I Know What You Did On Millist?

Dalam kamus psikulogi, Dictionary of Beahavior Science menyebutkan ada enam pengertian dari komunikasi itu. Dan dari salah satu pengertiannya itu, adalah penyampaian atau penerimaan signal atau pesan oleh organisme. Karena itu dengan komunikasi kita membentuk saling pengertian dan menumbuhkan persahabatan, memelihara kasih sayang, menyebarkan pengetahuan dan melestarikan peradaban. Tetapi dengan komunikasi kita juga bisa menyuburkan perpecahan, menghidupkan permusuhan, menanam kebencian, mencintai kemajuan dan menghambat pemikiran.

Sehingga begitu sangat pentingnya, begitu meluas dan begitu akrab komunikasi dengan diri kita sehingga kita semua merasa pula lagi mempelajari komunikasi. Halnya pun dengan media yang bernama millist yang saat ini lagi marak di dunia maya ini. Millist menurut kacamata minus saya (maklum karena sampai saat ini saya masih berkacamata minus). Adalah sebuah wadah forum interaksi di dunia maya. Dimana kita saling berbagi, curhat (baca:curhatan hati) sesama user millist, dan saling berbagi informasi kepada khalayak pada umumnya pengguna millist. Sehingga akan terjadi saling interaksi sesama pengguna media tersebut. Lalu bagaimana jika terjadi hal yang tidak diinginkan bahkan sampai mengharukan hingga hal pencemaran nama baik dalam wadah media interaksi dunia maya itu—yang sering kita sebut millist itu bila terjadi? Hmm…menurut saya hal ini mengingatkan saya pada seorang ibu rumah tangga beranak dua anak itu. Prita Mulyasari, begitu nama ibu muda dua anak itu—yang namanya sempat membuat heboh diberbagai media massa. Entah, di media massa, surat kabar maupun di televisi.

Bukan! Bukan! Bukan itu yang menghebohkan namanya. Bukan karena kecantikannya, bukan karena prestasinya apalagi bukan karena ia seorang pejabat yang tersangkut korupsi. Bukan itu yang menyebabkan kehebohan seorang Prita Mulyasari diberbagai media massa.

Hanya karena sebuah keluhannya ketika ia dirawat di salah satu Rumah Sakit berkapasitas International. Surat atau tulisan yang semula hanya ditujukan ke beberapa temannya itu ternyata beredar ke pelbagai millist dan di dunia maya, internet dan—diketahui oleh pihak manajemen Rumah Sakit itu. Sehingga sempat ditahan di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Wanita Tangerang sebagai tersangka kasus pencemaran nama baik Rumah Sakit berskala Internasional itu. OMG (baca: o-em-ji!) hingga membuat jantung saya sampai lompat.

Sebegitunyakah? Hanya karena sebuah keluhan atau sebuah uneg-uneg seorang ibu muda beranak dua ketika ia di rawat di sebuah Rumah Sakit. Sehingga ia divonis terbukti melanggar Pasal 27 ayat 3 Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik, yang isinya, “Setiap orang dengan sengaja dan tanpa hak mendistribusikan dan/atau mentransmisikan dan/atau membuat dapat diaksesnya informasi elektronik dan/atau dokumen elektronik yang memiliki muatan penghinaan dan/atau pencemaran nama baik.” Sungguh saya yang melihat membaca dan melihat diberbagai media tentang berita itu saya sempat terharu. Bahkan mata saya sempat berkaca-kaca.

Terus terang saya ketika melihat dan membaca berita itu merasa prihatin dan bersimpati. Saya rasa hal itu tak pernah terjadi dan tak layak terkena saksi hukuman seberat itu, hingga sampai masuk penjara.

Tapi dengan ada hal itu mungkin kita sebagai yang bergelut di dunia maya. Entah, baik yang menggunakan jejaringan sosial Facebook (baca: FB), berbagai blogg (Multiply, Bloggspot, Word Press, My Space dll) maupun media millist terutama. Kita sebagai pengguna media tersebut seharusnya perlu mengontrol diri, intropeksi diri dan menjadikan hikmah untuk kita semua, khususnya saya pribadi. Janganlah peristiwa yang dialami seorang Prita Prita Mulyasari bisa menimpa siapa saja, kita, Anda semua maupun saya khususnya yang suka sekali berselancar di dunia maya. Entah, FB, berbagai blogg maupun millits. Karena saya adalah seorang penulis dan mahasiswa yang kapan saja membutuhkan berita dan informasi di dunia maya itu. Mungkin kita juga mesti semakin hati-hati. Apalagi ketika menggunakan media dunia maya itu. Entah, Facebook (baca: FB), berbagai blogg (Multiply, Bloggspot, Word Press, My Space dll) maupun media millist terutama Karena musuh di luar sana semakin pintar. Kita juga harus semakin cerdik.

Ya, saya jadi ingat apa kata almarhum bapak saya ketika masih menginjak bangku SD. Suatu hari saat saya sedang menonton televisi di ruang tamu bersama-sama dengan beliau. Bapak saya itu bilang,” Ingat kamu, Yan, dalam hidup tidak semua orang menyukai diri kita. Mungkin suatu hari nanti kita akan mengalaminya. Entah, itu dikhianati rekan kerja, rekan bisinis maupun sahabat sendiri. Untuk itu jadilah orang yang pintar bergaul dalam memilih kawan. Biar dikata kuper yang penting asal kita selamat dan tidak merugikan orang lain itu lebih baik.” Begitu katanya kepada saya. Dan perkataan itu pun sekarang masih hinggap di benak saya hingga sekarang.

Pun pula pepatah bijak mengatakanjuga. Dalamnya laut bisa diukur. Namun dalamnya hati (manusia) siapa yang tahu. Rambut boleh sama hitam tetapi hati belum tentu sama. Begitu pun pendapat tentang kita saling berbagi, curhat (baca:curhatan hati) sesama user millist, dan saling berbagi informasi kepada khalayak pada umumnya pengguna millist. Kita juga harus mempunyai tata etika ber-informasi dan transaksi elektronik. Alih-alih jika kita tidak mempunyai atau tidak mentaati hal untuk menyampaikan informasi dan saling berbagi kita sepatutnya harus mawas diri dan berhati-hati ketika curhat, berkeluh kesah, menyampaikan informasi dan juga memberi saran atau balasan di setiap e-mail yang bertaburan di berbagai millist.

Saling menghargai dan menghormati itulah yang harus kita pegang selaku pengguna millist khususnya. Apalagi hal ini pernah saya alami kita saya bernaung dan berdiam di sebuah salah satu millits yang saya sendiri menjadi anggota aktif di millist itu. Dimana saya bias saling berbagi, curhat (baca:curhatan hati) sesama user millist, dan saling berbagi informasi kepada khalayak pada umumnya pengguna millist itu.

Hingga suatu hari ada salah satu dari anggota millits yang saya diami itu terjadi suatu konfilk yang membuat semua pengguna millist tersebut merasa tidak nyaman. Konflik itu terjadi ketika salah oknum anggota millist tersebut menyinggung dan menyindir salah satu anggota millist lainnya dalam satu media tersebut. Dan bukan itu saja ternyata itu sudah menyangkut mencemarkan nama baik seorang dan juga keyakinan sesorang untuk berekspresi. Saya yang memebaca dan melihatnya itu hanya mampu bersimpati dan menyayangkan hal itu terjadi. Karena, noda setitik susu rusak sebelang. Seperti itulah akhirnya terjadi. Saling jadi ajang perang argumentasi dan alasan. Mencari siapa yang benar dan siapa yang salah. Benar-benar sungguh disesalkan.

Memang hal ini tak seheboh kasus seorang Prita Mulyasari yang sempat ditahan di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Wanita Tangerang sebagai tersangka kasus pencemaran nama baik disalah satu Rumah Sakit berskala Internasional. Hmm…benar-benar membuat saya harus berpikir ulang beribu kali jika saya sudah berselancar atau berinteraksi dunia maya khususnya di media maya bernama millist. Apalagi ketika saya sedang curhat, berkeluh kesah, menyampaikan informasi dan juga memberi saran atau balasan di setiap e-mail yang bertaburan di berbagai millist yang saya ikuti sekarang ini. Atau, mungkin yang harus saya lakukan hanya berdiam diri saja? Atau, saya harus membaca lebih dahulu sebelum membaca setiap e-mail yang masuk di inbox pribadi saya? Mencermati lebih dahulu lalu memberi pesan dan kesan yang baik agar tidak terjadi hal yang dinginkan? Entahlah, tetapi kita sebagai seorang yang makhluk sosial tentunya sudah mengetahui hal ini. Kita hidup di negeri tercinta ini bukan hanya kita sendiri yang berpijak dan hidup tetapi jutaan jiwa manusia di bumi Indionesia ini. Baik dari suku, agama sampai adat istidat. Tentunya saling menghargai dan menghormati itu perlu dilakukan. Apalagi bagi selaku pengguna millist khususnya. Tentu hal itu harus dipraktekan dan diperhatikan!

Lalu, bagaimana dengan Anda sendiri saat ketika menggunakan media dunia maya itu. Entah, Facebook (baca: FB), berbagai blogg (Multiply, Bloggspot, Word Press, My Space dll) maupun media millist terutama. Apakah Anda sudah melakukan hal itu semua seperti apa yang saya ungkapkan di atas? I Know What You Did On Millist!

Tanah Betawi, Ulujami, Akhir Agutus, 2010


Teruntuk negeri Indonesia berbagai etnis di negeri ini. Mari bersatu padu! Merdeka!

Biodata Penulis
Fiyan Arjun. Mencintai buku dan dunia tulis-menulis sejak SMEA. Sekarang masih menyadang mahasiswa Bina Sarana Informatika (BSI) Jurusan Manajemen Informatika dan aktif di komunitas penulisan FLP Jakarta sampai sekarang disamping itu juga mengajar ekskul di sebuah Sekolah Dasar Islam. Alumni Profec Author Club (PAC) Angkatan 2. Tulisannya beberapa kali pernah dipublikasi di majalah Sabili, Al-Mujtama, Annida, Tarbawi, Majalah Anak Aku Anak Saleh, Kabarindonesia.com. Eramuslim.com, Kotasantri.com dan Seputar Indonesia serta tulisan berbentuk Citizen Jurnalism beberapa kali dipublish di Republika Minggu. Dan peraih juara harapan tiga dalam rangka Lomba Menulis Surat Cinta di media On-line Kabarindonesia.com tahun 2008 dan masuk menjadi finalis dalam rangka Lomba Menulis Inspiratif tentang Matamu Ceritamu di tabloid Wanita Indonesia sebagai juri utama Dewi ‘Dee’ Lestari tahun 2006. Lomba Penulisan Artikel Kartini Di Mata SuperMoms harapan Satu di www.Supermoms.com Tulisan non fiksinya terdapat dalam buku “Bela Diri for Muslimah: Siapa Bilang Perempuan Lemah” (FLP Publishing 2009), termaktub di dalam Antologi Puisi G30S, Gempa Padang 2009 (Kuflet Publishing 2010), buku Lovely Ramadhan (Indie Publishing 2010), buku "Islam Mengajarkan Tradisi Menulis"—yang akan segera terbit.
Email: fiyanarjun@gmail.com. FB: bujangkumbang@yahoo.co.id. Blogg: www.sebuahrislah.multiply.com.

Ingin kenal lebih lanjut klik link dibawah ini:

http://www.annida-online.com/berita-penulis/fiyan-arjun-segera-luncurkan-buku-tunggal-pertama-1284048503.htm

Fitnah Pemerintahan Erdogan, Militer Turki Bakar Masjid di Cyprus

Seorang Pensiunan Jenderal Turki, Sabri Yirmioglu, yang juga mantan komandan khusus perang secara mengejutkan mengatakan jika militer Turki pernah dengan sengaja membakar sebuah masjid di Cyprus dengan tujuan mengkambing hitamkan pemerintahan Recep Tayyep Erdogan.

Pernyataan Yirmioglu tersebut dimuat dalam surat kabar Turki Haber Turk yang segera menuai kontroversi. Namun, setelah pemuatan berita tersebut, Yirmioglu mengingkari pernyataan sendiri. Kontroversi pun semakin memanas setelah pihak Haber Turk menurunkan transkip dan mengupload audio wawancara dengan Yirmioglu dalam portalnya.

Yirmioglu mengayakan, pihaknya telah melakukan serangkaian operasi intelejen untuk menjatuhkan pamor pemerintahan Erdogan, yang beberapa kebijakannya dipandang "membahayakan" eksistensi dan pengaruh militer Turki. Salah satu operasi tersebut adalah dengan membakar masjid.

Pihak militer Turki dikenal sebagai penjaga gawang sekulerisme dan kemalisme di Turki, yang kini beroposisi dengan pemerintahan AKP dan PM Recep Tayyep Erdogan yang berideologi Islam moderat.

Sementara itu, mantan panglima tertinggi militer Turk Elkler Basbug menampik pernyataan rekannya. Basbug mengatakan, bagaimana mungkin tentara Turki memiliki niatan untuk membakar dan meledakkan rumah Allah. (ags/hrt)

Einstein Ternyata Seorang Syi'ah?

Kantor berita Iran IRIB (24/9) baru-baru ini melansir sebuah berita yang menyatakan bahwa ilmuwan Albert Einstein adalah seorang penganut Syiah. Irib mengutip sebuah surat rahasia Albert Einstein, ilmuan Jerman penemu teori relatifitas itu, yang menunjukkan bahwa dirinya adalah penganut madzhab Islam tersebut.
Berdasarkan laporan situs Mouood.org, Einstein pada tahun 1954 dalam suratnya kepada Ayatollah Al-Udzma Sayid Hossein Boroujerdi, marji besar Syiah kala itu, menyatakan, "Setelah 40 kali menjalin kontak surat-menyurat dengan Anda (Ayatollah Boroujerdi), kini saya menerima agama Islam dan mazhab Syiah 12 Imam".

Einstein dalam suratnya itu menjelaskan bahwa Islam lebih utama ketimbang seluruh agama-agama lain dan menyebutnya sebagai agama yang paling sempurna dan rasional. Ditegaskannya, "Jika seluruh dunia berusaha membuat saya kecewa terhadap keyakinan suci ini, niscaya mereka tidak akan mampu melakukannya walau hanya dengan membersitkan setitik keraguan kepada saya".

Einstein dalam makalah terakhirnya bertajuk Die Erklarung (Deklarasi) yang ditulis pada tahun 1954 di Amerika Serikat dalam bahasa Jerman menelaah teori relatifitas lewat ayat-ayat Al-Quran dan ucapan Imam Ali bin Abi Thalib as dalam kitab Nahjul Balaghah.

Dalam makalahnya itu, Einstein menyebut penjelasan Imam Ali as tentang perjalanan miraj jasmani Rasulullah ke langit dan alam malakut yang hanya dilakukan dalam beberapa detik sebagai penjelasan Imam Ali as yang paling bernilai. (ags/irb)

The Five Pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam are the five duties required of every practicing Muslim. Sunnis believe in the Five Pillars. Shiites do as well, though they add two or three. The Five Pillars, or rukn, in Arabic, are as follows:

Shahada, or Profession of Faith

The most important duty of every Muslim is the recitation of the creed, or profession of faith, in one version or another: There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet. Muslims will also preface the profession with the words, I bear witness that… and favor the word messenger over the more westernized and Judeo-Christian idea of a prophet.

The profession of faith takes its origins from Muhammad’s destruction of all deities and idolatrous objects, including money and luxury, from the Arab pantheon except the “One True God.”

But the profession had an equally significant socio-political implication. Tribes were the most important unit of political and economic power in the Arab world of Muhammad’s time. To be a member of a given tribe, one had to be born into it, or, less likely, to marry into it. To become a member of the Islamic umma, or community, one only had to make the declaration of faith. It was a momentously consequential end-run around old strictures of power and convention, immediately giving Muhammad in particular and Muslims in general a means of increasing their numbers and powers rapidly while shattering old expectations and driscriminations.

Salat, or Prayer

Salat is the Arabic word for prayer. Every Muslim is expected to pray five times a day, always facing Mecca, and by prostrating herself or himself in utter humility. It wasn’t always so: During Muhammad’s time, Muslims initially were required to pray facing Jerusalem, in recognition of the religion of Abraham, and to do so twice a day, then three times a day. When Muhammad decreed the switch to Mecca, following one of his “revelations,” he also decreed the five-times-a-day requirement, though reluctantly so: Muhammad thought the requirement excessive.

Ibn Ishaq, the 7th century Muslim historian and collector of oral traditions about Muhammad that sourced his first biography, tells the story of Muhammad bargaining with God on the number of times Muslims should be required to pray. Initially, according to Ibn Ishaq’s retelling, God told Muhammad that Muslims should pray 50 times a day. On his way down from the throne, Muhammad encountered Moses, who suggested to Muhammad to go back to God and get the number lowered. Muhammad did so, again and again, until the requirement was reduced to five. Muhammad still thought the number too high, but by then he was too ashamed to return to God to ask for one more reduction. Five it would be.

Zakat

Zakat is the Arabic word for charity, or alms-giving. Unlike Jesus Christ, Mohammed never condemned wealth or possessions of this world. He himself had become rather wealthy, working for Khadiga, the wealthy merchant-trader who would become his first wife. Muhammad always respected industriousness and never required individuals to give away their possessions.

Muhammad did, however, oppose hoarding and the amassing of fortunes for fortune’s sake. To counter the impulse, he required Muslims always to set aside a portion of their wealth for the poor—a self-imposed and regular tax on income. Zakat is at the root of Islam’s egalitarian principles, a constant reminder that ostentation is against God’s will.

Sawm, or Siyam—Fasting

Aside from the five-times-daily prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan is the most visible and recognizable of Muslim acts the world over. During the 30-odd days of Ramadan, Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours, drinks included, and abstain from bodily pleasures like sex or other forms of sensual abandon. The focus is on humility, spiritual oneness with God and social oneness with the umma, or Islamic community, across the globe.

Fasting in Islam has its origins in Judaism, Christianity and the pre-Islamic Arab world. Although Ramadan is when Muslims fast most, they may fast voluntarily the rest of the year, or fast three days a month, or six days during the month of Sawwal, which follows the month of Ramadan, or fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Each of these proscriptions is recognized in Islam.

Traditional Muslims may also fast to atone for specific sins, the way Catholics recite rosaries or follow their priest’s instructions to atone. For example, failing to honor an oath or accidentally killing a Muslim may be mitigated by fasting. Sufis, as rigorous in their spiritual exercises as Jesuits, consider fasting part of their religious calisthenics.

Hajj, or Pilgrimage to Mecca

An able-bodied Muslim is expected, at least once, to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Pilgrims prepare by entering the state of Ihram (symbolized by a form of clothing and a humbled demeanor) and converging together, by the throngs, indistinguishable one from the other either by race, creed or social standing, on the Kaaba for the required circumambulations.

Symbolically, the hajj is as much a return to God as a evocation of the return of Muhammad to Mecca as a conqueror—of the city’s “infidels” as well as of the “true faith.” It is a reclaiming of roots, a realization of belonging.

The pilgrimage also includes going to the slops of Mount Arafat, 16 miles outside of Mecca, in recollection of the covenant between God and Adam, and throwing stones at three pillars in Mina, less than three miles east of the city. The ritual represents the stoning of the devil—or, more accurately in Islamic beliefs, the stoning of the shaitan, as the devil is known in Arabic.

Arabs had been making the pilgrimage to Mecca—to the enormous granite Ka’aba, the old shrine at the center of the city—for hundreds, possibly thousands of years before Islam to pay tribute to 360 gods represented inside the Kaaba’s walls. Muhammad destroyed all but two frescoes—that of the Virgin Mary and that of Christ, though eventually even those representations would be banned under Islam’s subsequent prohibition of images. (The prohibition was not endorsed by the Prophet.)

Glossary: Zakat or alms-giving

Definition: Zakat, or alms-giving, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the five duties required of every practicing Muslim.

Zakat is the Arabic word for charity, or alms-giving. Unlike Jesus Christ, Mohammed never condemned wealth or possessions of this world. He himself had become rather wealthy, working for Khadiga, the wealthy merchant-trader who would become his first wife. Muhammad always respected industriousness and never required individuals to give away their possessions.

Muhammad did, however, oppose hoarding and the amassing of fortunes for fortune’s sake. To counter the impulse, he required Muslims always to set aside a portion of their wealth for the poor—a self-imposed and regular tax on income. Zakat is at the root of Islam’s egalitarian principles, a constant reminder that ostentation is against God’s will.

Allahu Akbar

Definition: Although most often translated as "god is great," Allahu Akbar is Arabic for "god is greater," or "god is greatest."

The phrase, known as takbir in Arabic, is expressive of a range of moods and occasions in the Islamic world, from displays of approval and happiness to entreaties or spiritual and at times propagandistic cheerleading during political rallies.

Allahu Akbar is also spoken during salat, the five-times daily prayer, and by muezzin as they chant the call to prayer from their minarets.

The phrase has been tainted by its usage, or rather misuse, by Islamist extremists, salafists and terrorists, including the 9/11 terrorists, several of whom carried copies of a handwritten letters exhorting them to "strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world. Shout, 'Allahu Akbar,' because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers."

The phrase was also used with political undertones in 1978 and 1979, during the Iranian revolution, as Iranians took to their roofs and shouted "Allahu Akbar" in defiance of the shah's regime. Iranians returned to the ritual in the aftermath of the fraudulent presidential election of June 2009.

Common Misspellings: Allah Akbar

How To Perform the Muslim Prayers

Five times each day, Muslims bow down to Allah in prayer. If you are learning how to pray, or are just curious about what Muslims do during prayers, follow along with these general guidelines.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1. Make sure your body and place of prayer are clean. Perform ablutions if necessary. Make the intention to perform your obligatory prayer.
2. Standing, raise hands up and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is Most Great).
3. Standing with hands folded over chest, recite the first chapter of the Qur'an in Arabic. Then recite any other verses of the Qur'an that you would like.
4. Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Bow, reciting three times, "Subhana rabbiyal adheem" (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).
5. Rise to standing while reciting "Sam'i Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You).
6. Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate on the ground, reciting three times "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
7. Rise to a sitting position, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate again in the same manner.
8. Rise to a standing position, saying "Allahu Akbar."
9. This concludes one rak'a (cycle or unit of prayer). Begin again from Step 3 for the second rak'a.
10. After two rak'as, one remains sitting after the prostrations and recites the first part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.
11. If the prayer is to be longer than these two rak'as, one now stands up and begins again to complete the prayer, sitting again after all rak'as have been completed.
12. Recite the second part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.
13. Turn to the right and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (Peace be upon you and God's blessings).
14. Turn to the left and repeat the greeting. This concludes the formal prayer.

Tips:

1. There are five daily prayer timings. Formal prayers can be done during a window of time between the start of one prayer and the start of the following prayer.
2. If Arabic is not your native tongue, learn the meanings in your language while trying to practice the Arabic.
3. Software programs are available that can help you learn the correct positions and Arabic pronunciations. Better yet, pray with other Muslims to learn.

What You Need:

• The heart-felt intention to perform the prayer
• A clean body with correct ablutions
• A clean place to pray
• A prayer rug (optional)

Islamic Prayer Timings

Muslims observe five formal prayers each day. The timings of these prayers are spaced fairly evenly throughout the day, so that one is constantly reminded of God and given opportunities to seek His guidance and forgiveness.

Muslims observe the formal prayers at the following times:

Fajr (pre-dawn): This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.

Dhuhr (noon): After the day's work has begun, one breaks shortly after noon to again remember God and seek His guidance.

'Asr (afternoon): In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.

Maghrib (sunset): Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to come to a close.

'Isha (evening): Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.

In Muslim communities, people are reminded of the daily prayer times through the calling of the adhan. For those in Muslim-minority communities, computerized adhan programs are available.

In ancient times, one merely looked at the sun to determine the various times of day for prayer. In more modern times, daily prayer schedules are often printed which precisely pinpoint the beginning of each prayer time. To determine the prayer times for your area, choose your location from the following Prayer Time tool:

Islamic Prayer Times Around the World

Comparing Christianity and Islam

Christianity and Islam are the largest religions in the world. Thirty-three percent of the world's population are Christian, twenty-one percent Muslim. The world's two largest religions have much in common, but they are also different in some crucial ways. The origins of both religions are fully described in my book, Science and Technology in World History, Vol. 2.

Both Christianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism. From Judaism, Christianity and Islam derived the doctrines of monotheism, prophecy, resurrection, and a belief in the existence of heaven and hell.

Both Islam and Christianity have a holy book. Christians consider the Bible the inspired word of God. But Muslims believe that the Koran is the literal word of God. Mohammed was merely transcribing the words of Allah, much as a court reporter does. Muslims therefore attribute greater spiritual authenticity to the Koran and Islam than to the Bible and Christianity.

In Catholicism, salvation is obtained through the sacraments of the Church, including baptism, penance, and the Eucharist. Most Protestant denominations hold the doctrine that salvation depends solely on faith in Jesus Christ. But in Islam, salvation is through works and is not limited to Muslims.

Christianity is focused on forgiveness, charity, and mercy, with a side dressing of apocalyptic visions, Hell, and the wrath of God. But Islam is centered on justice and the destruction of unbelievers. Allah is merciful -- but not to infidels. The early history of Christianity is one of persecution and martyrdom. Jesus himself submitted to crucifixion. In contrast, Islam was not born in submission and earnest entreaty, but in warfare against the enemies of Allah.

After the Hegira, Mohammed and his followers began a jihad against their pagan enemies in Mecca. At the Battle of Badr in 624 AD, Mohammed's servant found one of his master's enemies lying wounded on the battlefield. He cut off the man's head and presented it to Mohammed as a present. The Prophet was overjoyed. He exclaimed, "The head of the enemy of Allah! It is more acceptable to me than the choicest camel in all Arabia." After the bodies of his foes were cast into a pit, Mohammed stood at the edge of the pit and taunted the dead by asking, "Have you found that what Allah threatened is true?"

Consider how Jesus and Mohammed handled what was essentially the same problem. A woman who had committed adultery was brought before Jesus for judgment. As she had been caught in the very act, there was no question of her guilt. The sentence dictated by Mosaic Law was death by stoning, but Jesus showed mercy. He said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Embarrassed, the woman's accusers dropped their rocks and walked away. Jesus told the woman to go home and repent. But when a man and a woman who had committed adultery (with each other) were brought before Mohammed, he exclaimed, "Stone them," and the pair was executed.

Christians tend to attribute greater spiritual authenticity to Christianity because of its emphasis on mercy and forgiveness. But in fact, the God of the Christians is as unrelenting as Allah in His condemnation of unbelievers. In Luke, Jesus describes how God tortured a rich man in Hell by burning him. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus proclaims that at the Last Judgment, God will send out angels to gather the "children of the wicked one" and "cast them into a furnace of fire."

No faith has an unblemished history of extending charity to the enemies of God. When Christian Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 AD, they massacred the Muslims and Jews. Raymond of Aguilers claimed that "men rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins." This was no doubt an exaggeration, but nevertheless an indication of terrible mayhem. To the atrocities committed under the banner of Christianity we could add the Inquisition, the Witch Mania, and the infamous Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches), first published in 1487 AD.

The roots of Christian charity lie in the ethics advocated by the Hebrew prophets. But the Jews also killed the enemies of God. In the book of Deuteronomy, God gave the Hebrews license to destroy their enemies and plunder their cities. "Thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them."

We know more about Mohammed than Jesus because the latter was recognized during his lifetime as the founder of Islam. Thus, there were contemporary biographies and written records. In contrast, no one recognized Jesus as an important person in his own lifetime. Even as late as fifty years after his death, Jesus remained nearly a complete unknown to the Mediterranean world. Our primary sources for the life and teachings of Jesus are the Gospels. And the Gospels were never intended to be objective historical documents. They were written to proselytize. The author of John explains that "these are written so that you may believe."

In the West, religion is largely treated as a matter of conscience, and there is a tradition of freedom of religion. But Islam is a way of life, not just a personal belief. Individual behavior is specified in the Koran. Gambling and the consumption of both pork and alcohol are forbidden. Slavery is allowed, but slave owners are admonished to treat their servants well. Fornication is punishable by scourging. To allow individual transgressions would undermine the moral fabric that binds Islamic societies together.

Perhaps no aspect of Islam is more misunderstood by Western Christians than its role in government. Jesus began a tradition of divorcing Christianity from secular government by declaring that people should not confuse secular and spiritual obligations. "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Jesus also said, "My kingdom is not of this world."

But there is no tradition of separating government and religion in Islam. Indeed, such a separation would likely strike a Muslim as insane. Government exists to enforce moral rules of behavior, and morality is defined by religion. The two are therefore inexorably intertwined.

Government in Islamic countries is necessarily theocratic. The Koran is a handbook for an entire system of government. In Life of Mahomet, William Muir explains, "Scattered throughout ... [the Koran are] ... the archives of a theocratic government in all its departments ... The elements of a code both criminal and civil are ... introduced. Punishments for certain offences are specified, and a mass of legislation laid down for the tutelage of orphans, for marriage, divorce, sales, bargains, wills, evidence, usury and similar concerns."

Westerners seem oblivious to the fact that not everyone in the world believes in the superiority of democratic government. The Greek system of democracy is foreign to Islam. Muslims no more appreciate having a democratic government forced upon them than Westerners would like being forced to live under an Islamic theocracy.

Women have an inferior status in both Christianity and Islam. Genesis states that God first created Adam. Eve was sort of an afterthought, manufactured purely to be a helper and companion for the man, Adam. And it was the scheming Eve who created original sin by talking the guileless Adam into eating the forbidden fruit. St. Paul forbade women to speak in church and instructed them to submit to their husbands. According to Paul, the man was not "created for the woman; but the woman for the man."

In Sura 4, the Koran plainly states that "men are superior to women." Women are instructed to dress modestly. A "virtuous" woman is one who is "obedient." If she is not obedient, her husband is allowed to scourge her. But the husband is admonished not to punish a virtuous woman.

God does not speak to me, so I cannot make any substantive comment on the degree to which any religion may be correct or incorrect. However, no matter what our personal beliefs are, it is important that we recognize the significant differences between Christianity and Islam.

HUKUM ISLAM YANG UNIVERSAL

Islam tidak hanya mengajarkan halal itu baik, misalnya dalam dunia kesehatan, orang mengkonsumsi tempe itu halal, baik dan sehat, atau mengatakan haram itu buruk, seperti mengkonsumsi bangkai itu haram, buruk dan menyebabkan timbulnya penyakit, demikian dan seterusnya.

Tapi lebih dari itu, Islam itu juga mengajarkan akhlaq dan sopan santun, baik itu kepada sesama manusia, lebih-lebih sopan santun kepada Allah dan Rasul-Nya.

Islam juga mengenal hukum makruh, yang jika ditinjau dari segi definisi umum, adalah sesuatu yang jika dikerjakan tidak mendapat dosa, tetapi jika ditinggalkan dengan sengaja maka mendapat pahala.

Namun, jika ditinjau dari sisi bahasa, arti makruh adalah Assyaiul ladzii karihahus syaari`, sesuatu yang dibenci oleh Syaari`, yaitu Allah dan Rasul-Nya.

Mengkonsumsi bawang merah dan bawang putih itu, menurut ilmu kedokteran banyak manfaat bagi kesehatan tubuh manusia, dan tidak pernah diharamkan oleh syariat. Tetapi, Nabi SAW menghindarkan diri dari mengkonsumsi bawang, bukan karena Beliau SAW mengharamkannya bagi diri sendiri dan bagi umat, namun Beliau SAW menyatakan yang kurang lebih artinya: Tidak layak orang yang ahli ibadah seperti diriku ini, mengkonsumsi bawang (yang menyebabkan bau mulut tidak sedap) sehingga mengganggu munajatku kepada Allah.

Sebagian para ulama mengharamkan permainan catur, bukan karena dianggap judi, sekalipun sebagaimana catur itu termasuk salah satu alat judi bagi kalangan tertentu, tetapi mereka mengharamkan permainan catur karena menghormati lafadz hadits Nabi SAW.

Bahkan sebagian ulama mengharamkan bermacam macam bentuk permainan masyarakat dengan pertimbangan permainan-permainan itu seringkali dapat memalingkan hati umat Islam dari `ingat` dan beribadah kepada Allah. Seperti tatkala Imam Ghazali yang mengharamkan aaltul malaahi (alat-alat musik) dengan berbagai argumentasi dalil syar`i yang dapat dibaca dalam kitab Ihya Ulumuddin.

Demikianlah standarisasi di kalangan ulama salaf. Sampai-sampai ada ulama yang mengharamkan mengkonsumsi binatang marmut, hanya karena nama dalam bahasa Arab adalah Fa\`run Hindi (tikus India), padahal sifat marmut lebih dekat dengan sifat kelinci yang halal daging. Begitulah cara para ulama dengan sangat berhati-hatinya dalam `meng-eman` dan menjaga umat Islam, agar kelak tidak terjerumus ke dalam neraka Jahannam.

Para Ulama NU dan MUI juga mengharamkan infotaiment bukan dengan cara acak-acakan saat mengeluarkan fatwa. Tapi mereka mempertimbangkan banyak hal yang tentunya dimengerti oleh umat Islam yang menghendaki kemaslahatan akhirat lebih diutamakan dari pada sekedar memenuhi hasrat nasfu manusiawi.

Innan nafsa la ammaaratun bis suu-i, sesungguhnya nafsu manusia itu selalu mendorong kepada arah yang negatif (dalam bahasa Alquran : perbuatan buruk).

Imam Ghazali saat mengharamkan aalatul malaahi, juga bukan kapasitasnya sebagai guru pesanren, tetapi beliau berfatwa sebagai guru umat di seluruh dunia Islam, tanpa pandang bulu, baik itu untuk santri, mahasiswa, masyarakat awam, bahkan untuk para ulama yang hidup setelahnya.

Jika saja Imam Ghazali sempat menengok acara infotaiment Indonesia yang difatwa haram oleh NU dan MUI karena namanya infotaiment yang identik dengan tayangan ghibah dan namimah, dan karena banyak presenternya yang tidak mempertimabangkan hukum ikhtilaath, campuraduk antar lelaki dan perempuan, tidak mempertimbangkan penutupan aurat khususnya kalangan presenter perempuan, maupun selebritis yang ditampilkan. Kira-kira apa yang akan dicetuskan oleh Imam Ghazali dalam menyikapi hukum infotaiment Indonesia ini ?

Bahkan dampak negatif akhir-akhir ini dengan maraknya terjadi pemerkosaan di kalangan remaja dan hubungan seks di luar nikah antar remaja, disinyalir adalah dampak ditanyangkannya video porno Ariel, Luna Maya dan Cut Tari oleh sejumlah acara infotaiment di beberapa stasiun TV.

Realita semacam ini telah ditayangkan oleh siaran berita di beberapa stasiun TV Indonesia, dengan disertai oleh pengakuan para pelakunya.

Nah, kalau urusan yang makruh namun menyehatkan saja, Nabi SAW jauh-jauh menghindar darinya, lantas bagaimana dengan wadah kemaksiatan yang diberi nama infotaiment ?

Mudah-mudahan umat Islam dapat lebih berhati-hati dalam menentukan pilihan hidup. Di akherat kelak pasti tidak mengenal dikotomi santri, mahasiswa, awam, para pengajar, dan sebagainya. Tapi semua orang pasti akan mendapatkan porsi yang sama dalam mempertanggungjawabkan keyakinannya, perkataannya dan amaliyahnya di hadapan Allah Sang Juru Pengadil Yang Hakiki.

Penyusuan yang Sempurna: Antara Sains dan Alquran

Baru-baru ini, para ilmuwan menemukan bahwa makanan sempurna untuk bayi adalah air susu ibu, dan bahwa memberi makan tidak akan lengkap tanpa ibu menyusui bayinya selama dua tahun. Itulah yang dilaporkan Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia di awal abad 20. Sesuatu yang telah dikatakan Al-Qur’an empat belas abad yang lalu.

Para dokter berpikir menyusui bayi hanya hanya memberi dampak psikologis hubungan dengan ibunya dan tidak ada manfaat lebih jauh. Tetapi setelah melakukan riset selama setengah abad, manfaat besar lainnya untuk menyusui mulai muncul, bahkan dewasa ini para ilmuwan menemukan manfaat baru dari susu ibu. Kekebalan tubuh yang disebut imunoglobulin ditemukan pada susu ibu pada awalnya. Ia memberikan kekebalan tubuh terhadap berbagai bakteri dan virus. Bahkan para ilmuwan menemukan bahwa jumlah bakteri dalam usus bayi yang diberi susu sapi adalah sepuluh kali lipat lebih banyak daripada yang ada dalam usus bayi yang diberi susu ibu.

Keuntungan Bagi Anak:

Kekebalan tubuh "imunoglobulin" membantu bayi selama tiga bulan pertama untuk melindungi tubuh dari serangan kuman terus-menerus, bahkan membantunya untuk membentuk dan memperkuat sistem kekebalan sendiri. Apalagi beberapa penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sistem kekebalan bayi tumbuh lebih cepat ketika ia diberi susu ibu. Susu ibu juga mengandung unsur kekebalan yang disebut "mucins" yang mengandung banyak protein dan karbohidrat. Zat ini mengikuti bakteri dan virus dan sepenuhnya menghilangkan mereka dari tubuh tanpa efek samping, berbeda dengan obat-obatan kimia.

Susu ibu juga memberikan stabilitas psikologis bayi, membantu tidur dan tenang, ia bekerja sebagai analgesik alamiah terbaik bagi bayi. ASI melindungi bayi dari alergi. Bahaya gizi pada susu sapi, misalnya, hal itu meningkatkan kemungkinan serangan kanker delapan kali lipat.

Keuntungan Bagi Ibu

Banyak studi yang dilakukan di tiga puluh negara menunjukkan ibu yang menyusui bayinya kurang terkena kanker payudara.

Rahim melebar dua puluh kali selama kehamilan dan melahirkan. Penelitian menunjukkan menyusui bermanfaat untuk membantu rahim kembali ke ukuran normal. Sebaliknya ibu yang tidak menyusui bayinya ukuran rahimnya tetap lebih dari batas normal. Selain itu, menyusui juga melindungi dari kanker rahim.

Penyusuan alami membantu ibu untuk mengurangi berat badannya dan melindungi dirinya dari kegemukan. Bahkan ia juga bekerja sebagai analgesik alami rasa sakit bagi ibu juga. Penyusuan alami juga membantu ibu dan anak untuk tidur nyenyak.

Manfaat Bagi Masyarakat

Penyusuan alami tidak mahal sebaliknya buatan menyusu. Kita mungkin terkejut ketika kita tahu bahwa American Academy for Pediatric menekankan jika Amerika Serikat mengikuti cara menyusu alami itu akan menghemat 3600 juta dolar per tahun.

Penyusuan alami juga berdampak positif pada lingkungan, karena polusi terjadi akibat proses manufaktur, pengeringan susu botol susu sapi, dan sampah yang dihasilkan dari penggunaan susu dan botol.

Periode Ideal Untuk Menyusui

Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia dan Organisasi UNISAF melakukan banyak penelitian pada bayi, dan mendapat hasil dari penelitian ini bahwa periode yang ideal adalah dua tahun. Karena selama dua tahun pertama bayi memiliki kebutuhan mendesak terhadap susu steril seperti susu ibu, sebagai sistem kekebalan agar ia dapat menghadapi setiap kemungkinan penyakit sebelum dua tahun usianya.

Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia menyelenggarakan konferensi berjudul "Makanan Pendamping ASI" pada tahun 2001 dengan kesimpulan sebagai berikut:

Dua tahun pertama dari kehidupan bayi adalah jendela kritis di mana fondasi untuk pertumbuhan dan perkembangan yang sehat dibangun. Menyusui bayi merupakan inti perawatan dalam periode ini.

Selain itu, dalam kesimpulan dari konferensi, periode ideal untuk menyusui adalah dua tahun, karena ada kebutuhan mendesak bagi bayi terhadap kekebalan tubuh untuk mengembangkan sistem kekebalan selama periode ini. ia tidak dapat menemukannya selain dalam susu ibu.

Dokter menekankan bahwa semua jenis makanan tidak bisa cukup bagi bayi selama dua tahun pertama usia bayi, karena bayi menghalami banyak faktor yang mengakibatkan banyak penyakit. Sehingga dua tahun pertama merupakan masa kritis dan sensitif untuk bayi di mana kita harus bergantung pada susu ibu untuk menghindari bahaya ini.

Langkah-Langkah Mengatasi Masalah

Bila ada masalah sibuklah memeriksa diri, dosa apa yang mengundang datangnya masalah tersebut. Jangan lebih sibuk dengan kemampuan diri dan orang lain. Dan berpikirlah bagaimana caranya agar Allah senantiasa menolong kita. Allah mengetahui persis bagaimana kita berjuang untuk taubat dan tawakal, dan pertolongan Allah tidak harus dari apa yang kita duga, seperti Siti Hajar yang mendapatkan zam-zam bukan dari tempat pencariannya bolak balik antara sofa dan marwah, tapi justru dari tempat lain yang tidak terduga. Yang terpenting adalah bagaimana kita yakin kepada pertolongan Allah, dan keyakinan itu seiring dengan kebersihan hati.

Sesungguhnya beruntunglah orang yang membersihkan diri (dengan beriman). (QS Al-A’Laa : 14)

Kejadian apa saja semestinya membuat kita taubat dan mendekat kepada Allah. Kalau hati sudah yakin, maka hati akan mantap; tapi kalau belum yakin, maka hati akan bingung.

Islam itu diturunkan agar kita yakin kepada Allah. Sehebat apa pun ilmu Islam yang dimiliki, namun jika tidak yakin kepada Allah, maka perlu dipertanyakan bahwa ilmunya itu untuk apa? Sehebat apapun ibadah, lalu ia tidak kenal kepada Allah, maka perlu dipertanyakan motivasi ibadah itu untuk apa dan siapa? Harusnya ilmu itu bisa membersihkan hati, dan ibadah itu bisa makin menambah keyakinan. Bila tidak, maka taubatnya belum benar. Semua itu bisa jadi ia lakukan karena ingin dipuji oleh orang lain atau ia menuhankan makhluk.

Adapun langkah-langkah yang bisa kita jalankan dalam mengatasi masalah yang tengah dihadapi di antaranya adalah :

1. Evaluasi diri sendiri Masalah yang terjadi sebenarnya bersumber dari diri sendiri. Jangan terbiasa menyalahkan orang lain atas masalah yang menimpa diri sendiri. Tanyakan pada diri, apa yang telah diperbuat atau kesalahan (dosa) apa yang dilakukan sehingga kejadian buruk menimpa kita. Dengan begitu, setiap orang akan termotivasi memperbaiki kekurangan yang ada dalam dirinya. Apabila belum diketemukan, bertaubatlah dan minta ampunlah kepada Allah, Allah-lah yang aka membimbing kita menemukan apa yang kita cari tersebut.

2. Ridho menerima. Jika hati ridho menerima, keadaan seburuk apapun tidak akan merusakkan hati. Sebaliknya, sikap menolak kenyataan atau tidak ikhlas malah akan menambah beban stres. Menerima kenyataan atau tidak, tetap saja hal itu sudah terjadi. Maka, sebaiknya ridho menerimanya.

"Boleh jadi kamu sangat tidak menyukai peristiwa yang menimpa diri kamu, padahal itu sangat baik sekali bagimu. Boleh jadi sesuatu itu yang sangat kamu sukai, padahal sesuatu itu yang sangat tidak baik bagi kamu. Hanya Allah-lah Yang Maha Mengetahui, kalian tidak tahu apa-apa." (QS Al-Baqarah : 216)

Ridho bukanlah pelarian atas kejadian yang menimpa, jangan lantas bersembunyi di balik sikap ini ketika ada masalah menghampiri. Ridho bukan berarti berpasrah tanpa ikhtiar.

Ridho adalah awal dari solusi. Sebuah permisalan adalah apabila nasi telah menjadi bubur, yang pertama kali harus kita lakukan adalah ridho, dilanjutkan dengan mencari cakue, kacang polong, ayam dan bawang goreng. Jadikan bubur ayam spesial. Baru setelah itu kita evaluasi diri, kenapa kok bisa niat memasak nasi kok jadi bubur, temukan masalahnya, ambil hikmahnya, dan berubahlah untuk menjadi lebih baik.

3. Jangan mempersulit diri dengan rasa iri. Daripada membuang waktu, lebih baik memperbaiki kualitas diri, dan bekerja keras. Orang yang selalu merasa iri, seringkali lupa cara memperbaiki diri. Mereka lebih sibuk mencaci dan merendahkan orang lain. Ia seakan-akan mempertanyakan rasa keadilan Allah, padahal hanya Allah Yang Maha Adil. Dengan menghindari rasa iri, kita bisa lebih obyektif dalam menghadapi masalah.

4. Siapkan hati menghadapi masalah. Seringkali kita mengalami sesuatu yang tidak sesuai harapan, keinginan dan perkiraan, padahal tidak semua hal yang kita anggap baik itu juga baik di hadapan Allah. Terkadang, banyak hal yang awalnya kita sesali namun di belakang sangat kita syukuri. Pasti ada hikmah yang ada di balik setiap kejadian tersebut. Misalnya, orang yang tidak jadi naik pesawat dan akhirnya pesawatnya kecelakaan.

5. Jadikan Allah SWT sebagai penolong. Al Quran menyerukan agar menjadikan hanya Allah SWT sebagai penolong, di antaranya bisa dengan sabar dan sholat, dalam mengatasi masalah. Jangan sampai kita hanya mengandalkan kemampuan diri untuk mengatasi berbagai permasalahan, sehingga sikap tersebut seakan-akan ingin terlihat hebat di mata orang lain, padahal membuat kita menipu diri agarorang lain kagum. Akibatnya, manusia akan makin stres karena berupaya selalu ingin terlihat baik di mata orang lain.

Dan mintalah pertolongan (kepada Allah) dengan sabar dan (mengerjakan) salat. Dan sesungguhnya yang demikian itu sungguh berat, kecuali bagi orang-orang yang khusyuk. (QS Al-Baqarah : 45)

Mudah-mudahan kita senantiasa menyelidiki hati kita sendiri, sehingga kita tidak bersandar pada siapa pun termasuk diri kita sendiri. Cukuplah Allah bagi kita. Sempurnakan ikhtiar kita seperti Siti Hajar tadi. Dan biarlah Allah memberikan pertolongan kepada kita dari pintu mana saja yang Allah kehendaki.

Jika Allah menolong kamu, maka tak adalah orang yang dapat mengalahkan kamu; jika Allah membiarkan kamu (tidak memberi pertolongan), maka siapakah gerangan yang dapat menolong kamu (selain) dari Allah sesudah itu? Karena itu hendaklah kepada Allah saja orang-orang mukmin bertawakal. (QS Ali-Imran : 160)

Agar hidup lebih tenang, yakinkanlah diri bahwa Allah SWT sebagai pencipta tidak akan menurunkan masalah tanpa jalan keluar. (sumber : eramuslim.com)

Makna Silahurahmi

Rasulullah SAW mengatakan dalam H.R Bukhari dan Muslim bahwa “barang siapa yang ingin rizkinya diluaskan dan dipanjangkan umurnya, maka hendaklah menghubungkan tali silaturahim.”

Istilah silaturahim di tengah-tengah masyarakat kita sering diartikan sebagai kegiatan kunjung-mengunjungi, saling bertegur sapa, saling menolong, dan saling berbuat kebaikan. Namun, sesungguhnya bukan itu makna silaturahim sesungguhnya. Silaturahim bukan hanya ditandai dengan saling berbalasan salam tangan atau memohon maaf belaka. Bila mencermati dari asal katanya, yakni shilat atau washl, yang berarti menyambungkan atau menghimpun, dan ar-rahiim yang berarti kasih sayang, maka silaturahim diartikan sebagai menghubungkan kasih sayang antar sesama. Silaturahim juga bermakna menghubungkan mereka yang sebelumnya terputus hubungan atau interaksi, dan memberi kepada orang yang tidak memberi kepada kita. Contohnya adalah ketika ada salah satu pihak yang lebih dulu menyapa saudaranya, sementara sebelumnya interaksi di antara keduanya sedang tidak harmonis, maka dialah yang mendapat pahala lebih besar. Dan juga silaturahim ditandai dengan hubungan dengan hati, yakni keluasan hati. Sebagaimana yang disebutkan oleh Rasulullah Saw, bahwa beliau bersabda, "Yang disebut bersilaturahim itu bukanlah seseorang yang membalas kunjungan atau pemberian, melainkan bersilaturahmi itu ialah menyambungkan apa yang telah putus" (HR Bukhari).

Demikian, silaturahmi pun memiliki fadhilah yang mustajab untuk mendatangkan kebaikan; bahkan keburukan, bila memutuskannya. Sebagaimana disabdakan oleh Rasul saw: "Tahukah kalian tentang sesuatu yang paling cepat mendatangkan kebaikan ataupun keburukan? 'Sesuatu yang paling cepat mendatangkan kebaikan,' sabda Rasulullah SAW, 'adalah balasan (pahala) orang yang berbuat kebaikan dan menghubungkan tali silaturahmi, sedangkan yang paling cepat mendatangkan keburukan ialah balasan (siksaaan) bagi orang yang berbuat jahat dan yang memutuskan tali persaudaraan" (HR Ibnu Majah).

Rasulullah Saw juga pernah bersabda bahwa “tidak akan masuk surga orang yang memutuskan tali silaturahim.” Sudah ada balasan dari Allah bagi orang yang bersilaturahim yaitu surge, dan sebaliknya bagi orang yang memutuskan tali silaturahim yaitu neraka. Begitu besarnya balasan Allah sehingga begitu besar juga cobaan yang akan dihadapi. Dalam cobaan tersebut, hendaknya tidak mendahulukan hawa nafsu dan dendam, sehingga akan hilang balasan surga dari Allah.

Rasulullah SAW memberikan tips kepada kita agar terjalin saling mencintai dengan sesama muslim, yakni:

1. Tebarkan salam
2. Menghubungkan tali silaturahim
3. Memberi makan kepada yang membutuhkan.

Betapa pentingnya silaturahim dalam hubungan sesame, Rasulullah saw berpesan “sayangilah apa yang ada di muka bumi, niscaya Allah dan semesta alam akan menyayangimu” (H.R Tirmidzi), yang dapat diartikan bahwa hak saling berkasih sayang dan silaturahim tidak terbatas pada kerabat, tetapi sesama makhluk ciptaan Allah SWT.

Oleh karena itu, menjadi sangat penting bagi kita untuk menyadari bahwa silaturahmi tidak hanya tampilan lahiriah belaka, namun harus melibatkan pula aspek hati. Dengan kombinasi amalan lahiriah dan amalan hatinya, kita akan mempunyai kekuatan untuk bisa berbuat silaturahmi lebih baik. Kalau orang lain mengunjungi kita dan kita balas mengunjunginya, ini tidak memerlukan kekuatan mental yang kuat. Namun, bila ada orang yang tidak pernah bersilaturahmi kepada kita, lalu dengan sengaja kita mengunjunginya, maka inilah yang disebut silaturahmi. Apalagi bila kita bersilaturahmi kepada orang yang membenci kita atau seseorang yang sangat menghindari pertemuan dengan kita, lalu kita mengupayakan diri untuk bertemu dengannya. Inilah silaturahmi yang sebenarnya.

Dalam sebuah hadis diungkapkan, "Maukah kalian aku tunjukkan amal yang lebih besar pahalanya daripada shalat dan shaum?" tanya Rasul pada para sahabat. "Tentu saja," jawab mereka. Beliau kemudian menjelaskan, "Engkau damaikan yang bertengkar, menyambungkan persaudaraan yang terputus, mempertemukan kembali saudara-saudara yang terpisah, menjembatani berbagai kelompok dalam Islam, dan mengukuhkan tali persaudaraan di antara mereka adalah amal saleh yang besar pahalanya. Barangsiapa yang ingin dipanjangkan umurnya dan diluaskan rezekinya, hendaklah ia menyambungkan tali silaturahmi" (HR Bukhari Muslim).

Silaturahmi adalah kunci terbukanya rahmat dan pertolongan Allah SWT. Dengan terhubungnya silaturahim, maka ukhuwah Islamiyah akan terjalin dengan baik. Semoga kita bisa meraih surga Nya dengan membina silaturahim antar sesama. (sumber www.eramuslim

Doctor Norway: Israel is a Terrorist State!

Dr Mads Gilbert accused Israel of a "terrorist state" led by the losers, which is their native place in jail after an investigation carried out an international tribunal for their crimes against the Palestinian people.

Norway's doctor told the newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi published on Sunday yesterday - said that he supports the Palestinian people's right to choose their own representatives. Then when asked about the Israeli allegations, he stated that he only deal with Hamas leaders.

He said that Israel had no one to argue buktipun "our evidence and testimony."

Norwegian doctors also said that he was not frustrated by the lies of Israel for their war crimes, adding, "We must be patient ... history teaches us that many of the kingdom that lasted for centuries will eventually collapse as well ... we should be optimistic because if we allow ourselves to be weak if it means we are betraying the Palestinian people ".

Dr. Gilbert is one of the foreign doctors who enter the Gaza Strip during the Israeli war and contribute to heal the Palestinians during the war amounted to thousands of Gaza. (Fq / pic)

Pull Preston: My name brought me to Islam

Pull the story quite Preston unique to Islam. He bersyahadat in 1988 at the age of relatively young, 19 years old. According to Tarik, the journey becomes a Muslim not a long story, but the way how Allah swt continue to lead him to become a Muslim after conversion to Islam, precisely the stories that inspired him.

It all started from the name that smelled name of Islam, namely Pull, although he was a non-Muslim. "I was given the name Pull from birth. In the era of the 60's, 70's and even 80's became the norm for American parents to name their children with typical African name. In many cases, they chose the name of the actual name of the African Islamic and that's what happened to me, "said Preston.

Before becoming a Muslim, he often met with people who also called Pull or someone who understands the meaning of the name of Tarik. Those people, Preston said, would ask "you know what your name?". When it Drag proudly answered to their name as told his parents, "who spread the star light". After becoming a Muslim, Preston sometimes add the story behind his name with the story of Tariq ibn Ziyad. Muslim leader who conquered Spain.

Pull Preston biology majors during high school because he aspires to become a doctor. And in the first years as a medical student, he began reading the Bible, but he found the Christian teachings which he said does not make sense.

During spring break, Preston discuss with his grandmother about theology. Although a Christian, his grandmother statements made Preston amazed. "He said, 'I worship God and not worship Jesus, because I feel safer to worship god'," Preston said, imitating his grandmother statement. Since childhood, Preston is close to his grandmother's.

Since the conversation, said Preston, his habit to pray every night is no longer done in the name of Jesus, but he offered up a direct doannya the name of god.

One day, Preston was walking toward campus when met with a junior who she knew had converted to Islam. Juniors Preston was greeted with ucapa "assalamua'alaikum". For Preston who grew up in the Chicago area in the era of the 70s, the word "assalamua'alaikum" not a foreign word for him. So he answered the greeting by saying "wa'alaikumsalam".

Juniors were then asked whether Preston was a Muslim. He answered "no" and said that he was a believer 'alliance methodical ". And the junior said," Oh! I think you're a Muslim, because your name is Tarik. "

Shortly after the meeting. Preston met with juniors in a course and he tried to explain about Islam in Preston and a few classmates. "He's still very young and only know a bit about Islam. But he warned us about the danger of worshiping Jesus," said Preston remember that conversation.

The summer had arrived. Preston fill the holiday by working as a telemarketer, where he met with a Muslim named Ahmed. Ahmed is also a convert from Puerto Rico. First time they met, Preston asked Ahmed, "Are you a Muslim?"

Ahmed replied, "Yes, Tarik. You?

"I am not a Muslim. I believer fellowship methodical," said Preston.

Ahmed smiled and said, "In the name of Tarik, you should be a Muslim."

And then, of Ahmed, Preston knew about what was the religion of unity and Preston admitted impressed with the Islamic concept of the oneness of God. Once when Ahmed was invited to the house, Preston was amazed to see how Ahmed was glorifying holy book the Koran and Preston asked if he could borrow the Koran.

Ahmed first appeared reluctant and reasoned that he had only one Al-Quran. But Ahmed finally allowed to request that Preston really respect the Qur'an, keeping it clean and kept a decent place.

"I can not wait to read the Qur'an that," added Preston.

Two weeks later, Preston invited Ahmed to his house and returned discussion about Islam. At that Preston told Ahmed that he believed Al-Quran as truth and he wanted to become a Muslim.

Finally, the next day, Preston and Ahmed went to the Islamic Center in Washington, DC It was there, Preston said two sentences creed and became a Muslim.

Allah's grace, a few years later, Preston got the chance to learn about Islam at Islamic University in Medina, Saudi Arabia, where he obtained a degree in Arabic language and science of hadith.

"I hope, the story of how I converted to Islam could encourage other non-Muslims to pilgrimage to the Islamic religion. I also hope my story encourages my brethren his fellow Muslims to continue spreading the truth of the messages of Islam, both by words and deeds," Tarik said Preston closed the story. (ln / readislam)

Mansur Suryanegara: If Ulama's Speech, the House may Cave!

Talked with a professor of history like the open horizon and see the world spread out before us. This means that there is always an inspiration sentences full of wisdom that can bring us to the past though. Moreover, a historian who concern with Islam and Islamic influences in the history of the Indonesian national movement, to talk to him like listening to an endless story, make everybody comfortable sitting next to him listening to advice.

Professor Ahmad Mansur Suryanegara is a historian who has sparked controversy by saying that the national hero, Pattimura is a Muslim. Although critics often come to him, such critics claim that the source of the writing of his books are secondary sources which are not suitable used as a source book of history, he was nonchalant and sauntered to work as much as possible.

One of the book is finished working on the fire history is a record of four chapters contain a complete history of the introduction of Islam into the archipelago to the influence of clergy leaders in the national movement and the independence of Indonesia. Not only that, Mansur also flicked deislamisasi now attached to the Muslims but not felt by most Muslims. Eramuslim.com reporter lucky enough to interview him on the sidelines of a book discussion on the Scholastic History Fire Matraman, Wednesday (4/11/09).

How Professor at the history and current role of the clergy?

History is like a man-made, and there are historical scenarios according to God. So, if the cleric in the Holy Quran is like the foam with water, where the cure? God answered, namely water. Between the foam with a jewels, which overlooked the human, large or small? God replied, a little jewel. That scholars. The mullah, although he is under, not on the surface but it was he who became a role model by the people. Although he was small, it was he who moved the entire event history. Not expected, but that is the fact that they are small groups of minorities who have a high activity.

But what about his form?
It's not visible, but that will come, will appear. State of shock as the Prophet Muhammad out of a stone cave itself began the history, from the self, with his wife, with friends who had not believed, but he has tremendous power. Revelation that is the basis of history, whatever happens outside now, it was only temporary. There is one line programmed distance from the sky, which is how-how, must have happened. Just the event bit by bit, but it will be a movement that will all be surprised.

As on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah, everyone gathered in Mecca, millions of people, but more than that power if allowed. Nothing may be a force that can perform like that except the prayer of a woman, Hagar, so history is written in the Koran is the beginning of all women. Al-Fatiha is the Mother of the Quran and the Qur'an to show the animals, cows, and Ali-Imran tells of Mary, though do not have a husband but can make history, gave birth to a Prophet Jesus, and have extraordinary powers, the fifth letter, can reduce food from the sky. Although Zakaria a prophet, prayer in the House, but could not make a meal in the mosque, but after Mary, he asked, "O Mary, from which this food?" he replied, "God who sent it." She was incredible. Women can make barren land in Mecca so Zamzam well. Then, Mary, who did not have a husband can make history.

Are scholars now lose him to fight and more pragmatic?

Today scholars are fighting the media adjustment, by adjusting the state boarding schools so that the surrounding community wants. then he equated with the study of elementary, junior high, high school, but we can see the work of the clergy, we never see any unemployment pesantren. That's the power of the clerics, mosque builder, builder boarding schools, different nights. They were at night, praying night. If the other's, the best sleep is 8 hours.

What forms of struggle scholars today?

Now is also a warrior, keeping the younger generation of movements westernize. West made a good fasting is not lunch, dinner. So be open that morning, breakfast. We're open late afternoon, they were early. If we qiyamullail, stood establish the prayer, if they were sitting in church. If we say Ankabut, the spider, the spider is weak, so they make Spiderman.

If there are scholars who say this is not vocal, how do you respond?

Now this is not to criticize, but do racing, so it's not a vocal show, with the talk, but more revealing act. Ulama now, see for example Gontor, was ignored by the government, but people admire him, look at the building. Now we see the buildings built churches were built by the Dutch, but clerics with the power of people to build forces that community, educate the people with the power of the people, it was incredible, but the way we see it always in terms of negativity. Stay there are ways used by Snouck Hurgronje. It must have Islamic opponents and the way that used to fight Islam with Islam itself often.

How does a historian with the government?
Historians also received the intervention from the government, we must teach what the government planned. If there are repeated, it's justification, but I do not want just to repeat. One of them is me, this is just one, but maybe a lot.

What is the role of clergy in providing understanding of the true history of the race?
Scholars in a style that is always answered with subtlety, either, so it was never emotional, but physical out. Buya Hamka make history institutions, and there produced a work that raise real what history is, then it does not mean his ummah media and community media content. It is so much history. Buya Hamka then try to market the Muslims thought that there was actually against the historical movement. Simatupang recommends against the movement of history. That language, which means Simatupang against Islam. Although not directly.

Concrete how?

We must know that in the political world that includes the Quran is always indirect. It's called Al-Baqarah, why not jihad? But the contents in it jihad. We often use terms like 'kyai poor', but actually delivered it to the noble who in his message was. This work is like not changing but the change is from the hand of God. there will be a movement such as for example if you see 1 Syawal, as announced by the clergy, the whole movement was going forth with a vengeance. That is not regulated by the government, how great the power of people can empty Jakarta. That's because the capital withdrawn by village mothers, womb-ward the mother's womb was made more powerful. that if God's decisive second cleric delivered only 1 Syawal is friendship, there is language that's all, very simple, no variations in language, but could shake the outward force of regular power.

Scholars did not have a big fund, but if you've spoken, the House could be toppled. Therefore, the message of the Qur'an, do not you turn your eyes from the clergy. In surat Al-Kahf mentioned, do not you amazed, amazed by people outside of us with the material, with his men, God tests them with the material and his men and died so the infidel.

There is a dichotomy with the political role of the clergy?

The possibility exists, probably not. If the name MUI, right, was another, under the government, existential permission from the government. So there are institutions that do support and do not have to stop because dukungan.Kenapa award? Muhammadiyah's 'fastabiqul Khairat' of elements heresy. Thus, only one word, but no power. Muhammadiyah has how many hospitals, schools, and so on. (ind)

Subhanallah, Quranic verse written on the Skin A Baby

Strange and mysterious incident occurred in the Caucasus region. A child's baby boy has made the public confused and the doctor was amazed after the Quranic verses written on the skin of a baby boy.

Parents of infants aged nine Yakubov Ali was surprised to learn there is the Arabic "Allah" in the baby's chin is a few moments after he was born.

Since then dozens of writings in Arabic have appeared in the back, arms, legs and abdomen baby boy is.

The family stated that these signs will disappear before the advent of new words that usually appear two times a week.

Medical said they could not explain the mysterious condition that occurs on the baby boy - but they deny that the signs found on the baby's skin is deliberately writing in for.

The mother of the baby - Medina, said that she and her husband was not a particularly religious family until the words that read the verses of the Quran began to appear on their skin.

At first they did not show to anyone writing found on the skin of their babies to the people, but they finally reveal it to the doctor.

This prodigy has become the focus of attention and respect of Muslims in their homes in the troubled region of Dagestan province, near the Chechen war conflict areas in southern Russia.

Local MPs Akhmedpasha Amiralaev said: "The boy is pure amerupakan sign from God. God sent him to Dagestan to stop the rebellion and tension in our republic."

"Usually these signs appeared twice a week - on Monday and on the night between Thursday and Friday," said the mother of the baby.

"Ali always feel ill when it happens perisiwa. She was crying and her temperature will rise.

"It is impossible to restrain him when it happened, the body active, so we put him into the crib. It is very difficult to see him suffer like that." (Fq / sun)

Economic Crisis That Ordinary

Beberapa pekan yang lalu , di sebuah acara reuni “sekolah dasar” , beberapa teman lamagathered at a café in the number of Jakarta, we were very surprise, because we were still able to gather even more than twenty-five years had never met before, the show is very warm and playful, despite our face and appearance are not petite and as funny as before. In the midst of jokes and humor, serious conversation tucked a colleague about the impact of the crisis anxiety of an uncertain economy, the business experienced a decline and even threatened to shut down in time as soon as possible, he experienced profound confusion, I think that the problem was a crisis not only affects to himself alone, but also seized the attention of business practitioners in particular.

The story is very easy to find in print, electronic television, radio and the internet site, every day, yes, almost every day of course, preached the growing economic crisis had fallen sharply, it is not only the country that we love, even this global crisis . Not only are companies engaged in banking that are directly affected, as well as automotive companies, manufacturing, mining, real estate, and other gigantic businesses, call large companies like Citibank, general motors, ford, Volkswagen, Lehmann brothers, and others.

Do not get out too, affect local firms in the country that we love, from small companies and large, this makes the upset of the directors and shareholders, and also raises concerns and the threat of layoffs for thousands of laid off employees who take shelter in the company.

So many economic expert analysis, in terms of numbers for numbers, the assumption by the assumption, that the recovery time takes one to three years, a relatively long time for the recovery process, and the program became concerns of the workers who have been threatened and will be laid off, because the funds compensation they receive from the layoff is only enough to cover the needs of many months, and now what their life, this became a heavy burden of life. If the crisis is not resolved in the near future so the analysts predict not only the economic crisis that occurred more terrible, also will travel to the political and social crisis, this is terrible ...

That's when the crisis hit ...

Did you know that the emptiness and narrowness will always come and go and always met by each generation, you remember the recession that occurred in 1998, political and economic crisis happening in this country, how many companies are experiencing bankruptcy or recession, they successfully passed ? Is it the business world after death and drowned? After all, the business still running post-crisis, recovery has only one number in it, and some even require the number of years in recovery, but still after that time everybody finds sustenance each level ..

In addition to 1998 era in this country, occurred also in the past, namely in the 1960s, often daily scenery, the people of this country queued rice, staple line, cutting even occurred currency, at the time of drastic changes that the business map in Indonesia, many large companies fall out, but not least several new companies emerge to replace the previous generation as the motor of the economy. Anyway after that time all people find their own sustenance levels.

In any other American in the year 2008, have experienced problems surrounding the economic crisis of the 1930s, as well as in Japan, Iceland, Germany, and many other countries with different levels of different influences, this crisis even hit all the days of the Apostles, see the story of Prophet Yusuf as in the face seven years of famine, the time of Prophet Moses, as well as the time of Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah they did not despite facing tough times in his life journey. Anyway after that time all people find their own sustenance levels.

That world, in turn, limits the field and all come and go ... because the concept of life is never explained that the indicators of success that is rich, and life is not to reach and enjoy the wealth or poverty resigned to life, life is not just for eating and drinking , life has more meaning, you are blessed as a Muslim, because the concept of life in Islam is very clear, life is struggle, life is a means aqidahnya actualization, life is a struggle for the interests of aqidahnya and not vice versa, life is only the implementation Wasilah concept of worship to Him in the sense that total, good and hard all exams, and the success of these tests are residents of paradise.

So for a Muslim, be assured that the economic crisis is ORDINARY. He will be present in the middle of us. He will be a portion of our lives episode, he will be a test so we can jump and run faster than ever, such tests can make us fall, fail, then rose again. And we believe that its test was only a moment of time, will not storm lasted forever, he will be normal again, remember that night too MUST always be replaced by the day.

Individual Muslims must realize in the face of this test that the problem lies not in a position or a narrow field, but he must prepare for patience in difficult times, and most grateful in times square, and at every time in any circumstances is always an attempt to increase faith and charity as actualization aqidahnya beliefs. And he was happy because he believes this test occurred because the will of God Almighty, and he believes also that God only is the place where he hoped to free himself from this test problem.

“

No one disasters and tribulations that befall the earth and (not all) of yourself, but have been written in the book (lauh Mahfuzh) before we create it. Surely that that is easy for Allah. (We describe such) that you do not grieve for what escapes you, and that you do not get too excited about what he gives to you. And Allah loveth not any arrogant man who prided themselves "(Sura 57:22-23)

That explains how the Qur'an Muslims should behave, and what is also true in Umar conveyed,''By the gods, as long as I'm still a Muslim, I would never care about my situation.''

And also recalled a story of the Prophet's companions named Abdurrahman ibn Awf, he was a wealthy merchant in the city of Mecca, he is of those who are touched by the beginning of the mission by the Prophet Muhammad brought. By the time the command to emigrate to Medina, he was in haste to leave his entire estate in the city of Mecca, he was so militant in his faith to follow instructions, no affection and worry about who has perniagaannya in kelolanya many years. As a result of his conviction at the time, he underwent immediately fell in bankruptcy, for him, the abundant wealth is nothing compared to the value of faith he maintained, although after the Hijrah he does not have anything even though a wife (the author does not find his story literature whether he was married or not while in Mecca).

After some time in the medina, one day, a friend named Ansar Said bin Rabi said to him, "Brother, your share of the wealth of half my wealth, I have two homes, you are free choice, I also have two wives, you are free to choose any one of the you like.

Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf was not interested in the offer, he did not want to be a burden seimannya brother, saying, "Thank you, may God bless his family and treasures. I just want you to show where the market. I'm a merchant. "

Sure enough, a few years later, Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf had become the richest man in the city of Medina. Even more wealth value of the property left behind in Mecca, this is the result of a conviction, this is God's servant to replace any that certain sacrifices. In history, beautifully carved that their wealth was a major supporter of the Islamic struggle that period, and never run out until he died.

That's my partner, history has terabadikan beautiful, narrow the field and it will always be repeated with different levels of cause and effect, and the story is always the story of faith and learning reinforcement for those who seek to understand it.

Currently, if you went bankrupt, poverty, famine-stricken, impoverished, do not be sad for too long. Immediately got up, continue to seek and strengthen the belief, once again life is not just for eating and drinking, there is a more noble task that we must implement. Lost and property loss was common, but do not lose confidence and lack of charitable pious, just and charitable pious belief has to be strengthened despite limited conditions. Necessary and be sure everyone knew God would provide a way out and replace a lot better than what you had before.

Powerful repellent testament pauperism

Islam is very beautiful, blessed if you are a Muslim, let alone a Muslim it is enterpreuner (red. Entrepreneur), Even if he was sure of the way, to strive in the world through business, he certainly has the two ends of the sword in battle step, namely the first: initiative that was really the pick up provision, and both: The power of worship and prayer practices.

The second blade is mutually reinforcing, the second blade adds power to the power of belief servant of the Almighty. Business and the business logic is sometimes to be reversed, even achieve results in mathematics were often or economic indicators can not reach.

"What man of God bestowed a blessing, then no one can help it; and what is being held by God no one was able to remove it after that. And He is Mighty, Wise. "(Sura 35:2)

"Say: Verily my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He is in want of his servants, and withholds for (who is in kehendakiNya). And whatever good you spend, Allah will replace it and He is the giver of the best Rezeki good "(Sura 34:39)

By the time the crisis came, they would be Muslim individuals feel confident and stay calm. They are not upset by the news that circulated in the media, they do not participate chant echoing the same with the others, they have a unique attitude and different from the others, the reason being that they have confidence that they have a GOD, OWNER OF ANY DECISION, ITS REZEKI.

Often forgotten Islamic Ummah the power end of the second blade is the power of worship and prayer practices, some of Islamic ummah today tend to follow the pattern of western management of all 'cause and effect' are irrational, which must understand that the west has forgotten the true God as a determinant factor. Although some of them succeed in business, so that the work can at least reproduce only the material value of only digits, and the vacuum in the value and opportunity lost faith keberkahannya, know if the intention and the result was distorted essentially, that all future results will be nil in the presence of God .

Loss all for a Muslim, especially among Muslim entrepreneurs in particular, when leaving the power of this one, they have a God, they have a chance prayers had been answered, they have a better chance on appeal infidels, why should we submit to others, even debilitating yourself?

Lots of hadith of the Prophet and his friend the story that gives an idea of how a Muslim prays, all of which is a gift for Islamic ummah especially the entrepreneurs to have a handle and guide the steps in the life of this world, a wanderer who does not get lost in between the tests of life and hardship relief .

... ... ... ...

Is Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, one close friend Rasul SAW. At the time of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, he suffered pain and lying on his bed, the Deputy usman visit him and Abdullah ibn Mas'ud witnessed the sad circumstances.

Usman: "What makes you sad?"

Abdullah: "The sin of sins"

Usman: "What do you want from me, I'm going to fulfill?"

Abdullah: "I miss the grace of God"

Usman: "If you agree, I would call a doctor"

Abdullah: "The doctor just made me sick"

Usman: "If you do not mind, I'll have to give property bendaharaku from Baitul Mal"

Abdullah: "When I really need it, you do not give me something, and now when I did not need it, you want to give something!"

Usman: "Giving is also a gift for your daughter's daughter"

Abdullah: "They also do not need anything, because I've intestate them to read the letter Al Waqia every night, I heard the Messenger of Allah said," Anyone who read surat Al Waqia every night, so he will not be affected by poverty "

Well, brother muslimku, this information is up to you all, do not waste it on, let's do this practice, Insha Allah, we are able to remain steadfast in the face of these life tests and shall Insha Allah, poverty would not be present in front us. And the same will give to those people who you love, so that they can be as lucky as the Prophet SAW sabdakan above. Amen.

Arabic, Learn In Turkey

The role and influence of Turkey in the geopolitical arena of the Middle East, the Caucasus, especially the issue of peace in Palestine, growing up alone. In addition to diplomatic maneuvers with countries around the region, Turkey has also continued to suppress potential relationship with Israel as a strategic ally in the region.

The latest on this weekend is the opening of a peace treaty agreements with Armenia, "mortal enemy" of Turkey for over a century, and the opening of Turkish-Syrian border (the Arab countries in the wing area of Levantine / Sham influential) are free.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Turkey also seems to try to play and controlling role in relation to Israel, the main enemy of Arab countries on the one side of Turkey's closest allies are also in the Middle East region, as a reaction to Turkey for war crimes by Israel in the presence of Palestine.

Turkey's reaction to the war crimes of Israel began to show great empire heir Utsmaniyyah (Ottoman Empire) was in the beginning of this year, when the Turkish PM Recep Erdogan Tayyep loudly criticized Israel in the face of Israeli President Simon Peres at Davos Economic Summit, Switzerland. Suddenly, this attitude makes Turkey an international public "tantrum".

Turkey's reaction was continued on a more serious step and "off", ie when the Turkish army decided to cancel joint military exercises with Israel (and America and Italy) which was originally conducted in Turkey earlier this month. Lagi, keputusan ini mengejutkan dan menyita perhatian mata dunia.

Another reaction came from the Turkish domestic barrage, this time from the movie makers, as one Turkish television channel showing soap opera titled "Veda" (Farewell), which tells the dramatic life of the Palestinians as Israeli aggression into Gaza. In some scans soap opera, he described some Israeli soldiers slaughtering children and women are cruel. This soap opera has just aired for the first time on Friday (16/10) yesterday.

Saturday (17/10) the next day, Prime Minister of Turkey Erdogan insisted if his country, Turkey, is a big country which will always protect those who oppressed and terzalimi, and will not stay silent in the face of a despotic system of tyranny.

And Sunday (18/10) next, Turkish President Abdullah Gul in an interview with national broadcaster TRT confirmed Turkey if Turkey is ready to face all possible risks posed by his behavior. "Turkey has done the right steps to defend the truth. And above all this, Turkey is ready to face all possible risks with the patriotic," said Gul.

In addition to maneuvering above, Turkey is also diligent improvement in the country, in all areas, the main reform, human rights, economic, education, technology, industry, social welfare, and others. No wonder that with these improvements to Turkey and the leading advanced countries in the Middle East, far above the Arab countries are rich in oil.

In addition, a procession of Turkey for EU membership increasingly progressive. Deputy head of the EU policy Ferhoghen Gunter, on Saturday (17/10) yesterday said if the EU is much more in need of Turkey from the Turks who need them.

"Turkey holds many cards strategically," explains Gunter.

Turkey today is a player in the region. Clearly, the Arab countries (which is often identified as 'the leaders of the Islamic world') have much to learn from Turkey in various ways, at least learn to be assertive and not "plonga-plongo" in front of the Israeli-Palestinian problem, the problem household and their own Arab brothers. (L / from various sources)