The World Cup: If Allah Wills It to Be So

By Idris Tawfiq**






Islam is just so different from every other way of life. It is such a sweet religion. Every aspect of every day is covered by Islam. There is no aspect of life that is not touched by its sweet and gentle message. Even the World Cup!

As Muslims we should never forget this. It is so easy for us to be influenced by those voices all around us that speak about Islam in a bad light. We have only to turn on the television to see images of violence from around the world. Almost every newspaper front page has something to say about Islam and Muslims. Too often, our religion has become associated in the minds of non-Muslims with terror and extremism.

At the present time, Islam and the West look upon each other with suspicious eyes. It seems as if Islam and Muslims are being blamed for every one of the world's ills. Even at school or at college or in the workplace, we often keep quiet rather than speak out against these detractors. Sometimes it is all we can do because we are in the minority. The worst thing about all this media pressure on Muslims is that, in the end, we can start to believe it, or at least we begin to doubt how special our faith really is.

And yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Islam is the most beautiful, the gentlest, and the sweetest religion. Its very name comes from a word meaning "peace" and "submission" to the will of Allah. In fact, Islam is far more than just a set of beliefs. It is a complete way of life. As Muslims, we not only know the eternal truths about life and its meaning, but we also know how to enter a room or how to greet people. We know what to say before eating food or when we have finished. We know what prayers to say when we get up in the morning or before we start a journey. For Muslims, being charitable doesn't mean just giving money or food to those who are without. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that even a smile to your brother is a charity. Even to remove a stone from your brother's path is a charity.




As Muslims, we have words that we use throughout the day that show our attitude to life. For example, for everything we say "al-hamdu lillah," thanking and praising Almighty Allah for everything that happens to us, as part of His will for us. We reply that we are well, al-hamdu lillah, or that we have had enough to eat, al-hamdu lillah. Even when things don't seem to be going right we say "al-hamdu lillah" because Allah is in control of all things and we can always rely on Him.

One phrase that non-Muslims find very difficult to appreciate or even to understand is In sha' Allah. Roughly translated, it means "if Allah wills it to be so." For a Muslim, nothing will happen unless Allah wills it to be so. We say that we are going into town, In sha' Allah, or that we will see our friends tomorrow, in sha' Allah.

It is not a vague hope that things might happen as we want them to. Many non-Muslims take in sha' Allah to mean it might happen. We might see them tomorrow. We might pass our exams. But for Muslims it doesn't mean "might." It means that we are totally certain that Allah is in control of all things. We are certain that the sun will not come up tomorrow unless Allah wills it to be so. We know for a fact that night will not follow day unless, in sha' Allah, Allah wills it to be so. And the World Cup final will only take place if Allah wills it to be so!

At this time, when football and the World Cup are on every TV screen, let me make a comparison that is well worth making. Some months ago in Egypt the final took place of the African Cup of Nations. The countries of Africa competed to see who was the best at football.




What happened in Egypt, a predominantly Muslim country, was truly remarkable. Some 80,000 football supporters gathered in Cairo Stadium for the final, as they had gathered in other sports venues throughout the country for the games leading up to the final. Unlike the violent and drunken football fans in many parts of the world, these supporters were different. There was no alcohol in sight — they were Muslim. There was no violence in sight, either — they were Muslim. And to a man and a woman, they were all waving Egyptian flags and chanting in Arabic "If Allah wills it to be so, we will win the Cup."

As it happens, Egypt did win the African Cup of Nations (I should know, I was there!), but the greatest victory of all, for me, was to see how the fans behaved. I would have loved to send photos of them to newsrooms around the world. I would have liked journalists from the West, so used to branding Muslims as extremists and fanatics, to see the good-natured behavior of almost 80,000 football supporters. I would have liked all people to see how Muslims can enjoy together and relax together. And it would have been good, too, for Muslims to see this and to realize once more just how beautiful our religion is. Even amidst the excitement and the frenzy of a football match, the fans were able to think of Allah. "If Allah wills it to be so," they said, "we will win."

As Muslims, we often forget to take pride in who we are. Islam doesn't need anyone's permission or anyone's approval. Let's take the example of this World Cup to remind ourselves that Muslims don't need to get drunk or to be violent or to swear or to hate other people in order to have fun. Let us not forget, al-hamdu lillah, that Islam provides us with everything we need to be fulfilled as people. Why don't we, when watching the World Cup with our non-Muslim friends, throw in the occasional in sha' Allah into the conversation or exclaim al-hamdu lillah when we see a great goal being scored. You never know, but a goal by David Beckham might be just the excuse a friend needs to ask us what this al-hamdu lillah that we are always using means. For Muslims, all things lead us to Allah. In sha' Allah, even the World Cup can bring us closer to Him!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

** British Muslim writer Idris Tawfiq lives and works in Egypt. He has spent many years working with young people. He was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom and, perhaps more remarkably, before embracing Islam he was a Roman Catholic priest. You can visit his website at www.idristawfiq.com.

Kasih Syg Allah Tidak Memilih Siapa

Antara Dua Kasih

Deru ombak pecah berderai
Mengulang pantai datang dan pergi
Begitu kasih insan diibaratkan
Bagai ombak merubah pantai

Tika kasih melestarikan sayang
Semuanya indah dipandang mata
Pabila rasa benci terbit di hati
Rasa kasih dan sayang pun menyisih

Tanda kasih yang abadi
Dalam senang jua dalam kesempitan
Kasih Ilahi tiada bersempadan
Tak memilih siapa tidak berakhir
Kekal selamanya

Di antara dua kasih
Di maqamnya yang berbeza
Mudah dijumpa namun sukar untuk diperlihara
Lahir dari ketulusan jiwa bersuluhkan iman
Namun nafsu menodainya

Terkadang kasih kita sesama insan
Bisa mengundang keredhan Tuhan
jika insan menghargainya
Dan memuliakannya

Kasih sayang Allah kekal selamanya
Kasih manusia hanya sementara

Sering kali kite dgr ayat2 ni dr kwn.. di buku...dan di mana2 sahaja..

Tapi kiter tk menghayati maksud sebenar.. tidak dijadikan perigtan dlm hidup kiter..

Asyik mabuk dgn cinta manusia

Hatiku tul2 tersentuh bila dgr lagu...

Setahun lalu aku prnh dgr lagu ni..

Sha kata: "eh na.. sedapkn lagu ni?"

Ana:"sedap ke? pd aku mcm biasa je..."

Semenjak baru ni, bila aku dgr lagu tuh alik... aku dpt faham dan menghayati liriknyer...

Mungkin sbb dulu aku tk prnh bercinta dgn makhluk Allah dr kaum Adam..

Skrg.. aku dh berpunya..baru aku tau perasaan sha bila dia dgr lagu Antara 2 Kasih..

Yerlah.. kata org tgh berjiwang.. Tapi, lagu tuh mcm kene jgk dgn fikiran aku skrg ni..

MasyaAllah.. Kasih Allah itu melebihi dr kasih syg ibu pd anaknya.

Aku....aku sllu tk sedar... Lupa atas nikmatnya... Kasih sygNya

Allah tk pernah putus asa atas hambaNya

Dia tidak memilih hambaNya...

Spektrum Ilmu

Abu Bakar r.a. berkata : Inilah hiasan bagi 8 jenis orang :



Tidak meminta-minta merupakan hiasan bagi orang miskin.
Bersyukur merupakan hiasan bagi anugerah dari Allah.
Sabar merupakan hiasan bagi musibah.
Akhlak mulia merupakan hiasan bagi ilmu.
Rendah hati (merendah diri) merupakan hiasan bagi penuntut ilmu.
Banyak menangis (kerana dosa) merupakan hiasan bagi orang yang takut kepada Allah.
Menyembunyikan kebaikan diri sendiri merupakan hiasan bagi orang yang berbuat kebajikan (beramal).
Khusyuk merupakan hiasan bagi orang yang sembahyang.


Kata Saiyidina Ali r.a. : Jika tiada 4 perkara ini nescaya semua orang menjadi soleh :



Puas dengan kebodohan – malas atau tidak mahu berusaha mencari ilmu.
Tamak terhadap dunia (harta, pangkat, wang ringgit dan sebagainya).
Suka menunjuk-nunjuk bila beramal.
Kagum terhadap fikiran sendiri.


Seorang yang bijak ada berkata : ada hal yang merupakan kebaikan. Namun ada 4 hal lebih baik iaitu :



Sifat pemalu kepada lelaki itu baik, tapi sifat pemalu pada perempuan itu lebih baik.
Sifat adil pada setiap orang itu baik, tapi sifat adil pada seorang pemimpin itu lebih baik.
Taubat pada orang tua itu baik, tapi taubat pada orang muda itu lebih baik.
Pemurah orang kaya itu baik, tapi pemurah pada orang miskin itu lebih baik.

Adab-Adab Makan

Adab-Adab Makan

Nabi saw tlh bersabda: “Hendaklah membaca Bismillah, mkn dgn tgn kanan & ambil makanan yg berhampiran. (Al-Bukhori)

Jgn mkn seorg pun dr kamu dgn tgn kiri begitu juga jgn minum dgnnya krn sesungguhnya syaitan mkn & minum dgn tgn kiri. (Muslim)

Jgn bersandar semasa mkn. (Al-Bukhori)

Jgn minum dr bekas emas & perak begitu juga jgn mkn dr talam dr keduanya. (Al-Bukhori)

Sesungguhnya syaitan menumpang mkn makanan yg tidak dibacakan Bismillan. (Muslim)

Jk terjatuh sebutir makanan hendaklah mengambilnya kembali serta membuang brg apa yg boleh menyakitkan & memakannya.

Jgn tinggalkanya utk syaitan.

Jgn sapu tgn dgn sapu tgn sehinggahlah menyisip jari-jemarinya krn sesungguhnya ia tidak mengetahui makanan yg manakah mengandungi berkat. (Muslim)

Makanan seorg mencukupi utk 2 org, makanan utk 2 org mencukupi utk 4 org & makanan 4 org mencukupi utk 8 org. (Muslim)

Sesungguhnya berkat turun di tgh-tgh makanan maka mknlah dr bahagian tepinya & jgnlah mkn dr bahagian tghnya. (At-Tirmidzi hadith hassab sohih)

Adalah diriwayatkan dord Abu Huroiroh ra katanya: “Nabi saw tidak mencerca makanan jk ia ingin akan mkn sebaliknya jk tidak ia akan meninggalkannya. (Al-Bukhori)

Asma binti Abu Bakar ra apabila beliau masak ia akn menutup makanan tersebut hingga hilang wapnya & berkata: “Sesungguhnya aku tlh mendgr Rasulullah saw bersabda maksudnya ianya lebih membawa berkat.” (Hakim)

Melincinkan Talam

Berkata Anas ra sesungguhnya Rasulullah saw menyuruh melicinkan talam & bersabda maksudnya: “Sesungguhnya kamu tidak mengetahui did lm makanan kamu yg manakah mengandungi berkat.” (Muslim)

Makan Atas Safrah

Berkata Anas ra, bhw Nabi saw tidak menjamah makanan di atas pingan, tidak juga makan roti yg lembut. (Yunus salah seorg perawi)

Akupun bertanya kpd Qatadah: (yg meriwayatkan dr Anas) “Di atas apakah baginda mkn?” Jwb Qatadah: “ Di atas safrah (kain atas hidangan).”
(Al-Bukhori)

Tidak Perlu Membaharui Wudhu’ Utk Solat Selepas Makan

Diriwayatkan oleh Saweed bun Nikman ra sesungguhnya tlh diberi kpd Nabi saw tepung kemudian baginda memerintahkannya supaya dimasakkan roti dgn kuah maka kamipun mkn bersama dgn Rasulluah saw. Kemudian kmai pun bangun utk solat maghrib. Baginda berkumur & kami pun berkumur-kumur lantas mendirkan solat tanpa mengambil wudhu’. Mkasudnya, tanpa memperbaharui wudhu’. (Al-Bukhori)

Cara Duduk

Tlh berkata Anas bin Malik ra: “Sesungguhnya aku tlh melihat Nabi saw dudk di atas tapak kaki dgn menegakkan betisnya sambil memkn tamar.” (Muslim)

Makan Berjemaah

Shbt-shbt tlh berkata kpd Rasulullah saw: “Ya Rasulullah kami mkn tapi tidak juga kenyang.” Sabda Rasulullah: “ Seolah-olah kamu mkn berasingan.” Mereka berjwb: “Sememangnya ya Rasulullah!” Maka Rasullah saw bersabda: “Berjemaahlah did lm menikmati makanan kamu & sebutlah nama Allah krnnya akan diberkati utkmu didlmnya. (Abu Daud diriwayatkan olrh Ibnu Majah dr Umar bin Al-Khottob ra katanya: “Mknlah berjemaah krn berkat itu bersama jemaah.")

Mengunyah & Menelan Segara Apa Ada Di Dalam Mulut

Drpd Abu Huroiroh ra sesungguhnya Nabi saw tlh bersabda maksudnya: “Brg siapa yg mkn tanpa mengunyahnya terus menelan, tidak akan menghabiskan makanan di dlm mulutnya lantas berckp-ckp, oleh krn itu brg siapa yg berbuat demikian (mengunyah & menghabiskan sisa makanan di dlm mulut) adalah lebih baik tetapi jk sebaliknya tidaklah berdosa.” (Dikeluarkan oleh Al-Hakim di dlm Al-Mustadrak isnadnya Sohih)

Adab Makan Di Rumah Orang

Drpd Ibnu Umar ra katanya: “Rasulullah saw tlh bersabda maksudnya: “Apabila hidangan tlh disajikan jgna=lah seorg pun bangun segingga sajian itu diangkat, jgnlah mengangkattgnnya sekiranya sudah kenyang sehingga kesemuanya habis dimkn & menjadi alas an utk meminta diri, krn sesungguhnya ia akan memalukan tuanpunya makanan, oleh itu hendaklah ia menggenggam tgnnya seolah-olah ia masih berhajat lagi kpd makanan tersebut.” (Diriwayatkan oleh Ibnu Majah & Al-Baihaqi did lm cabang iman)

Drpd Abu Huroiroh ra sesungguhnya Rasulullah saw tlh bersabda maksudnya: “Jkn terjatuh lalat di dlm makanan kamu hendaklah membenamkan keseluruhan tubuhnya krn sesungguhnya pd salah 1 kapaknya adalah penawar & yg lain racun.” (Al-Bukhori)

Memuliakan Tetamu & Apa Yang Halal Untuknya

Al-Bukhori meriwayatkan drpd Anu Syarih Al-Ka’by sesungguhnya Rasulullah saw tlh bersabda maksudnya “Brg siapa yg beriman kpd Allah & hari kemudian maka hendaklah dia memuliakan tetamunya. Bahagian isitimewanya 1 mlm 1 hari (yg pertama). Memberi makanan itu sebyk 3 hari kemudian selebih dr itu sedekah. Tidak halal bagi seorg muslim tinggal dgn saudaranya sehingga menyusahkannya.”

Mengeratkan Kejiranan Di Dalam Masakan

Diriwaytakan oleh Muslim drpd Abu Dzar ra katanya: Rasulullah saw tlh bersabda maksudnya: “Apabila kamu memasak kuah hendaklah melebihkan airnya utk mengeratkan kejiranan kamu.”

Ia bermaksud supaya menambahkan makanan, dgnnya akan memelihara hak-hak kejiranan.
Diriwayatkan oleh Al-Bukhori drpd Abu Huroiroh ra katanya Rasulullah saw tlh bersabda maksudnya: “Wahai kaum muslimah hadiahkanlah utk jiranmu walaupun tulang kambing yg mempunyai sedikit daging.”

Al-Bukhori meriwayatkan drpd Aisyah r.anha sesungguhnya beliau tlh berkata kpd Rasulullah: “Ya Rasulullah aku mempunyai 2 org jiran lantaran itu kpd siapakah di antara keduanya ku berikan hadiah?” Jwb Rasulullah saw; “Kpd yg paling hampir pintunya (rumahnya) kpd kamu.”