Mohamad Shuhmy's posts with tag: info
 Pengenalan Setiap kali kita ingin menulis surat rasmi, pasti kita akan berfikir untuk mencari ayat yang sesuai bagi menyampaikan maksud atau tujuan kita dan dalam masa yang sama tidak menyingung perasaan mana-mana pihak. Sebenarnya, surat rasmi terbahagi kepada tiga bahagian utama, iaitu permulaan, pertengahan dan penutup surat. Permulaan surat rasmi amat penting dalam menarik perhatian pembaca untuk membaca. Dalam permulaan surat rasmi jugalah tujuan surat ditulis dinyatakan. Oleh itu, semasa menulis permulaan surat rasmi, pemilihan kata-kata yang menarik amat diperlukan. Seterusnya, pertengahan surat rasmi atau lebih dikenali sebagai bahagian isi. Dalam pertengahan surat rasmi, anda akan menerangkan lebih lanjut tentang tujuan anda menulis surat rasmi tersebut. Dalam menulis pertengahan surat rasmi, anda perlu menerangkan dengan jelas perkara yang ingin disampaikan. Sesudah itu, barulah surat rasmi ditutup dengan ayat yang menarik sebagai tanda berakhirnya surat anda. Sesungguhnya, penutup surat rasmi tidak kurang pentingnya seperti menulis permulaan surat rasmi. Hal ini kerana dalam bahagian ini, pengirim akan menunjukkan harapan mereka tentang sesuatu perkara. Oleh itu, dalam bahagian ini disenaraikan beberapa frasa dan ayat yang sesuai untuk permulaan, pertengahan dan penutup surat rasmi bagi membantu anda menjimatkan masa ketika mengarang, dan agar anda dapat menulis sepucuk surat rasmi yang tepat dan padat. Pelbagai Frasa dan Ayat untuk Permulaan Surat Berikut merupakan contoh-contoh frasa dan ayat yang sesuai digunakan pada permulaan surat rasmi. Anda… Anda merupakan salah seorang yang bertuah untuk menerima salah satu daripada hadiah utama kami. Anda telah menerima dua pucuk surat berhubung dengan… Anda merupakan pembekal kami yang terbaru… Anda merupakan pelanggan kami yang bertuah untuk… Dengan ini,... Dengan ini, saya mengesahkan bahawa kami telah menghantar sebut harga kami untuk…melalui faks. Dengan ini, saya mengesahkan bahawa kuota kami bagi… Dengan ini, saya mengesahkan bahawa bermula pada hari ini, kami akan meminda terma bagi kontrak…tuan/ puan. Dengan ini, saya mengesahkan bahawa kami telah mempertimbangkan permohonan tuan/puan bagi… Dengan merujuk kepada... Dengan merujuk kepada perbualan telefon kita baru-baru ini,… Dengan merujuk kepada perbualan telefon kita, saya berbesar hati memperkenalkan… Dengan merujuk kepada perkara di atas, kami telah menerima… Dengan merujuk kepada perkara di atas, kami sertakan… Di sini saya lampirkan/sertakan… Di sini saya lampirkan salinan… Di sini saya lampirkan senarai pesanan untuk… Di sini saya sertakan cek bernilai… Di sini saya lampirkan keterangan bayaran yang perlu dijelaskan oleh tuan/puan selewat-lewatnya pada 31 Julai ini. Kami… Kami merupakan syarikat kecil yang berkepakaran dalam… Cek tuan/puan bernilai RM… bagi… telah pun kami terima. Kami bercadang untuk menjalinkan hubungan perniagaan dengan… Kami berminat dalam… Kami ingin memaklumkan bahawa janji temu… Kami mendapati bahawa hutang belum berbayar syarikat tuan/puan… Kami telah memutuskan untuk mengubah polisi syarikat bagi… Kami baru sahaja menerima laporan daripada pihak tuan/puan berkaitan… Kami merujuk kepada perubahan harga bagi keluaran kami untuk 12 bulan akan datang. Kami mendapati bahawa tuan/puan gagal memberikan maklum balas kepada kami berhubung dengan… Kecewa… Saya berasa kecewa kerana tuan/puan tidak memberikan sebarang maklum balas tentang kiriman faks saya yang bertarikh... Saya kecewa kerana tuan/puan tidak membalas surat saya yang bertarikh…. Lanjutan kepada… Lanjutan kepada perbincangan kita, saya lampirkan di sini… Lanjutan kepada perbualan telefon kita, saya lampirkan di sini… Lanjutan kepada perbualan telefon kita, saya ingin memperkenalkan kepada tuan/puan… Lanjutan kepada kiriman faks tuan/puan pagi ini, saya begitu kesal dengan… Lanjutan kepada perbincangan tuan/puan dengan… Lanjutan kepada permintaan tuan/puan untuk… Memohon maaf… Terlebih dahulu saya ingin memohon maaf atas kelewatan membalas faks yang tuan/puan kirimkan berhubung dengan… Terlebih dahulu saya memohon maaf kerana tidak memberikan sebarang maklum balas atas permintaan tuan/puan berhubung dengan… Terlebih dahulu saya meminta maaf bagi pihak syarikat kerana tuan/puan terpaksa menunggu lama untuk… Saya memohon maaf jika perkhidmatan yang diberikan tidak seperti yang diharapkan oleh tuan/puan selama ini. Saya memohon maaf jika tuan/puan merasakan bahawa harga… Saya memohon maaf kerana tuan/puan terpaksa menunggu lama untuk… Mengikut… Mengikut perbincangan kita pada pagi ini, sukacita saya maklumkan bahawa pesanan tuan/puan… Mengikut perbualan telefon kita… Mengikut hasil mesyuarat kakitangan pagi ini, saya mengesahkan bahawa… Mengikut tuntutan pihak tuan/puan berhubung dengan… Artikel di atas dipetik daripada Bahagian 3: Pelbagai Frasa Dan Ayat Untuk Memudahkan Anda Mengarang Surat (Bahasa Melayu) dalam buku ANEKA CONTOH SURAT RASMI DAN KERTAS KERJA PENGURUSAN. Maklumat lanjut tentang buku ini boleh didapati di www.books.perintis. com.my.
terbru ni...
aku ader tgok 1 video dak pompuan kne blasah sampai mati... .
kisahnyer yg aku dgar larr...
dak pompuan(mnah rempit) ni meragut ngan boy dier...
tp aku igt dier kne trik n jtuh dri moto..
then dblasah skompln llaki...
siap kne pjak2... tu xksah lgii..
ni siap kne hntak ngan batu blok!!!!!klo mat pit tu aku xksah lar...
ni pompuan siot..
mner simpati org kiter!!!!!!!!!!!!
aku tau larrr... .dier wat salah ngan mragut...
per salah klu dblasah jer then anta ker blai...
ni nk hntak dampai mti ?
ni ker budaye org mlayu kiter
aku x tau nk ckap pper da..
per pndapt korg aaaa Minah_Rempit_Peragut.3gp (2.5 MB)
Jika pemerintah bertaubat dengan taubat nasuha Kita semua wajar bersikap adil. Pilihan raya telah pun berlalu. Kita mengundi untuk kebaikan negara. Kita inginkan perubahan ke arah yang lebih positif, adil dan telus. Mesej rakyat kepada parti-parti politik dalam perkara tersebut sudah pun difahami oleh mereka. Hari ini usaha-usaha ke arah hasrat tersebut kelihatannya sedang giat dilaksanakan. Kerajaan Pusat juga telah merangka berbagai-bagai cadangan dan gagasan agar ketelusan dan keadilan dapat dilaksanakan. Demikian juga sesetengah kerajaan negeri yang baru dan yang lama. Sokonglah usaha-usaha yang baik serta berikanlah kritikan yang membina. Politik bukan untuk membalas dendam atau ruang mencurahkan emosi yang tidak sudah-sudah. Sebaliknya, berpolitiklah untuk keadilan dan kebahagiaan kehidupan manusia di dunia dan akhirat. Malanglah kita orang Islam apabila berbalah, melampaui batas. Sedangkan Nabi s.a.w bersabda: "Manusia yang paling Allah benci ialah yang berkeras kepala dalam perbalahan." (Riwayat al-Bukhari dan Muslim). Dukacitalah kita ini, jika dalam percaturan politik umat Islam, 'orang lain' yang mendapat banyak manfaat dan berjaya memperoleh berbagai-bagai tuntutan, sedangkan kita hanya menang 'tuduh menuduh, bertengkar, bermasam muka, gelar-menggelar dan segala macam racun yang lain. Ketika orang lain yang semalamnya bagaikan musuh yang sengit, hari ini sedang berpelukan meraikan kejayaan memperoleh segala macam tuntutan, kita masih lagi bagaikan 'sedang mengasah parang' untuk meneruskan kematian. Tuhan sentiasa membuka pintu taubat untuk insan yang bersalah berubah kepada yang lebih baik. Bila-bila masa sahaja taubat itu terbuka apabila timbulnya keinsafan dan kesedaran. Mungkin kesedaran dan keinsafan itu timbul hasil daripada nasihat, atau kejadian dan peristiwa tertentu. Kadang- kala insan yang begitu jahat, berubah menjadi insaf disebabkan ketakutan atau penderitaan tertentu, atau peristiwa trajis yang meleburkan keegoannya. Tidaklah penting apa pun sebab keinsafan itu lahir. Apa yang penting bagaimanakah keinsafan itu dihayati. Maka insan yang insaf disuruh bertaubat dengan taubat yang sebenar atau disebut sebagai taubat nasuha. Allah menyebut dalam Surah at-Tahrim ayat 8: (maksudnya): Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! bertaubatlah kamu kepada Allah dengan 'taubat nasuha, Mudah-mudahan Tuhan kamu akan menghapuskan kesalahan-kesalahan kamu dan memasukkan kamu ke dalam syurga yang mengalir di bawahnya beberapa sungai. Terlaksananya taubat yang sebenar itu dengan seseorang insan menyesali kesalahannya, memohon keampunan daripada Allah dan berazam untuk tidak mengulanginya lagi. Jika kesalahan itu membabitkan insan yang lain, maka dia hendaklah membetulkannya dengan mengembalikan hak yang diambil, atau menafikan tuduhan yang dilemparkan. Jika itu berlaku, maka mereka akan insan tersebut janji Allah dalam firman-Nya: (maksudnya) "Kecuali orang yang bertaubat dan beriman serta mengerjakan amal soleh, maka mereka itu Allah akan gantikan (pada tempat) kejahatan mereka dengan kebaikan; dan adalah Allah Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani. (Surah al-Furqan: 70). Kesalahan Saya ingin katakan bahawa peristiwa pilihan raya yang lepas, perkara pertama yang mesti dilakukan oleh pihak pemerintah bagi mengeluarkan diri dari semua krisis dan kegawatan politik yang saban hari mengganggu kita adalah dengan cara bertaubat kepada Allah dengan taubat nasuha. Segala kesalahan, ketidakadilan, ketidaktelusan, kecuaian atas tanggungjawab yang Allah amanahkan selama ini hendaklah benar-benar insaf dan memohon ampun daripada Allah. Kedua; hendaklah berazam untuk tidak mengulanginya lagi pada masa hadapan. Ketiga: jika ada hak rakyat yang dizalimi, kembalikan hak mereka. Jika ini dilakukan, percayalah kepada rahmat Allah yang akan melimpahi negara dan kepimpinan akan terus dapat keberkatan dalam pemerintahan yang akan diteruskan. Dengarlah kata-kata Nabi Hud a.s kepada kaumnya seperti dalam Surah Hud ayat 52: (maksudnya) "Dan wahai kaumku! mintalah ampun kepada Tuhan kamu, kemudian kembalilah taat kepada- Nya, supaya ia menghantarkan kepada kamu hujan lebat serta menambahkan kamu kekuatan di samping kekuatan kamu yang sedia ada; dan janganlah kamu membelakangkan seruanku dengan terus melakukan dosa." Inilah penawar bala yang telah dibuka rahsianya oleh Nabi Hud a.s., dan inilah juga yang pernah disebut oleh Nabi Nuh a.s. sebelum itu kepada kaumnya. Kata Nabi Nuh seperti dalam Surah Nuh ayat 10-12: (maksudnya) "Sehingga Aku berkata (kepada mereka): 'Pohonkanlah ampun kepada Tuhan kamu, Sesungguhnya Dia Maha Pengampun. (Sekiranya kamu berbuat demikian), Dia akan menghantarkan hujan lebat mencurah- curah, kepada kamu. Dan Dia akan memberi kepada kamu dengan banyaknya harta kekayaan serta anak-pinak; dan ia akan mengadakan bagi kamu kebun-kebun tanaman, serta mengadakan bagi kamu sungai- sungai (yang mengalir di dalamnya)." Ayat- ayat ini menjelaskan bahawa memohon ampun daripada Allah membolehkan rahmat dan keberkatan diturunkan. Allah menambahkan dengan taubat rezeki yang mencurah-curah, kekuatan, harta dan anak-pinak. Maka bertaubatlah wahai para pemerintah, agar kedamaian, ketenteraman dan kemakmuran akan dikecapi di bawah pemerintahan anda. Pascapolitik kini adalah ujian untuk kepimpinan negara. Bukan masa untuk menunjukkan ego, atau mencari-cari di mana silap orang lain, tapi melupai dosa-dosa politik yang pernah dilakukan. Masa ini sepatutnya kepimpinan negara di setiap peringkat menunjukkan tadarru' iatu benar-benar merendah diri kepada Allah dan memohon keampunan daripadanya. Kita ingin mendengar kepimpinan memohon kemaafan kepada rakyat di atas segala kesilapan yang pernah berlaku. Inilah yang akan mendatangkan keberkatan dan menimbulkan rasa hormat rakyat. Ingatlah amaran Allah apabila sesuatu bala atau ujian ditimpakan kepada sesuatu kaum dalam firman-Nya: (maksudnya) "Dan Demi sesungguhnya Kami telah utuskan rasul-rasul kepada umat-umat yang terdahulu daripadamu (lalu mereka mendustakannya) , maka Kami seksakan mereka dengan kesusahan dan penyakit, supaya mereka merendah diri (insaf dan bertaubat). Maka Alangkah eloknya kalau mereka merendah diri (insaf dan bertaubat) ketika mereka ditimpa azab Kami? tetapi yang sebenarnya hati mereka keras (tidak mahu menerima kebenaran), dan syaitan pula memperelokkan pada (pandangan) mereka apa yang mereka telah lakukan. Kemudian apabila mereka melupakan apa yang telah diperingatkan mereka dengannya, Kami bukakan kepada mereka pintu-pintu segala perkara (kemewahan dan kesenangan), sehingga apabila mereka bergembira dengan segala nikmat yang diberikan kepada mereka, Kami timpakan mereka secara mengejut (dengan bala bencana yang membinasakan) , maka mereka pun berputus asa (daripada mendapat sebarang pertolongan) ". Ya Allah! Peliharalah kami dari balaMu! Lihatlah keamanan kita juga dirasakan makin terhakis saban hari. Kejadian-kejadian yang meragut ketenteraman mula bertali arus. Setiap kita mula bimbang dan risau atas keselamatan diri dan keluarga sekalipun berada dalam rumah sendiri. Polis pun tidak dapat menyelesaikan ketakutan seperti itu. Wahai pemerintah! Hanya Allah yang dapat mengeluarkan kita dari semua itu. Kembalilah kepada-Nya! Perubahan yang berteraskan taubat kepada Allah perlu dilakukan. Kepimpinan utama mestilah tegas dan ikhlas. Insan-insan yang telah terlibat dengan penyelewengan harta rakyat hendaklah dipupuskan. Mereka perlu disiasat secara telus. Bagaimana mungkin kepentingan negara yang diamanahkan untuk dijalankan, lalu dijadikan sumber kekayaan diri yang luar biasa. Janganlah dihitung sebesar mana pun kedudukannya, atau serapat mana pun persahabatan dengannya. Hak rakyat mestilah dipelihara. Tergamakkah seorang insan yang mengaku beriman memenuhi diri dengan kemewahan harta rakyat, sedangkan berapa ramai rakyat yang masih miskin dan susah, hidup dibanjiri air mata. Bertaubatlah, kembalikan hak-hak rakyat, belalah mereka yang teraniaya. Jika orang kaya yang dizalimi, ada peguam yang dapat membawa kesnya ke mahkamah. Si miskin yang susah apabila ditindas, tiada peguam yang mampu dibayar, maka tidak ada mahkamah yang sudi mendengar. Namun esakan dan tangisan itu tetap didengari oleh Allah Yang Maha Mendengar. Rintihan itu sampai ke langit tinggi dan Allah akan membalasnya. Wahai pemimpin! Jika engkau tidak adil, engkau akan didakwa di mahkamah Allah di Padang Mahsyar kelak. Juga, jika dosa orang kena zalim itu mustajab di dunia, engkau akan dibalas di dunia dan akhirat. Wahai pemimpin! Bertaubatlah. Contoh Para pemimpin adalah contoh untuk sekelian rakyat di bawah mereka. Mereka diperhatikan. Kemewahan mereka – jika tidak betul cara – menjadi tanda tanya. Sikap dan perwatakan mereka dipersoalkan. Demikian jugalah anak isteri mereka. Gaya yang berlebih-lebihan membuat rakyat merasa jelak. Sebabnya, ramai seketika dulu merasakan mereka manusia kebal yang tidak mungkin ditumbangkan. Mereka lupa bahawa rakyat sedang merasa mual. Jika pemimpin itu bercakap Islam, buktikanlah menerusi percakapan, pendekatan, sikap dan juga pakaian anak isteri. Jangan berlebih-lebihan, tetapi bersederhanalah dan ikut peraturan. Rakyat tidak bertanya, berapa harga make-up datin? Tetapi rakyat akan selalu mengingati kehalusan akhlak dan budi. Allah pula suka kepada yang merendah diri dan menyayangi sesama Muslim. Manusia ini bagaimanapun wataknya, hati nuraninya akan terasa hormat kepada orang yang mengingati Allah dalam erti kata yang sebenar. Diterjemahkan ingatan itu dalam bentuk tawaduk dan ketertiban sikap. Wahai pemimpin! Lakukanlah perubahan kerana Allah dalam hal ini. Nanti rakyat akan menyayangi anda. Hala tuju negara hendaklah digaris dengan jelas. Saya kadangkala melihat seakan generasi muda Melayu Islam di negara ini dicandukan agar tidak lagi mampu berfikir dengan seimbang. Hiburan-hiburan yang melebihi dari tahap keperluan dan tidak memiliki matlamat yang jelas seakan sengaja dilambakkan untuk hidangan mereka. Inilah yang kelihatan dalam media kita sedangkan ketika yang sama gendang 'Islam Hadhari' dipalukan. Sebagai tanda restu atau sebaliknya, saya tidak pasti. Lalu anak muda kita dalam khayal dan mabuk dengan dadah, keruntuhan akhlak dan berbagai-bagai. Maka tidak hairanlah jika mereka tidak mempunyai pandangan yang jelas dan terurus tentang masa depan negara. Lalu kita bising hilangnya nilai-nilai patriotik dalam jiwa generasi baru, padahal kita sendiri yang seakan memandulkan minda dan fitrah mereka. Barangkali kita suka, kerana dengan demikian, mereka tidak banyak mempersoalkan kita. Mendidik rakyat adalah tanggungjawab pemimpin yang Allah amanahkan. Bertaubatlah kepada Allah, betulkan perjalanan masa depan negara ini. Banyak perkara yang patut saya komen tentang Islam Hadhari. Sejak dahulu saya selalu mengelakkan daripada menyebut jenama yang mengundang 'seribu kekeliruan itu'. Saya akan menulis tajuk khas mengenainya, insya-Allah. Apa yang penting banyak perkara perlu dibetulkan. Bertaubat! Kembalilah kepada Islam yang murni lagi asal seperti zaman Nabi s.a.w. Islam yang terbukti membangunkan kehidupan masyarakat yang aman lagi harmoni dunia dan akhirat. Tokok tambah agama hanya menghilangkan keaslian dan keberkatan dari Allah. Wahai pemimpin! Pena saya tidak menzalimi anda. Sudah setahun, saban minggu ayat-ayatnya berbaris di sini. Bukan untuk menjatuhkan, tetapi mengajak melihat bersama laluan di hadapan. Allah yang memberi kuasa kepada sesiapa yang Dia kehendaki, dan mencabutnya dari sesiapa yang Dia kehendaki. Sesungguhnya taubat adalah penghalang bala bencana. Firman Allah: "Dan Allah tidak akan menyeksa mereka sedangkan mereka beristighfar (meminta ampun)." (Surah al-Anfal: 33). Maka, jadikanlah kerajaan yang sedang merubah dirinya itu sebagai kerajaan yang bertaubat daripada segala bentuk ketidakadilan dan ketidaktelusan. Seperti mana insan yang bertaubat, kelihatan bersih bercahaya dan merendah diri kepada Allah, demikian hendaknya kerajaan yang bertaubat. Terjemahkanlah taubat itu dalam kepimpinan, pengurusan, media dan hati budi pemimpin. Pohonlah kemaafan kepada rakyat, dan kembalikan hak mereka jika ada yang 'tidak kena'. Demikianlah juga hendaknya sekalian rakyat memohon keampunan dan kembali kepada jalan yang lurus. Inilah jalan keluar yang hakiki daripada kemelut yang ada. Jika itu berlaku maka, Allah berfirman: (maksudnya) "Dan sekiranya penduduk negeri itu, beriman serta bertakwa, tentulah Kami akan membuka kepada mereka segala keberkatan dari langit dan bumi, tetapi mereka mendustakan (Rasul kami), lalu Kami timpakan mereka dengan azab seksa disebabkan apa yang mereka telah usahakan". (Surah al-'A'raf: 96). INSYA ALLAH, THANK YOU, WASSALAM & BEST REGARDS FROM AZMI ABDUL LATIFF
 Khalifah Umar sabar, diam apabila dileteri isteri
DALAM mengharungi kehidupan rumah tangga pasti akan melalui saat-saat getir yang kadang-kala boleh menggoncang bahtera yang dibina itu. Orang kita kerap menyebut "sedangkan lidah lagikan tergigit, inikan pula suami isteri". Kita tidak dapat menafikan sebagai manusia, suami atau isteri empunyai kelemahan masing-masing. Cara terbaik untuk mengatasinya dengan bersabar dan tidak membesar-besarkan kelemahan itu. Firman Allah bermaksud: "Dan bergaullah kamu dengan mereka (isteri kamu) dengan cara yang baik. Kemudian jika kamu (berasa) benci kepada mereka (kerana tingkah lakunya, janganlah kamu terburu-buru menceraikannya) kerana boleh jadi kamu bencikan sesuatu, sedangkan Allah hendak menjadikan pada apa yang kamu benci itu kebaikan yang banyak untuk kamu." (Surah an-Nisa, ayat 19). Rasulullah SAW pernah bersabda bermaksud: "Mana-mana lelaki yang bersabar di atas keburukan perangai isterinya, Allah akan berikannya pahala seperti yang diberikan kepada Ayyub kerana bersabar di atas bala yang menimpanya. Dan mana-mana isteri yang bersabar di atas keburukan perangai suaminya, Allah akan berikannya pahala seperti yang diberikan kepada Asiah binti Muzahim, isteri Firaun." Di sini, elok juga jika direnungi kisah seorang lelaki yang mengunjungi Umar bin Khattab untuk mengadu mengenai perangai isterinya. Dia berdiri di luar pintu menunggu Umar keluar. Tiba-tiba dia terdengar isteri Umar sedang meleterinya, sedangkan Umar diam tidak menjawab walau sepatah pun. Lelaki itu beredar sambil berkata kepada dirinya sendiri: "Kalau beginilah keadaan Umar, seorang Amirulmukminin yang selalu keras dan tegas, maka bagaimana dengan aku?" Selepas itu Umar keluar dari rumahnya dan melihat lelaki tadi beredar. Umar memanggilnya dan bertanya tujuan kedatangannya. Lelaki itu berkata: "Wahai Amirulmukminin, aku datang untuk mengadu mengenai perangai isteriku yang buruk dan suka berleter kepadaku. Tadi aku mendengar isteri anda pun begitu juga. Lalu aku berkata kepada diriku: Kalau begini keadaan Amirulmukminin dengan isterinya, maka bagaimana dengan aku?" Umar berkata kepadanya: "Wahai saudaraku, sesungguhnya aku bersabar mendengar leterannya kerana dia mempunyai hak ke atas aku. "Sesungguhnya dia memasak makanan aku, mengadun roti untuk aku, membasuh pakaian aku dan menyusui anakku, padahal semua itu tidak diwajibkan ke atasnya. "Dia juga menenangkan hatiku daripada melakukan perbuatan yang haram (zina). Sebab itulah aku bersabar dengan kerenahnya." Lelaki itu menjawab: "Wahai Amirulmukminin, demikian jugalah isteriku." Umar pun berkata kepadanya: "Maka bersabarlah wahai saudaraku. Sesungguhnya kerenahnya itu tidak lama, hanya seketika saja." One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night...
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! __._,_.___
 WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:
Men Are Just Happier People-- Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another petrol station restroom because this one is just too icky.. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks and engines. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
Your underwear is £4.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original colour. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one colour for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
No wonder men are happier.
Send this to the women who can handle it and to the men who will enjoy reading it 
Top 22 things an Indian does after returning to India from "US".
22. Use Nope for No and Yep for Yes.
21. Tries to use credit card in road side hotel.
20. Drinks and carries mineral water and always speaks of health conscious.
19. Sprays deo such so that he doesn't need to take bath.
18. Sneezes and says 'Excuse me'.
17. Says "Hey" instead of "Hi".
Says "Yogurt" instead says "Curds".
Says "Cab" instead of "Taxi".
Says "Candy" instead of "Chocolate".
Says "Cookie" instead of "Biscuit".
Says " Free Way " instead of "Highway".
Says "got to go" instead of "Have to go".
Says "Oh" instead of "Zero", (for 704, says Seven Oh Four Instead of Seven Zero Four)
16. Doesn't forget to crib about air pollution. Keeps cribbing every time he steps out.
15. Says all the distances in Miles (Not in Kilo Meters), and counts in Millions. (Not in Lakhs)
14. Tries to figure all the prices in Dollars as far as possible (but deep down the heart multiplies by 43 times).
13. Tries to see the % of fat on the cover of a milk pocket.
12. When need to say Z (zed), never says Z (Zed), repeats "Zee" several times, if the other person unable to get, then says X, Y Zee(but never says Zed)
11. Writes date as MM/DD/YYYY, on watching traditional DD/MM/YYYY, says "Oh! British Style!!!!"
10. Makes fun of Indian Standard Time and Indian Road Conditions.
9. Even after 2 months, complaints about "Jet Lag".
8. Avoids eating more chili (hot) stuff.
7. Tries to drink "Diet Coke", instead of Normal Coke.
6.. Tries to complain about any thing in India as if he is experiencing it for the first time.
5. Pronounces "schedule" as "skejule", and "module" as "mojule".
4. Looks suspiciously towards Hotel/Dhaba food.
Few more important
3. From the luggage bag, does not remove the stickers of Airways by which he traveled back to India , even after 4 months of arrival.
2. Takes the cabin luggage bag to short visits in India, tries to roll the bag on Indian Roads.
Ultimate one:
1.. Tries to begin conversation with "In US ...." or "When I was in US..."
Have a wonderful day!
Time is Life By Shaykh Saalih Aal Taalib [www.missionislam. com] Fellow Muslims! Fear your Lord Who knows all that is hidden, and Sufficient is He, concerning the sins of His servants, as Acquainting and Seeing. Allah says, "O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always), and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims (with complete submission to Allah))." (Aal 'Imraan 3:102) In this world, man is between two dreaded things: his past life which he does not know what Allah is going to do with it, and the remaining part of his life which he does not know what Allah is going to decide on it. The wise one then makes proper use of his life for his own benefits, fills his worldly life with righteous deeds in preparation for his hereafter and judiciously uses his free time before a time comes when he will be busy. By Him in Whose Hand is my life, there is nothing one can do after the death has come, and there is nothing after the life of this world but Paradise or Hell. Dear Muslims! Man's conditions in this world change between health and illness, free time and busy time, toil and rest, seriousness and indolence. These days, the end of the academic year has created some free time. It is now common that people have their annual vacation in the summer; a situation that was unknown before but only created by the contemporary modernity that has turned man into a tool for the whole year, toiling tirelessly and frantically running after the materials of this world, far from spiritual nourishment like eemaan, which is the source of rest for the body, heart and the soul. The plague of vacations had become so widespread that it has become the sign of the summer all over the world. In view of the reality of Islam, its universality, its comprehensiveness and its balanced rules and just laws, it has affirmed the soul and the body's right to have their share of rest and relaxation. The Messenger of Allah said, "Surely, your body has a right upon you and your family has a right upon you. So give each their right." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim) The soul might become tired because of a long work. And the hearts also are tired like bodies. 'Alee said, "Give the hearts an hour of rest every now and then, for if the heart is coerced into work it becomes blind."
Nevertheless, this recreation should not be allowed to exceed the limits of what is permissible. It is authentically reported that the Messenger of used to make jokes but he would not say anything but the truth. He engaged 'Aaishah in a race, played with children and encouraged playing with one's wife. He approved that the Abyssinians should play with their javelins. He would tell his companions, "Throw [arrows], for your father was an arrow-thrower. " These are some of the allowed recreation that do not consume all the time and that do not become one's perpetual habit. Making oneself happy and cheerful and refreshing oneself through permitted recreational activities are some of the things that Islam considers in its law. A permitted recreational activity is the one that does not contradict the fundamentals and laws of Islam It should not be a forbidden thing or lead to a forbidden thing or block the way to an obligatory deed. Brethren in faith! Since vacations have become a reality in people's life, the conscious Muslim should therefore always keep two things at the back of his mind: One: That the time of vacation is a part of his life, that time is life and that vacation does not mean abandonment of works. Two: That he is not excused from abiding by Islamic obligations. For, man is required to use all his time in worshipping Allah, which is the purpose for which he was created. Allah says, "And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)." (Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56) However, this does not mean that one should spend all his time in prayer, fasting and jihad without any stop or rest. What is meant is that man should always remain in obedience to his Lord in all his situations. He should not abandon the obligation, for he is always commanded and prohibited and there is no time in his life in which he is free from Islamic regulations and free to do all that he likes. He should always abide by obligatory, supererogatory and permitted things. At least, he is obliged to shun all forbidden things however remote or relaxed he may be. Holiday is not a time used on the margin of life. It is rather part of man's life that is not owned by man but by Allah, Who created man so that he might use the time in the service of his Lord. That is why Allah made it forbidden that man should destroy his own life or waste his time in any form and for any reason. Allah says, "And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire." (An-Nisa 4:29-30) This is in spite of the fact that the suicide perpetrator killed only himself. This underlines man's responsibility before his Creator, regarding his own life. The Messenger of Allah said, "The feet of the son of Adam shall not slip on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked of four things: His life as to how he spent it, his youth as how he used it, his knowledge as to what he did with it and his wealth as to where he got and how he spent it." (At-Tirmidhee)
Travels are also part of life. And everyone shall be held accountable for how he spent the hours of his life. Based on this, we realize that the concept of time, according to Islamic legislation, does not permit man to waste any part thereof. We also realize the greatness of time in that Allah swears with it and with some parts of it. He says, "By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience." (Al-'Asr 103:1-3) Allah also swears by the night when it covers and the day when it appears and with the two kinds of creation: male and female. He also affirms that people's efforts are diverse. He swears by the sun and its brightness, and by the day, night and the soul, affirming that whoever purifies his soul has succeeded and that whoever instills it with corruption has failed. All this, indicating that time is the essence of life. Fellow Muslims! The wise is the one who reflects over his affairs and realizes that movement of days means nearness of his death however long or short he is destined to live. He then takes the safe side, strives in his day and prepare for his morrow. The time is nothing but man's life and his repeated breath. Time is precious. The part of it that is gone will never be retrieved. We seriously need to be alert. Many are the heedless who have sold off their most precious possession –their time – for a pittance. The time goes and those who fail to catch up with it, their days and times will go in vain and they will incur great loss, and nothing will remain of the life but only its effects. So choose for yourself what will benefit you. That is why the prosperous ones will be told on the Day of Resurrection, "Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!" (Al-Haaqqah 69:24) And the miserable ones will be told, "That was because you had been exulting in the earth without any right (by worshipping others instead of Allah and by committing crimes), and that you used to rejoice extremely (in your error). Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein: and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!" (Ghaafir 40:75-76) Dear brethren! Man has two days in which he will regret his time that he has wasted and in which he will ask to be given some respite. One: when he dies, that is when he will say, "My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakât) of my wealth, and be among the righteous." (Al-Munaafiqoon 63:10) And the answer to this request will be: "And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Al-Munaafiqoon 63:11) Two: in the Hereafter when he enters Hell. Allah says, "Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do." And the reply will be: "Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there is no helper." (Faatir 35:37) Fellow Muslims! Preserving time and making proper spending of one's life need some resoluteness and strong will. As for indolence, it is a destructive and fatal disease. It reflects negatively on individuals and the society. It causes languor, poverty, moral and material backwardness and it leads to sins. Though work might be strenuous, indolence is undoubtedly destructive. If one sits down too much, he will fail to achieve his goals.
Tell those who are looking for places of fun to kill their time: 'Do you think that life is just a pastime or do you think that death is just a fun?' Tell those who spend their days between illusions and dreams: 'If you are ignorant of how much of the time you waste, visit the graveyards, and seek from their inhabitants some time so that you might know that time is a precious thing that cannot be perpetually owned and a missed thing that can never be retrieved.' Many are those who say: O Lord, send me back to the world that I may do righteous deeds that I had earlier abandoned.' But they will be told: 'No, life does not go back.' Free time does not remain so for ever. It must be filled with either a good or a bad deed. He who does not occupy himself with good deed will have himself occupied with evil deed. The righteous predecessors disliked that a man should have nothing to do neither in matters of his religion or matters of his worldly life. If free time is combined with wealth and health, the danger then becomes greater if that free time is not used in good thing. The Messenger of Allah said, "There are two blessings in which many people are deluded: health and free time." (Al-Bukhaaree) Brethren in Islam! If someone has no goal to pursue, he will waste his time. The one who wanders about aimlessly bothers none but only himself. A man without a goal is like a captain-less ship tossed about by the waves. Days are records of deeds, so fill them with good deeds. Opportunities move like clouds, and languor is the habit of backward people. He who adopts the life of weakness will stumble. If procrastination and indolence are combined they generate loss. One of the righteous people cried when he was dying and when he was asked of the cause of his crying he said, "I am crying in regret of a day in which I did not fast and a night in which I did not pray." The reality is that whenever everyone nears his death he regrets every moment in which he had not done a good deed, regardless of whether the person was righteous or neglectful. Can't we then catch up with what is left of our lives? You will find the earliest generations the best in terms of their keenness to preserve their time more than a stingy person would be keen to preserve his money. The harvest of their keenness was useful knowledge, righteous deeds, fighting in the way of Allah, glory and a firm-rooted civilization of towering branches. But when you look at the situation of the contemporary Muslims, you will be surprised to notice how they waste their lives and times in a manner that is foolish and idiotic thereby lagging behind after they had been the leaders. Fellow Muslims! If a man's life is blessed he attains, within a short time, uncountable favour's of Allah Many are those who are made to succeed in achieving a lot within a short time so much so that you think that their achievements are miracles, while the reality is that they are only blessed and made successful in investing their time in useful things. The best example is the Messenger of Allah who brought the people out of darkness to the light and changed the face of human history within a short period of twenty-three years. Another example is 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab who worked continuously through days and nights. He would say, "If I slept in the night I would waste my life and if I slept during the day I will waste the lives of my subjects. How can I then sleep between these two periods?" Ibn 'Aqeel said, "I cannot waste an hour of my life. Even if my tongue stops from reading and discussing matters of knowledge, and my eyes stops from browsing books, I make use of my thoughts at my time of rest and when I am lying down. When I get up I'll already have in my mind what needs writing down." That is how he was able to write his book, al-Funoon, about which adh-Dhahabee said, "Nothing greater than it [in its field] has ever been authored." Ibn al-Qayyim said about his Shaykh, "I have seen wonders in the strength of Shaykh al-Islam concerning his ways, his actions and his writings. In a single day, he would author what a copyist would copy for a whole week." Adh-Dhahabee said about him, "His writings reached about five hundred volumes." All this is in addition to his other activities like da'wah and jihad. The Messenger of Allah said, "He who fears [sudden attack of the enemy] sets out in the night, and he who sets out in the night will arrive at the appropriate station. Behold, Allah's commodity [Paradise] is precious and expensive! Behold, Allah's commodity [Paradise] is precious and expensive!" (At-Tirmidhee) Brethren in faith! Since we have talked about time and the importance of investing it in useful things, here is a piece of advice for those who are gambling with their lives in the ambiguities of darkness that lead to unlawful shedding of the blood of Muslims. Dear Muslim youths! The afflictions of your Ummah are many and its wounds are still fresh. However, the most bleeding wound of the Ummah and its most painful disease is the deviant thoughts and actions of some of its youths. It greatly pains this Ummah to see some of its youths attacking the scholars, the rulers and the wise men of their society who weigh the interests of the Ummah and try to prevent the worst of the two evils with the lesser one. This is a deviation that results in killings and shedding of innocent blood among Muslims and within the vicinity of the sacred cities. The reprovers have reproved and the sincere advisers have given their sincere advice. The scholars have explained the truth. Will you then cease? Many of the lives that should have been used in constructing the useful society with the guidance of the scholars and upon the Sunnah of the Prophet have been wasted. This is a call from a sympathetic and sincere adviser to those who have denounced the community of the Muslims to return to the right path. Let those who have committed mistakes repent, and those who are accused surrender themselves so that they can enjoy security. It is an act of bravery to admit mistakes and face the consequences. It is our hope that you will understand and reason and then be excused and shown mercy. If not, you need to atone for your sins. Either of the two options is however better for a Muslim than proceeding in committing mistakes. Whatever Allah has decreed shall come to pass, and to Him belongs the control of all affairs in the beginning and in the end. We seek refuge with Him against misleading trials.
Source : http://www.missionI slam.com
33 Tips to Launch Your Personal Jihad Against Racism and Nationalism By Abdul Malik Mujahid
Alhamdu lillah, all Masjids in the world are open to all people. Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder with no regard to any national, ethnic, class or color differences. Islamic egalitarianism still gains converts from the untouchables of India to Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali in America. However, this dominant reality is sometimes marred by individual behavior, which is contrary to the ideals of Islam.
Some Muslims fall for the age-old trick of Satan and start playing the silly inferiority/ superiority game. Some stereotype others and tolerate prejudice against other human beings, despite the fact that all human beings are equal, from the same man and woman. (Quran 49:13)
How should we save ourselves from falling into this trap? How should we help others stay above the killing fields of racism and nationalism? What can we do now to become a better human being? Here are some tips on how we can launch our personal Jihad against this disease.
The Prophet said: If one of you sees something evil he should change it with his hand. If he cannot, he should speak out against it, and if he cannot do even that he should at least detest it in his heart, this being the weakest form of faith (Sahih of Muslim).
1. Knowledge is power
Do we know what the Quran and Sunnah say about racism? The Quran established individual character as the criteria of success, not color, tribal or economic status of a person. The Prophet preached and established these ideals in the peace sanctuary of Madinah and Islamic society which he developed.
Let our parents, children, Islamic schools, and Imams learn and teach the ideals of Islam.
2. Ask the only One who can really help
We can get rid of racial and prejudicial attitudes within ourselves with the help of God.
Make sincere and focused Dua for those people and groups who remain oppressed, subject to humiliation, subject to difficult behavior. After all, Dua increases love between people (Hadith).
Also make Dua for yourself and others to gain an appreciation of others. Pray together with your family for those friends in the Masjid or at your job who are from other groups. And remember that dua without actions is nothing.
3. Hate the hatred
The Prophet never hated anyone. He neither hated Makkah nor the Makkans who tortured him, starved him and his people and killed his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. He continued to pray even for his worst enemies like Abu Jahl.
4. Make sincere Tawbah (repentance to God)
If we have hurt someone through our tongue or attitude, we need to seek God's forgiveness. It is also important to seek the personal forgiveness of that persons as well if s/he is within reach as an Islamic pre-requisite to seek God's forgiveness. There has to be a personal acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a commitment to change. This is done by turning to God and seeking His Forgiveness for looking down on other beings due to a false belief in someone's inferiority.
5. Watching Our Tongue
The Prophet said: Whoever can give me a guarantee for what is between his two jaws and between his two legs, I can assure him Paradise (Sahih of Bukhari).
Keeping this in mind, effort should be made to curb useless talk, which can lead to worse things like backbiting and slander of individuals and groups of people.
Defining backbiting, the Prophet said that backbiting is anything that you say about someone in his absence that may displease him. When he was asked by one of the Companions, ‘even if he is as I describe him?' he responded by saying, If he is as you describe him then you are guilty of backbiting, otherwise you are guilty of slander (which is worse than backbiting) (Sahih of Muslim).
To add emphasis to how awful slander is, consider that the Prophet said it is worse than adultery because if a person commits adultery, Allah can forgive him if he repents. But a slanderer will not be forgiven until the person he had been speaking about forgives him (Baihaqi).
6. No ethnic jokes please
Ethnic jokes are not innocent humor. They carry the virus of bigotry most of the time. Think about how hurt we feel when some comedians depict Muslims as terrorist.
Consider this verse of the Quran: "O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong doers" (Quran 49:11).
Such silly and hurtful jest clearly goes against the type of manners Allah and His Prophet expect from us. It's a sin in Islam to ridicule or laugh at any beings, and if they are a group, the sin is stronger.
7. Don't call people, Kalla, Gora, Desi, Chapta, Abd or Rafeeq
Muslims disliked being called Moslems, Moor, or Mohammaden. We insist that since we write our name Muslims that's how everyone should spell our name. So let's call other people with the names they like for themselves. Fair enough?
Alhamdu lillah most Muslims don't do this. But once in a while we hear names, which we need to challenge. The Urdu term "Kalla" is used by some for African-Americans. While it literally means "black", the way it is used most of the time is demeaning. The same is true for the Urdu term Chapta or Peela, which refers to the color, and features of South East Asian people. Gora in Urdu for Caucasians falls in the same category although it also just means a white person, but is used to convey historical distrust and betrayl of the white colonial lords. Desi on the other hand is mostly used to describe stereiotypical images of South Asians "curry smelling" Indians and "pakis." It is often used as a term of self hate in the second generation.
Similarly some Arabs use the term Abd to describe black people, despite the fact the Prophet catogarically prohibited use of this term. Another term Zingy is used for the same people in the demeaning way. Some Arabs use the term Rafeeq (literally comrade) for Pakistanis in demeaning way similar to how the "N word" is used in the west. Ibn al Khinzeeer (son of a pig), a reference to whoever you are angry with amongst some Arabs and specially towards Jews is not only unworthy of the followers of Prophet Muhammad, it is a direct violation of his command not to insult one another's parents (Sahih of Bukhari and Muslim).
Even the Islamic term Kafir has to be use with care. Not every non-believer is a Kafir. This Quranic term, regarding those who rejected Allah's guidance after recognizing it to be the truth, should not become a term of hate.
8. Challenge the offensive, names, jokes and comments
If someone uses a hurtful name in our presence, we might simply say, "Don't call him/her that. Call him/her by his/her name." If you are the victim, simply say "That kind of joke offends me," or say "You don't like to be called bad names and neither do I".
We should feel comfortable in pointing out unfairness. It is very rewarding in the eyes of Allah, since by challenging this we are following three of Allah's commands:
- Stand up against injustice
- Discourage the evil
- Don't call people with bad nicknames
- It's part of a Muslim's duty to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Let's do it with wisdom and patience. Be polite but firm.
9. Do not generalize
If you observe something wrong in some persons' behavior, don't generalize it to their ethnic group. Attribute it to those persons not their group. For example, I have heard several times that Arabs in Chicago run liquor stores. While it is true that there may be 100 or so Arabs who have this type of Haram business, they are a small minority among hundreds and thousands of Arabs living in Chicago. Without condoning what they are doing, we must see that there are Muslims of other nationalities who are also involved in Haram businesses.
10. Defend the abused group
Note unique and special qualities in other people. Show the positive points of an ethnic group that is being made fun of. Whether it's the hospitality of the Arabs, the respect for elders in Indo-Pakistani culture, the resilience of African-Americans, for instance, point out the positive to those who don't want to see the other side of the coin.
If you're still tongue-tied, consider this Hadith: the Prophet said: If a man's Muslim brother is slandered in his presence, and he is capable of defending him, and does so, Allah will defend him in this world and in the next. But if he fails to defend him, Allah will destroy him in this world and in the next.
11. Speak everyone's language
What do you do when there are say, three people, one of whom speaks your native language and the other doesn't?
Too often, many of us do the wrong thing.
It creates suspicion and discomfort if you speak a language in front of others who may not understand it. Use a common language understandable to all. So if Br. Muneer and you both understand Arabic, but Sr. Yasmeen doesn't, speak in English instead, so she doesn't feel left out. If you observe this behavior tell them it's unfair. If you are the one who is doing the wrong thing, then don't defend it by saying, "you should learn our language".
The Prophet said: When three people are together, two should not talk secretly, leaving the third alone since this may grieve him. (Sahiah of Bukhari & Muslim).
12. Read about others
Read about people to gain positive insights into other cultures. Read what they have written about themselves. Read about, for instance, what African-Americans have contributed to America. Even better, read an autobiography like that of Malcolm X, which recounts the personal experience and struggles of one Muslim African-American. Much of what he has to say is also a reflection of the experience of other African-Americans.
13. Share your joy
Have you invited people other than your cultural group at an occasion of happiness in your family?
Whether it's Eid, a wedding or the Aqiqa of a newborn baby, expand your next guest list to include those of different backgrounds. Sharing joy is a great way for people of all ethno-cultural groups to bond.
14. Share your sorrow
Have you visited a sick colleague, class fellow or a neighbor of another ethnic group? Have you been to the funeral of other people?
Relationships are not only built on the good times, but on the hard ones as well. Visit the sick, attend funerals, and console those who need it, and don't reserve your sympathy to those of the same skin color or country.
15. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach
Have you learned to cook the food of other cultures? Have you shared your food with them?
I know people who have become Muslim because of the hospitality of Muslims. Food is a great way to bring people together, and to get to know others. Share food with neighbors. Food is power. Use it!
16. Smiling is a charity
Who do you smile at? Do you limit your grins to groups you know, especially your ethno-cultural group?
Smiling is charity (Sahiah of Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi), not just for your people. Expand your smile "directory" to include all. Smile opens close hearts.
17. Salam is for everyone
Quran demands that we greet others better than the way they have greeted us. (Quran 4:86).
After Juma do you say Salam and meet only those people you know or do you initiate a Salam to those from another ethnic group?
Consider this Hadith: The Prophet said: Those who are nearest to Allah are those who are the first to give a greeting (Sahiah of Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
Saying Salam is also a great way to increase your love for a fellow Muslim, no matter where they are from. Consider this Hadith: the Prophet said: You will not enter Heaven until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Let me guide you to something which will cause you to love each other: spreading the greetings of peace (Assalamu alaikum) (Sahiah of Muslim).
18. Hug someone today
Have you ever experienced a hug by a Muslim you never knew? What a feeling. This one just for the sake of Allah. Try it on a Muslim in your masjid and then introduce yourself to him. He is your brother. Isn't he?
19. Beyond Salam
Alhamdu lillah, we see a lot of faces of different ethnic groups in masjids, but have we gone beyond Salam with them?
Have we invited this brother or sister to our home this year? Let's take the initiative to go beyond the Salam and invite a fellow human being of a different background over to our place. Don't wait for a specific occasion. Just invite them over for dinner, lunch, or a game of basketball.
20. A Masjid tour of other neighborhoods
While in a number of cities in America and South Africa, Masjids tend to become ethnically homogeneous due to the population patterns of the city; we can try to overcome this isolation.
Let's visit other neighborhoods and pray in a Masjid there. So if you're an Urdu speaking person, visit the predominantly Arab mosque. If you're an Arab visit the mostly African-American mosque. If you're Turkish, visit the mostly Bengali mosque.
Let's defy the neighborhood divisions which we did not create. Let's take our Sunday school children on field trips to different neighborhoods and Masjids. Providing opportunities for interaction with people of diverse groups instills understanding.
Studies show that children playing and working together toward common goals develop positive attitudes about one another.
21. Do your duty, but a little differently
Who do you usually give your Zakat to?
Is it just to your ethnic group or do you use it as one of the categories-to win over hearts? Plan to give your next Zakat to a community or individuals who are not of your ethno-cultural background. This will be a practical way to give of yourself to those who are your brothers and sisters, and those who are in need.
22. Strangers should find an open Masjid door
How are you at welcoming strangers in your Masjid?
Do you move forward in welcoming, guiding and introducing them to others or do you allow a stranger to remain a stranger while you busily chat with your own cultural group? Open your heart and arms to the new brother or sister who may have come to the Masjid with great difficulty. Welcome their choice and don't let them regret visiting your mosque.
The security staff at Masjids need to have sensitivity training as well.
23. Watch those expressions and attitudes
Did you see that twist of the mouth, or the raise of that eyebrow?
Sometimes, it's not just words, but facial expressions that also indicate ethno-racial degradation and intolerance. It's not enough for us to just avoid verbal jabs. Language is not just about words; it's about body language too.
24. Defend yourself
If you are the target of ethno-racial humor, slurs or attacks defend yourself.
- First seek refuge in Allah from Satan Following the Prophet's advice, if you are angry, remain silent, sit down, move away or make wudu.
- If you feel your security is being threatened seek any help available.
- If you are attacked defend yourself if you are capable of it.
- Document and pursue the case with local police, the department of human resources and anti-hate groups.
God tolerates a person who is being wronged to respond in the same coin but He prefers us to be better: "The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. Verily, He likes not the Zalimun (oppressors) " (Quran 42:40).
An ex-Marine member of the white supremacist movement the Ku Klux Klan became Muslim due partly to the polite and confident response of a Muslim doctor to his racist remarks calling him a "dog eater".
This is an example of following Allah's instructions that ask us to respond to evil with something which is better.
25. Stand up for justice
Take an active stand against injustices like profiling and discrimination in the workplace or at schools. Speak out against someone or a group being paid less because of their national background.
"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it is against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a better Protector to both (than you) are. So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do" (Quran 4:135).
26. Work with other anti-racism groups
Volunteer time to organizations and groups which are working for an anti-racism agenda or for social justice. All the prophets were sent to help people take a stand for establishing justice (Quran 57:25). Working for a common cause brings people closer. Islam encourages cooperation with non Muslims for the common good of humanity (Quran 5:2).
27. Multi-ethnic Marriages
Some Fiqh books that dislike and discourage multi-ethnic marriages amongst Muslims are wrong because they conflict with the Sunnah of the Prophet and with the Quranic principle of all people being one.
For instance, the Fiqh manual Reliance of the Traveler, in a chapter on Kafa'a (compatibility) , while recognizing that there should be no consideration of skin color in marriage, does mention that a match between a non-Arab man and an Arab woman is unsuitable (page 523).
I am not advising anyone to offer him or herself for a social experiment. But we must accept our children's choice with an open heart instead of resistance based on the false interpretation of compatibility (Kafa'a) offered by some Fiqh books.
28. Jihad with your taxes
Your personal jihad against racism must also include a collective effort against racism and nationalism. Your taxes are used to institute policies, some of which you may agree with and others that you may completely oppose. You can use your tax money to fight against racism by supporting policies or institutions that encourage respect for differences. We should support subsidies to human rights organizations dedicated to fighting racism, specifically.
29. Vote against racism
Support candidates who oppose racism and nationalism both within America and without. For example, former US president Bill Clinton strongly campaigned against the use of tobacco in America but ironically he also helped the US tobacco companies to achieve record profits by helping them sell and promote tobacco in the Third World. If tobacco is wrong for America, it is wrong for every other human being as well. Let's not tolerate "Cancer for other people."
30. Vote for multi-ethnicity in your Masjid
Make sure your Masjid in North America has a multi ethnic board and leadership. Follow the Prophet in engineering social change. He paired each Ansar and Muhajir as brothers as he started building the Islamic society of Madina.
31. Put money where your mouth is
There are a number of organizations dedicated to fighting racism in America at various levels. Support them by your donation. If you don't want to donate, establish your own organization against bigotry.
32. Raising race free children
Islam does not recognize race, but the society we live in does. Bridging this gap is the challenge of Muslim parenting.
- Choose to live in a multi-ethnic community. Children with multi-ethnic interaction grow up to be better human beings.
- Participate in your PTA with an antiracist agenda.
- Help your children feel good about themselves. Children who feel good about themselves are less likely to be prejudiced.
- Welcome children of all background in your home.
- Debrief them if they come home with a racial slur from the school.
33. Let's have a straight niyyah to please Allah
Let's make our intentions (niyyah) that we will strive to build human society based on the equality of all human beings as Allah has asked us to do. Insha Allah, He will reward us for each step we take to get ourselves, our community, and our society rid of racism and nationalism.
Conclusion
As Muslims who are dehumanized day and night by the media and opinion leaders, it is our duty to emerge as a better human being through this ordeal instead of engaging in the satanic game of counter dehumanization.
Whoever starts to look at others as lower beings first kills his own humanity. Prejudice, racism and nationalism are equal opportunity diseases. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Jews, all have a choice of either using their teachings to rise up for the ideals of humanity or sink in the killing fields of nationalism.
Dehumanization of Native Americans contributed to their almost complete annihilation. Dehumanization of Africans as nations and individuals resulted in generational loss of life and heritage. Dehumanization of Jews and Gypsies is associated with the mass murder by Nazis. Dehumanization of Japanese Americans contributed to their being sent to internment camps in America. The dehumanization of Muslims in America after the 9/11 tragedy is responsible for the virtual internment camp Muslims in America live today and the tortures in Abu Gharib and abuse at Guantanamo Bay.
Unfortunately there is a demonization of America taking place in the world, which by and large does not know how a majority of Americans today feel about the historical wrongs done on their names. Even the strong American reaction to the Abu Gharib images did not slow down the harm neo-con policies are causing to American standing in the world.
Racism and nationalism are twin evils which have killed more people in last one hundred years than probably all the wars in last one thousand years including crusades and massacres of the infamous Genghis Khan.
Let's launch our personal Jihad against racism. May God be with you. Allahu Akbar. __._,_.___
 Dr. Islamul Haq, PhD, D.D. was a very high Hindu priest
(Achariya Mahant Dr. Saroopji Maharaj).
A prominent Hindu personality of India, Achariya Mahant Dr. Saroopji Maharaj (Ph.D, D.D), embraced Islam in 1986 in the Indian city of Bhopal. His Islamic name is Dr. Islamul Haq. He entered the fold of Islam along with his wife and daughter. He is a highly educated and qualified person, well off and contented with his material resources.
He certainly accepted Islam of his own free will after making a thorough search into various religions of the world. His critical investigations did reveal to him the truth of Islam. He cites to the world his own example to dispel the allegation that Islam spread by dint of sword.
Following are some of the details of an interview given by him, which narrates the momentous story of the great spiritual revolution in his life:
Question (Q): How do you feel after declaring your entry into Islam?
Answer (A): It is infinite favour of Allah upon me that He has blessed me with His invaluable wealth of true faith that is Islam. I feel I am one of the most successful and fortunate persons of the world. While groping in the darkness of disbelief, I was regarded as 'Bhagwan' (God), where as in this new world of light I have attained my rightful status of ‘man’.
Q: Will you tell us something about your previous name and occupation?
A: My name was Mahant Dr. Shri Shakti Saroopji Maharaj Adasin Dharmachariya Odai Shakti. My hereditary profession was Hindu priesthood. As such, I served several Hindu religious institutions, the most important of them being the Ban Khand Ashram in Brindaban in Mathura. The next one was in Bombay. The third one was an underground Ashram in Wawanas, spread over fifty acres of land and still under construction. It is an Institute of International repute. My duty was to preach religion and to enlist and train disciples.
Q: You have the reputation of being an erudite scholar. Will you please throw light on this aspect?
A: I received my elementary education in the Ashram (Hindu religious institute). I obtained my Master's degree in Orientalism from the Allahabad University (India), the degree of Achariya (in Sanskrit) from Gurukul Kangri, and the diploma of D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) from Oxford University. The last entailed comparative study of most important religions of the world. This was, in addition to Ph. D. in Orientalism. Thus I have to my credit double Doctorate in Divinity and in Orientalism.
Once I visited the Vatican City at the invitation of Pope Saint Paul VI. Great pressure was exerted on me there to accept Christianity. I was asked to speak on seven different topics. I acquitted myself of this difficult assignment so well in that seat of Christianity that the Pope, in recognition of my performance, conferred on me the honorary title of O.F.M.C.A.P. and also the citizenship of the Vatican City. However, Christianity did not appeal to me at all. I came back to India where I was elevated to the office of Mahant.
Q: When and where were you born? What is your lineage?
A: I was born on February 3, 1936, in the town of Brindaban, Dist. Mathura, U.P., India. I belong to the Vedi Wanash of Baba Nanak.
Q: What languages can you read and write?
A: I know some twelve languages, namely, English, Sanskrit, Greek, Dibro, Hindi, Prakirit, Pali, Gurmukhi, Marhathi, Gujrati, Urdu, and Arabic.
Q: You have been very close to the Hindu trend of thought. Do you think that they are scared of the Muslims?
A: The Hindu society of India is not scared of the Muslims. It rather fears Islam for its exalted merits as compared with the deficient and weak religious tenets of Hinduism. Islam's greatness consists in the fact that it liberates man from the shackles of color, feature, race, clan, language, land, riches, class, rank, and status. It gives him, instead, a lasting and firm entity. It calls men to bow down before one and only God. That is why they dread the might of Islam, which liberates man from every sort of slavery and bondage, except subservience to God. It is free from all man made formalities and rituals.
Q: Do you think that there is a possibility of Islam being wiped out from any country?
A: Islam is eternal and well founded. There is no power on earth, which can demolish or efface it. It might disappear from the lives of such Muslims as are weak in their faith (Eman). It will, however, continue to grow and flourish as long as there is even one Muslim in whose life the spirit of Hijrah (emigration) and victory taken root, and he has in him the enthusiasm of perseverance and gratitude.
Q: Did you ever admit the greatness of Islam even before embracing it?
A: I had studied ten great religions of the world in their respective original forms. I was therefore already convinced of the divinity and truth of Islam. Among my contemporaries have been great world-teachers and Hindu Shankar Achariyas, e.g. Rama Gopal, Mahanand Maheswar, Swami Akhanda Nandji, Guru Gowalkar Baba Sahib Deshmukh, Vinoba Bhave, etc. All of them were very kind to me. In early 1981, Acharya Vinoba Bhave invited me to his Ashram, Param Dham, to deliver lectures. Among the great Hindu Mahants present on the occasion, was Dada Dharam Adhikari. All of a sudden he put to me a very intriguing question: 'Swami Ji, you have studied many religions of the world. Which one do you find the best for man'? I replied: Islam. He said: 'But Islam is a very tied up religion'. I replied: The very one that is 'tied-up' also grants freedom, while the one that is considered free ties down man to continual slavery. Man is in need of a religion that has remained 'tied-up', a religion that keeps man under restraints in this worldly life but sets him free in the hereafter. In my opinion, it is Islam alone that qualifies to be the best religion.
Q: It is really a matter of great courage that you should have expressed your appreciation for a religion, other than your own, with so nice arguments. This certainly testifies to the greatness of Islam that you feel in your heart. Now please also enlighten us on the incident that urged you to embrace Islam, at a time when you were very well aware of the predicament and the suffering, which the Muslims are presently undergoing. Today, when every-where people are talking about a Hindu revolution, how could you pluck up courage to take this thorny road?
A: It was years of long thirst and search which eventually materialized into a great event. It was in January 1984, that one night I saw a dream that a great crowd was pursuing me when I ran and then stopped, the crowd also ran and stopped. Suddenly I stumbled over something and fell on the ground. In a moment's time two unknown hands lent me support to stand up. After standing up my eyes were fixed on a brightly shining face but I was not able to recognize it. Someone standing close by prompted me that it was the Mohammad (P). This made me fall into a trance. The Holy Prophet asked me to pronounce the 'Kalimah' (Article of confession of Islamic Faith). Holding my right hand into his own, he himself pronounced the 'Kalimah' and I followed him, until the recital of the Article was completed. Thereafter, the Holy Prophet (P) embraced and commanded me to teach the 'Kalimah' to the people of this country. I do not remember how long this vision lasted, but when I came back into my own, it was 3 a.m. My wife also had an inspiring vision at about the same time on the same night. We shivered out of extreme joy and ecstasy at this happy coincidence and rare favour. The strings of the soul burst suddenly into melodious tunes. We felt as if we were Muslims of the first century, which, we began to feel an irresistible urge to bring back to this earth in its true splendor as early as possible. This pleasant vision set us thinking that some great revolution was going to overtake this earth.
From that very day we began to plan how to pronounce the 'Kalimah' of Islam formally and publicly. This led us to tour many regions and establish contacts with Muslims, while we performed, in privacy, the Salat and other ritual prayers as per Islam. This continued until we visited Bhopal, the city of scholars. On May 10, 1986, with the appearance of the moon of the Holy Month of Ramadan, I, together with my wife and young daughter, entered the fold of God's blessed religion that is Islam. In other words, we returned to our nature. After years of aimless wandering in the wilderness, we were able now to breathe in peace and sleep in calm and quiet.
Q: The Hindus in general allege that Islam spread by the sword and exercise of force. What is your view about this?
A: I am myself a living proof against this allegation. It is, however, a fact that not only the common but even the educated Hindu is still sticking to this false notion.
Q: You have studied several religions besides Islam. Have you come across any reference in them to Allah, the Holy Quran, Mohammad (P), and Islam?
A: With the exception of Buddhism and Jainism, all religious literature contains the name of Allah and Mohammad or Ahmad (P). These names are very clear in the Vedas. The word 'Ala' occurs in chapter 1 of the Rig Veda, which is the first of the four. Later on, this word takes the name of Allah. Similarly, 'Moha-mmad' and Ah-mad' occur for Mohammad and Ahmad (P) respectively. The word 'Kurdha-noo' has been used in the Rig Veda for the Holy Quran.
Q: You have entered the fold of Islam after giving up huge wealth and renouncing a life of comfort and luxury. What is your source of livelihood now?
A: If I had at my disposal the empire of all the world, I would have given it up for the sake of the great blessing that is Islam. The possession of the riches of 'seven worlds' would not have given me the joy and contentment, which I have derived from Islam. I am a medical practitioner of the Ayurvedic system. I am grateful to Allah that I am able to make both ends meet with honour and ease.
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