit zholim on a person who has nobody to fend for himself but Allah The Most High.

Some wise men have said:

• When doing zholim on somebody, remind yourself on how Allah has been fair to him.
• When you in possession of authority, remind yourself of Allah’s authority over you.
• Never be awed by your own ability to take life because your life will be taken away just the same.

Abu Nur bin Yazid has said that a building, which founding material been taken away from the rightful owner unjustly, is liable to collapse sooner.

It is related that in his youth, Kisra had been educated by a teacher on manners. Once his teacher hit him while he had committed nothing wrong.
Later when he became the king, he asked his teacher why he had done zholim by hitting him on that particular day. The teacher answered:
“ I saw you have particular interest in manners, and I hoped that you would take over the kingdom after your father. I made you the receiving end of tyranny so you would never become a tyrant”.

Ustaz Zakaria said:

• It is not allowed to transfer a floor carpet or any material from a masjid to a surau or another building of lesser rank.
• Never foster anger towards your teacher, this is unmannered.
  Shaykh Usman Perlis once in a middle of lesson on tasawwuf (Hikam) ordered his students out to pull weed from the lemon trees. Some who thought this order weird went home instead. The Shaykh then called the remaining students back in, and explained: “This is tasawwuf, it is all about manners. How are you going to get any benefit if you distrust your teacher?”.
  Shaykhs Usman, Haji Abdul Qadir Ga’al, Shihabuddin Bukit Mertajam, all learned together under Shaykh Abdullah Tahir in Bunut Payung, Kelantan. During this time, Tok Kenali had become old and his pondok was not as popular.

Wallahu a'lam

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A Ruler And His Deputy

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 8th February 2009

Maimun bin Mahran said that while he was with Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz (rh), a man who claimed to be the son of Bilal bin Rabah (ra) asked for permission to enter. Said the man:

My father has narrated to me that Rasulullah (saw) had said that a ruler who places a wall that prevents people from seeing him, then Allah will put a wall in front of him during the Judgment Day.

Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz immediately ordered the doorman home, and nobody ever saw anybody standing by his door afterwards.

Khalid bin ‘Abdullah al-Qushairi said to his bodyguard:

"When I sit, do not stop anybody from entering to see me. Know that a ruler should let everybody see him but three:

1. An unmannered fool who he does not like to be seen with
2. A person who is known as a schemer or of suspect character
3. A tightfisted man who dislike being asked for help."

It is demanded that a ruler appoints a reliable person as a deputy:

• who can be trusted with his religion
• whose words can be trusted
• of impeccable character
• who has insight into matters of his people
• who is aware of his responsibilities to fellow creatures of Allah

Stay away from appointing a weak, or person of following flaw into position of power:

• Who is not ashamed of committing evil
• Who is of lower social status among his people
• Who is too reticent or talks too little

If a ruler is a castle, then his deputy is the door. Whoever needs to enter, he will first knock on the door. A deputy is also a mirror that his ruler looks at everyday. What he sees in the mirror reflects himself. If he fails to look at the mirror, then he will not know if his kingdom is good shape or in shambles.

A deputy has to be intelligent, insightful, and honest.

The people of power should be aware of the dangers of injustice (zholim). In al-Quran, Allah has said:

So we put Allah’s curse upon those who do injustice

Think not that Allah is oblivious to the doings of the unjust

We have prepared the Fire that engulf those who commit injustice

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

"Whoever denies a muslim his rights, then Allah has promised him the Fire, and refused him the Jannah."
A man then asked:
"O Nabiyyulah, even just a little (of injustice)?
The Prophet (saw) said: Even as little as a piece of your ‘arak (toothbrush stick)."

Ustaz Zakaria said:

Zholim – literally putting something not at its place e.g. you buy a hat and wear it on your feet. Shar’i definition – doing something inappropriate to another person.
If you elect an unjust government, then you have a share being a zholim.

There used to be a man called Tok Wali Padang Kala in Kelantan. Often seen carrying huge tasbih beads and doing zikir. He walked into the state palace and asked for money from the sultan. He was a fake “wali” really, but the sultan was impressed enough to give some pocket money.

Tok Wali Haji Ismail Lundang Paku (rh) was by consensus a wali of Allah, gifted with kasyaf. Studied under Tuan Tabal (rh).

A leader should be of impeccable character, visionary, and should not be swayed away by money.

Wallahu a'lam

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Rulers Are Like The Wind

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 1st February 2009

Once in lands of the west a sultan heard about an orchard. The sugarcane were sweet and its juice plenty. He fancied what if the orchard was his, and set out to meet the lady owner.

The owner cut down a sugarcane and squeezed out not even a bowl of juice. Caught by surprise, she thought aloud if the low quantity could be result of her sultan who wanted to seize the orchard from her. The sultan repented, the lady cut down another sugarcane, and this time the juice were plenty.

Sidi Abu Bakar at-Turtusi narrated in his “Sirajul Muluk”, there once had been date tree in So’idi, Egypt with dates so plenty its harvest was twice a normal tree. The year the sultan took it away from the owner, the tree stopped producing altogether.

In Iskandariah (Alexandria), there was a little bay by the sea with fish so abundant that even children were able to catch them. The local chief later laid claim to the area and prohibited fishing. As a result, the fish disappeared until this day, and nobody took benefit.

When a ruler behaves, so will his kingdom. When he misbehaves – even a slight evil intention – the whole kingdom would pay.

Historians have related to us about past rulers and their citizens:

During the time of Hajjaj (bin Yusuf as-Tsaqafi), people inquire each other in the morning: “Who were killed or beaten last night?”
During time of Walid (bin ‘Abdul Malik) – who loved castles and gardens – people asked each other whose turn it was to build houses, dig up irrigation ditches, or planted seeds.
During time of Sulaiman bin ‘Abdul Malik – who loved good food and married frequently– people talked about food and raised dowry.

The best of time came during caliphate of ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz, where people asked each other how much of al-Quran, kitab or wirid they memorized, or how many days they fasted.

The rulers should follow the path of sahabah and the pious salaf, this would safeguard their kingdom and themselves from disaster.

Nobody claims friendship to a just ruler but the Prophet (saw) himself and the angels. What more, a just ruler is like the blowing wind that spreads seed from the flowers. He is the essence that fertilizes the barren soul of his people.

It is proper that a ruler should leave his door open so that people are able to bring matters to his attention directly.

Ustaz Zakaria said:

When the king is unjust, price of consumer goods rises.

Kampung Kubang Ikan in Besut had been named after a small lake with a lot of fish. As late as the 60’s, people had no need to go to the market to get fish. Some villagers used bamboo traps, others used fishing rods. Later the local government made an irrigation canal for the paddy fields, and the lake dried up.

The same village also blessed with birds (burung sitar) that landed in the bushes at night. Nobody knew where they came from, but villagers mimicked their call, and chased them into traps on the ground. Hundreds were caught in a single night. The flesh was tasty. The wildlife department put a stop to this declaring the sitar was endangered. Strange as it was, the sitar disappeared once the villagers stopped capturing them.

Many folks in Kelantan these days spend ime inside the mosques. Any quality reflection from their state leadership?

Wallahu a'lam

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Leaders’ Burden

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 11th January 2009

Some of the past rulers used to write 3 pieces of note, which were to be handed back to him one by one anytime he becomes angry.

The first note said:
"You are no god but mere mortal. When you die the earth will consume you."

The second note:
"Have mercy upon those on earth, those in the heavens will have mercy upon you."

The third:
"Rule the people by laws of Allah, nothing else is more appropriate."

A ruler has no option but to encourage good behavior; else, his kingdom will be punished with crime and wrongdoing.

Once a jew came into audience of Caliph ‘Abdul Malik bin Marwan complaining being wronged by a state official. He demanded apology and that the jews be treated fairly. The caliph turned away with hatred; the jew repeated his plea second time and got the similar response. Finally the jew said:
“O Commander of the Faithful, the Torah as revealed to Moses says that a leader should never collaborate in acts of tyranny. If it has been made known to him, yet he fails to prevent tyranny, then he is a collaborator!”
‘Abdul Malik was so shaken he spared no time to sack the official. He later returned what was rightful to the jew.

Iskandar Zulkarnain once said:
“O servants of Allah, indeed your god is Allah and there is no god besides Him. Know that He is the one who helped Noah, and He showers you with rain when you are in need of drink, and unto Him you return when you die. By Allah, if He is fond of something, then I would be fond of it too and I will keep doing it until I die. If He despise something then I would find it despicable too, and I will stay clear of it until the day I die.
I have been told that Allah loves to do justice to His servants, and detests those who oppress others. Woe upon the oppressors! Beware that those I have appointed into position and rules justly, he can sit at ease in my gathering. He can ask for anything and I shall realize it.”

It is said that when a leader is corrupt, then his people will be corrupt. Likewise when the leader is good, so are the people.

Wahab bin Manbah (ra) said when a leader does something inappropriate, Allah will show disapproval by taking something away from his people or from his harvests. On the other hand if he does something righteous, then Allah will shower his land with bounty and abundance.

Historians said a king once concealed his royalty and made rounds to see well being of his people. He came across a farmer, whose prize cow produced huge quantity of milk – so huge the milk was 3o times as much as a normal cow would produce. In amazement he fancied how nice if the cow had been his own. The next morning he saw the farmer squeezed milk out only half of normal quantity, and he asked why so. The farmer was surprised himself and replied he had fed the cow as usual, but it just might be possible that his king had behaved unjustly, thus his nation had become less prosper. The king realized his mistake and repented silently. The next morning the cow produced a lot of milk again.

Ustaz Zakaria said:

• Allah will never give guidance to the tyrants.
• Each muslim is responsible to help establish a just government. There are many ways to fulfill this responsibility, do not become narrow-minded. Currently the right way is by democracy, not by armed revolution.
• The original Torah advocated peace and justice. The jewish people who are bombing the Palestinian muslims these days are clearly not following their book.
• The Arabs might wear white robes, but they do not necessarily do so due to Islamic tendency. Most of them practise secular system in daily life.
• The kings of old times were sensitive to the laws of Allah.
• Be fair to captive animals, give them food, drinks, mate.
• There are many categories of disbelievers (kaafir): harbi, muawwaman, muahhad etc. Pass judgment on them based on their own religion.

Wallahu a'lam

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Merits of a Just Ruler

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 4th January 2009


‘Abdul Rahman bin Samurrah said that The Prophet (saw) had said:

Do not ask for position to rule over people. Nevertheless if it is given to you without asking, then Allah may help you. If it is given because you asked for it, then you are left to fend for yourself alone with it.

We are obliged to take side with a just ruler, on the other hand, we are obliged to break away when he is unjust. And know that best of times comes when the land is ruled with justice.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) also said:

A day’s worth of deeds – when performed by a just leader - merit more than 100 year’s worth of deeds performed by a man who is only fair to his family.

A moment spent by a just leader is more precious than sixty year’s worth of worship.

A supplication made to Allah, by a just leader, is never rejected.

Saidina Umar (ra) once said to Ka’ab (ra): Tell me about the Gardens of Eden (Jannatu ‘Adn).
Said Ka’ab: O Amirul Mu’minin, no one sits in there except the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the Martyrs, and the leaders who are just.
Said Umar: I am no prophet, but I am a believer (siddiq) in Rasulullah (saw). I am not a just leader, but I hope I am no tyrant either. And regarding a martyr, am I worthy to be mentioned with it?

Said Hasan: Then Allah made Saidina Umar a siddiq and a martyr, who had ruled with justice and fairness.

Iskandar (Zulkarnain) asked the wise among people of Babylon: "Which is more honorable to you, being brave or just?"
Said the wise people: "When we are adorned with justice, there is no need for bravery."

At the times of Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz, some of his governors sent letters asking for funds to make repairs to infrastructures. He replied:

"I have read and understood your letter. Make repairs to your state, but start by repairing yourself with justice and rid yourself of tyranny. These are the solution to the damage done to your state."

Declared Kisra (of Persia): "There will be no government without an army, there will be no army without wealth, there will be no wealth if there is no kingdom, there will be no kingdom except with people, and there will be no people except when ruled with justice."

Shuraij Ibnu ‘Ubaid said that among the past generations of Bani Israel, when a king went furious there was always an advisor who would hand out notes – piece by piece until his anger recede. The notes would say:

إرحم المسلمين، وخف الموت، واذكر الآ خرة

"Have mercy on your subjects (muslimin), and fear death, and remember the Day of Judgment."

Ustaz Zakaria added:

• When people appoint you as a leader without you asked for it, you can accept it. There is a chance Allah will help you.
  
• Never take side with unjust ruler. But do cooperate if what he wants to do if for the good of all.
  
• As stated by people of Babylon, when you are just, people will love you, and you do not need armed escorts around you.
  As Shaykh Ibrahim al-Laqqani had written in Jauharitut Tauhid: It is obligatory to establish a just government. A just government rules by the law of Allah. Unjust government rules from his own ideas.
  
• In the early days of Malaysia, pilgrims smuggled home the kitab “Mutiara” by Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Mandili from Makkah. They wrapped the kitab in plastic bags and left it in cooked rice inside pots. The kitab had been banned because it prescribes the proper way to govern a country as per Islam teachings. If police found it on board the pilgrim ships, it would be thrown overboard to the sharks.
  
• When we see the old shaykhs not being active with political speeches, do not write them off as politically apathetic. They contribute (albeit silently) with their own style, because not everybody is gifted with eloquence.
  
• Ustaz Zakaria told us how his madrasah started off in early 1990’s with the help of locals in Sungai Sekamat:
  - Haji Rushdan of Bukit Dukung and friends helped.
  - From donations, were able to buy ¼ acres of land from Cik Sudin; then added another ½ acres.
  - Had to sell back the land due to the Cheras-Kajang highway construction. Cik Sudin bought back at market value.
  - Used the money to buy current place. The construction company contributed RM25k to build current madrasah.
  

Wallahu a'lam

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Ruler and Responsibilites

Munyatul Musolli ( Tatmimul Faa’idah) 21st December 2008

Shaykh Daud Fatoni had added this section to the kitab Munyatul Musolli – which discuss issues on responsibilities as a ruler. According to narrations, a sultan of Petani (currently part of Southern Thailand) asked the world-famous Mecca-based Shaykh Daud to write up a reference manual on solah. He obliged, hence this kitab Munyatul Musolli; but as a subtle reminder to the sultan, he added a piece of advise on how to rule a country. This article he called "Tatmimul Faa’idah".

Ruler and Responsibilites.

From Ibn ‘Abbas (ra), Rasulullah (saw) once said:

وقروا السلطان وأجلوه فإنه عز الله وظله في الأرض إذا كان عدلا

Revere and respect your sultan because when he is just, he represents greatness of Allah and he is His shadow on the face of earth.

From Umar (ra): O Rasulullah, tell me about a sultan who is so respected that people bend low before him. What is he like?
Rasulullah (saw) said: He is a shadow of Allah on earth. When he rules justly, then a reward due for him and gratefulness due from his subjects. When he rules tyrannically, a sin due for him and patience due from his subjects.

Rasulullah (saw) also had said:
A ruler who is good to his subjects - but neglects them with what Allah has trusted him and careless to guide them- has made Allah’s otherwise abundant mercy, narrow.

Malik bin Dinar (rh) said Allah has transpired to me saying:
I am the king of all kings, whose hearts I hold in my Hand. Whoever shows loyalty will get My mercy, and whoever shows defiance will get My punishment. Do not burden your tongue by reviling your king, but plea forgiveness from Allah and ask Him to soften their hearts towards you.

It is proper if all kings and rulers remind himself with the following ayah from the Quran:

يا داود إنا جعلناك خليفة في الأرض فاحكم بين الناس بالحق ولا تتبع الهوى فيضلك عن سبيل الله

O Daud, we made you our Representative (Khalifah) on the earth, so rule the people with the true justice, and never give in to your whims and desires lest they make you go astray.

Ruling by personal inclination was what made made Nabi Sulaiman bin Daud (as) fell from his throne. Once a group of people had come to him having a quarreled with another group. Nabi Sulaiman judged in favor of the former, who were from the same region (named Juradah) as his wife.

Ma’qal bin Yasar (ra) said I heard from Rasulullah (saw) that a ruler who cares for the welfare of his subjects, but ignore to guide and give advice to them, will not even get a whiff of Paradise. (While good Muslims would have caught the scent 500 years away).

Further our Nabi (saw) said whoever governs over a group of muslims, but fails to give them advice - just like he should to his own family (on Islamic matters) - he has prepared a place for himself in the Hellfire.

Ustaz Zakaria said:

• Allah does not hesitate to accept supplication made by a just ruler.
• If a ruler oppresses you, then be patient. If you have the means, then replace him.
• If a ruler does good things for his subjects, then you should cooperate with him.
• If a ruler does not rule by principles laid down in Islam, then he could become either tyrant or a fasiq, or a kafir. And Allah would befall disaster to such a ruler:
  - He loses his position.
  - His country suffer natural disasters.
  -His people suffer from violent crimes.


• Past ulama became very afraid if people tried to appoint them into positions of authority.
• It is irrelevant which political party governs our country, as long as it does so by laws of Allah.
• Sultan Zainal Abidin (rh) of Terengganu had set good example. He made regular rounds into the villages. If the day was Friday, he would step up in the local mosque and give khutbah in Jumu’ah.
• Tok Guru Umar of Rantau Panjang once got thrown into prison for citing the Quran verse "O Daud…rule the people with justice…" in a public speech. These days, candidates from either party seem to have forgotten this verse.
• Weird thinking of our elected leaders: If we suggest them to legally take another wife, they refuse for fear being unjust. If there is opportunity to run for leadership, they rush for it (without fear of being unjust evenmore for thousands or millions of subjects).
• Tok Kenali - a wali of Allah - once said: "money on you mind, and you trip yourself walking" (Malay: "fulus-fulus akibatnya jerlus").
• With all these warnings, we still clawing at each other to make it to the top?

Wallahu a'lam

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