Priest: OK,it's a good one,but I'm here with a lot of more questions about Islam itself,and I hope you have the answers..*looking arrogantly*
Muslim:It'll be my pleasure:)
Priest:Is Your God being fair to Men and Women?
Muslim: Of course!
Priest: If so, Why do women have to cover their head under a veil while men didn't have to?
Muslim: Before I answered it,Let me give you a verse in Your Bible;
But a woman dishonors her head* if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head,for this is the same as shaving her head.Yes,if she refuses to wear a head covering,she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved,she should wear a covering.*( Corinthians 11: 5-6)
And to answer yours,Let us try to bring ourselves along past the history,in the time of Jahiliyah,didn't women being degraded and dishonored?And as Islam came,it uplifted the status of women around the world by rescuing them with the covering of hijab,in order to save the women's dignity.
Priest: Why can men marry four women but for a woman only one man?Why do Islam encouraged polygamy?
Brother Fauzi
Islam never introduced polygamy,it just set up the limit to it..Notably,before the arrival of Islam,men can marry any number of women whom they like..As what stated in the Quran;
If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two OR three OR four;but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. ( An-Nisa: 3)
Didn't it tell you that ISLAM encouraged monogamy instead of polygamy?And all the laws are stated to protect the women.I'll give you an example:
According to research;
There are a number of 3 millions more women than men in England,and about 7.8 millions more women than men in The united States.Think,if there is no permissible for polygamy in this world,tell me,what will happen to other women that not yet married? Or can't be married?
Logically,do this mean that Islam restrict on women's freedom or protected them?
Priest: I love to discuss this with you more but unfortunately,I've work to attend urgently,nice to meet you...*and walk away*
Brother Lim: He didn't have any answer for the questions, or maybe he just got confused with all the explanation,huh?*murmured himself*
"They will got confused!" Bro Lim's favourite words
We all laughed.
We didn't have to be afraid of them because we have the truth! And as a Muslim, what have we done to spread this religion around the world? Didn't we always heard and read the 3 verses from Surah Al-Asr;
By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.( Al-Asr: 1-3)
Doesn't the phrase give us a huge meaning of Dakwah? To spread the truth around us...
Come Brother and Sisters,like the machinery out there who strive hard to spread their own religion,where are our determination in spreading ours?*self preservation*
I just got my time to dash off on the keyboard after about two months I've been engaged by so-many works and responsibilities. ..So,what are we're going to talk about right now?
I'll like to start with a story,you don't mind,right?*It will be easier this way,I guess*
I'm not going to start with 'once upon a time',since it not a fairy tale:)...It's all started...
"Sis,do you think is important for us to learn about comparative religion?"Asked Brother Lim who is the trainer of the 'Interactive Dakwah Training' course.
"Of course!" The answers from the participant occupied the room at that time.
"Why?"
"It'll be easier for us to understand the non-muslim and slowly draw them and acknowledge them of the beauty in Islam"Answered one of the participant.
"That is absolutely true,but I've got a better answer!"Said Brother Amin,another trainer in this course.
"And to answered this,I would like to tell you a story,is it OK?" continued brother Amin.
We all seated well getting anxious to listen to the story.
'One day,there is a man who owned a luxurious car,name one?I'll take Ferrari for an example;Everyday,he rode his car in pride,sending his son to school,It's a hot weather outside his window but he felt cooled by the high quality air-cond in his car.But suddenly,unfortunately,his car break down and was sent to a car workshop.
He was depressed when he was told that his car is in a need for at least a week repair.
"It's my only car,how can I go to work or send my son to school in a week?"he cries.
But the kind mechanic told him that he can borrow his car for a week in a condition;
"Take care of my babe,he's my only one too!and he's obviously not a Ferrari,just a cheap one!"
So,within a week,he drove the 'second-hand' car everywhere he goes and..
"It's hot,the air-cond was not functioning,I wonder why didn't the mechanic repair his own car?"he complained.As the week pass,he didn't stop from complaining about the old car.
Until,he heard the mechanic said before passing his car key,
"You should be grateful and considered lucky,that you own a comfortable car for a ride,unlike most people,they can't afford it!"
And suddenly the phrase make him think while he sit in his Ferrari,
"oh,I forget that I've been bless indeed to be given this wealth,'Ive seldom been thankful to Allah..All this years,it was just all about pride,but now I understand,It's all about being grateful to the One who gives you everything.
"So,the moral of the story is my better answer,....why we need to learn about the comparative religion?so we can be more thankful and grateful to the one and only God,ALLAH,for giving us the most precious thing in the world, being a MUSLIM."
"The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account. "( Al-Imran:19)
" Sis, if it is proven,one day,that the Quran is totally amiss,would you still believe in ISLAM?"
I was totally aghast with the question that has been delivered to all of us,participants,it's something I've never even thought could take up my mind in my entire life.
"Yes,I will still believe in Islam" one of the participants answered.
"Are you telling that you just follow your religion even though it's faulty?Where have your faith gone to?You all have mastered the six tenets of faith,right?Think again carefully.."asked Brother Lim,a revert muslim who was conducting that evening course.
She turn white in confusion..I assumed all of us are in confusion.To be truth, I rather like the way brother Lim conducting it because he really make us to think,and as I thought carefully,I speak out;
"I'll still believe that islam is the only true religion in this world because I believe that Quran is truthful!"I saw him smile but then he asked,"If I can prove you that the words in the Quran are conflicted,would you still believe in Islam?"
"Do you want the prove?"he demand.
And that time,I really was speechless,and obviously confused.Something burning inside me whether it is anger because of the provocation or frustrated because to be honest,I have no answer to that sort of question.
OK,It 's getting hot in here!"Brother Lim joked.This is actually the sort of question machinery in Christianity would shoot.Let me give you an example:
Priest: You believe that Muhammad was the last prophet,right?
Muslim: Yes!
Priest: And you also believe that Jesus is still alive and will return to earth one day,right?
Muslim: Yes!
Priest: Why did you believe that Muhammad is the last,if Jesus is still alive,won't it be that he will be the last prophet?
*The muslim smile in content*
Muslim: Brother,Let me give you an analogy in order to answer your question.Let see if you have an elder brother..and he works outside the country for about 5 years.After he got back,He discovered that you died.Does it mean that he is younger than you? Alternatively, does he still be your elder brother?
*The priest startled in shame*
Muslim: To identify who would be the ending is by getting to know who would be beginning first.As a matter of fact,Muhammad is younger than Jesus makes him the last prophet even though we believe that Jesus is still alive.Is your question answered?
Muslim:Brother,may I ask,you totally believe in Jesus,right?
Priest: Yes!
Muslim: Brother,do you want to know the similarities between Islam and Christian?
* The priest startled......in confusion*
Muslim: Let's play a word match..I give you a verse in Quran that have similar meaning with your bible,I just need you to correct me if I'm wrong,can you?
The priest: Aah..I'll try*sweating*
Muslim:
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only (Al- Ikhlaas:1) is similar to Listen,O Israel, The Lord Our God is the one and only Lord( Mark 12:29)
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute( Al-Ikhlaas:2) is similar too
The Eternal God is your refuge( Deuteronomy 33:27)
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten( Al-Ikhlaas:3) is similar to For God is spirit,so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth( John 4:24)
And there is none like unto Him.( Al-Ikhlaas:4) is similar to You have never heard His voice or seen Him face to face( John 5:37)
Muslim:Is that all written in the Bible?*as what you all will predict,the priest nodded shamefully* And you know,there is so many from Jesus's act in Bible that similar to Muslim,for example:
And just as they were telling about it,Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them."Peace be with you" he said( Luke 24:36)
And Muslim says 'Peace be with you' as greetings to each other
What you ought to say is,"If the Lord wants us to,we will live and do this or that(James 4:15)
In other words, they do things in God's will( In Shaa Allah),and who usually said those word?
It has been 2 years since I last visited Medan and 12 years before,back then when I was just a little girl..yet I didn't recall anyone I've met in 5 years age time..but it seem this time makes my journey a lot than just a memory but a strong connection of family.
.The view of Masjid Raya just in front of our hotel
Of course my father was the most excited* truly,I can see from his face and sparkle eyes*, I know exactly how he felt,being apart from the family after 20 years living in Malaysia,he seems to miss them very much although my parents did took every opportunity in going back to my father's hometown in every event they have there,but still it is incomparable than having to live there-since my father grew up there;)..it sure left him the most precious memories in his entire life.
OK,I haven't mention the real purpose I'm here in Medan,actually my parents( as usual) was invited to my cousin's wedding,Kak Maisyarah(the oldest from her siblings and the oldest among us (cousins) too,she is 23,by the way..),so here we are in an airbus AK450,HAHA,still remember the flight serial number:)and since the weather is in a good condition,I fortunately can enjoy the scenery of the cloud floating by where the sun shining beautifully that early morning*OK,I admit,for my entire life riding in the airplane,this is the first time I ride it without falling asleep..since I'm one an easy-going snoozer*shh*..especially when I'm riding the plane at night..(but of course,it is night,rite?)
We depart from LCCT around 7.20a.m,and safely arrived at Medan Poloniya airport at 7.20 a.m(their time)As we arrived,my father has awaited us* long enough, I think* with a huge van,I assumed it's from the hotel we're staying,(how come my father is in Medan?He took an early flight a day before us due to attend a conference here in his hometown)when suddenly a boy approach us begging for pennies and surprisingly he was crippled..Pity flows in my heart and that time I whispered,'Oh,how difficult would that boy having in his entire life?'..How forgetful I am with my life?Subhanallah,save this boy,Ya ALLAH,give him strength..'I prayed..
Alhamdulillah,our shedule there was fully-packed with having to visit my father's family,not to mention,food is easily found here with an affordable rate too!Like what Om Kudri said,Medan was full of restaurant,they just like to eat,RM2.50 for a person is enough to make them full - can you imagine how cheap the rate there?but one thing makes me curious enough,how they maintain their weight?I just laughed hearing Om Kudri replied..'di sini harus kuat kerjanya!' That night we have our dinner* makan aja sih..hehe* at Pak Haidar' house about half an hour ride from our hotel,I'm surprised that the road was still busy..'Macet' nya Om Kauthar...and although the road was not as systematical as in Malaysia,I can say that Medan's driver was a success,they seldom having accidents here..they seems to know where to go..but one thing I can't stand whenever we're on the road is the way they sound other drivers who pass their way,using horn..OK..that thing is quite annoying..but still I thanked Allah the most graceful,although I'm in a hectic road fulled with people, but still I can seat back in an air-conditioned car felt save rather than walking in the middle of busy road like in Medan..Alhamdulillah..
As we stop on the traffic light on the way to Pak Haidar's house, my sister pointed out of the car's window mentioning to a little girl around 2 years old sitting just beside the street.she was wearing a cloth covering her head looking pathetic as the car passing by her.. "Where can her mother be around this hour leaving her child beside the street,Ya ALLAH,how pity for her..hearing my mother,
"Kalau anak kite masa ni dah nak tidur dah.."make me realised how thankful should I be,but still to see such scenery makes my heart ache for the irresponsible parents out there.. "Maybe they face complications in their life..you should be more grateful with your life.."my sister blurt out.Sure,I do agree with that..Alhamdulillah..
And at that time, I thought,how thankful that my family in Medan was still in a good condition although their houses is rather small to compare to the houses in Malaysia,they still have place to live and shelter from the rain,food to eat and they all educated well..Alhamdulillah..
The newly-wed~Bang Rizal n Ka Sarah
My father,Wak salleh,Om Ikhwan and Om Hasbi
Seeing my family there make me realised how fortunate I'd be for living in Malaysia but still very lucky to have them as a family in Medan..I can see they all work hard to live well..something spark in my mind that time..
"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win." Roger Bannister
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection."Thomas Paine ..
And that was what I can see in them..
Jepot n Paijan-my cuzin
And that time,is when I realized happiness around us as I saw my father gathered around with his other 6 siblings..my 2 Om* pakcik* and 4 tante*makcik* on the day of the wedding...I saw them laughing recalling back the time,I assumed,their childhood;)and wiping tears just like others big loving family whenever we are leaving...and playing with my oh-so-naughty cousins(they're 10 all of them)..it was a tired day after all but I WAS SURE HAVING THE FUN!!!
memories on the wedding
Seeing them success in their study also make me proud,"jumpa nanti di menara gadingnya!"was their quote,I felt the bond is getting stronger in every moment.And the 3 days I'm having in Medan surely isn't enough for me to have a great time sharing with them as they all*my cousin* are having schools in Saturday..and we are sheduled packed..*I did mention it before,rite:)*
But still,I hope that I can see them again soon..Remembering what my sister said before we're take off..
"We are malayndon after all!!"haha,yea..Its run in our blood..
Tante Marni,thanks for the invite, Kak Maisyarah n Bang Rizal..happy newly-wed!!*Oh by the way,she is expected!*I'm going to be an aunt..hehe actually ka maisarah nikahnya bulan satu,ini pestanya!!*gaye medan*^^ And to all my other cousins and family..miss you all and hope to see you again soon...
"Tears falling down as they talk,and speechless was the only word to describe the moment.."commented one of participant.
Alhamdulillah,ALLAH gives me the opportunity to feel the experience and becoming one of the ESQ big and lovable family,not only I met new friend of my own age but also 'seniors' from different kind of background.It was full of unexpected things happen around us within the 3 days course..
~The Big And Lovable Family of ESQ-like my ANGAH named it;)~
I can see some people who finally find their true self not only we manage to seek our hidden potential yet we also get to feel how the bond between us as 'Hamba ALLAH' and ALLAH really can create a success man in his life..
Based on the trainer's experience,they really succeed in opening our eyes of the real happiness in our life..As PAK YAN and PAK ANDI,our Indonesian trainers not to forget ABANG FAIZI,the one and only Malaysian trainer there always said,
"close your eyes and feel the truth within your heart, because it is not our eyes that blind but it is our heart!"
"Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts" (Surah al-Haj:46)
And every time "Read with the name of your God(ALLAH)" echoed in the auditorium,that is when I felt the bond is getting bigger in my heart as well others,I can't really explain it but this is what makes my heart grow stronger in faith to ALLAH..
I felt it in my heart with my eyes closed,I felt it in every of my 'sujud' but the most unforgettable and momentous is when I felt the He hears me and that He is so close to me at that time...and that time,I really can't stop my tears from falling down.. How forgetful are we?How arrogant are we?*reminding myself before others*
"And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster. (Al-Luqman:18)
Have we forget what we had promised in the Quran?
"When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful" (Al-A'araf:172)
How can we forget that we are alive now holding our promise to the only God(ALLAH)? Astaghfirullah,how can we bring up ourselves to HIM in the day of Judgement?
It is something that sometimes I forget too.. Astaghfirullah...
And that time whenever it remind me,I just put up my hands while reciting this in my heart;
"Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure." (Al-Imran:8)
Forgive Me,Ya ALLAH.. Guide me in my way and never let me go astray... Amin..
Special thanks to my ANGAH for introducing me to this course...
~happy moments with the trainers and organizers~
And for the Big and Happy family of ESQ,I REALLY MISS YOU ALL
and for my friend out there who really interested in joining our family,do it as soon as possible:) because I just can say it as a priceless pearl...
"Feel the experience"
-Ketika kita tidur malam nanti, belum tentu kita akan bangun esok pagi. Ketika kita baring, belum tentu kita mampu bangkit dan menikmati keindahan sinaran mentari.- Dr. Ary Ginanjar Agustian
p/s: Hopefully can join the next course( Mission and Character Building) this May,INSYA ALLAH:)
