Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore)

January - March 2011

PERCUMA / FREE

Volume 01/11

EARTHQUAKES, ERUPTIONS & EPIDEMICS:

Why Does Allah Allow Bad Things to Happen?

GEMPA BUMI, TSUNAMI & LETUSAN GUNUNG BERAPI

MENGAPAKAH ALLAH MEMBENARKAN BERLAKUNYA MALAPETAKA?

inside:
Mufti
Leaving a Legacy Continuing the Tradition Meninggalkan Warisan Meneruskan Tradisi

CONTENTS Kandungan
03 Editors Comments Ulasan Editor Earthquakes, Eruptions & Epidemics: Why Does Allah Allow Bad Things to Happen? Gempa Bumi, Tsunami & Letusan Gunung Berapi: Mengapakah Allah Membenarkan Berlakunya Malapetaka? Email from Christchurch Teens - The Success Process Eyebrowse Mufti Leaving a Legacy Continuing the Tradition Meninggalkan Warisan Meneruskan Tradisi Muis News Singapore Muslim Identity ALIVE Advertorial The Mousetrap / Perangkap Tikus 04

12 14 16 18

04 12 14 18
At NADi We value your comments!
Do you have any feedback or suggestions on the magazine? Are there any particular issues of interest to the Muslim community that you would like to highlight? We would be happy to hear from you. You may contact us at Muis Corporate Communications Unit:
Jamari Mohtar Tel: 6359 1434 Email: jamari@muis.gov.sg

20 26 27 28

Editorial BOARD
Editor Jamari Mohtar Deputy Editor Roshida bte Jamari Contributing Editor Asri Aziz Translator Siti Aidah Mohd Amin Photographer Roslee Abdul Razak Project Management Wordmill Consultancy & Services
EARTHQUAKES, ERUPTIONS & EPIDEMICS: Why Does Allah Allow Bad Things to Happen?

Published by:

Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore)

273, Braddell Road Singapore 579702

To read or download NADi from the Internet, visit http://www.muis.gov.sg and click the appropriate links under <Publications>. NADi is a quarterly publication of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Copyright is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. Production in whole or in part is prohibited. The views and opinions expressed or implied in NADi are those of the authors and do not necessarily reect those of the publisher.

ditors Comments
As a mother was relang the story of the Japan earthquake to a young child on the MRT one day, the boy innocently asked: Why does Allah allow bad things to happen? Indeed, this is an oen discussed topic whenever calamies happen, and we must understand and develop our convicon on the Muslim perspecve on this issue. In our life of comfort and ease, it is easy to fall into the trap of making judgements about which lives are worth living and which are not. And yet there are so many stories of ordinary people who have overcome enormous obstacles and who live full and rich lives. Some are missing limbs, others struggle with disease; some have overcome poverty and injusce while others triumphed over great tragedies. Their resilience serves as an inspiraon to us. There was once a story about a janitor who worked at a factory. One day the manager discovered that he was illiterate and red him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings to open a barber shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded and ended up with a chain of barber shops worth millions. One day the mans banker said, Youve done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write? Well, replied the man, Id be janitor of a factory. The boom line is that we do not know what Allahs plans are for each and every one of us. When trouble strikes, let us pray for Allah to grant us tranquility and calm, and for Him to sustain us through suering and harm. Amin.

lasan Editor
Tersebutlah sebuah kisah tentang seorang pembersih yang bekerja di sebuah kilang. Pada suatu hari, pengurusnya mendapat tahu bahawa dia seorang yang buta huruf lalu memecatnya. Tanpa pekerjaaan, pemuda tersebut melaburkan wang simpanannya yang dak seberapa untuk membuka sebuah kedai gunng rambut. Dia meraih keuntungan, membuka satu lagi kedai, perniagaannya berkembang dan akhirnya memiliki beberapa buah kedai gunng rambut yang nilainya berjutaan dolar. Suatu hari, pegawai bank yang menguruskan akaunnya bertanya, Kamu telah berjaya walaupun buta huruf, di manakah agaknya kamu sekarang jika kamu boleh membaca dan menulis? Oh, jawabnya, Saya mungkin bekerja di sebuah kilang sebagai pembersih. Pucuk pangkalnya, kita dak tahu apakah yang telah dirancangkan Allah untuk seap hambaNya. Apabila mbul masalah, marilah kita sujud kepadaNya dan pohon diberikan ketenangan dan sakinah, dan untuk Allah membantu kita dalam masa-masa kesusahan dan kesengsaraan. Amin.
NADi 03

Sedang seorang ibu menceritakan kepada anak kecilnya pada suatu hari di dalam gerabak MRT, tentang gempa bumi di Jepun, anak kecil itu secara berseloroh bertanya: Mengapakah Allah mengizinkan malapetaka untuk berlaku? Nah, inilah topik yang sering diperbincangkan seap kali bala bencana berlaku, dan kita harus faham dan mengukuhkan kepercayaan kita terhadap isu ini dari sudut pandangan umat Islam. Dalam kehidupan kita yang serba selesa dan senang, terlalu mudah bagi kita untuk membuat andaian tentang kehidupan manakah yang patut kita hargai atau sebaliknya. Namun begitu, terdapat banyak kisah tentang mereka yang telah berjaya mengharungi onak duri dan dan meneruskan kehidupan dengan penuh berkah. Ada yang kehilangan anggota tubuh seper tangan dan kaki, ada yang berjuang dengan penyakit; ada juga yang telah berjaya mengatasi kemiskinan dan kedakadilan, sementara yang lain pula telah meraih kemenangan daripada tragedi yang melanda diri mereka. Daya tahan mereka menjadi inspirasi kepada kita semua.

EARTHQUAKES, ERUPTIONS & EPIDEMICS:

Why Does Allah Allow Bad Things to Happen?
The March earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused massive destrucon to the country. Death toll was in the tens of thousands. Just weeks before that, the city of Christchurch, New Zealand experienced a similar disaster, which came a maer of months aer the one to strike the city in September 2010. In fact, in the last few years, the world had witnessed a series of major disasters: from earthquakes to volcanic erupons, from tsunamis to epidemics like SARS and H1N1. These have not only brought about the destrucon of lives and property, they also ripped apart families and sociees. They brought about the wreckage of thousands of homes, and caused millions of heartbreaks. As Muslims, we have complete faith in the love and mercy that Allah has for all His beings from the smallest plankton to the largest tree. Yet, we also see how the human life is full of tragedies and calamies: a mother loses her child; a sole breadwinner to a poor family falls severely ill; an accident leaves a healthy young man paralysed. Where is Allahs love and mercy in all this? NADi explores the issue.

04 NADi

NADi

THE BIG PICTURE The Quran relates the story of wise Prophet Khidir A.S. who went travelling with Prophet Musa A.S. During the journey, Prophet Khidir A.S. took a series of contradictory acons which astounded his companion. On one occasion, they were taken on board a boat by a group of poor but kind shermen. These people depended on the boat to earn their living, but when the shermen were not looking, Prophet Khidir A.S. punctured a hole at the side of the boat. Aer some me, Prophet Musa A.S. could not control his annoyance any further, he confronted the former and remonstrated. It was then Prophet Khidir A.S. explained his reasons. The shermen were honest people whose families depended on them for their livelihood. However, they were traveling to a desnaon which was controlled by a cruel king who had a pracce of seizing good boats. By damaging their boat, Prophet Khidir A.S. had prevented their property from being seized, and their lives from being ended by an evil ruler. What can we learn from this story? Life is a series of events, and oen we do not really know the value of something unl we reach the end. In retrospect, what happened to the shermen was for the good, but had they discovered the damage, they would not have been able to appreciate its value unl they know about the kings policy. Somemes, at certain points in life, our limited knowledge prevents us from being able to see the big picture. Oen, we simply have to wait for events to unfold to understand how it turns out well in end. In the midst of pain and suering, when things are going badly, it is easy to feel discouraged. Do not despair of the hardship that Allah sends us today, for it might be the instrument for His blessing tomorrow. With Him are the keys of the Unseen; none knows them except He. And He knows whatever is in the land and the sea. And in no way does a leaf fall down, except that He knows it, and not a grain in the darkness of the earth, not a thing wet or dry, except that it is in an evident Book - Surah Al-Anam, 6:59 THE ETERNITY PERSPECTIVE In Islam, we believe that life on earth is but a temporary

tesng ground before we face the eternal life, where we will be made accountable for our deeds and acons. Hence, a Muslims percepon of a good life might have to be quite dierent from the convenonal sense, because of our view of existence. In the standard interpretaon, a good life generally means a lifestyle of comfort and wealth, good health and peaceful death at around 85. The life is bad if any of the factors are removed. This perspecve is true if we limited our existence to 85 years. However, as we believe in eternity, the picture changes quite dramacally. From that point of view, the ulmate pleasure we look forward to is the relaonship we will have with Allah in the Hereaer, for all of eternity. In that case, the good life becomes one that enables us to have a bond with Him. Hence, if hardship and pain makes one turn to Him, to remember Him and to develop a greater awareness and connecon with Him, then this does not make the experience bad. In fact, a lucky existence might turn out to be the one of trials and challenges, if these dicules are viewed as the opportunity to bring one closer to God. THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITY Suering is oen a remarkable opportunity for growth, for us to search our hearts and examine our minds. Troubles can develop paence, strength, wisdom, compassion, courage and many other virtues which are dicult to culvate when mes are good. Rasulullah S.A.W. once remarked, as narrated by Abu Hurairah: When Allah wants to do good to (raise ones stature) someone, He aicts them with trials. Any good teacher will tell us that tests are challenges that are meant to help the student develop. Why do teachers give the hardest quesons to the good students? It is to enable them to actualise their potenal, which happens when they extend themselves. Similarly, a coach would raise an athletes hurdles steadily as he progresses, not to punish him but to enable him to become beer and beer. Consider the following story: One day, a young man found the cocoon of a buery in his garden. A small opening had appeared. He sat to watch the buery for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that lile hole. The poor buery did not seem to make any progress even aer a few hours. The young man, known for his kind heart, decided to help. He took a pair of
NADi 05

scissors and snipped o the remaining bit of the cocoon. The buery now emerged easily out of its cocoon. But its body was swollen and its wings were small and shriveled. The young man waited. He believed that at any moment, like all bueries, its wings would enlarge and its body contract. Then it will spread its beauful wings and y into the air to freedom. No maer how long he waited, neither happened! In fact, the buery spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to y. What the young man did not realise was that the restricng cocoon and the struggle required for the buery to get through the ny opening were crucial to the development of the buery. By doing that, uid from the body of the buery would be forced into its wings, making it strong so that it would be ready to y once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Oen, Allah gives us problems and hardship to enable us to grow and develop into beer, stronger people. Without them, we would not be as strong as we could have been. Like the buery in the story, we would never be able to y! Crises can also change plans. Oen God use problems or misfortune to point us in new direcons and down
06 NADi

new paths. How oen have we heard of people who only recognised their true priories aer they fall ill? Of people who valued their loved ones only aer they experienced some crisis where they almost lost them? Hence, from the Muslim perspecve, suering serves the purpose of growth, and is part of the spiritual rening process. On no soul does Allah place a burden Greater than that which it can bear It earns every good it gets And it earns every evil it gets - Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286 THE POSSIBILITY OF CHOICE Does it somemes seem unfair that honest people suer from hunger and hardship, while those who are deceiul and destrucve enjoy success and wealth? In order for an acon to be regarded as righteous and be rewarded, the element of choice must be present. In other words, doing good is only valid when there is a possibility for a person to do otherwise. If every me a person lies he gets struck by lightning, nobody will lie, not because they made a moral choice to be honest, but simply because it is not pragmac to lie!

NADi

If the lives of the righteous were perfect, it too would destroy the possibility of choice. Every man will be faithful to God because of the abundant advantages it brings. The reward for doing good becomes unjusable because there is no temptaon for doing bad. The key issue is the way we deal with a calamity. For many people, a major event is a dening moment. Interesngly, psychologists noted that even among those who had undergone traumac experiences such as wars or disasters, some survivors have gone on to become successful in their careers and lives, while others become depressed and aected for life. When bad things befall us, what we allow it to dene and determine for us depends on our atude. We can adopt an atude of believing that there is an ulmate good, and we can look at a problem as an opportunity for us in our development and growth. There are many examples of people who have been able to take this perspecve and move on. Their sense of dignity and the inspiraon they gave to others is amazing. Allah, in His Wisdom has promised us that He will test us with trials and challenges in our relaonships, comforts, our health and wealth throughout our lives. Yet He has also promised us His love and His help every me we turn to Him for comfort and protecon. As Muslims we remember the

promise of Allahs help and love, and we must turn to Him to give us strength and courage during periods of adversity and hardship. They encountered suering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: When will the help of Allah come? Verily, the help of Allah is always near! - Al-Baqarah, 2:214 This knowledge that Allah is always with us should upli us and enable us to remain joyful and hopeful, and to give us the strength and the will to go on.

For any comments on this arcle or any maers relang to NADI, please write to: EDITOR NADI Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura 273, Braddell Road, Singapore 579702 or email to: jamari@muis.gov.sg Please provide your name, contact address or email address.

NADi 07

GEMPA BUMI, TSUNAMI & LETUSAN GUNUNG BERAPI

MENGAPAKAH ALLAH MEMBENARKAN BERLAKUNYA MALAPETAKA?
Gempa bumi yang diiku oleh tsunami yang melanda Jepun baru-baru ini telah mengakibatkan kemusnahan yang amat besar pada negeri itu. Beberapa minggu sebelumnya, kota Christchurch dimpa nasib yang sama. Ia berlaku dalam jangka masa hanya beberapa bulan sahaja setelah satu gempa melanda bandar itu pada September 2010. Malahan, dalam beberapa tahun yang lalu, dunia telah dikejutkan dengan satu rentetan malapetaka yang dasyat : daripada gempa bumi hingga kepada letusan gunung berapi, daripada pukulan ombak besar tsunami hinggalah kepada wabak penyakit berjangkit seper SARS dan H1N1. Ini semua bukan sahaja telah meragut nyawa dan memusnahkan harta, malah telah memporak peradakan ahli keluarga dan masyarakat. Malapetaka ini semua telah memusnahkan harta benda dan tempat nggal, mengakibatkan kehibaan dan kehancuran yang dak terkata. Sebagai umat Islam, kita percaya sepenuhnya pada sifat rahmah dan penyayang Allah SWT terhadap semua hambaNya daripada makhluk terkecil plankton kepada pokok yang terbesar. Namun, kita juga lihat bagaimana kehidupan manusia diuji dengan pelbagai tragedi dan malapetaka: seorang ibu kehilangan anak kecilnya, seorang pencari naah utama dalam sesebuah keluarga ba-ba jatuh sakit, satu kemalangan yang mengakibatkan seorang pemuda yang sihat menjadi lumpuh. Di manakah letaknya sifat kasih sayang dan rahmah Allah dalam hal ini semua? NADi mengupas isu ini.

08 NADi

NADi

GAMBARAN BESAR Kitab Al-Quran ada menceritakan tentang hikayat Nabi Khidir A.S yang bijaksana, di mana Baginda telah pergi merantau bersama Nabi Musa A.S. Semasa dalam perjalanan, Nabi Khidir A.S. telah mengambil beberapa ndakan pelik yang membuat rakan seperjalanannya menjadi hairan. Pernah sekali, mereka telah dibawa ke atas sebuah sampan oleh sekumpulan nelayan miskin yang baik ha. Nelayannelayan tersebut bergantung pada sampan mereka itu untuk mencari rezeki, tetapi seap kali para nelayan ini dak melihat, Nabi Khidir A.S. akan menebuk lubang pada tepi sampan mereka. Tidak lama kemudian, Nabi Musa A.S., dengan rasa dak puas ha menegur Nabi Khidir A.S. atas apa yang dilakukannya. Keka itulah, Nabi Khidir A.S. menjelaskan ndakan-ndakannya itu. Para nelayan itu merupakan orang-orang yang jujur di mana keluarga mereka bergantung untuk sara hidup. Walau bagaimanapun, waktu itu mereka sedang dalam perjalanan ke satu daerah yang diperintah oleh seorang raja zalim yang gemar merampas sampan-sampan yang baik. Dengan merosakkan sampan mereka, Nabi Khidir A.S. telah dapat mencegah harta benda mereka daripada dirampas dan nyawa-nyawa mereka diancam oleh seorang raja yang kejam. Apakah yang dapat kita pelajari daripada kisah ini? Hidup ini merupakan suatu perjalanan di mana seringkali, kita dak dapat menilai sesuatu perkara sebelum sampai ke penghujungnya. Apabila dinjau kembali, apa yang berlaku pada para nelayan itu adalah untuk kebaikan mereka, tetapi jika mereka tahu akan kerosakan pada sampan mereka, mereka dak akan dapat menghargai nilainya sehingga mereka tahu tentang sifat raja yang zalim itu. Kadangkala, pada saat-saat tertentu dalam kehidupan, kita gagal melihat gambaran yang lebih besar oleh kerana pengetahuan kita yang cetek. Seringkali, kita hanya menunggu periswa untuk berlaku untuk memahami bagaimana ianya akan berakhir dengan baik. Dalam kesengsaraan dan kepahitan yang dialami, apabila berlaku perkara yang dak diingini, kita mudah patah semangat. Janganlah kita gusar akan ujian yang Allah berikan pada hari ini, kerana ianya mungkin menjadi suatu pintu bagi turunnya rahmatNya pada hari esok.

Dan pada sisi Allah-lah kuncikunci semua yang ghaib; tak ada yang mengetahuinya kecuali Dia sendiri. Dan Dia mengetahui apa yang ada di daratan dan di lautan. Dan ada sehelai daunpun yang gugur melainkan Dia mengetahuinya (pula), dan dak jatuh sebur biji pun dalam kegelapan bumi dan dak sesuatu yang basah atau yang kering, melainkan tertulis dalam kitab yang nyata (Luh Mahfuzh). - Surah Al-Anam, 6:59 DARI SUDUT KEHIDUPAN YANG ABADI Dalam agama Islam, kita percaya bahawa kehidupan di dunia ini hanyalah tempat ujian sementara, sebelum kita berhadapan dengan kehidupan yang kekal. Di sanalah segala kebaikan dan ndak-tanduk kita akan dihitung dan diambilkira. Jadi, tanggapan seorang umat Islam bagi kehidupan yang bagus mungkin seharusnya berbeza daripada tanggapan yang biasa, disebabkan adanya kehidupan yang kekal abadi. Secara umum, kehidupan yang bagus adalah gaya hidup yang mewah dan selesa, kesihatan yang baik dan kemaan dalam lingkungan umur 85 tahun. Kehidupan itu akan menjadi dak bagus jika salah satu di antara faktor-faktor ini hilang. Sudut pandangan ini mungkin benar jika kita menghadkan kewujudan kita kepada 85 tahun. Walau bagaimanapun, oleh kerana kita percaya akan hidup yang kekal, gambaran ini berubah secara mendadak. Dari sudut pandangan itu, nikmat yang terbaik yang kita inginkan ialah jalinan hubungan dengan Allah di akhirat kelak. Jika yang demikian, kehidupan yang baik ialah sesuatu yang dapat merapatkan ikatan kita denganNya. Justeru itu, jika kepayahan dan keperitan membuat seseorang hambaNya dekat kepadaNya, ingat kepadaNya dan dapat membina satu hubungan yang lebih erat denganNya, ini bermakna bahawa pengalaman itu bukanlah sesuatu yang buruk. Malah, satu kewujudan yang dianggap bertuah mungkin adalah daripada sesuatu pengalaman yang penuh dengan ranjau dan duri. Ini benar jika kepayahan itu memberikan seseorang peluang untuk lebih dekat kepada Allah. PELUANG PERTUMBUHAN Kesengsaraan seringkali adalah suatu peluang keemasan untuk pertumbuhan, untuk kita menyelami ha dan memeriksa minda. Masalah dapat menjana kesabaran, kekuatan, kebijaksanaan, sifat belas kasihan, keberanian dan banyak lagi kebaikan yang sukar dipupuk dalam waktuNADi 09

NADi

Pemuda itu duduk buat beberapa jam sambil menyaksikan bagaimana sang kupu-kupu itu cuba memaksa dirinya keluar dari pembukaan yang kecil tadi. Kupu-kupu yang malang itu sepernya dak dapat keluar walaupun setelah beberapa jam berlalu. Pemuda yang berha mulia tadi, lalu bercadang untuk menolong sang kupu-kupu dengan menggunng sedikit daripada sisa kepompong itu. Si kupu-kupu tadi keluar dari kepompong itu dengan mudahnya. Tetapi badannya bengkak dan sayapnya sangat kecil dan kecut. Pemuda itu terus menunnggu. Dia percaya bahawa bila-bila masa sahaja, seper kupu-kupu yang lain, sayap-sayapnya akan membesar dan badannya akan mengecil. Kemudian, ia akan menebarkan sayap-sayapnya yang cank dan terbang ke udara penuh bebas. Setelah kian lama menunggu, ada apapun perubahan yang berlaku! Malahan, si kupu-kupu tadi terus hidup merangkak dengan badannya yang bengkak dan sayapnya yang kecut. Ia dak akan pernah terbang. Apa yang dak disedari pemuda itu ialah, pembukaan kecil pada kepompong dan kepayahan untuk keluar, adalah penng bagi perkembangan seekor kupu-kupu. Dengan berbuat demikian, cecair dari badan kupu-kupu itu terpaksa mengalir ke sayap-sayap, membuatnya lebih kuat agar ia bersedia untuk terbang bebas sejurus ia keluar dari kepompongnya. Seringkali, Allah menguji kita dengan masalah dan kepayahan untuk membuat kita menjadi insan yang lebih baik dan tabah. Tanpa itu semua, kita dak akan menjadi sekuat dan setabah mungkin. Seper kisah si kupu-kupu tadi, kita dak akan dapat terbang! Krisis boleh juga merubah segala perancangan. Sering Allah menjadikan masalah dan musibah sebagai petunjuk untuk memberikan kita hidayah. Berapa kalikah kita pernah terdengar akan seseorang yang hanya akan sedar akan keutamaan dalam hidupnya setelah dia jatuh sakit? Tentang seseorang yang hanya mula menghargai orang-orang yang tersayang, setelah mereka mengalami satu krisis yang hampir-hampir meragut nyawa mereka sendiri? Justeru itu, dari sudut pandangan seorang umat Islam, kesengsaraan yang dialami adalah bertujuan untuk pertumbuhan, dan menjadi sebahagian daripada proses memperhalusi kerohanian. Allah dak membebani seseorang melainkan sesuai dengan kesanggupannya. Ia mendapat pahala (dari kebajikan) yang diusahakannya dan ia mendapat siksa (dari kejahatan) yang dikerjakannya. - Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286

waktu senang. Rasulullah S.A.W. pernah bersabda, seper yang diriwayatkan oleh Abu Hurairah R.A.: Keka Allah ingin berbuat baik kepada seseorang, Dia limpahkan mereka cubaan dan ujian. Seorang guru yang baik akan memberitahu kita bahawa ujian merupakan cabaran yang dapat membantu para pelajar lebih maju. Mengapakah para guru melontarkan soalan-soalan yang paling payah kepada pelajar-pelajar yang terbaik dan terpandai? Ianya adalah untuk membolehkan mereka melihat potensi mereka yang sebenar, apabila mereka mengembangkan diri mereka sendiri. Sama juga halnya, seorang pelah akan menaikkan kenggian palang sedikit demi sedikit setelah atlit lompat pagar itu bertambah maju. Ini bukan untuk menghukum, tetapi untuk mencapai lompatan yang lebih baik. Renungkan kisah berikut: Pada suatu hari, seorang pemuda telah menemui kepompong seekor kupu-kupu di taman rumahnya. Dia mendapa satu pembukaan yang kecil pada kepompong itu.

KUASA MEMBUAT PILIHAN Tidakkah kadangkala kita merasakan ianya suatu yang dak adil sekiranya orang yang jujur kebuluran dan sengsara, manakala seorng yang menipu dan memusnah menikma kejayaan dan kemewahan? Untuk sesuatu ndakan itu dianggap mulia dan harus diberikan ganjaran, unsur pemilihan haruslah hadir. Dalam er kata lain, melakukan sesuatu yang baik dianggap sah apabila ada kemungkinan untuk seseorang itu melakukan yang sebaliknya. Jika seap kali seseorang itu berbohong, lalu dia akan disambar per, ada sesiapa yang akan berbohong; bukan kerana mereka telah membuat satu pilihan untuk bersikap jujur, tetapi kerana ianya menjadi dak munasabah untuk berbohong! Jika kehidupan orang-orang yang baik dan mulia adalah sempurna, ia juga akan meluputkan kemungkinan untuk memilih. Seap umat akan bertaqwa kepada Allah kerana keuntungan lumayan yang didapatkannya. Ganjaran untuk berbuat baik menjadi dak wajar kerana ada godaan untuk melakukan perkara yang dak baik. Isu utama adalah cara kita menangani sesuatu malapetaka. Bagi kebanyakan orang, satu kejadian yang besar adalah dek penentuan. Yang menariknya, para pakar psikologi memerhakan bahawa antara mereka yang pernah mengalami trauma seper pengalaman buruk dalam peperangan atau bencana, ada yang cekal berikhar untuk hidup dan berjaya dalam kerjaya dan kehidupan; manakala yang lainnya menjadi murung dan terjejas seumur hidup. Apabila musibah menimpa, baik buruknya bergantung pada sikap kita. Kita boleh mengambil sikap percaya bahawa terdapat satu hikmah yang tersembunyi dan kita boleh melihat sesuatu masalah itu sebagai satu peluang untuk

pembangunan dan perkembangan diri kita. Terdapat banyak contoh di mana ada di antara kita yang telah mengambil sudut pandangan ini dan mara ke hadapan. Perasaan maruah diri yang nggi dan inspirasi yang mereka tonjolkan kepada yang lain, amat menakjubkan. Allah, yang Maha Bijaksana, telah berjanji bahawa Dia akan menguji kita dengan cubaan dan dugaan dalam hal hubungan, kesenangan, kesihatan dan kemewahan sepanjang hayat kita. Bahkan, Dia juga telah menjanjikan Kasih SayangNya dan PertolonganNya seap kali kita meminta rahmat dan perlindungan daripadaNya. Adakah patut kamu menyangka bahawa kamu akan masuk syurga, padahal belum sampai kepada kamu (ujian dan cubaan) seper yang telah berlaku kepada orang-orang yang terdahulu daripada kamu? Mereka telah dimpa kepapaan (kemusnahan hartabenda) dan serangan penyakit, serta digoncangkan (oleh ancaman bahaya musuh), sehingga berkatalah Rasul dan orang-orang yang beriman yang ada bersamanya: Bilakah (datangnya) pertolongan Allah? Ketahuilah sesungguhnya pertolongan Allah itu dekat (asalkan kamu bersabar dan berpegang teguh kepada ugama Allah). - Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:214 Dengan adanya kesedaran bahawa Allah senasa bersama kita, sepatutnya membangkitkan dan membolehkan kita berasa ceria dan terus berharap; untuk memberikan kita kekuatan dan semangat untuk terus meni hari-hari yang mendatang yang lebih yakin dan penuh harapan.

NADi 11

The following was written by Jamaal Green on Saturday 26 February, as an open letter to his friends after the Christchurch earthquake. Since then a large-scale clear-up operation has been in place. The central city remains off-limits until demolitions have been completed.

JAMAAL GREEN Friends

EARTHQUAKE AND AFTERWARDS

Dear friend, I arrived back in Christchurch yesterday. First thing to say is that we are all ok no-one is hurt (a huge blessing), and were staying at my sister-in-laws place because they have a water supply but we do not. Our house is not as bad as I had feared. A lot of stu thrown around internally but Jinah had already cleared up the broken plates and glasses so I didnt see the internal chaos. When the quake happened she had been in Wellington because Umar was just starng university there. Our calm Shakirah was in Christchurch and at school. I was in Singapore, intending to be there for a while, but got back as quickly as I could. For ourselves I feel strange. Our house is a typical, small New Zealand house wood framed, with brick facing. Nothing ashy, but so far its been a tough lile thing. When the quakes come everything moves and this me a lot of the bricks have been shaken o but this is supercial, cosmec. We were having some extensions done so Chris, our builder, checked underneath the house. The core of it seems to have stayed together with no cracking so well rip the remaining bricks o the outside and replace them with wooden weatherboards. But this is selsh. Far more important is what is happening around us. Yesterday we bumped into a friend from the next street and her distress was palpable. She was hugging Jinah tears and no words for a long me. Shed been alone in her house and under a table for safety, unable to get out because of the connuing series of violent shocks. Many windows have blown out at their place and almost no-one in their street is able to stay in their homes. At least two houses near her are completely aened, though in each case the people who live there got out. And her queson seemed telling: Are you going to stay? Will you go back; leave New Zealand? No, we said. Were here. She seemed almost relieved, like some kind of small vote of condence in a possible future. Around the city roads are buckled with humps and ridges and holes and there is liquefacon everywhere this means thick layers of grey, sandy stu pushed up through the ground or piled in muddy, roadside heaps where people have managed to clear it. If last Septembers quakes had localised the damage, this me its everywhere. The central city is cordoned o. 300 Australian police were sworn in yesterday with NZ policing powers (and said they felt humbled when they were applauded o the plane from Oz) and the army and police are blocking all roads into the city. Apparently it may well be o-limits for months. You take long detours and move slowly. Large houses have fallen or been demolished, and churches stand with great gaping holes in them a roof with almost no support, the wall gone from under it. And there are sll bodies lying under rubble, as yet undiscovered. The death toll rises and is expected to keep rising. This kind of thing has happened in many countries and now it has happened to us.
12 NADi

Wed had over 4,000 aershocks since the September quake so the fabric of the city was loosened and I guess the human psyche gets a bit weary too. Already some people were jiery but you just got on with life and gured the shakes would gradually decrease in strength. This one, and the aershocks around it, have torn that veneer and exposed the fragility, and when I got back the airport was busier than I had ever seen it, with streams of people leaving a small exodus of refugees. And yet there are posives. Air New Zealand are oering get-you home fares for Christchurch folk who want to return $400 from anywhere across the world; $50 if you need to y back from Australia. When I arrived a woman walked through the airport with her young son, giving away muns shed baked. At the airport car park, the charges were all waived. A man near us has a spring in his back garden. Hes run a pipe from there to the pavement outside, with a sign Free water. Farmers groups have organised themselves so that they drive into town with diggers and spread out to dierent areas to help in clearing up. And an army of uni students have set up a Facebook page for volunteers. In many senses, and however strange this may sound, I feel our own family have been very fortunate even as I know that many have suered loss. But, at great risk of sounding preachy, and because you see how life can be so brief, if youve got anyone precious who you havent spoken to recently, please call them up and see how they are. And if youre about to say anything angry to your kids or to someone, check yourself. Every me could be a last me. Looking back and looking forward, what have we learned? Its been said that you cannot determine what happens to you in life but you have a choice about how you react. For sure there have been individual acts of stupidity and selshness. But much that I have seen amid the sadness and the destrucon reminds me of what is best about people and community. For our city there is a great deal of work to be done the challenge is not to retreat into ourselves and forget other people. Salams, Jamaal in Christchurch, New Zealand
NADi 13

NADi

THE SUCCESS PROCESS

Ever feel as if you are too lazy or red to study or reach towards your goals? Here are some strategies you can consider to nd your inner power to keep moving towards success. INSPIRATION
Inspiraon is a powerful movator. Look around for sources of inspiraon. They can be found easily. Successful alumnae of your school, inspiraonal movies, friends and people who have made it can be role-models for success. Even the poster boys/girls who adverse for certain health foods / movaonal programmes can become a source of inspiraon they are real life people who have achieved. If they can succeed, you can too!

Compeon forces us to improve ourselves. One way to movate ourselves is to compete with top students from your class or school. Drive yourself to work harder/smarter, improve yourself and learn from your competors so that you can score well in the exams.

COMPETITION

14 NADi

NADi

Remember though, that compeon should be healthy think win-win. Dont think of destroying your competors just to cross the nish line rst. In that case, even if you win the compeon, you will not have the respect from others.

SUCCESS

REWARD

Reward lures us to work hard/smart to achieve success. Its good if you can nd someone who can sponsor the reward: parents, relaves, etc. If not, think of a way to reward yourself. Rewards need not be monetary you can treat yourself to a bar of chocolates, or a cup of ice mocca, or something which you enjoy and can look forward to.

Success is a powerful movator. Once you taste success, you gain euphoria, excitement, pride and condence, which helps to movate yourself for the next challenge. Accumulate small successes such as geng good results for every test. This series of small successes can form a strong momentum to fuel yourself to chase for more successes, especially the big ones. Success brings more successes.

REVENGE

Revenge can be very movang if you use it wisely. The revenge here does not refer to destrucve acts, which will ruin reputaon and damage relaonships. Such revenge leads to LOSE-LOSE. The best way to take revenge is by being successful. In this way, the enemies are proven wrong, so work hard to do well. Once we succeed, our revenge is fullled. Success sends the enemy a loud and clear message: You are wrong. I am a winner. Thats an elegant way of taking revenge because they win both the bale and the war and gain honour and respect in the process. Being successful is sweet revenge.

VISUALISE

See a visual encouragement to boost movaon. You can imagine how you would look at the moment when you see your result slip. Imagine a moment when you are experiencing success. Get someone to snap a picture of your face at that moment. Make a large print out and put it somewhere visible.

MOMENTUM

Once procrasnaon has been overcome and you start to study, you will noce that you can study quite constantly. This is because a study habit has formed. It also means you have gained momentum in what you are doing. Momentum must be maintained, and when it is, it pushes a person on and on. Although momentum is a powerful movator, a big enemy has to be defeated rst procrasnaon. Also, you have to make sure the momentum is not on the wrong things, such as game playing and sleeping the whole day!

Be condent that you will be able to succeed, but dont forget to seek for Allahs help. He encourages us to constantly work hard and improve ourselves, to fulll our potenal and be the best that we can be. When we do it for His sake, He has promised us that we will not be alone. Turn to Him, and He will answer our call. Amin.

PRAY

NADi 15

Voices of the Future young graduands at the Al-Khair English Madrasah Graduaon ceremony.

President & Mrs SR Nathan with recipients at the Muis Awards & Presidents Challenge Cheque Presentaon Ceremony in October 2010.

Minister for the Environment & Water Resources, (now Minister of Informaon, Communicaon & the Arts) and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Aairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim being briefed about the progress of the An-Nur Mosque Upgrading project.

Mui Syed Mohd Isa Semait receives a token from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Taoist Grand Interfaith Dinner in December 2010.

The Halal Workshop in December 2010 provided an opportunity for parcipants to clarify issues pertaining to halal cercaon.

Sharing the Blessing of Eidul Adha EidulAdha celebraons at Al-Muaqin Mosque in November 2010.

Leaving a Legacy
In December 2010, Shaikh Syed Isa Mohd Semait ended his 38-year tenure as the Mui of Singapore, and le behind a legacy of contribuons. As Mui, Ustaz Hj Syed Isa guided the introducon and implementaon of new and progressive fatwas or religious rulings for issues ranging from organ donaon to CPF monies and inheritance, from relocaon of old mosques to the building of new ones.

Shaikh Syed Isa Mohd Semait, 72, received his secondary educaon in Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, Singapore before he studied for his Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Before his appointment as Mui of Singapore in 1972, he worked briey as an interpreter at the Embassy of Singapore in Cairo as well as Naib Kathi at the Registry of Muslim Marriages. As the leader of Muslims in mul-racial Singapore, Shaikh Syed Isa believed in the importance of being inclusive and pracsing pluralism without contradicng Islam. Muslims must be self-condent and be able to appreciate other civilisaons as well as learn from other communies. For this reason, he served as Council Member of the InterReligious Organisaon (IRO). In fact from 1993 to 1994, he was appointed the IROs President. In addion, he is also a member of the Presidenal Council for Religious Harmony. In recognion of his vast contribuons, Shaikh Syed Isa Mohd Semait was awarded the Public Administraon Medal (Bronze) in 1982 and the Public Administraon Medal (Gold) in 2009. In 2011, Muis also introduced the Syed Isa Semait Scholar Award in his honour. This is an addional monetary award of

S$10,000 per annum for the most outstanding recipient of the Muis Postgraduate Scholarship. It aims to develop local Muslim scholars and learned persons specialising in various elds of study relevant for the connuing development of the Singapore Muslim community. In his farewell speech, Shikh Syed Isa spoke passionately about the need to ensure that the legacy of religious harmony in our country connues to ourish. To do so, he believes in the need to connue to love and think of what is good for the larger humanity. Soluons that are oered in dealing with issues of religious harmony must be resolved with a magnanimous spirit, and Muslims must think of what is good not only for ourselves but also for the good of all. This, he maintains, is the teaching of our beloved Prophet S.A.W. Islam teaches Muslims to promote universal principles and values, and become a blessing to all humankind. The Minister-in-charge of Muslim Aairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, armed how Shaikh Syed Isa guided an enre generaon of Malay Muslims to a progressive religious life. He further acknowledges that all the policies and fatwas that we have developed are based on his leadership and his guidance. The Malay Muslim community in Singapore owes Hj Syed Isa Mohd Semait a debt of gratude.

18 NADi

Continuing the Tradition

For Dr Mohd Fatris Bakaram, 40, connuing the tradion of providing religious guidance to the Muslim community in Singapore is something that is not completely new. He has been progressively overseeing the dues in the Oce of the Mui since being designated as the Deputy Mui in April 2004. Dr Mohd Fatris Bakaram received his primary educaon in Pasir Panjang Primary School and aended Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah for his secondary and post-secondary qualicaons. He received his Degree in Islamic Theology (Usuluddin) from the Al-Azhar University in Egypt. Subsequently, he pursued his post-graduate Masters degree in Educaonal Administraon and Management from the Internaonal Islamic University in Malaysia. In 2004, he was awarded the Muis Training Award for Islamic Studies. He has been comferred of his Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies (Syariah) degree from the University of Birmingham, UK in 2011. Before his appointment as Mui in January 2011, Dr Fatris had experience working as a teacher in Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah as well as an execuve ocer in the Muslim Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). In 1997, he was seconded as the Principal of Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah before joining the Oce of the Mui as Head in 2003. Dr Mohd Fatris has worked closely with many Malay-Muslim bodies in a variety of capacies. From 1993 to 2003, he had served as Deputy President of the Associaon of Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers of Singapore (PERGAS). He had also been appointed Chairman of Ahmad Mosque for three 2-year terms from 1998 to 2005. In addion, between 1999 and 2009, he had been a member of the Mendaki Board, the Management Board of Madrasah Al-Irsyad and the Appeal Board for the Syariah Court of Singapore. The work in these organisaons had broadened his perspecve and given him valuable exposure to the challenges and opportunies facing the Muslim community. Muslims in Singapore welcomed the young Mui. Adept with new technologies, Dr Fatris has used social media such as Facebook to engage the community, especially youth on religious maers. Hes in tune with the needs and aspiraons of todays generaon. We feel we can connect with him, and he is able to empathise with the challenges that we face in todays world, reveals 20 year-old Mohd Haikal, a naonal serviceman. Dr Mohd Fatris recorded his appreciaon for his predecessor Shaikh Syed Isa Semait and aributed the former Mui as his mentor in dealing with various maers. One key lesson learnt was to stay calm. Shaikh Syed Isa Semait taught me to look at an issue objecvely, without being inuenced by emoons. Instead, we need always to view it in context. During an interview with the Straits Times on his appointment, Ustaz Mohd Fatris voiced his aspiraon to help the community to be strong in its faith, and at the same me contribute to the well-being of society and all of humanity.

NADi 19

Pada Disember 2010, Ustaz Hj Syed Isa Mohd Semait menamatkan jawatannya sebagai Mui Singapura selama 38 tahun, dan meninggalkan satu warisan dengan sumbangan-sumbangannya yang dak ternilai. Sebagai Mui, Ustaz Hj Syed Isa telah memberikan panduan tentang pengenalan dan pelaksanaan fatwa-fatwa baru atau garispandu-garispandu agama mengenai isu-isu daripada pendermaan organ manusia kepada wang CPF dan pengagihan harta faraid; daripada pemindahan lokasi masjid-masjid lama kepada pembinaan masjid-masjid yang baru.

Meninggalkan Warisan
Ustaz Hj Syed Isa Mohd Semait, 72 tahun, menerima pendidikan sekolah menengahnya di Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, Singapura, sebelum beliau melanjutkan pengajiannya untuk mendapatkan Sarjana Muda dalam bidang Syariah Islamiah di Universi Al-Azhar di Kahirah. Sebelum pelankannya sebagai Mui Singapura pada tahun 1972, beliau telah berkhidmat sebagai penterjemah di Kedutaan Singapura di Kahirah dan juga sebagai Naib Kathi di Registri Perkahwinan Orang-orang Islam (Registry Of Muslim Marriages, ROMM) Sebagai ketua umat Islam di Singapura, di mana rakyatnya berbilang kaum, Ustaz Syed Isa akur akan kepenngan melibatkan diri dan memprakkkan hidup bermajmuk tanpa melakukan perkara-perkara yang bertentangan dengan agama Islam. Umat Islam haruslah mempunyai sifat yakin diri dan mampu menghargai tamadun-tamadun lain dan juga belajar daripada masyarakat yang berbeza. Atas alasan inilah beliau telah berkhidmat sebagai Ahli Dewan bagi Organisasi Antara-Agama (Inter-Religious Organisaon, IRO). Malahan, daripada tahun 1993 hingga 1994, beliau telah menyandang jawatan sebagai Presiden IRO. Tambahan lagi, beliau juga merupakan ahli bagi Dewan Kepresidenan untuk Keharmonian Agama (Presidenal Council for Religious Harmony). Atas jasa dan sumbangan beliau yang dak terhingga, Ustaz Hj Syed Isa Mohd Semait telah dianugerahkan Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Gangsa) pada tahun 1982 dan Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Emas) pada tahun 2009.
20 NADi

Pada tahun 2011, sebagai tanda penghormatan, Muis juga telah memperkenalkan Anugerah Sarjana Syed Isa Semait. Ini merupakan anugerah tambahan berupa wang berjumlah S$10,000 setahun bagi penerima Biasiswa Pasca-sarjana Muis yang paling cemerlang. Ia bertujuan untuk mengembangkan para sarjana dan ilmuan Islam tempatan yang membuat pengkhususan dalam pelbagai bidang pengajian yang relevan untuk perkembangan berterusan masyarakat Islam Singapura. Dalam ucapan terakhirnya, Ustaz Hj Syed Isa telah mengatakan tentang perlunya kita memaskan warisan keharmonian kaum di negara ini terus berkembang. Untuk berbuat yang demikian, beliau percaya akan perlunya untuk kita terus menyayangi dan berkir akan perkara apa yang terbaik bagi manusia sejagat. Penyelesaian yang disarankan dalam menghadapi isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan keharmonian agama haruslah dilaksanakan dengan semangat dan sikap murah ha. Umat Islam bukan sahaja harus berkir apakah yang terbaik untuk diri mereka tetapi juga untuk kaum yang lain. Menurutnya lagi, ini adalah ajaran daripada baginda Rasulullah S.A.W. yang dikasihi. Islam mengajar penganutnya untuk memprakkan nilai-nilai dan dasar-dasar sejagat, untuk menjadi keberkatan bagi semua umat manusia. Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Hal Ehwal Umat Islam, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, menegaskan bagaimana Hj Syed Isa telah memberi panduan kepada seluruh generasi umat Melayu-Islam untuk mencapai kehidupan beragama yang progresif. Tambahannya lagi, semua dasar dan fatwa yang telah kami adakan adalah berlandaskan daripada panduan dan kepimpinan beliau. Masyarakat Melayu-Islam di Singapura sememangnya amat terhutang budi kepada Hj Syed Isa Mohd Semait.

Meneruskan Tradisi
Bagi Ustaz Dr Mohd Fatris Bakaram, 40 tahun, tugas meneruskan tradisi memberi panduan agama kepada masyarakat Islam di Singapura bukanlah sesuatu yang agak baru. Beliau, secara progresif, telah memantau tugas-tugas di Pejabat Mui sejak dilank menjadi Timbalan Mui pada April 2004. Ustaz Dr Mohd Fatris Bakaram telah mendapat didikan asas di Sekolah Rendah Pasir Panjang dan terus menamatkan pengajiannya di peringkat menengah dan pasca-menengah di Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah. Beliau telah menerima Sarjana Mudanya dalam bidang Usuluddin dari Universi Al-Azhar di Mesir. Selanjutnya, beliau meneruskan pengajian pasca-sarjananya dalam bidang Pengurusan dan Pentadbiran Pendidikan dari Universi Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) di Malaysia. Pada tahun 2004, beliau telah diberi Anugerah Lahan Muis dalam bidang Pengajian Islam. Beliau telah memerima Doktor Falsafah dalam Pengajian Islam (Syariah) dari Universi Birmingham, UK. Sebelum menjawat gelaran Mui pada Januari 2011, Ustaz Dr Fatris telah mengajar di Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah dan juga bertugas sebagai pegawai eksekuf di Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis). Pada tahun 1997, beliau telah dilank sebagai Pengetua di Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah, sebelum menyertai Pejabat Mui sebagai Ketua pada tahun 2003. Ustaz Dr Mohd Fatris telah bekerja rapat dengan banyak badan Melayu-Islam dengan menyandang pelbagai jawatan. Daripada 1993 hingga 2003, beliau telah berkhidmat sebagai Timbalan Presiden, Persatuan Guru-guru Agama Singapura (PERGAS). Beliau juga adalah Pengerusi Masjid Ahmad buat ga penggal daripada 1998 hingga 2005. Tambahan lagi, antara 1999 dan 2009, beliau telah menjadi ahli dalam Lembaga Pengarah Yayasan Mendaki, Lembaga Pengurusan di Madrasah Al-Irsyad dan Lembaga Rayuan bagi Mahkamah Syariah Singapura. Tugas-tugas beliau di oraganisasiorganisasi yang disebutkan tadi telah meluaskan sudut pandangannya dan memberikan beliau pendedahan yang dak ternilai untuk menghadapi segala cabaran dan peluang yang membelenggu masyarakat Islam di Singapura. Umat Islam di Singapura mengalu-alukan pelankan Mui baru. Dengan berlengkapkan teknologi terkini, Ustaz Dr Fatris telah menggunakan media sosial seper Facebook untuk berhubungrapat dengan masyarakat, terutama para belia, tentang hal-hal keagamaan. Pengetahuannya yang luas dan terkini membuat beliau faham akan keperluan dan aspirasi generasi hari ini. Kami berasa bahawa kami dapat berkait dengan beliau, dan beliau mampu memahami cabaran-cabaran yang kita hadapi sekarang, ujar Mohd Haikal, 20 tahun, seorang pegawai perkhidmatan negara. Ustaz Dr Mohd Fatris merakamkan senggi-nggi penghargaannya kepada Shaikh Syed Mohd Isa Semait dan menganggap mantan Mui itu sebagai mentornya dalam menangani pelbagai perkara. Satu pengajaran utama yang beliau pelajari adalah supaya senasa bersikap tenang. Ustaz Hj Syed Isa Semait telah mengajar saya untuk melihat dan menangani sesuatu isu itu secara objekf, tanpa dipengaruhi oleh emosi. Malah, kita senasa perlu melihat isu tersebut dari segi konteksnya. Semasa temuramahnya dengan The Straits Times mengenai pelankannya, Ustaz Dr Mohd Fatris menyuarakan aspirasinya untuk membantu masyarakat agar teguh dalam pegangan agama, dan pada masa yang sama, menyumbang pada kebajikan masyarakat dan semua umat manusia.

NADi 21

NADi

NEWS

MORE YEAR-END ZAKAT FOR POOR & NEEDY FAMILIES

Muis disbursed a year-end bonus of $772,000 to 1,890 families under its zakat assistance scheme in December 2010. The year-end bonus, the Ramadan bonus given earlier in August and the monthly nancial assistance are supplementary to other exisng naonal assistance schemes or funds. Guided by the principle receive more, disburse more, Muis increased the quantum to eligible zakat recipients and their dependents this year. This payout represents a 60% increase over the last two years, from $450,000 in 2008. For the last two years, the year-end bonus was pegged at 1.5 months of the monthly nancial assistance given to the recipients. In 2010, a total of 1.75 months was given to eligible zakat recipients placed on both short-term and long-term assistance. Out of the $772,000 disbursed, a total of $163,000 was given in the form of riqab (study grant) bonus to families who have children aged 18 and below. This addional bonus was rst introduced in 2009 and welcomed by zakat recipients with school-going children. With the rm belief that connuous educaon of children from poor families facilitates self-reliance and economic independence in the long run, Muis has also increased the riqab quantum. This would help to defray the schoolrelated and child-rearing expenses incurred by parents, especially for the purchase of textbooks as well as Islamic Learning programmes at mosques. The actual amount of year-end bonus given to each zakat receiving family depends on the quantum of the monthly nancial assistance that the family receives and the number of children aged 18 and below that the family has.

AGIHAN ZAKAT LEBIH KEPADA KELUARGAKELUARGA MISKIN YANG MEMERLUKAN

Muis telah mengagihkan sejumlah $772,000 sebagai bonus akhir tahun kepada 1,890 keluarga di bawah skim bantuan zakat pada Disember 2010. Bonus tersebut, bersama dengan bonus Ramadan yang diberikan pada bulan Ogos dan bantuan kewangan bulanan, merupakan bantuan tambahan kepada danadana atau skim-skim bantuan nasional yang sedia ada. Berpandukan prinsip terima lebih, agihkan lebih, Muis telah meningkatkan kuantum kepada para penerima zakat yang layak dan tanggungan mereka. Pembayaran ini menampakkan kenaikan 60% sepanjang dua tahun yang lalu, daripada $450,000 pada tahun 2008. Untuk dua tahun yang lalu, bonus akhir tahun telah ditetapkan pada 1.5 bulan daripada bantuan kewangan bulanan yang diberikan kepada para penerima. Pada tahun 2010, sejumlah 1.75 bulan telah diberikan kepada penerima zakat yang layak, yang merupakan penerima jangka masa pendek dan panjang. Daripada $772,000 yang diagihkan, sejumlah $163,000 telah diberikan dalam bentuk bonus riqab (biasiswa pendidikan) kepada keluarga-keluarga yang mempunyai anak-anak berumur 18 tahun ke bawah. Bonus tambahan ini diperkenalkan pada tahun 2009 dan telah dialu-alukan oleh para penerima zakat yang mempunyai anak-anak yang masih bersekolah. Muis telah juga meningkatkan kuantum riqab dengan berpegang kuat kepada prinsip bahawa pembelajaran berterusan anak-anak dari keluarga-keluarga miskin dapat mempermudahkan daya mampu diri mereka dan kemandirian ekonomik dalam jangka masa panjang. Bonus ini juga dapat membantu mengurangkan beban kos pembelajaran bersekolah dan membesarkan anak, terutama sekali kos untuk membeli buku-buku teks serta program-program Pembelajaran Islam di masjid-masjid. Jumlah bonus akhir tahun yang diberikan kepada seap keluarga yang menerima zakat bergantung kepada kuantum bantuan kewangan bulanan yang diterima oleh keluarga itu dan jumlah anak-anak di bawah umur 18 tahun yang ditanggungi mereka.

22 NADi

NADi

NEWS

The development of an Indian Muslim Heritage Centre located at the Nagore Dargah in Telok Ayer was successfully completed. It was ocially opened by HE President SR Nathan on 29 May 2011. A wakaf (endowment) property, Muis supported the idea of an Indian Muslim Heritage Centre and facilitated the process. The monument had been restored in 2008 at a cost of $900,000 including capital injecon from Wakaf Jamae. The Heritage Centre captures the stories and memories of the Indian Muslim community within Singapores past and present.

NAGORE DARGAH THE STORY OF SINGAPORE INDIAN MUSLIMS

The Nagore Dargah (originally called Shawal Hamid Durgha) is one of the earliest religious monuments in Singapore. It was gazeed as a Naonal Monument on 19 November 1974. Dedicated to the memory of the Holy Shahul Hamid of Nagore, it was built between 1827 and 1830, by Chulia Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel Coast India. Members of the Indian Muslim community shared arfacts or images depicng their stories and memories relang to their immigraon and travel to Singapore from India and other signicant events from that period unl the present. A two-day event was held in January 2011 at the centre for the collecon of these historical arfacts.

SPECIAL COLLECTION IN AID OF EARTHQUAKE -TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN JAPAN

All mosques in Singapore mounted a special collecon on behalf of the Rahmatan Lil-Alamin (Blessingsto-All) Foundaon in aid of the humanitarian relief eorts in Japan. The twin disasters in the form of the magnitude 9 earthquake and deadly tsunami caused massive destrucon across the naons Pacic coast. The situaon was also made more crical by the massive damage to the nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. The Singapore Muslim community prayed for the vicms and communies in the aected areas to have the strength and resilience to face these adversies.

NADi 23

NADi

NEWS

ISLAM & ADAPTATION TO WESTERN SECULAR SOCIETY

A public lecture on the topic was held at the Singapore Islamic Hub in January 2011. Jointly organised by the Muis Academy and Centre for Islamic & Malay Aairs (RIMA), the lecture featured Prof Olivier Roy, Head of the Mediterranean Programme, Robert Schumann Centre for Advanced Studies , European University Instute, Italy.

Prof Olivier Roy is a Senior Researcher at the French Naonal Centre for Scienc Research and a Professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. His work includes Secularism Confronts Islam. During this lecture, Prof Roy oered a perspecve on the place of Islam in secular society and looked at the diverse experiences of Muslim immigrants in the West. He examined how Muslim intellectuals have made it possible for Muslims to thrive in a secularised world while maintaining the identy of a true believer. The session was moderated by NUS vising fellow, Assoc Prof Gabriele Marranci.

24 NADi

NADi

NEWS

MOSQUE BEFRIENDERS SCHEME

Mosque Befrienders provide emoonal support and help to mentor families who are in nancial diculty. They also look aer the welfare of lonely elderly and the physically immobile. Working closely with the Social Development Ocers (SDOs) at mosques, there are currently about 340 befrienders naonwide. To further enhance the skills of the befrienders, a comprehensive Befrienders Management Framework has been launched. In 2010, two runs of customised basic training (Level 1) for 50 befrienders, conducted in collaboraon with the Social Service Training Instute (SSTI), had been organised. The training will be extended to the other befrienders, including new recruits. Muis will connue to increase the pool of volunteers for beer and more personal care for zakat recipients and their families.

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PROGRESS FUND

Mosques are now well-placed to empower and support zakat recipients through holisc intervenon. The South East Enhanced Cluster (SEMC) and the North East Enhanced Mosque Cluster (NEMC) were set up in February and November 2008 respecvely. EMCs were established to improve the synergy and collaboraon among mosques in a wider area. The EMC model also facilitates the sharing of best pracces and resources among mosques to tackle community issues eecvely. With the EMCs, the social assistance funcon previously centralised in Muis was devolved to the clusters, hence becoming more accessible to the needy. The EMCs have established strengthened networks with various agencies such as the CDCs, Mendaki, FSCs as well as community and naonal instuons like the Health Promoon Board (HPB). These networks are crucial in ensuring that zakat recipients receive appropriate assistance through the right channels.

Since 2008, both mosque clusters have provided more structured and holisc assistance to some 1,857 zakatreceiving families from the North Eastern and South Eastern parts of Singapore. More than 90% of these cases were referred to CDCs/ VWOs for some form of assistance. Individualised plans were also drawn up for more than 90% of cases to provide customised intervenon and closer monitoring by the befrienders. To date, 653 families were able to overcome their hardship and no longer receive nancial assistance. In addion, out of the total number of families with children that were assisted by the EMCs, more than 60% of them aend Islamic Learning in the mosques and 10% acvely parcipate in mosque acvies. To-date, $487,030 has been expended from the $2.5m Progress Fund launched in April 2010 Fund in the form of subsidies for school fees and other school-related expenses for a.L.I.V.E. classes, mosque madrasah as well as full-me madrasahs. About 1,300 students have beneed from these subsidies.

NADi 25

The

Singaporean Muslim Identity

Holds strongly to Islamic principles while adapting itself to a changing context. Morally and spiritually strong to be on top of the challenges of modern society. Progressive, practises Islam beyond forms/rituals and rides the modernisation wave. Appreciates Islamic civilisation and history, and has good understanding of contemporary issues. Appreciates other civilisations and is self-condent to interact and learn from other communities. Believes that good Muslims are also good citizens. Well-adjusted as contributing members of a multi-religious society and secular state. Be a blessing to all and promotes universal principles and values. Inclusive and practises pluralism, without contradicting Islam. Be a model and inspiration to all.

Identiti Muslim Singapura

Berpegang teguh akan prinsip Islam dan dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan konteks yang berubah. Mempunyai moral dan sifat kerohanian yang utuh, mampu mengatasi cabaran kehidupan masyarakat moden. Progresif, mengamalkan Islam lebih sekadar ritual/bentuk dan dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan arus pemodenan. Menghayati tamadun dan sejarah Islam dan berupaya memahami isu-isu semasa. Menghargai lain-lain ketamadunan dan yakin diri untuk berinteraksi serta belajar daripada masyarakat lain. Percaya bahawa Muslim yang baik, adalah rakyat yang baik. Dapat menyesuaikan diri sebagai golongan yang memberi sumbangan dalam masyarakat berbilang agama dan negara sekular. Membawa kesejahteraan kepada semua dan menggalakkan nilai dan prinsip sejagat. Tidak menyendiri dan mengamalkan kehidupan majmuk tanpa bercanggah dengan Islam. Menjadi contoh dan inspirasi kepada semua.

Program-program aL.I.V.E. mempersiapkan para belia untuk cabaran-cabaran masa kini, masa depan dan kemudian hari.
Program Youth aL.I.V.E. (untuk para belia) menawarkan pendekatan yang sistematik dan menyeluruh dalam pendidikan Islam dengan hasrat untuk membangunkan remaja Muslim yang berwawasan dan memiliki nilai yang kukuh dan murni dalam kehidupan mereka. Pelbagai kursus yang terdapat dalam program ini untuk para belia yang mempunyai latarbelakang dan minat yang berbeza. Ia juga memberi peluang kepada para belia yang belum pernah atau ingin mendapat pendidikan Islam secara formal atau bagi mereka yang ingin mendalami semula pengetahuan Islam.
Program-program a.L.I.V.E. dikendalikan oleh asatizah-asatizah yang bertauliah, di mana mereka menjalani latihan intensif dalam berhubung dengan para belia dan menangani isu-isu belia. Kita akur bahawa perwatakan para belia masa kini berbeza jika dibandingkan dengan zaman ibu bapa kita. Mereka berkiran kritikal dengan mempersoalkan pelbagai kesangsian dan sentiasa mencari jawapan kepada pelbagai persoalan yang mencabar. Kaedah pembelajaran tradisional di mana para pelajar hanya pasif dan menurutkan sahaja kata-kata guru mereka semakin pupus di kalangan generasi kini. Untuk menawan hati dan menarik minat belia sekarang, kegiatan-kegiatan kelas haruslah bersifat interaktif, di mana sumber-sumber dan pengalamanpengalaman seharusnya relevan dengan jiwa dan kehidupan seharian mereka. Oleh itu, kaedah kurikulum a.L.I.VE. dibentuk mengikut peringkat kematangan and tahap daya penerapan belia tersebut terhadap konteks-konteks yang dikemukakan. Setiap sesi direka untuk meluaskan dan mengembangkan kemahiran daya kiran belia supaya mereka dapat berdikari serta berkebolehan dalam memahami tanggungjawab mereka pada Allah dan pada sesama manusia. Kami juga telah memperkenalkan pelbagai moda pengujian untuk menilai sejauh mana program a.L.I.V.E. telah memanfaatkan pelajar tersebut. Di antaranya termasuk penulisan jurnal, persembahan, presentasi dan ujian lisan. Ust Md Khidir Abdul Rahman Penolong Ketua, Pendidikan Belia Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Program-program aL.I.V.E. boleh didapati di masjid-masjid berikut: Darul Ghufran Tel: 6786 5545 Al Ansar Tel: 6449 2420 En-Naeem Tel: 6287 9225 Al Istighfar Tel: 6583 8711 Hasanah Tel: 6561 7990 Al Mawaddah Tel: 6489 0224 Kampong Siglap Tel: 6243 7060 Assyafaah Tel: 6756 3008 Al-Abdul Razak Tel: 6846 8404 Al-Iman Tel: 6769 0770 Ahmad Ibrahim Tel: 6454 0848 Bencoolen Tel: 6333 3016 Sallim Mattar Tel: 6749 2382 Assyakirin Tel: 6268 1846 Kassim Tel: 6440 9434 Darul Aman Mosque Tel: 6744 5544 Sultan Tel: 6293 4405 Darul Makmur Tel: 6752 1402 Untuk keterangan lanjut mengenai program-program aL.I.V.E., sila lungsuri lelaman aL.I.V.E. di www.alive.sg.

Keimanan... Untuk para peserta yang ingin meningkatkan pengetahuan dan pemahaman tentang Islam, sebahagian kandungan program Youth aL.I.V.E. memberikan fokus pada nilai-nilai atau tradisi ilmu Islam. Ia merangkumi modul-modul seperti Al-Quran dan Ilmu Al-Quran, Hadis & Ilmu Hadis. Kursus Revisit Series pula akan membawa para peserta mengimbas kembali tentang pengetahuan asas agama yang menyeluruh di mana mereka boleh mempelajari tentang asas-asas Islam, Iman dan Ihsan. Warisan... Youth aL.I.V.E. pula merangkumi pengajian mengenai Sejarah dan Tamadun Islam, kesan dan impaknya pada sejarah manusia. Para peserta berpeluang mempelajari sejarah Tamadun Islam, Pemikiran Islam dan juga Tokoh tokoh Islam. Kehidupan di dunia dan akhirat... Satu lagi aspek program Youth aL.I.V.E. ialah sebagai wadah untuk melahirkan belia yang berkeyakinan, mengutamakan Islam dan menghayatinya. Pada masa yang sama belia akan berasa selesa berinteraksi dengan masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama dalam kehidupan seharian mereka. Program ini juga bertujuan memupuk ciri-ciri seorang belia yang bertanggungjawab kepada ibubapa, masyarakat dan negara. Youth aL.I.V.E. juga akan dapat membantu para belia dalam pembinaan syahsiah (watak dan akhlaq) serta kemahiran hidup agar menjadi individu Muslim yang memiliki moral yang tinggi, kukuh dengan kejatian diri sebagai seorang Muslim, bermuraqabah dan bertaqwa. Ia juga menekankan aspek keupayaan kepimpinan, emosi dan kerohanian. Natijahnya, agar ia dapat melahirkan pemimpin masadepan, Insya Allah.

Singapore Islamic Hub 273, Braddell Road, Singapore 579702 Tel: +65 6359 1199 | Fax: +65 6253 7572 | www.muis.gov.sg | email: info@muis.gov.sg

THE MOUSETRAP PERANGKAP TIKUS

mouse lived in a house on a farm, and one day discovered that the farmer and his wife had bought a mousetrap. He ran out to warn the other animals: There is a mousetrap in the house! The chicken clucked and said Mr. Mouse, I can understand your worry, but a mousetrap is not my problem. The mouse ran to the goat, shoung: There is a mousetrap in the house! The goat too sympathized, but said A mousetrap is no threat to me. Next, the mouse ran to the cow, warning him of the same thing. The cow mooed and said: Bad luck to you Mr. Mouse. The mouse returned to the house, feeling dejected and alone. That night, a sound was heard of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmers wife though, did not see that it was a poisonous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmers wife. The next day, she had a fever. The farmer knew the best cure for fever was fresh chicken soup, so he slaughtered the chicken to boil for soup. Many neighbours came to visit the farmers wife and help him with his chores, so the farmer decided to butcher the cow to distribute to the villagers as a token of his thanks. When the farmers wife recovered a fortnight later, he slaughtered the goat to make briyani, in celebraon of her restored health. When we live in a community, we must remember that the threat faced by one member is a risk to all.

eekor kus nggal di dalam sebuah rumah di sebuah ladang. Pada suatu hari, ia mendapat tahu bahawa si peladang dan isterinya telah membeli sebuah jerat kus. Lalu ia lari keluar untuk memberi amaran kepada binatangbinatang yang lain: Ada jerat kus di dalam rumah! Sang ayam berdecing dan berkata, Wahai Sang Tikus, aku faham akan kebimbangan kau, tetapi jerat kus bukanlah masalah aku. Sang kus pun berlari ke arah seekor kambing sambil menjerit: Ada jerat kus di dalam rumah! Sang kambing turut bersimpa dengan nasibnya, tetapi berkata, Jerat kus bukanlah satu ancaman buatku. Seterusnya, sang kus pun berlari ke arah seekor lembu, memberinya amaran tentang perkara yang sama. Sang lembu menguak lalu berkata: Nasib kaulah, wahai Sang Tikus. Dengan rasa amat sedih dan terasing, sang kus pun kembali ke rumah. Pada malam itu, telah kedengaran bunyi seper jerat itu berjaya menangkap mangsanya. Isteri si peladang dak nampak seekor ular yang berbisa telah terjerat di bahagian ekornya. Ular itu mematuknya. Isteri si peladang menghidapi demam panas pada keesokan harinya. Si peladang itu tahu bahawa penawar yang paling mujarab untuk demam panas ialah sup ayam yang segar lalu dia pun menyembelih ayam tadi. Ramai jirannya datang untuk membantu dan melawat isterinya. Jadi, si peladang bercadang untuk menyembelih lembu tadi pula supaya dapat diagihkan dagingnya kepada orang-orang kampung sebagai tanda terima kasih. Dua minggu kemudian, isterinya pun beransur pulih. Si peladang lalu menyembelih kambing tadi untuk dimasaknya briyani, tanda kesyukuran untuk isterinya yang sudah sihat seper sediakala.

Dalam hidup bermasyarakat, kita harus ingat bahawa sesuatu ancaman yang dihadapi oleh seseorang adalah sebuah risiko bagi semua.