What Is Inside The Ka'bah

The small, cubed building known as the Ka'bah may not rival skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but its impact on history and human beings is unmatched. The Ka'bah is the building towards which Muslims face five times a day, everyday, in prayer. This has been the case since the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over 1400 years ago.

The Size of the Ka'bah

The current height of the Ka'bah is 39 feet, 6 inches and total size comes to 627 square feet. The inside room of the Ka'bah is 13 x 9 meters. The Ka'bah's walls are one meter wide. The floor inside is 2.2 meters higher than the place where people perform Tawaf.

The ceiling and roof are two levels made out of wood. They were reconstructed with teak which is capped with stainless steel. The walls are all made of stone. The stones inside are unpolished, while the ones outside are polished.

This small building has been constructed and reconstructed by Prophets Adam, Ibrahim [Abraham], Ismail [Ishmael] and Muhammad (peace be upon them all - Prophets of Allah]. No other building has had this honor. Yet, not very much is [commonly] known about the details of this small but significant building.

Did you know the Ka'bah was reconstructed as recently as close to four years ago? Did you know that the Ka'bah has been subjected to danger by natural disasters like flooding, as well as human attacks? If you didn't keep reading, you'll find some rarely heard of information discussed below and discover facts about the Ka'bah many are unaware of.

The Other Names of the Ka'bah

Literally, Ka'bah in Arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word Ka'bah may also be a derivative of a word meaning cube. Some of these other names include : Baitul Ateeq which means, according to one meaning, the earliest and ancient. According to the second meaning, it means independent and liberating. Both meanings could be taken.

The History of the Ka'bah

Scholars and historians say that the Ka'bah has been reconstructed between 5 to 12 times. The very first construction of the Ka'bah was done by Prophet Adam. Allah [swt, glory be to Him] says in the Qur'an that this was the first house that was built for humanity to worship Allah.

After this, Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail rebuilt the Kaba. The measurements of the Ka'bah's Ibrahimic foundation are as follows:

- the eastern wall was 48 feet and 6 inches
- the Hateem side wall was 33 feet
- the side between the black stone and the Yemeni corner was 30 feet
- the Western side was 46.5 feet

Following this, there were several constructions before Prophet Muhammad's time.

Prophet Muhammad participated in one of its reconstructions before he became a Prophet. After a flash flood, the Ka'bah was damaged and its walls cracked. It needed rebuilding. This responsibility was divided among the Quraish's four tribes. Prophet Muhammad helped with this reconstruction. Once the walls were erected, it was time to place the Black Stone, (the Hajarul Aswad) on the eastern wall of the Ka'bah.

Arguments erupted about who would have the honor of putting the Black Stone in its place. A fight was about to break out over the issue, when Abu Umayyah, Makkah's oldest man, proposed that the first man to enter the gate of the mosque the following morning would decide the matter.

That man was the Prophet. The Makkans were ecstatic. "This is the trustworthy one (Al-Ameen)," they shouted in a chorus. "This is Muhammad". He came to them and they asked him to decide on the matter. He agreed.

Prophet Muhammad proposed a solution that all agreed to putting the Black Stone on a cloak, the elders of each of the clans held on to one edge of the cloak and carried the stone to its place. The Prophet then picked up the stone and placed it on the wall of the Ka'bah.

Since the tribe of Quraish did not have sufficient funds, this reconstruction did not include the entire foundation of the Ka'bah as built by Prophet Ibrahim. This is the first time the Ka'bah acquired the cubical shape it has now unlike the rectangle shape which it had earlier. The portion of the Kaba left out is called Hateem now.

What Is Inside the Ka'bah?

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, is the president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), had the opportunity to go inside the Kaba in October 1998. In an interview with Sound Vision, he described the following features:

* there are two pillars inside (others report 3 pillars)
* there is a table on the side to put items like perfume
* there are two lantern-type lamps hanging from the ceiling
* the space can accommodate about 50 people
* there are no electric lights inside
* the walls and the floors are of the marble
* there are no windows inside
* there is only one door
* the upper inside walls of the Kaba were covered with some kind of curtain with the Kalima written on it

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Kolam al-Kauthar Khusus Untuk Nabi Muhammad

Allah SWT menjanjikan balasan syurga kepada mereka yang melaksanakan perintah-Nya dengan penuh ketakwaan, keimanan, tulus dan ikhlas semata-mata kerana-Nya.

Kebahagiaan dan kenikmatan syurga memang sukar diterangkan. Namun, Rasulullah SAW ada menceritakannya dalam hadis Baginda.

Daripada Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, bahawa Rasulullah bersabda bermaksud :

"Sesungguhnya Allah berfirman kepada ahli syurga : Wahai ahli syurga!

Mendengarkan yang demikian, mereka menjawab : Kami sentiasa menyahut seruan-Mu ya Tuhan kami! Dan sentiasa memuliakan-Mu, sedangkan segala kebaikan tetap dalam kekuasaan-Mu!

Tuhan berfirman lagi: Adakah kamu berpuas hati dengan balasan nikmat syurga yang ada ini?

Mereka menjawab : Mengapa pula kami tidak berpuas hati ya Tuhan kami, sedang Engkau telah mengurniakan kami dengan pemberian-pemberian yang tidak pernah Engkau berikan kepada sesiapa pun daripada makhluk-makhluk yang Engkau jadikan?

Mendengarkan itu, Tuhan berfirman : Mahukah Aku berikan kepada kamu yang lebih baik daripada itu?

Bagi menjawab pertanyaan itu mereka pula bertanya : Apa dia yang lebih baik daripada itu?

Allah berfirman: Aku limpahkan kepada kamu keredaan-Ku, maka dengan yang demikian Aku tidak murka kepada kamu sesudah itu selama-lamanya.". (Hadis riwayat Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmizi dan Imam Ahmad).

Antara perkara akhirat yang wajib diketahui serta dipercayai dan diakui benarnya ialah di sana ada kolam air bagi setiap Nabi untuk diminum oleh umat masing-masing.

Bagi Nabi Muhammad SAW disediakan sebuah kolam yang airnya lebih putih daripada susu dan lebih manis daripada air madu, pialanya banyak tidak terhitung.

Nabi Muhammad SAW akan berada dekat kolam itu pada Hari Kiamat menunggu sesiapa antara umatnya yang datang minum daripada airnya.

Sesiapa yang dapat minum dari air kolam itu tidak akan berasa haus dahaga selama-lamanya.

Ada pun minuman yang ada dalam syurga, maka disediakan hanya untuk diminum buat berlazat-lazat dan bersuka ria.

Perkara sedemikian kerana : "Sesungguhnya engkau - wahai penduduk syurga - tidak akan berasa haus dahaga dalamnya." (Maksud ayat 119, surah Taha).

Air kolam itu tidak dapat diminum oleh sesiapa yang menukar bawaan hidupnya yang baik kepada tidak baik, selepas Nabi SAW menyatakan apa yang baik dan apa yang sebaliknya. Malah, orang yang disebutkan itu disekat daripada sampai ke kolam itu dan dijauhkan daripadanya.

Kolam itu dinamakan ‘Kolam al-Kauthar’ kerana airnya dari sebatang sungai di syurga yang bernama al-Kauthar yang dikurniakan Tuhan, khusus kepada Nabi Muhammad SAW. Sungai itulah yang memenuhi kolam yang disebutkan itu melalui dua saluran emas dan perak.

Bau tanah dasar sungai itu lebih harum daripada kasturi.

Hakikat seperti yang disebutkan itu terkandung dalam hadis berikut:

** Daripada Anas, katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda: "Dalam masa aku sedang berjalan di syurga (pada malam Mi'raj), tiba-tiba aku bertembung dengan sebatang sungai yang ada pada kedua-dua tebingnya kubah-kubah dari mutiara yang dironggakan.

Aku bertanya : Sungai apa ini wahai Jibril? Jibril menjawab : Ini ialah sungai al-Kauthar yang Tuhanmu kurniakan kepadamu..." - (Hadith riwayat Bukhari dan at-Tirmizi).

** Daripada Abdullah bin Umar, katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda: "Kauthar itu ialah sebatang sungai dalam syurga, kedua-dua tebingnya adalah daripada emas, aliran airnya di atas mutiara dan yakut, bau tanah di dasarnya lebih harum daripada kasturi, dan airnya lebih manis daripada air madu dan lebih putih daripada salji." (Hadith riwayat at-Tirmizi).

** Daripada Aisyah, katanya : "Aku ada mendengar Rasulullah SAW bersabda ketika Baginda berada antara sahabatnya :

Sesungguhnya aku akan berada di kolamku, menunggu siapa antara kamu datang hendak minum daripada kolamku itu.

Apabila datangnya orang itu, maka demi Allah! Sesungguhnya ada orang yang disekat-sekat daripada sampai kepadaku, lalu aku merayu dengan berkata : Ya Tuhanku! Mereka daripada orangku dan daripada umatku!

Maka, Tuhan berfirman : Sesungguhnya engkau (wahai Muhammad) tidak mengetahui apa yang mereka lakukan sesudah engkau wafat - mereka sentiasa berbalik kepada pegangan dan amal perbuatan mereka yang dulu.

Pada satu riwayat : Maka aku pun berkata: Jauhlah, jauhlah daripada rahmat Allah, sesiapa yang mengubah ajaranku sesudah aku menerangkannya." - (Hadith riwayat Muslim).

** Daripada Abu Zar, katanya : "Aku bertanya : Ya Rasulullah! Apa keadaan piala-piala kolam al-Kauthar itu?

Rasulullah SAW menjawab: Demi Tuhan yang diri Muhammad dalam kekuasaan-Nya! Sesungguhnya bilangan pialanya lebih banyak daripada bilangan bintang di langit yang tetap dan yang beredar, pada malam yang gelap gelita, dan yang bersih cuacanya.

Piala itu adalah piala syurga, sesiapa yang minum dari piala itu tidak akan berasa dahaga selama-lamanya.

Dua saluran dari syurga menyalurkan air ke dalam kolam itu...

Pada satu riwayat, Rasulullah SAW ditanya mengenai air kolam itu, lalu Baginda menjawab :

Airnya lebih putih daripada air susu, dan lebih manis daripada air madu; dua saluran dari syurga menyalur serta menambah air ke dalamnya, satu daripada emas dan yang satu lagi daripada perak." - (Hadis riwayat Muslim).

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Answers to Seven Questions about Islam

1. What is Islam?

The word "Islam" is an Arabic word that means "submitting and surrendering your will to Almighty God". The word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means peace.

Unlike the names used for other religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, the name for the religion of Islam was both revealed by God and carries a deep spritual meaning — only by submitting one’s will to Almighty God can one obtain true peace both in this life and in thelife hereafter.

Islam teaches that all religions originally had the same essential message — which was to submit whole-heartedly to the will of God and to worship Him and Him alone. For this reason, Islam is not a new religion but is the same divinely revealed Ultimate Truth that God revealed to all prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

2. Who are Muslims?

The Arabic word "Muslim" literally means "someone who submits to the will of God". The message of Islam is meant for the entire world and anyone who accepts this message becomes a Muslim.

Some people mistakenly believe that Islam is just a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth, since in actuality over 80% of the world's Muslims are not Arabs! Even though most Arabs are Muslims, there are Arabs who are Christians, Jews and atheists.

If one just takes a look at the various peoples who live in the Muslim World — from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Morocco to Indonesia — it is easy enough to see that Muslims come from all different races, ethnic groups and nationalities.

From the very beginning, Islam had a universal message for all people. This can be seen in the fact that some of the early companions of the Prophet Muhammad were not only Arabs, but also Persians, Africans and Byzantine Romans.

Being a Muslim entails complete acceptance and active obedience to the revealed will of Almighty God. A Muslim is a person who freely accepts to base his beliefs, values and faith on the will of Almighty God.

In the past, even though you don't see it as much today, the word "Mohammedans" was often used as a label for Muslims. This label is a misnomer and is the result of either willful distortion or sheer ignorance. One of the reasons for the misconception is that Europeans were taught for centuries that Muslims worshipped the Prophet Muhammad in the same way that Christians worship Jesus. This is absolutely not true since a Muslim is not permitted to worship anyone or anything besides Almighty God.

3. Who is Allah?

Very often one will hear the Arabic word "Allah" being used in regards to Islam. The word "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God, and is the same word used by Arabic speaking Christians and Jews. If one were to pick up an Arabic translation of the Bible, one would see the word "Allah" being use where the word "God" is used in English.

Actually, the Arabic word for Almighty God, “Allah”, is quite similiar to the word for God in other Semitic languages — for example, the Hebrew word for God is “Elah”.

For various reasons, some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that Muslims worship a different God than Jews and Christians. This is certainly not the case, since the Pure Monotheism of Islam calls all people to the worship of the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all of the other prophets. However, even though Jews, Christians and Muslims worship the same God — since there is only one God — their concepts concerning Him differ in some significant ways.

4. Who is Muhammad?

The last and final prophet that God sent to humanity was the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad explained, interpreted and lived the teachings of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad is the greatest of all prophets for many reasons, but mainly because the results of his mission have brought more people into the pure belief in One God than any other prophet.

Even though other religious communities claimed to believe in One God, over time they had corrupted their beliefs by taking their prophets and saints as intercessors with Almighty God. Some religions believe their prophets to be manifestions of God, "God Incarnate" or the "Son of God". All of these false ideas lead to the creature being worshipped instead of the Creator, which contributed to the idolatrous practice of believing that Almighty God can be approached through intermediaries.

In order to guard against these falsehoods, the Prophet Muhammad always emphasized that he was only a human-being tasked with the preaching of God’s message. He taught Muslims to refer to him as "the Messenger of God and His Slave".

To Muslims, Muhammad is the supreme example for all people — he was the exemplary prophet, statesman, military leader, ruler, teacher, neighbor husband, father and friend.

Unlike other prophets and messengers, the Prophet Muhammad lived in the full light of history. Muslims don't need to have "faith" that he existed and that his teachings are preserved — they know it to be a fact.

Even when his followers only numbered a few dozen, Almighty God informed Muhammad that he had be sent as a mercy to all of mankind. Because people had distorted or forgotten God’s messages, God took it upon Himself to protect the message revealed to Muhammad. This was because Almighty God promised not to send another messenger after him.

Since all of God’s messengers have preached the message of Islam — i.e. submission to the will of God and the worship of God alone — Muhammad is actually the last prophet of Islam, not the first.

5. What are the Teachings of Islam?

The foundation of the Islamic faith is belief in the Unity of God. This means to believe that there is only one Creator and Sustainer of everything in the Universe, and that nothing is divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Him. Truly believing in the Unity of God means much more than simply believing that there is "One God" — as opposed to two, three or four.

There are a number of religions that claim belief in “One God” and believe that ultimately there is only one Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Islam, however, not only insists on this, but also rejects using such words as "Lord" and "Savior" for anyone besides Almighty God. Islam also rejects the use of all intermediaries between God and Man, and insists that people approach God directly and reserve all worship for Him alone.
Muslims believe that Almighty God is Compassionate, Loving and Merciful. The essence of falsehood is the claim that God cannot deal with and forgive His creatures directly. By over-emphasizing the burden of sin, as well as claiming that God cannot forgive you directly, false religions seek to get people to despair of the Mercy of God.

Once they are convinced that they cannot approach God directly, people can be mislead into turning to false gods for help. These “false gods” can take various forms, such as saints, angels, or someone who is believed to be the “Son of God” or “God Incarnate”.

In almost all cases, people who worship, pray to or seek help from a false god don’t consider it to be, or call it, a “god”. They claim belief in One Supreme God, but claim that they pray to and worship others beside God only to get closer to Him.

In Islam, there is a clear distinction between the Creator and the created. There is no ambiguity in divinity — anything that is created is not deserving of worship and only the Creator is worthy of being worshipped. Some religions falsely believe that God has become part of His creation, and this has led people to believe that they can worship something created in order to reach their Creator.

Muslims believe that even though God is Unique and beyond comprehension — He has no "Son", partners or associates. According to Muslim belief, Almighty God "does not beget nor was He begotten" — neither literally, allegorically, metaphorically, physically or metaphysically — He is Absolutely Unique and Eternal. He is in control of everything and is perfectly capable of bestowing His infinite Mercy and Forgiveness to whomever He chooses. That is why is called the All-Powerful and Most-Merciful.

Almighty God has created the Universe for man, and as such wants the best for all human beings. Muslims see everything in the Universe as a sign of the Creatorship and Benevolence of Almighty God. Also, the belief in the Unity of God is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is a dynamic belief that effects ones view of humanity, society and all aspects of life. As a logical corollary to the Islamic belief in the Oneness of God, is its belief in the oneness of mankind and humanity.

6. What is the Qur'an?

It is the final revelation of the will of Almighty God's to all of mankind, which was conveyed through the Angel Gabriel, in Arabic, to the Prophet Muhammad in its sounds, words and meanings. The Qur’an, sometimes spelled Koran, was relayed to the Prophet's companions, which they memorized verbatim, and which has been publicly and continually recited by them and their successors until the present day.

In short, the Qur'an is the book of guidance from God par excellence. The Qur'an is still memorized and taught by millions of people.

The language of the Qur'an, Arabic, is still a living language to millions of people, so unlike the scriptures of other religions, the Qur'an is still read in its original language by countless millions of people. The Qu'ran is a living miracle in the Arabic language; and is known to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact.
God's final revelation to mankind, the Qur'an, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years.

The Qur'an, in contrast to many other religious books, was always thought to be the Word of God by those who believed in it, i.e. it wasn't something decreed by a religious council many years after being written. Also, the Qu'ran was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of the Prophet Muhammad.

The entire Qur'an was also completely written down in lifetime of the Prophet, and numerous companions of the Prophet memorized the entire Qur'an word-for-word as it was revealed. So unlike other scriptures, the Qur'an was always in the hands of the common believers, it was always thought to be God's word and, due to wide-spread memorization, it was perfectly preserved.

In regards to the teachings of the Qur'an - it is a universal scripture, and it is addressed to all of mankind, and not to a particular tribe or "chosen people". The message that it brings is nothing new, but the same message of all of the prophets - submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone.

As such, God's revelation in the Qur'an focuses on teaching human beings the importance of believing in the Unity of God and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent. Additionally, the Qur'an contains the stories of the previous prophets, such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus; as well as many commands and prohibitions from God.

In modern times in which so many people are caught up in doubt, spiritual despair and "political correctness", the Qur'anic teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is gripping the world today.

7. How Do Muslims view the Nature of Man, the Purpose of Life and the Life Hereafter?

In the Holy Qur'an, God teaches human beings that they were created in order to worship Him, and that the basis of all true worship is God-consciousness. Since the teachings of Islamic encompass all aspects of life and ethics, God-consciousness is encouraged in all human affairs.

Islam makes it clear that all human acts are acts of worship if they are done for God alone and in accordance to His Divine Law. As such, worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. The teachings of Islam act as a mercy and a healing for the human soul, and such qualities as humility, sincerity, patience and charity are strongly encouraged. Additionally, Islam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty God is the only judge of human righteousness.

The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced. Human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil.
Islam also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is one's deeds and actions. However, human beings have also been created weak and regularly fall into sin. This is the nature of the human being as created by God in His Wisdom, and it is not inherently "corrupt" or in need of repair. This is because the avenue of repentance of always open to all human beings, and Almighty God loves the repentant sinner more than one who does not sin at all.
The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a sincere belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In light of this, Islam teaches that : only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord.

Additionally, the Holy Qur'an, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, contains a great deal of teachings about the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Due to this, Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by God for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Almighty God will be both Merciful and Just, and people will only be judged for what they were capable of.

Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before God. A sincere belief in the life hereafter is key to leading a well-balanced life and moral. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes human beings to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral.

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Sedekah Untuk Ahli Keluarga Dapat Lebih Banyak Pahala

Umat Islam tidak kira kaya atau miskin digalakkan bersedekah mengikut kemampuannya. Bagaimanapun, orang miskin yang bermurah hati hendak bersedekah, bersedekahlah ala kadar, asalkan tidak menyusahkan diri sendiri dan orang yang menjadi tanggungannya.

Selepas itu, kalau ada yang berlebih daripada yang diperlukannya, barulah boleh disedekahkan sebahagian daripadanya kepada orang lain.

Hal ini diriwayatkan daripada Jabir bin Abdullah, katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda bermaksud :

"Apabila seseorang daripada kamu berkeadaan miskin (dan dia hendak bersedekah), maka hendaklah dia lebih dulu mengutamakan keperluan dirinya sendiri. Kalau ada yang berlebih, hendaklah disedekahkan kepada anak isteri dan orang yang ditanggung nafkahnya. Kalau ada juga yang berlebih, hendaklah disedekahkan kepada kerabatnya (atau kepada orang yang ada pertalian kerabat dengannya). Kalau ada juga yang berlebih, maka hendaklah disedekahkan kepada orang lain yang memerlukan bantuan, yang ada di sana sini." (Hadith sahih riwayat Imam Ahmad)

Dalam hal sama, daripada Abu Hurairah, katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda :
"Bersedekahlah kamu!
Seorang lelaki (yang hadir) berkata : Saya ada satu dinar.
Baginda menjawab : Sedekahkanlah wang itu kepada dirimu sendiri.
Orang itu berkata : Saya ada satu dinar lagi.
Baginda menjawab : Sedekahkanlah wang itu kepada isteri mu.
Orang itu berkata : Saya ada satu dinar lagi.
Baginda menjawab : Sedekahkanlah wang itu kepada anakmu.
Orang itu berkata : Saya ada satu dinar lagi.
Baginda menjawab : Sedekahkanlah wang itu kepada orang gajimu.
Orang itu berkata : Saya ada satu dinar lagi.
Baginda menjawab : Engkau lebih mengetahui (akan orang yang patut engkau berikan)." (Hadith sahih riwayat Imam Ahmad)

Dalam hadis di atas, jelas ada keutamaan kepada siapa sedekah itu perlu diberikan. Nabi Muhammad SAW ketika ditanya mengenai bersedekah kepada kaum kerabat menerangkan :

"Orang (yang bersedekah kepada kerabatnya) itu mendapat dua pahala : pahala hubungan silaturahim dengan kerabatnya dan pahala sedekah itu sendiri." (Hadis riwayatkan Bukhari dan Muslim serta al-Nasa'i dan at-Tirmizi)

Dalam hadis lain daripada Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari daripada Nabi Muhammad SAW sabda Baginda :

"Sesungguhnya orang Islam itu apabila dia memberi nafkah dengan sesuatu kepada keluarganya, sedangkan dia memberikannya dengan tujuan mematuhi perintah Allah dan mengharapkan pahalanya nescaya pemberiannya itu menjadi sedekah (yang berpahala) baginya." (Hadis sahih riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Perkara itu diterangkan lebih lanjut dalam hadis daripada Abu Hurairah, katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda :

"Satu dinar yang engkau belanjakan pada jalan Allah, satu dinar lagi yang engkau belanjakan pada memerdekakan seorang hamba abdi, satu dinar lagi yang engkau sedekahkan kepada seorang miskin dan satu dinar lagi engkau belanjakan kepada keluargamu, (maka) yang lebih besar pahalanya adalah yang engkau belanjakan kepada keluargamu." (Hadis sahih riwayat Muslim)

Dalam huraiannya Imam Nawawi berkata, hadis itu menggalakkan memberi nafkah kepada keluarga sendiri dan menerangkan pahalanya.

Hal itu kerana antara mereka ada yang diwajibkan nafkahnya disebabkan pertalian kerabat. Ada pula yang disunatkan nafkahnya sebagai sedekah dan untuk menghubungkan silaturahim. Malah, ada juga antaranya yang diwajibkan nafkahnya dengan sebab pertalian nikah kahwin.

Semua itu amalan baik yang sangat digalakkan, bahkan lebih afdal daripada sedekah sunat yang diberikan dengan sukarela (kepada orang lain).

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The 'Yoga' of Islamic Prayer

Called 'one of the oldest systems of personal development encompassing body, mind and spirit' by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, yoga has become one of the fastest growing health trends today. It has been renowned for centuries for its curative powers of movement.

Yoga consists of a number of 'asnas', or body positions, which one retains for a desired length of time while either reciting 'mantras' or breathing in a rhythmic manner. Its benefits have been researched by many doctors who now recommend it to their patients, by many medical schools such as Harvard, and by many foundations such as the Menninger Foundation.

In fact, yoga has become so popular that secretaries have developed a simplified sitting version that they can do at their desks. The elderly, pregnant women and athletes also have their own versions.

Islamic Prayer

Interestingly, for the millions of people enrolled in yoga classes, the Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries with some of yoga’s same (and even superior) benefits. This simple form of “yoga” offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits five times a day as Muslims assume certain positions while reciting Qur’an and zikir (remembrances).

Of course, not all the yoga positions are found in the Islamic prayer. However, hospital researchers have concluded that patients benefit from even a simplified version of yoga, and most hospital yoga programs, such as those at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Massachusetts, consist of only five to seven positions.

The Muslim prayer has five positions, and they all (as well as the recitations we make while performing the prayer) have a corresponding relationship with our spiritual and mental well being, according to modern scientific research. The benefits of performing specific movements and recitations each day come from the correct rendition of the position or action itself, the length of time the position is held, and from careful and correct recitation techniques.

Each of the five prayer positions has a corresponding yoga position, and the positions together 'activate' all seven 'chakras' (energy fields) in the body. The idea of activating a chakra may sound linguistically strange, but it is easier to understand once one translates that word into more familiar language.

The Chakra

Eastern healers believe that each of the chakras correlate to major nerve ganglia that branch forth from the spinal column. Thus, the concept of activating these nerve centers is akin to getting a chiropractic adjustment or installing a medical stimulating device on the spine to correct corresponding bodily malfunctions.

In layman’s terms, the idea of chakras can be understood by thinking about how the sense of 'feeling' functions. One notices, when touching any part of the body, that that part responds by being more 'awake' and aware. Another part of the body that was not touched, but is along the same nerve pathway, may also respond.

When a person is sitting, for instance, they may not be thinking about their legs, which are momentarily at rest; however, if someone touches them, they will again be 'aware' of them. Chakras work in much the same way.

Studies have found that varying areas of the body, when activated by touch, movement or thought, evoke specific emotional and physical responses in much the same way that a smile can evoke the feeling of happiness, and actually increase circulation – even if one was feeling sluggish and unhappy before smiling. This is one of the reasons that it is so important to perfectly perform all of the movements of the Islamic prayer, rather than haphazardly rushing through them.

The Positions in Solat

The Takbir and Qiyyam together are very similar to the Mountain Pose in yoga, which has been found to improve posture, balance, and self-awareness. This position also normalizes blood pressure and breathing, thus providing many benefits to asthma and heart patients.

The placement of the hands on the chest during the Qiyyam position are said to activate the solar plexus chakra, or nerve pathway, which directs our awareness of self in the world and controls the health of the muscular system, skin, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and eyes. When the hands are held open for du’a, they activate the heart chakra, said to be the center of the feelings of love, harmony, and peace, and to control love and compassion. It also governs the health of the heart, lungs, thymus, immune system, and circulatory system.

Muslim researchers have shown that when Muslims recite the Qur’an, old thoughts, feelings, fears and guilt are released or healed, and blood pressure and stress levels are reduced. Virtually all of the sounds of the Arabic language are uttered while reciting Qur’an, creating a balance in all affected areas of the body.

Some specific sounds, in fact, correspond to major organs in the body. In his research and creation of eurhythmy, Rudolph Steiner (founder of the Waldorf Schools), found that vibrations made when pronouncing the long vowels, 'A', 'E' and 'U', stimulated the heart, lungs, and the thyroid, pineal, pituitary, and adrenal glands during laboratory tests.

The position of Ruku' is very similar to the Forward Bend Position in yoga. Ruku' stretches the muscles of the lower back, thighs, legs and calves, and allows blood to be pumped down into the upper torso. It tones the muscles of the stomach, abdomen, and kidneys. Forming a right angle allows the stomach muscles to develop, and prevents flabbiness in the mid-section.

This position also promotes a greater flow of blood into the upper regions of body – particularly to the head, eyes, ears, nose, brain, and lungs – allowing mental toxins to be released. Over time, this improves brain function and ones personality, and is an excellent stance to maintain the proper position of the fetus in pregnant women.

The Sujud is said to activate the 'crown chakra', which is related to a person’s spiritual connection with the universe around them and their enthusiasm for spiritual pursuits. This nerve pathway is also correlated to the health of the brain, nervous system, and pineal gland. Its healthy function balances ones interior and exterior energies.

In Sujud, we also bend; thus activating the 'base chakra', which controls basic human survival instincts and provides essential grounding. This helps to develop levelheaded and positive thinking along with a highly motivated view of life, and maintains the health of the lymph and skeletal systems, the prostate, bladder, and the adrenal glands. We also bend the 'sacral chakra' during Sujud, thus benefiting and toning the reproductive organs.

The position of Qaadah (or Julus - sitting) is similar to the Thunderbolt Pose in yoga, which firms the toes, knees, thighs, and legs. It is said to be good for those prone to excessive sleep, and those who like to keep long hours. Furthermore, this position assists in speedy digestion, aids the detoxification of the liver, and stimulates peristaltic action in the large intestine.

Last, but not least, the “throat chakra” is activated by turning the head towards first the right and then the left shoulder in the closing of the prayer. This nerve path is linked to the throat, neck, arms, hands, bronchials, and hearing – effecting individual creativity and communication.

It is believed that a person who activates all seven nerve pathways at least once a day can remain well balanced emotionally, physically and spiritually. Since this is the goal of all sincere Muslims, we all should strive to attain the perfection of stance, recitation, and breathing recommended in the Hadith while performing our prayers – the very same techniques of perfection taught in popular yoga, Tai Chi, and many other exercise classes.

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Hak Bukan Islam Dalam Negara Islam

Masyarakat Islam adalah komuniti yang berpegang teguh kepada akidah dan ideologi. Daripada akidah dan ideologi itu, maka muncul undang-undang, hukum-hakam, peradaban dan tata susila. Namun, ini bukan bermakna orang Islam memutuskan seluruh kehidupannya dengan bukan Islam sama ada pada peringkat individu, tempatan mahupun antarabangsa.

Umat Islam menjalinkan hubungan sesama mereka dan bukan Islam. Dasar tetap yang digariskan merangkumi prinsip toleransi, keadilan, kebajikan dan belas ihsan kepada golongan bukan Islam. Prinsip utama dalam melayani bukan Islam ialah mereka hendaklah diberi layanan sama rata dengan umat Islam, melainkan atas beberapa aspek saja. Aspek pengecualian ini amat terhad dan selalunya hanya berkisar dalam perkara yang membabitkan peribadatan.

Antara hak bukan Islam dalam negara Islam :

* Hak mendapat perlindungan :

Hak ini merangkumi perlindungan daripada pencerobohan luar dan kezaliman daripada dalam negara. Golongan bukan Islam berhak menikmati keamanan dan kestabilan hidup. Hak ini adalah hak sama yang dikecapi oleh orang Islam. Pemerintah Islam bertanggungjawab untuk melindungi walaupun setitik darah mereka. Orang Islam dalam negara Islam juga dilarang sama sekali menyakiti bukan Islam atau mencerobohi diri, keluarga harta atau agama mereka sama ada melalui tangan (kekuasaan) atau lidah mereka. Apatah lagi, umat Islam ditegah daripada membunuh mereka. Hak perlindungan yang tetap ini meliputi darah, jiwa dan tubuh mereka. Begitu juga harta benda dan kemuliaan mereka.

Perkara itu dapat dilihat daripada syariat yang ditetapkan. Umpamanya, mencuri harta bukan Islam boleh dikenakan hukuman yang ditetapkan Allah dalam al-Quran, sama seperti mencuri harta orang Islam.

* Kebebasan beragama :

Islam menjamin bukan Islam mengamalkan agama mereka. Orang bukan Islam bebas menganuti agama, kepercayaan dan beribadat mengikut agama mereka. Orang bukan Islam tidak boleh dipaksa menganut agama Islam dan tidak akan ditekan semata-mata agar mereka memeluk Islam. Sejarah membuktikan Islam disebarkan bukan melalui mata pedang, tetapi kerana keindahan dan keadilannya yang menambat hati bukan Islam memeluk agama suci ini.

* Kebebasan memegang jawatan dalam kerajaan :

Orang bukan Islam diberi kebenaran untuk memegang jawatan dalam kerajaan Islam, selain yang membabitkan hal keagamaan seperti ketua negara, ketua angkatan tentera, ketua hakim dan sebagainya yang mana membabitkan urusan agama. Dalam urusan lain tiada halangan bagi bukan Islam menyandang jawatan kerajaan.

Bagi jawatan ketua negara, umpamanya, jawatan itu membabitkan pentadbiran sebuah negara Islam yang juga negara ideologi. Maka, wajar bagi orang Islam sendiri mengendalikannya dan tidak munasabah urusan berkaitan pentadbiran agama Islam diserahkan kepada ketua negara yang bukan Islam.

Begitu juga dalam hal jawatan ketua angkatan tentera yang mana dalam Islam sebenarnya mempertahankan kedaulatan negara adalah satu ibadat. Jihad adalah kemuncak seluruh ibadat dalam Islam. Oleh itu, dalam hal ibadat seperti ini adalah tidak wajar ia diserahkan kepada bukan Islam. Namun, bukan Islam tidak dilarang bersama-sama dengan orang Islam berjuang mempertahankan kedaulatan negara. Orang bukan Islam tidak boleh dipaksa menjadi askar dalam sebuah negara Islam.

Menjatuhkan hukuman pula adalah suatu perkara yang disyariatkan oleh Allah. Dari sudut ini, kita dapat lihat bukan Islam tidak dipaksa menjatuhkan hukuman yang mana mereka sendiri tidak beriman kepadanya terhadap orang Islam. Begitu pun, hakim bukan Islam boleh menjatuhkan hukuman yang tidak selari dengan hukum Islam, selagi mana pihak terbabit adalah juga pihak yang tidak beragama Islam.

* Kebebasan bekerja dan mencari untung :

Orang bukan Islam mempunyai hak yang tidak boleh disangkal untuk bekerja, berniaga dan mendapat untung. Ini boleh dilakukan dengan berkongsi sesama mereka atau dengan orang Islam atau bekerja secara sendirian. Keadaan mereka dari aspek ini langsung tidak berbeza dengan keadaan orang Islam yang diberi peluang untuk menjalankan kegiatan ekonomi dan perdagangan bagi memajukan diri masing-masing.

Dalam Islam, umat Islam dan bukan Islam perlu bersaing demi memajukan diri mereka sendiri. Orang bukan Islam tidak ditindas dalam mencari kekayaan dan ini memberi peluang kepada semua rakyat bersaing dalam keadaan yang memberi keadilan kepada semua pihak.

* Jaminan hak asasi :

Syariat Islam memperuntukkan hak yang jelas bagi bukan Islam dan kebebasan ini dijamin oleh pemerintah Islam. Adalah menjadi kesalahan bagi umat Islam sekiranya mereka melanggar atau mengugut untuk melanggar hak asasi bukan Islam. Dari aspek ini sebenarnya, syariat Islam dilihat lebih melindungi hak bukan Islam berbanding agama lain.

Hak asasi ini adalah pelbagai dan merangkumi hak berkaitan kehidupan seharian, perkara berhubung keluarga dan kemasyarakatan serta aspek yang lebih besar seperti pendidikan, keturunan dan perekonomian.


Masyarakat Islam secara kolektif bertanggungjawab menjalankan syariat Islam dan melaksanakan hukum yang termaktub dalamnya, termasuk perkara berhubung hak bukan Islam. Sekiranya berlaku kecuaian atau penyelewengan oleh orang Islam dan melampaui batas dibenarkan, maka umat Islam sendiri perlu memperbetulkan keadaan. Mereka perlu mengembalikan hak itu kepada yang berhak berlandaskan jalan benar dengan menyuruh melakukan kebaikan dan mencegah daripada melakukan kemungkaran.

Syariat Islam sebenarnya sentiasa memihak kepada orang yang dizalimi atau dicerobohi biarpun orang itu bukan Islam. Pembelaan akan diberikan kepada mereka tanpa mengambil kira faktor keagamaan. Pemerintah Islam yang zalim terhadap rakyat bukan Islam pun boleh diambil tindakan kerana kezaliman yang dilakukan oleh mereka.

Oleh itu, tidak timbul langsung isu bukan Islam akan ditekan atau didiskriminasi dalam pemerintahan Islam. Hak bukan Islam ini sebenarnya wajib dipelihara oleh orang Islam kerana ia adalah tuntutan yang wajib dipatuhi oleh setiap umat Islam. Membenarkan hak ini adalah suatu kewajipan dan menafikannya adalah suatu tegahan.

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Panduan Untuk Mendapat Anak Soleh

Anak adalah amanah Allah SWT. Kita hendaklah menjaga amanah itu dengan sempurna. Begitu pun, Allah SWT memberi petunjuk dan pedoman untuk menjaga amanah itu. Terpulanglah kepada kita untuk menerima atau menolaknya, tepuk dada tanya iman.

Proses pembentukan anak soleh dan bertakwa bukan bermula pada peringkat bayi, malah bermula sebelum perkahwinan lagi. Prosesnya adalah :

Niat

Nabi Muhammad SAW bermaksud: “Sesungguhnya setiap amalan itu adalah mengikut niat. Dan sesungguhnya bagi setiap manusia itu mendapat apa yang diniatkan.” (Hadis riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Seseorang bernikah dengan niat melahirkan anak yang berjaya di dunia dan akhirat adalah berbeza dengan mereka yang berkahwin semata-mata memuaskan hawa nafsu dan tidak mengikut syariat Islam. Ini berkemungkinan akan mendapat anak yang berjaya dalam bidang keduniaan semata-mata.

Memilih pasangan soleh

Mereka yang berkahwin kerana kecantikan semata-mata perlu menyedari bahawa ia bersifat sementara. Perkahwinan adalah ujian kesabaran, pengorbanan dan ketahanan. Berapa ramai manusia yang cantik molek, gagah, kacak dan kaya raya, berkahwin hari ini, bulan depan bercerai.

Isteri solehah pula senang mendengar teguran dan nasihat. Mereka juga selalunya mempunyai usaha untuk membaca, mendengar dan mencari ilmu Islam. Tentu mereka ini yang layak untuk membantu anak supaya menjadi insan soleh dan solehah.

Menanam benih

Ketika menanam benih (persetubuhan) hendaklah kita mengikut sunat yang diajarkan oleh Rasulullah SAW dengan sekurang-kurangnya membaca doa.

Ia penting supaya benih kita mendapat mendapat keberkatan dan terhindar daripada perbuatan syaitan.

Sesungguhnya iblis dan syaitan sentiasa bersama kita dalam setiap pekerjaan seperti makan, minum dan dalam persetubuhan yang tidak disebut nama Allah SWT.

Dengan doa dan mengingat Allah SWT, percampuran suami dan isteri diredai Allah SWT sepanjang masa. Lupa dan menderhaka kepada Allah SWT, lebih-lebih lagi benci kepada-Nya, akan menyebabkan anak yang lahir tidak mengenai Allah SWT.

Makanan halal

Setiap perempuan mengandung, mesti menjauhi makanan dari sumber syubhah (diragui), apatah lagi yang haram seperti perjudian, riba dan rasuah. Hal ini bukan saja ketika hamil, malah sepanjang masa.

Untuk menjadi makanan halal dan berkat apabila dimakan, hendaklah diucapkan lafaz ijab dan kabul ketika berjual beli. Harta yang dimiliki hendaklah dikeluarkan zakat supaya bersih dan halal. Hal ini kerana zakat itu bermakna bersih lagi bertambah. Mudah-mudahan kehidupan suami isteri bertambah sayang dan lahir zuriat bersih, lagi mulia akhlaknya.

Bagi melahirkan zuriat soleh jua, keluarga hendaklah menekankan kebersihan dalam makanan. Contoh makanan tidak bersih adalah roti canai/murtabak menggunakan telur ayam yang tidak dibasuh terlebih dulu. Hal ini kerana telur yang tidak dibasuh itu menyebabkan roti canai/murtabak menjadi kotor dengan najis ayam.

Setiap makanan dan pakaian yang syubhah dan haram akan menjadi benih kita seterusnya menjadi darah daging anak cucu. Ia yang akan membentuk hati dan perasaan serta akal, lalu menjadikan mereka degil, keras hati, bodoh dan sebagainya.

Membanyakkan ibadah

Ibu bapa hendaklah banyak beramal dan beribadah. Buat yang wajib dan tambah yang sunat, terutama solat lima waktu. Perbanyakkan membanyakkan membaca al-Quran kerana ia mempunyai kesan langsung kepada lidah, hati dan lebih-lebih lagi kepada janin anak yang dikandung.

Ibu bapa hendaklah menjauhi semua jenis maksiat yang boleh sampai kepada janin melalui pancaindera seperti hiburan, filem dan majalah yang melalaikan.

Membentuk anak agar menjadi insan soleh, lagi pintar dan bijaksana adalah kewajipan kita yang berat. Ia tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana adalah perintah Allah SWT.

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The Miracle of Qur'anic Eloquence and Style

A - Expression : the eloquence of the Qur'an's expression has two aspects : purity of language and impressiveness.

B - Meaning : the eloquence of the Qur'an as regards meaning is obvious in three aspects :

1. The meaning is clear from the word itself.

2. The meaning conforms to the word, it is neither more than it to cause disorder in the word nor less than it to cause disorder in meaning. That is obvious in the Arabs' saying: "The killing stops killing" and what the Almighty Allah, subhanahu wa ta`ala, says:

"And there is [a saving of] life for you in Qisas [the law of Equality in punishment of murder]..." [Qur'an 2:179]
3. Saying many concepts in a few words.

C - The composition: The good composition of the Qur'an is obvious in the following :

1. The Qur'anic speech is harmonious.

2. The measure is balanced and not inconsistent.

3. If a word is taken from its place, and the whole Arabic language is searched for a better substitute, it will not be found. The Almighty Allah says:
"[This is] a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected [in every sphere of knowledge], and then explained in detail from one [Allah] Who is All-Wise All-Acquainted [with all things]." [Qur'an 11:1]

D - The artistic imagery:

This is a new aspect of the Qur'an's miraculous eloquence revealed by Sayyid Qutb who studied the general principles of the artistic and esthetical qualities of the Qur'an materialized in imagery that he considered the preferred instrument in the style of the Qur'an, and the first rule of its eloquence. It expresses in an imaginary image the mental meaning, the psychological state, the tangible incident, the visible spectacle, the human model and man's nature. Then that image is promoted and given life or renewable movement, thus the mental meaning becomes a movement, the psychological state becomes a spectacle, the human modem becomes a living person and man's nature becomes visible. The listener forgets that he listens to a recital and imagines himself in front of a spectacle that is presented or an incident taking place in front of one's eyes.

The miraculous aspect of artistic imagery in the Qur'an is that its instrument is the inanimate word and not the expressive persons, the colours or the accompanying music.

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10 Hingga 100 Kebaikan Bagi Setiap Huruf Ayat Suci

Setiap pembaca, pendengar dan orang yang menghadiri majlis al-Qur'an, pasti akan dicatatkan beberapa kelebihan serta kurniaan pahala daripada Allah SWT berdasarkan keikhlasan masing-masing.

Membaca ayat al-Qur'an sama ada secara bertadarus atau melalui perujian dalam sesuatu pertandingan sebenarnya memberikan pelbagai kelebihan bukan saja kepada pembaca, malah sesiapa yang mendengar dan menghadiri majlis itu.

Bagi pembaca, kelebihan yang ditawarkan ini cukup banyak. Dalam hal ini, Sayyidina Ali pernah berkata: "Sesiapa yang membaca al-Qur'an sedang dia mengekalkan solat, maka baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca itu sebanyak 100 kebajikan. Sesiapa yang membacanya sedang dia duduk lepas solat baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca 50 kebajikan.

"Sesiapa yang membaca, sedang dia berada di luar solat tetapi dalam keadaan berwuduk bagi setiap huruf yang dibaca 25 kebajikan. Sesiapa yang membacanya sedang dia belum berwuduk baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca itu 10 kebajikan."

Allah SWT berfirman bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya Kami telah turunkan sebaik-baik pembicaraan iaitu sebuah kitab al-Qur'an yang semua isinya kerap kali sama serta berulang-ulang begitu pun menjadi seram serta naiklah bulu roma bagi mereka yang membacanya, lalu kemudian akan lembut pula hati mereka untuk mengingati Aku." (Surah az-Zumar, ayat 23).

Sahabat Rasulullah SAW, Hazrat Ibni Usman menyatakan bahawa dia pernah mendengar Rasulullah SAW bersabda bermaksud: "Muslim yang terbaik antara kamu ialah mereka yang mempelajari al-Quran, lalu mereka mengajarkannya pula kepada orang lain."

Pada suatu hari ketika Rasulullah SAW sampai kepada kumpulan beberapa orang yang sedang berbual-bual kosong, lalu seorang daripada mereka mencadangkan supaya daripada membuang waktu sedemikian, lebih baik ke pasar Bhutan sekurang-kurangnya melihat atau memilih-milih unta betina yang baik.

Lalu Nabi Muhammad SAW mencelah dengan sabdanya: "Pergi ke masjid dan membaca dua potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an adalah lebih berharga daripada dua unta betina, pergi ke masjid dan membaca tiga potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an adalah lebih baik daripada tiga unta betina, demikian juga pergi ke masjid dengan membaca empat potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an pun adalah lebih afdal daripada empat unta betina atau beberapa lagi unta lain."

Hadis riwayat daripada Abu Hurairah pula menyebut : "Ada pun rumah dimana al-Qur'an sering dibacakan, nescaya ahli keluarganya akan bertambah kelebihan serta rahmat akan berganda, malaikat akan mengerumuninya, sementara syaitan akan lari meninggalkannya, sebaliknya rumah di mana tiada dalamnya alunan bacaan al-Qur'an akan sering menjadi tegang serta hilang keberkatan, malaikat akan menyisihkan dirinya, manakala gerombolan syaitan akan berlindung di dalamnya."

Sesiapa yang mendengar ayat suci al-Qur'an, di samping memahami dan menghayati kandungannya pula adalah mereka yang menggunakan nikmat Allah SWT iaitu pendengaran untuk perkara kebaikan.

Pada akhirat, setiap anggota manusia akan dipersoalkan oleh Allah SWT iaitu untuk apa dan bagaimanakah ia digunakan. Firman Allah yang bermaksud : "Sesungguhnya pendengaran, penglihatan dan hati akan dipersoalkan oleh Allah." (Surah al-Isra, ayat 36)

Maknanya, Islam amat menitikberatkan penganutnya supaya sentiasa melakukan kebaikan agar mereka tergolong di kalangan yang beriman dan beramal soleh.

Untuk menjadi orang beriman dan beramal soleh, maka tentu seseorang itu perlu menuntut ilmu yang antara lainnya boleh diperoleh daripada majlis tilawah al-Qur'an.

Majlis ini sama juga dengan majlis ilmu kerana pada majlis itu, hadirin bukan saja dapat mendengar kemerduan ayat suci al-Qur'an, malah dapat menghayati maksud dan pengajaran di sebalik ayat itu.

Tuntutan menghadiri majlis ilmu ini sejajar sunnah Rasulullah SAW untuk amalan umatnya. Rasulullah pernah bersabda bermaksud : "Jadilah kamu orang yang berilmu atau orang yang belajar dan orang yang mendengar. Jangan kamu menjadi golongan yang keempat (bukan daripada tiga golongan), maka hendaklah kamu tinggalkan."

Abdullah bin Amru pernah menceritakan bahawa Rasulullah SAW melalui dua majlis dalam masjid. Satu majlis menjalankan kegiatan zikir dan satu lagi pengajian ilmu. Maka, Rasulullah SAW memilih untuk duduk bersama majlis ilmu walaupun kedua-dua majlis itu baik.

Apabila bertembung dengan dua majlis, maka Rasulullah SAW akan memilih majlis ilmu kerana ia lebih besar faedahnya kepada individu dan masyarakat.

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The Miracle of Qur'anic Eloquence and Style

A - Expression : the eloquence of the Qur'an's expression has two aspects : purity of language and impressiveness.

B - Meaning : the eloquence of the Qur'an as regards meaning is obvious in three aspects :

1. The meaning is clear from the word itself.

2. The meaning conforms to the word, it is neither more than it to cause disorder in the word nor less than it to cause disorder in meaning. That is obvious in the Arabs' saying: "The killing stops killing" and what the Almighty Allah, subhanahu wa ta`ala, says:

"And there is [a saving of] life for you in Qisas [the law of Equality in punishment of murder]..." [Qur'an 2:179]
3. Saying many concepts in a few words.

C - The composition: The good composition of the Qur'an is obvious in the following :

1. The Qur'anic speech is harmonious.

2. The measure is balanced and not inconsistent.

3. If a word is taken from its place, and the whole Arabic language is searched for a better substitute, it will not be found. The Almighty Allah says:
"[This is] a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected [in every sphere of knowledge], and then explained in detail from one [Allah] Who is All-Wise All-Acquainted [with all things]." [Qur'an 11:1]

D - The artistic imagery:

This is a new aspect of the Qur'an's miraculous eloquence revealed by Sayyid Qutb who studied the general principles of the artistic and esthetical qualities of the Qur'an materialized in imagery that he considered the preferred instrument in the style of the Qur'an, and the first rule of its eloquence. It expresses in an imaginary image the mental meaning, the psychological state, the tangible incident, the visible spectacle, the human model and man's nature. Then that image is promoted and given life or renewable movement, thus the mental meaning becomes a movement, the psychological state becomes a spectacle, the human modem becomes a living person and man's nature becomes visible. The listener forgets that he listens to a recital and imagines himself in front of a spectacle that is presented or an incident taking place in front of one's eyes.

The miraculous aspect of artistic imagery in the Qur'an is that its instrument is the inanimate word and not the expressive persons, the colours or the accompanying music.

More Info on 'Quran Miracles' at GOOGLE!!

10 Hingga 100 Kebaikan Bagi Setiap Huruf Ayat Suci

Setiap pembaca, pendengar dan orang yang menghadiri majlis al-Qur'an, pasti akan dicatatkan beberapa kelebihan serta kurniaan pahala daripada Allah SWT berdasarkan keikhlasan masing-masing.

Membaca ayat al-Qur'an sama ada secara bertadarus atau melalui perujian dalam sesuatu pertandingan sebenarnya memberikan pelbagai kelebihan bukan saja kepada pembaca, malah sesiapa yang mendengar dan menghadiri majlis itu.

Bagi pembaca, kelebihan yang ditawarkan ini cukup banyak. Dalam hal ini, Sayyidina Ali pernah berkata: "Sesiapa yang membaca al-Qur'an sedang dia mengekalkan solat, maka baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca itu sebanyak 100 kebajikan. Sesiapa yang membacanya sedang dia duduk lepas solat baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca 50 kebajikan.

"Sesiapa yang membaca, sedang dia berada di luar solat tetapi dalam keadaan berwuduk bagi setiap huruf yang dibaca 25 kebajikan. Sesiapa yang membacanya sedang dia belum berwuduk baginya atas setiap huruf yang dibaca itu 10 kebajikan."

Allah SWT berfirman bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya Kami telah turunkan sebaik-baik pembicaraan iaitu sebuah kitab al-Qur'an yang semua isinya kerap kali sama serta berulang-ulang begitu pun menjadi seram serta naiklah bulu roma bagi mereka yang membacanya, lalu kemudian akan lembut pula hati mereka untuk mengingati Aku." (Surah az-Zumar, ayat 23).

Sahabat Rasulullah SAW, Hazrat Ibni Usman menyatakan bahawa dia pernah mendengar Rasulullah SAW bersabda bermaksud: "Muslim yang terbaik antara kamu ialah mereka yang mempelajari al-Quran, lalu mereka mengajarkannya pula kepada orang lain."

Pada suatu hari ketika Rasulullah SAW sampai kepada kumpulan beberapa orang yang sedang berbual-bual kosong, lalu seorang daripada mereka mencadangkan supaya daripada membuang waktu sedemikian, lebih baik ke pasar Bhutan sekurang-kurangnya melihat atau memilih-milih unta betina yang baik.

Lalu Nabi Muhammad SAW mencelah dengan sabdanya: "Pergi ke masjid dan membaca dua potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an adalah lebih berharga daripada dua unta betina, pergi ke masjid dan membaca tiga potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an adalah lebih baik daripada tiga unta betina, demikian juga pergi ke masjid dengan membaca empat potong daripada ayat al-Qur'an pun adalah lebih afdal daripada empat unta betina atau beberapa lagi unta lain."

Hadis riwayat daripada Abu Hurairah pula menyebut : "Ada pun rumah dimana al-Qur'an sering dibacakan, nescaya ahli keluarganya akan bertambah kelebihan serta rahmat akan berganda, malaikat akan mengerumuninya, sementara syaitan akan lari meninggalkannya, sebaliknya rumah di mana tiada dalamnya alunan bacaan al-Qur'an akan sering menjadi tegang serta hilang keberkatan, malaikat akan menyisihkan dirinya, manakala gerombolan syaitan akan berlindung di dalamnya."

Sesiapa yang mendengar ayat suci al-Qur'an, di samping memahami dan menghayati kandungannya pula adalah mereka yang menggunakan nikmat Allah SWT iaitu pendengaran untuk perkara kebaikan.

Pada akhirat, setiap anggota manusia akan dipersoalkan oleh Allah SWT iaitu untuk apa dan bagaimanakah ia digunakan. Firman Allah yang bermaksud : "Sesungguhnya pendengaran, penglihatan dan hati akan dipersoalkan oleh Allah." (Surah al-Isra, ayat 36)

Maknanya, Islam amat menitikberatkan penganutnya supaya sentiasa melakukan kebaikan agar mereka tergolong di kalangan yang beriman dan beramal soleh.

Untuk menjadi orang beriman dan beramal soleh, maka tentu seseorang itu perlu menuntut ilmu yang antara lainnya boleh diperoleh daripada majlis tilawah al-Qur'an.

Majlis ini sama juga dengan majlis ilmu kerana pada majlis itu, hadirin bukan saja dapat mendengar kemerduan ayat suci al-Qur'an, malah dapat menghayati maksud dan pengajaran di sebalik ayat itu.

Tuntutan menghadiri majlis ilmu ini sejajar sunnah Rasulullah SAW untuk amalan umatnya. Rasulullah pernah bersabda bermaksud : "Jadilah kamu orang yang berilmu atau orang yang belajar dan orang yang mendengar. Jangan kamu menjadi golongan yang keempat (bukan daripada tiga golongan), maka hendaklah kamu tinggalkan."

Abdullah bin Amru pernah menceritakan bahawa Rasulullah SAW melalui dua majlis dalam masjid. Satu majlis menjalankan kegiatan zikir dan satu lagi pengajian ilmu. Maka, Rasulullah SAW memilih untuk duduk bersama majlis ilmu walaupun kedua-dua majlis itu baik.

Apabila bertembung dengan dua majlis, maka Rasulullah SAW akan memilih majlis ilmu kerana ia lebih besar faedahnya kepada individu dan masyarakat.

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Rufaidah binti Sa'ad - First Nurse In Islam

Rufaidah bint Sa'ad, is recognized as the first Muslim nurse. Her full name was Rufaidah bint Sa'ad of the Bani Aslam tribe of the Khazraj tribal confederation in Madinah. She was born in Yathrib before the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She was among the first people in Madina to accept Islam and was one of the Ansar women who welcomed the Prophet on arrival in Madina.

Rufaidah's father was a physician. She learned medical care by working as his assistant. Her history illustrates all the attributes expected of a good nurse. She was kind and empathetic. She was a capable leader and organizer, able to mobilize and get others to produce good work. She had clinical skills that she shared with the other nurses whom she trained and worked with. She did not confine her nursing to the clinical situation. She went out to the community and tried to solve the social problems that lead to disease. She was both a public health nurse and a social worker.

When the Islamic state was well established in Madina, Rufaidah devoted herself to nursing the Muslim sick. In peace time she set up a tent outside the Prophet's mosque in Madina where she nursed the sick. During war she led groups of volunteer nurses who went to the battlefield and treated the casualties. She participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Khaibar, and others. Rufaidah's field hospital tent became very famous during the battles and the Prophet used to direct that the casualties be carried to her.

At the battle of the trench (ghazwat al khandaq), Rufaidah set up her hospital tent at the battlefield. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed that Sa'ad bin Ma'adh who had been injured in battle be moved to the tent. Rufaidah nursed him, carefully removed the arrow from his forearm and achieved homeostasis. The prophet visited Sa'ad in the hospital tent several times a day. Sa'ad was to die later at the battle of Bani Quraidhat.

Rufaidah had trained a group of women companions as nurses. When the Prophet's army was getting ready to go to the battle of Khaibar, Rufaidah and the group of volunteer nurses went to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They asked him for permission "Oh messenger of Allah, we want to go out with you to the battle and treat the injured and help Muslims as much as we can". The Prophet gave them permission to go. The nurse volunteers did such a good job that the Prophet assigned a share of the booty to Rufaidah. Her share was equivalent to that of soldiers who had actually fought. This was in recognition of her medical and nursing work.

Rufaidah's contribution was not confined only to nursing the injured. She was involved in social work in the community. She came to the assistance of every Muslim in need: the poor, the orphans, or the handicapped. She looked after the orphans, nursed them, and taught them.

Rufaidah had a kind and empathetic personality that soothed the patients in addition to the medical care that she provided. The human touch is a very important aspect of nursing that is unfortunately being forgotten as the balance between the human touch and technology in nursing is increasingly tilted in favor of technology.

History has recorded names of women who worked with Rufaidah: Umm Ammara, Aminah, Umm Ayman, Safiyat, Umm Sulaim, and Hind. Other Muslim women who were famous as nurses were: Ku'ayibat, Aminah bint Abi Qays al Ghifariyat, Umm 'Atiyyah al Ansariyat, and Nusaibat bint Ka'ab al Maziniyyat.

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