Des Alwi: Saya Meninggal Nanti, Hari Jumat

Sumber disini
VIVAnews - Enam hari sebelum wafat, sejarawan Des Alwi sudah memberikan tanda-tanda akan pergi. Cucu Des, Farhas, mengingat hari-hari jelang ulang tahun ke-84 tahun kakeknya itu.

"Malam itu dia bolak balik, dari tempat tidur, kursi roda, tempat tidur, kursi roda. Dia sempat bilang: Saya mau pulang dari rumah sakit, saya mati nanti di hari Jumat," kata Farhas mengulang perkataan kakeknya saat ditemui di rumah duka, Jumat 12 November 2010.

Des Alwi wafat Jumat subuh tadi dan meninggalkan empat anak dan enam cucu. Rabu lalu, lanjut Farhas, kakeknya sempat mau kabur dari rumah sakit sambil membawa selang infusan. Untungnya, seorang suster memergoki dia tengah memencet tombol lift. Saat ditanya mau kemana, Des menjawab enteng,"Mau ke Surabaya, upacara hari Pahlawan."

Lalu, keesokan harinya, Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) sempat menelepon Des Alwi untuk menanyakan kabar. Dalam perbincangan itu, Des Alwi kembali melontarkan soal kematian. "Saya habis ini (meninggal)."

Semula, Alwi akan dimakamkan di Taman Makam Pahlawan Kalibata, Jakarta. Namun, kata Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Fadel Muhammad, Des Alwi sempat menyatakan permintaan terakhir untuk dimakamkan di kampung halaman, Banda Naira, Maluku.

Des Alwi merupakan peraih Bintang Pejuang 45, Bintang Pejuang 50 dan Bintang Mahaputra Pratama 2000.

Keajaiban Matematika dalam Al-quran

Oleh: Ali Said (sumber klik di nama pengarang tersebut tadi)

Keajaiban Al Quran dilihat dari sisi kandungannya telah banyak ditulis dan diketahui, tetapi keajaiban dilihat dari bagaimana Al Quran ditulis/disusun mungkin belum banyak yang mengetahui. Orang-orang non-muslim khususnya kaum orientalis barat sering menuduh bahwa Al Qur’an adalah buatan Muhammad. Padahal kalau kita baca Al Qur’an ada ayat yang menyatakan tantangan kepada orang-orang kafir khususnya untuk membuat buku/kitab seperti Al Quran dimana hal ini tidak mungkin akan dapat dilakukannya meskipun jin dan manusia bersatu padu membuatnya. Tulisan singkat ini bertujuan untuk menyajikan beberapa keajaiban Al Qur’an dilihat dari segi bagaimana Al Qur’an ditulis, dan sekaligus secara tidak langsung juga untuk menyangkal tuduhan tersebut, dimana Muhammad sebagai manusia biasa tidak mungkin dapat melakukan atau menciptakan sebuah Al Qur’an. Pandangan sains secara konvensional menempatkan matematika sebagai suatu yang prinsipil dari sebuah cabang pengetahuan dimana alasan dikedepankan, emosi tidak dilibatkan, kepastian menjadi hal yang ingin diketahui, dan kebenaran hari ini merupakan kebenaran untuk selamanya. Dalam masalah agama, ilmuan memandang bahwa semua agama sama, karena semua agama sama-sama tidak mampu memverifikasi atau menjustifikasi kebenaran melalui pembuktian yang dapat diterima oleh logika. Jadi suatu hal dikatakan valid jika ada bukti nyata, dan pembuktian ini merupakan sebuah prosedur yang dibentuk untuk membuktikan suatu realitas yang tak terlihat melalui sebuah proses deduksi dan konklusi yang hasil akhirnya dapat diterima oleh semua pihak. Dengan dasar tersebut, tulisan ini mencoba untuk membawa pembaca pada suatu kesimpulan bahwa Al Qur’an yang ditulis menurut aturan matematika, merupakan bukti nyata bahwa Al Qur’an adalah benar-benar firman Allah dan bukan buatan Nabi Muhammad. Kiranya patut juga direnungi apa yang dikatakan oleh Galileo (1564-1642 AD) bahwa . “Mathematics is the language in which God wrote the universe (Matematika adalah bahasa yang digunakan Tuhan dalam menuliskan alam semesta ini)” ada benarnya. Kebenaran bahasa matematika tersebut akan dibahas sekilas sebagai tambahan dari tema utama tulisan ini.

Angka-angka Menakjubkan dari Beberapa Kata dalam Al Qur’an

Kalau kita buka Al Quran dan kita perhatikan beberapa kata dalam Al Quran dan menghitung berapa kali kata tersebut disebutkan dalam Al Quran, kita akan peroleh suatu hal yang sangat menakjubkan. Mungkin kita betanya, berapa lama waktu yang diperlukan untuk mencari dan menghitungnya. Dengan kemajuan teknologi khususnya komputer, hal tersebut tidak menjadi masalah. Tabel 1 menyajikan frekuensi penyebutan beberapa kata penting dalam Al Qur’an yang kita kenal dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Berdasarkan tabel tersebut ada beberapa pelajaran yang dapat kita petik. Misalnya pada kata “dunya” dan “akhirat” yang disebutkan dalam Al Qur’an dengan frekuensi sama, kita dapat menafsirkan bahwa Allah menyuruh umat manusia untuk memperhatikan baik kehidupan dunia maupun kehidupan akhirat secara seimbang. Artinya kehidupan dunia dan akhirat sama-sama penting bagi orang Islam. Selanjutnya pada penyebutan kata “malaaikat” dan “syayaathiin” juga disebutkan secara seimbang. Hal ini dapat mengindikasikan bahwa kebaikan yang direfleksikan oleh kata “malaaikah” akan selalu diimbangi oleh adanya kejahatan yang direfleksikan oleh kata “syayaathiin”. Hal lain juga dapat kita kaji pada beberapa pasangan kata yang lain.

Tabel 1. Jumlah Penyebutan beberapa Kata Penting dalam Al Quran

Sumber: From the Numeric Miracles In the Holy Qur’an by Suwaidan, www.islamicity.org




Beberapa kata lain yang menarik dari tabel tersebut adalah kata “syahr (bulan)” yang disebutkan sebanyak 12 kali yang menunjukkan bahwa jumlah bulan dalam setahun adalah 12, dan kata “yaum (hari)” yang disebutkan sebanyak 365 kali yang menunjukkan jumlah hari dalam setahun adalah 365 hari. Selanjutnya Kata “lautan (perairan)” disebutkan sebanyak 32 kali, dan kata “daratan” disebut dalam Al Quran sebanyak 13 kali. Jika kedua bilangan tersebut kita tambahkan kita dapatkan angka 45.



Sekarang kita lakukan perhitungan berikut:

· Dengan mencari persentase jumlah kata “bahr (lautan)” terhadap total jumlah kata (bahr dan barr) kita dapatkan:
(32/45)x100% = 71.11111111111%

· Dengan mencari persentase jumlah kata “barr (daratan)” terhadap total jumlah kata (bahr dan barr) kita dapatkan:
(13/45)x100% = 28.88888888889%

Kita akan mendapatkan bahwa Allah SWT dalam Al Quran 14 abad yang lalu menyatakan bahwa persentase air di bumi adalah 71.11111111111%, dan persentase daratan adalah 28.88888888889%, dan ini adalah rasio yang riil dari air dan daratan di bumi ini.



Al Qur’an Didisain Berdasarkan Bilangan 19

Dalam kaitannya dengan pertanyaan yang bersifat matematis yang hanya memiliki satu jawaban pasti, maka jika ada beberapa ahli matematika, yang menjawab di waktu dan tempat yang berbeda dan dengan menggunakan metode yang berbeda, maka tentunya akan memperoleh jawaban yang sama. Dengan kata lain, pembuktian secara matematis tidak dipengaruhi oleh ruang dan waktu. Perlu diketahui bahwa dari seluruh kitab suci yang ada di dunia ini, Al Qur’an merupakan satu-satunya kitab suci yang seluruhnya ditulis dalam bahasa aslinya. Berkaitan dengan pembuktian, kebenaran Al Qur’an sebagai wahyu Allah yang sering dikatakan oleh orang barat sebagai ciptaan Muhammad, dapat dibuktikan secara matematis bahwa Al Qur’an tidak mungkin diciptakan oleh Muhammad. Adalah seorang ahli biokimia berkebangsaan Amerika keturunan Mesir dan seorang ilmuan muslim, Dr. Rashad Khalifa yang pertama kali menemukan sistem matematika pada desain Al Qur’an. Dia memulai meneliti komposisi matematik dari Al Quran pada 1968, dan memasukkan Al Qur’an ke dalam sistem komputer pada 1969 dan 1970, yang diteruskan dengan menerjemahkan Al Qur’an ke dalam bahasa Inggris pada awal 70-an. Dia tertantang untuk memperoleh jawaban untuk menjelaskan tentang inisial pada beberapa surat dalam Al Qur’an (seperti Alif Lam Mim) yang sering diberi penjelasan hanya dengan “hanya Allah yang mengetahui maknanya”. Dengan tantangan ini, dia memulai riset secara mendalam pada inisial-inisial tersebut setelah memasukkan teks Al Qur’an ke dalam sistem komputer, dengan tujuan utama mencari pola matematis yang mungkin akan menjelaskan pentingnya inisial-inisial tersebut. Setelah beberapa tahun melakukan riset, Dr. Khalifa mempublikasikan temuan-temuan pertamanya dalam sebuah buku berjudul “MIRACLE OF THE QURAN: Significance of the Mysterious Aphabets” pada Oktober 1973 bertepatan dengan Ramadan 1393. Pada buku tersebut hanya melaporkan bahwa inisial-inisial yang ada pada beberapa surat pada Al Qur’an memiliki jumlah huruf terbanyak (proporsi tertinggi) pada masing-masing suratnya, dibandingkan huruf-huruf lain. Misalnya, Surat “Qaaf” (S No. 50) yang dimulai dengan inisial “Qaaf” mengandung huruf “Qaaf” dengan jumlah terbanyak. Surat “Shaad” (QS No. 38) yang memiliki inisial “Shaad”, mengandung huruf “Shaad” dengan proporsi terbesar. Fenomena ini benar untuk semua surat yang berinisial, kecuali Surat Yaa Siin (No. 36), yang menunjukkan kebalikannya yaitu huruf “Yaa” dan “Siin” memiliki proporsi terendah. Berdasarkan temuan tersebut, pada awalnya dia hanya berfikir sampai sebatas temuan tersebut mengenai inisial pada Al Qur’an, tanpa menghubungkan frekuensi munculnya huruf-huruf yang ada pada inisial surat dengan sebuah bilangan pembagi secara umum (common denominator). Akhirnya, pada Januari 1974 (bertepatan dengan Zul-Hijjah 1393), dia menemukan bahwa bilangan 19 sebagai bilangan pembagi secara umum[1] dalam insial-inisial tersebut dan seluruh penulisan dalam Al Qur’an, sekaligus sebagai kode rahasia Al Qur’an. Temuan ini sungguh menakjubkan karena seluruh teks dalam Al Qur’an tersusun secara matematis dengan begitu canggihnya yang didasarkan pada bilangan 19 pada setiap elemen sebagai bilangan pembagi secara umum. Sistem matematis tersebut memiliki tingkat kompleksitas yang bervariasi dari yang sangat sederhana (bisa dihitung secara manual) sampai dengan yang sangat kompleks yang harus memerlukan bantuan program komputer untuk membuktikan apakah kelipatan 19. Jadi, sistem matematika yang didasarkan bilangan 19 yang melekat pada Al Quran dapat diapresiasi bukan hanya oleh orang yang memiliki kepandaian komputer dan matematika tingkat tinggi, tetapi juga oleh orang yang hanya dapat melakukan penghitungan secara sederhana.


Selain 19 sebagai kode rahasia Al Qur’an itu sendiri, peristiwa ditemukannya bilangan 19 sebagai “miracle” dari Al Qur’an juga dapat dihubungkan dengan bilangan 19 sebagai kehendak Allah. Disebutkan di atas bahwa kode rahasia tersebut ditemukan pada tahun 1393 Hijriah. Al Qur’an diturunkan pertama kali pada 13 tahun sebelum Hijriah (hijrah Nabi). Jadi keajaiban Al Qur’an ini ditemukan 1393+13=1406 tahun (dalam hitungan hijriah) setelah Al Qur’an diturunkan, yang bertepatan dengan tahun 1974 M.



Surah 74 adalah Surah Al Muddatsir yang berarti orang yang berkemul (Al Quran dan Terjemahnya, Depag) dan juga dapat berarti rahasia yang tesembunyi, yang memang mengandung rahasia Allah mengenai keajaiban Al Qur’an. Dalam Surah 74 ayat 30-36 dinyatakan:

(74:30) Di atasnya adalah 19.

(74:31) Dan tiada Kami jadikan penjaga neraka melainkan dari malaikat; dan tidaklah Kami jadikan bilangan mereka itu (19) melainkan untuk:

- cobaan/ujian/tes bagi orang-orang kafir,

- meyakinkan orang-orang yang diberi Al Kitab (Nasrani dan Yahudi),

- memperkuat (menambah)keyakinan orang yang beriman,

- menghilangkan keragu-raguan pada orang-orang yang diberi Al kitab dan juga orang-orang yang beriman, dan

- menunjukkan mereka yang ada dalam hatinya menyimpan keragu-raguan; dan orang-orang kafir mengatakan: “Apakah yang dikehendaki Allah dengan perumpamaan ini?” Demikianlah Allah membiarkan sesat orang-orang yang dikehendaki-Nya dan memberi petunjuk kepada siapa yang dikehendaki-Nya. Dan tidak ada yang mengetahui tentara Tuhanmu melainkan Dia. Dan ini tiada lain hanyalah sebuah peringatan bagi manusia.

(74:32) Sungguh, demi bulan.

(74:33) Dan malam ketika berlalu.

(74:34) Dan pagi (subuh) ketika mulai terang.

(74:35) Sesungguhnya ini (bilangan ini) adalah salah satu dari keajaiban yang besar.

(74:36) Sebagai peringatan bagi umat manusia.


Sebagian besar ahli tafsir menafsirkan 19 sebagai jumlah malaikat. Menurut Dr. Rashad Khalifa, menafsirkan bilangan 19 sebagai jumlah malaikat adalah tidak tepat karena bagaimana mungkin jumlah malaikat dapat dijadikan untuk ujian/tes bagi orang-orang kafir, untuk meyakinkan orang-orang nasrani dan yahudi, untuk meningkatkan keimanan orang yang telah beriman dan juga untuk menghilangkan keragu-raguan. Jadi, tepatnya bilangan 19 ini merupakan keajaiban yang besar dari Al Qur’an sesuai ayat 35 di atas, menurut terjemahan Dr. Rashad Khalifa (dan juga terjemahan beberapa penterjemah lain). Jadi pada ayat 35 kata “innahaa” merujuk pada kata “’iddatun” pada ayat 31.





Mengapa 19?

Untuk menjawab pertanyaan tersebut, perlu dijelaskan tentang sistem bilangan. Kita pasti mengenal betul sistem bilangan Romawi yang masih sangat dikenal pada saat ini, seperti I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500 dan M=1000. Seperti halnya pada sistem bilangan Romawi, sistem bilangan juga dikenal pada huruf-huruf arab. Bilangan yang ditandai pada setiap huruf dikenal sebagai “nilai numerik (numerical value atau gematrical value)”. Click link ini untuk mengetahui lebih jauh tentang nilai numerik.

Setelah mengetahui nilai dari setiap huruf arab tersebut, kita dapat menjawab mengapa 19 dipakai sebagai kode rahasia Allah dalam Al Qur’an, dan sekaligus dapat digunakan untuk mengungkap keajaiban Al Qur’an. Berikut beberapa hal yang dapat digunakan untuk menjelaskan mengapa 19.




* 19 merupakan nilai numerik dari kata “Waahid” dalam bahasa arab yang artinya ‘esa/satu’ (lihat Tabel 2) Tabel 2. Nilai numerik dari kata “waahid”



* 19 merupakan bilangan positif pertama dan terakhir (1 dan 9), yang dapat diartikan sebagai Yang Pertama dan Yang Terakhir seperti yang dikatakan Allah, misalnya, pada QS 57 ayat 3 sebagai berikut: “Dialah Yang Awal dan Yang Akhir, Yang Zhahir dan Yang Bathin, dan Dia Maha Mengetahui segala sesuatu” (QS 57:3). Kata “waahid” dalam Qur’an disebutkan sebanyak 25 kali, dimana 6 diantaranya tidak merujuk pada Allah (seperti salah satu jenis makanan, pintu, dsb). Sisanya 19 kali merujuk pada Allah. Total jumlah dari (nomor surat + jumlah ayat pada masing-masing surat) dimana 19 kata “waahid” yang merujuk pada Allah adalah 361 = 19 x 19. Jadi 19 melambangkan keesaan Allah (Tuhan Yang Esa).

* Pilar agama Islam yang pertama juga dikodekan dengan 19

“La – Ilaha – Illa – Allah”

Nilai-nilai numerik dari setiap huruf arab pada kalimah syahadat di atas adalah dapat ditulis sebagai berikut

“30 1 – 1 30 5 – 1 30 1 – 1 30 30 5”

Jika susunan angka tersebut ditulis menjadi sebuah bilangan, diperoleh = 30113051301130305 = 19 x … atau merupakan bilangan yang mempunyai kelipatan 19. Jadi jelaslah bahwa 19 merujuk kepada keesaan Allah sebagai satu-satunya dzat yang wajib disembah.







Beberapa Contoh Bukti-bukti yang Sangat Sederhana tentang Kode 19

Seperti yang telah dijelaskan sebelumnya bahwa desain Al Qur’an yang didasarkan bilangan 19 ini, dapat dibuktikan dari penghitungan yang sangat sederhana sampai dengan yang sangat komplek. Berikut ini hanya sebagian kecil dari keajaiban Al Quran (sistim 19) yang dapat ditulis dalam artikel singkat ini. Fakta-fakta yang sangat sederhana:

(1) Kalimat Basmalah pada (QS 1:1) terdiri dari 19 huruf arab.

(2) QS 1:1 tersebut diturunkan kepada Muhammad setelah Surat 74 ayat 30 yang artinya “Di atasnya adalah 19”.

(3) Al Qur’an terdiri dari 114 surah, 19×6.

(4) Ayat pertama turun (QS 96:1) terdiri dari 19 huruf.

(5) Surah 96 (Al Alaq) ditempatkan pada 19 terakhir dari 114 surah (dihitung mundur dari surah 114), dan terdiri dari 19 ayat

(6) Surat terakhir yang turun kepada Nabi Muhammad adalah Surah An-Nashr atau Surah 110 yang terdiri dari 3 ayat. Surah terakhir yang turun terdiri dari 19 kata dan ayat pertama terdiri dari 19 huruf.

(7) Kalimat Basmalah berjumlah 114 (19×6). Meskipun pada Surah 9 (At Taubah) tidak ada Basmalah pada permulaan surah sehingga jumlah Basmalah kalau dilihat pada awal surah kelihatan hanya 113, tetapi pada Surah 27 ayat 30 terdapat ekstra Basmalah (dan juga 27+30=57, atau 19 x 3). Dengan demikian jumlah Basmalah tetap 114.

(8) Jika dihitung jumlah surah dari surah At Taubah (QS 9) yang tidak memiliki Basmalah sampai dengan Surah yang memuat 2 Basmalah yaitu S 27, ditemukan 19 surah. Dan total jumlah nomor surah dari Surah 9 sampai Surah 27 diperoleh (9+10+11+…+26+27=342) atau 19×18. Total jumlah ini (342) sama dengan jumlah kata antara dua kalimat basmalah dalam Surat 27.

(9) Berkaitan dengan inisial surah, misalnya ada dua Surah yang diawali dengan inisial “Qaaf” yaitu Surah 42 yang memiliki 53 ayat dan Surah 50 yang terdiri dari 45 ayat. Jumlah huruf “Qaaf” pada masing-masing dua surat tersebut adalah 57 atau 19 x 3. Jika kita tambahkan nomor surah dan jumlah ayatnya diperoleh masing-masing adalah (42+53=95, atau 19 x 5) dan (50+45=95, atau 19 x 5). Selanjutnya initial “Shaad” mengawali tiga surah yang berbeda yaitu Surah 7, 19, dan 38. Total jumlah huruf “Shaad” di ketiga surah tersebut adalah 152, atau 19 x 8. Hal yang sama berlaku untuk inisial yang lain.

(10) Frekuensi munculnya empat kata pada kalimat Basmalah dalam Al Qur’an pada ayat-ayat yang bernomor merupakan kelipatan 19 (lihat Tabel 3)

Tabel 3: Empat kata dalam Basmalah dan frekuensi penyebutan dalam ayat-ayat yang bernomor dalam Al Quran


No. Kata Frekuensi muncul

1 Ism 19

2 Allah 2698 (19×142)

3 Al-Rahman 57 (19×3)

4 Al-Rahiim 114 (19×6)



(11) Ada 14 huruf arab yang berbeda yang membentuk 14 set inisial pada beberapa surah dalam Al Qur’an, dan ada 29 surah yang diawali dengan inisial (seperti Alif-Lam-Mim). Jumlah dari angka-angka tersebut diperoleh 14+14+29=57, atau 19×3.

(12) Antara surah pertama yang berinisial (Surah 2 atau Surah Al Baqarah) dan surah terakhir yang berinisial (Surah 68), terdapat 38 surah yang tidak diawali dengan inisial, 38=19×2.

(13) Al-Faatihah adalah surah pertama dalam Al-Quran, No.1, dan terdiri dri 7 ayat, sebagai surah pembuka (kunci) bagi kita dalam berhubungan dengan Allah dalam shalat. Jika kita tuliskan secara berurutan Nomor surah (No. 1) diikuti dengan nomor setiap ayat dalam surah tersebut, kita dapatkan bilangan: 11234567. Bilangan ini merupakan kelipatan 19. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa kita membaca Al Faatihah adalah dalam rangka menyembah dan meng-Esakan Allah.

Selanjutnya, jika kita tuliskan sebuah bilangan yang dibentuk dari nomor surah (1) diikuti dengan bilangan-bilangan yang menunjukkan jumlah huruf pada setiap ayat (lihat Tabel 4), diperoleh bilangan : 119171211191843 yang juga merupakan kelipatan 19.

Tabel 4: Jumlah huruf pada setiap ayat dalam Surah Al Faatihah


(14) Ketika kita membaca Surah Al-Fatihah (dalam bahasa arab), maka bibir atas dan bawah akan saling bersentuhan tepat 19 kali. Kedua bibir kita akan bersentuhan ketika mengucapkan kata yang mengandung huruf “B atau Ba’” dan huruf “M atau Mim”. Ada 4 huruf Ba’ dan 15 huruf Mim. Nilai numerik dari 4 huruf Ba’ adalah 4×2=8, dan nilai numerik dari 15 huruf Mim adalah 15×40=600. Total nilai numerik dari 4 huruf Ba’ dan 15 huruf Mim adalah 608=19×32 (lihat Tabel 5).

Tabel 5. Kata-kata dalam Surah Al-Fatihah yang mengandunghuruf Ba’ dan Mim beserta nilai numeriknya



Kejadian Di Alam Semesta yang Terkait dengan Bilangan 19

Beberapa kejadian lain di alam ini dan juga dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari yang mengacu pada bilangan 19 adalah:

· Telah dibuktikan bahwa bumi, matahari dan bulan berada pada posisi yang relatif sama setiap 19 tahun

· Komet Halley mengunjungi sistim tata surya kita sekali setiap 76 tahun (19×4).

· Fakta bahwa tubuh manusia memiliki 209 tulang atau 19×11.

· Langman’s medical embryology, oleh T. W. Sadler yang merupakan buku teks di sekolah kedokteran di Amerika Serikat diperoleh pernyataan “secara umum lamanya kehamilan penuh adalah 280 hari atau 40 minggu setelah haid terakhir, atau lebih tepatnya 266 hari atau 38 minggu setelah terjadinya pembuahan”. Angka 266 dan 38 kedua-duanya adalah kelipatan dari 19 atau 19×14 dan 19×2.



Lima Pilar Islam (Rukun Islam) dan Sistem 19

Islam adalah agama yang dibawa oleh seluruh nabi sejak Nabi Ibrahim sebagai the founding father of Islam (misalnya lihat QS 2:67, 130-136; QS 5:44, 111; QS 3:52).Pesan utama yang disampaikan oleh seluruh Nabi sejak Nabi Ibrahim sampai Nabi Muhammad adalah sama yaitu menyembah Allah yang Esa, Shalat, Puasa, Zakat dan Haji. Allah menyempurnakan Islam melalui Nabi Muhammad. Jadi praktek shalat, zakat, puasa dan haji telah dilakukan dan diajarkan oleh Nabi-nabi sejak Nabi Ibrahim. Dari kelima pilar agama Islam, dapat ditunjukkan bahwa semua berkaitan dengan sistim bilangan 19 (kelipatan 19).

· Syahadat

Telah dibahas di atas bahwa pilar pertama agama Islam “Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah” didisain berdasarkan bilangan 19.

· Shalat

Kata “shalawat” yang merupakan bentuk jamak dari kata “shalat“ muncul di Al Qur’an sebanyak 5 kali. Ini menunjukkan bahwa perintah Allah untuk melaksanakan shalat 5 kali sehari dikodekan di Al Qur’an. Selanjutnya jumlah rakaat dalam shalat dikodekan dengan bilangan 19. Jumlah rakaat pada shalat subuh, zuhur, ashar, maghrib dan isya masing-masing adalah 2,4,4,3, dan 4 rakaat. Jika jumlah rakaat tersebut disusun menjadi sebuah angka 24434 merupakan bilangan kelipatan 19 atau (24434 = 19×1286). Digit 1286 kalau dijumlahkan akan didapat angka 17 (1+2+8+6) yang merupakan jumlah rakaat shalat dalam sehari. Untuk hari Jum’at jumlah rakaat Shalat adalah 15, karena Shalat Jum’at hanya 2 rakaat. Ini juga dapat dikaitkan dengan bilangan 19 (kelipatan 19). Jika kita buat hari Jum’at sebagai hari terakhir, maka jumlah rakaat shalat mulai hari Sabtu sampai Jum’at dapat ditulis secara berurutan sebagai berikut: 17 17 17 17 17 17 15. Jika urutan bilangan tersebut kita jadikan menjadi satu bilangan 17171717171715, maka bilangan tersebut merupakan bilangan dengan kelipatan 19 atau (19 x 903774587985). Jadi pada intinya shalat itu menyembah Tuhan yang Satu (ingat: 19 adalah total nilai numerik dari kata ‘waahid’). Surah Al-Fatihah yang dibaca dalam setiap rakaat dalam Shalat seperti dibahas sebelumnya juga mengacu pada bilangan 19. Selanjutnya, kata “Shalat’ dalam Al Qur’an disebutkan sebanyak 67 kali. Jika kita jumlahkan nomor surat-surat dan nomor ayat-ayat dimana ke 67 kata “Shalat” disebutkan, diperoleh total 4674 atau 19×246.

· Puasa

Perintah puasa dalam Al Qur’an disebutkan pada ayat-ayat berikut:

- 2:183, 184, 185, 187, 196;

- 4:92; 5:89, 95;

- 33:35, 35; dan

- 58:4.

Total jumlah bilangan tersebut adalah 1387, atau 19×73. Perlu diketahui bahwa QS 33:35 menyebutkan kata puasa dua kali, satu untuk orang laki-laki beriman dan satunya lagi untuk wanita beriman.

· Kewajiban Zakat dan Menunaikan Haji ke Mekkah

Sementara tiga pilar pertama diwajibkan kepada semua orang Islam laki-laki dan perempuan, Zakat dan Haji hanya diwajibkan kepada mereka yang mampu. Hal ini menjelaskan fenomena matematika yang menarik yang berkaitan dengan Zakat dan Haji.

Zakat disebutkan dalam Al Qur’an pada ayat-ayat berikut:


Penjumlahan angka-angka tersebut diperoleh 2395. Total jumlah ini jika dibagi dengan 19 diperoleh sisa 1 (bilangan tersebut tidak kelipatan 19).

Haji disebutkan dalam Al Qur’an pada ayat-ayat

- 2:189, 196, 197;

- 9:3; dan

- 22:27.

Total penjumlahan angka-angka tersebut diperoleh 645, dan angka ini tidak kelipatan 19 karena jika angka tersebut dibagi 19 kurang 1.

Kemudian jika dari kata Zakat dan Haji digabungkan diperoleh nilai total 2395+645 = 3040 = 19x160.



Penutup

Secara umum disimpulkan bahwa Al Qur’an didisain secara matematis. Apa yang dibahas di atas hanyalah sebagian kecil dari ribuan bukti tentang desain matematis dari Al Qur’an dan khususnya tentang bilangan dasar 19 sebagai desain Al Qur’an yang dapat disajikan pada tulisan ini. Selain itu, tulisan ini hanya memfokuskan pada contoh-contoh yang sangat sederhana, sementara untuk contoh-contoh yang sangat kompleks tidak disajikan di sini karena mungkin akan sulit dipahami oleh orang yang tidak memiliki latar belakang atau kurang memahami matematika. Bilangan 19 yang juga berarti Allah yang Esa, dan juga berarti tidak ada Tuhan melainkan Dia, dapat dikatakan sebagai “Tanda tangan Allah” di alam semesta ini. Hal ini sesuai dengan salah satu firman Allah yang menyatakan bahwa seluruh alam ini tunduk dan sujud kepada Allah dan mengakui keesaan Allah. Hanya orang-orang kafir lah yang tidak mau sujud dan mengakui keesaan Allah. Allah dalam menciptakan Al Qur’an dan alam semesta ini telah melakukan perhirtungan secara detail, seperti firman Allah yang berbunyi: “dan Allah menghitung segala sesuatunya satu per satu (secara detail)” (QS 72:28). Jumlahkan angka-angka pada nomor surah dan ayat tersebut !!!!!! Anda memperoleh angka 19 (7+2+2+8=19). Dari uraian di atas khususnya mengenai lima pilar Islam diperoleh kesimpulan yang sangat tegas bahwa pemeluk Islam adalah orang-orang yang pasrah dan tunduk menyembah dan mengakui keesaan Allah seperti yang ditunjukkan bahwa kelima pilar Islam tersebut berkaitan dengan sistim bilangan 19 (nilai numerik dari kata “waahid” atau Esa). Hal ini juga sesuai dengan Islam sendiri yang yang secara harfiah dapat berarti pasrah/tunduk. Hal lain yang dapat diambil sebagai pelajaran dari sistim bilangan 19 sebagai disain Al Qur’an adalah terpecahkannya “unsolved problem” mengenai perdebatan di antara para ulama terhadap status “Basmalah” pada Surah Al-Faatihah apakah termasuk salah satu ayat dalam surah tersebut atau tidak. Dengan ditemukannya bilangan 19 sebagai disain Al Qur’an, bukti-bukti matematis pada tulisan ini telah membuktikan bahwa lafal “Basmalah” termasuk dalam salah satu ayat Surah Al-Fatihah. Sebagai penutup, semoga tulisan ini dapat menambah keimanan bagi orang-orang yang beriman, menjadi tes/ujian bagi mereka yang belum beriman, dan menghilangkan keragu-raguan bagi mereka yang hatinya dihinggapi keragu-raguan akan kebenaran Al Qur’an. Allah akan membiarkan sesat orang-orang yang dikehendakiNya dan memberi petunjuk kepada siapa yang dikehendakiNya (QS 74:31).



Catatan:

Untuk memverifikasi “keajaiban matematis” dari Al Qur’an anda perlu menggunakan Al Qur’an yang dicetak menurut versi cetak Arab Saudi atau Timur Tengah pada umumnya. Mengapa? Hasil penelitian yang saya lakukan, terdapat banyak perbedaan antara Qur’an versi cetak Indonesia pada umumnya dan Qur’an versi cetak Arab Saudi (kebetulan saya memegang Qur’an versi cetak Arab Saudi), meskipun perbedaan tersebut tidak berpengaruh pada makna/arti. Perbedaan tersebut hanya pada cara menuliskan beberapa kata. Meskipun demikian, jika mengacu pada “Keajaiban Matematis” dari Al Qur’an, Qur’an versi cetak Indonesia pada umumnya (yang disusun oleh orang Indonesia) menyalahi aturan yang aslinya sehingga keajaiban matematis tidak muncul. Saya hanya memberikan 2 contoh kata saja dari sekian kata yang berbeda penulisannya yaitu kata “shirootho” dan “insaana”. Menurut versi cetak Arab Saudi, tidak ada huruf “ALIF” antara huruf “RO’” dan “THO” pada kata “SHIROOTHO” (lihat di Surat Al Fatihah) dan antara huruf “SIN” dan “NUN”pada kata “INSAANA”, tetapi menurut versi cetak Indonesia pada umumnya terdapat huruf ALIF pada kedua kata tersebut. Pada versi cetak Arab Saudi, untuk menunjukkan bacaan panjang pada bunyi ROO dan SAA pada kata SHIROOTHO dan INSAANA, digunakan tanda “fathah tegak”. Saya paham, maksud orang menambahkan ALIF pada kedua kata tersebut agar lebih memudahkan bagi pembacanya, tetapi ternyata menyimpang dari aslinya. Maka dari itu anda menemukan jumlah huruf yang lebih banyak pada Surat Al Fatihah ayat 6 dan 7 dari yang saya tuliskan. Sebagai tambahan, salah satu ciri Qur’an versi cetak Indonesia pada umumnya adalah Surat Al Fatihah terletak pada HALAMAN 2, sementara versi cetak Arab Saudi, Fatihah berada pada HALAMAN 1.
Mengenai jumlah kata, kata harus didefinisikan sebagai susunan dari beberapa huruf (dua hrurf atau lebih), sehingga anda harus memperlakukan “WA atau WAU” sebagai huruf meskipun bisa diartikan dengan kata “DAN” dalam bahasa Indonesia. Perlakuan “WA” (misalnya pada kata “WATAWAA”) sebenarnya bisa disamakan dengan “BI” (pada kata BISMI), karena kebetulan BI bisa gandeng dengan kata berikutnya, sementara WA tidak bisa ditulis gandeng dengan kata yang mengikutinya. Jadi jangan hitung “WA” sebagai kata, tetapi sebagai huruf.



Daftar dacaan:

1. Departemen Agama RI, Al Qur’an dan Terjemahnya.

2. Suwaidan, S., Numeric Miracles In the Holy Qur’an, www.islamicity.org

3. Berbagai sumber di www.submission.org dan website terkait

Tafsir Standar Pangeran Diponegoro

• 01 Maret 2010

  Tafsir Standar Diponegoro

  Sumber Klik di Judul diatas (majalah TEMPO)

  PADA 1822, Gunung Merapi meletus. Penduduk Yogya berhamburan. Diponegoro tengah tidur di ranjang. Ia dibangunkan sang istri untuk segera ke luar rumah. Diponegoro menolak. Di saat semua orang panik, Diponegoro tenang. Ia malah mengajak istrinya sanggama.
  Adegan sanggama saat Merapi memuntahkan laharnya itu diangkat Sardono W. Kusumo ke panggung. Penari Fajar Satriadi, mengenakan kain putih, berbaring telungkup dengan kaki ditekuk ke atas seperti sebuah posisi asana yoga. Di atas punggungnya berdiri penari Rambat Yulianingsih. Ia berkerudung, berkain brokat putih, dan berkebaya. Perlahan-lahan tubuh Fajar diangkat. Tak ada erotisme di sana, tak ada yang sensualitas, dan penonton pasti tak tahu bahwa adegan persetubuhan itu dalam konteks letupan Merapi.
  "Informasi itu saya dapat dari Babad Diponegoro," kata Sardono. Opera Diponegoro pertama kali dimainkan pada 1995. Pernah dipentaskan sangat kolosal, pada 2008, di Keraton Yogya, dengan 200 penari dan melibatkan kerabat Sultan. Versi yang dipentaskan di Salihara, Jakarta, pekan lalu itu adalah versi kecil yang dipentaskan di Muslim Voice Festival New York 2009 dengan hanya lima penari.
  Mulanya kita melihat replika lukisan Penangkapan Diponegoro karya Raden Saleh menutupi panggung. Begitu terangkat, kita melihat sosok Diponegoro dengan pakaian serba putih berdiri awas. Kemudian Requiem karya Mozart mengurung ruangan. Sorban Diponegoro dilucuti. Seorang serdadu Belanda mengikatkan tali ke tubuh ceking seorang hamba sahaya (penari Mugiyono). Mugiyono bergelut membebaskan tali itu tapi tak bisa. Harus diakui gerak penari ini intens. Mozart diteruskan ke lantunan tembang yang teksnya diambil dari Babad Diponegoro.
  Selanjutnya, dalam waktu satu jam Sardono ingin merengkuh banyak peristiwa. Ia tak memusatkan pentas, misalnya, pada hubungan Diponegoro dengan istrinya, termasuk gundik Cinanya. Dalam babadnya, Diponegoro mengaku dihancurkan oleh kecantikan seorang gadis Cina. Perempuan itu ditemukannya di daerah Pajang lalu dijadikan tukang pijat. Itu yang, menurut dia, membuatnya kalah saat bertempur melawan Belanda di Gowok pada 15 Oktober 1826. Diponegoro juga menyalahkan iparnya, Sasradilaga, yang menggauli seorang perempuan Tionghoa hingga kalah dalam perang di Pesisir Utara Jawa (Lasem).
  Diponegoro kemudian menganggap orang Cina sebagai pembawa sial dan penyebab malapetaka. Ia melarang pengikutnya mengambil selir-selir Cina. Bagi sebagian kalangan, pengkambinghitaman Diponegoro ini bukan hal sederhana karena turut membentuk sedimen prasangka dan sentimen terhadap minoritas sampai kini. Tapi Sardono tak ingin menyentuh sisi-sisi kontroversi itu. Ia menampilkan sisi "nasionalis" dan "mistis" Diponegoro yang kita kenal dalam buku-buku sejarah. Misalnya, kepercayaan dirinya sebagai Ratu Adil dan momen-momen dramatik penangkapannya.
  "Malam menjelang penangkapan Diponegoro, para serdadu Belanda mabuk di barak," kata Sardono. Slamet Gundono memainkan seorang diri prajurit bayaran Belanda yang hatinya merasa bersalah. Ia bertelanjang dada dan mengenakan rok. Berjalan sempoyongan, seraya minum "brendi kelas 4", tubuhnya yang super tambun berguncang-guncang, membuat tertawa penonton.
  Adegan paling menarik adalah saat Diponegoro ditipu De Kock (Nuryanto Kembul). Setelah berangkulan, mereka tarik-menarik tali putih. Akan halnya bagian paling verbal adalah tatkala para penari membawa kertas bertulisan "200.000 penduduk Jawa mati, 700 VOC mati, 20 juta gulden beaya perang".
  Secara keseluruhan panggung menjurus ke napas islami. Adegan pertemuan Diponegoro dengan para wali disajikan dengan gerak memutar-mutar mengingatkan orang pada whirling dervish-tarian para darwis. Juga tatkala penari Hany Herlina tampil sebagai alegori Nyai Kidul. Geraknya mengingatkan kita pada tari perut Timur Tengah. Lantunan ayat Quran di akhir pentas makin meneguhkan bahwa Sardono menyajikan tafsir yang sudah kita kenal.
  
  Seno Joko Suyono

Fatwa Penyembuh AIDS

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
إن الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا وسيئات أعمالنا . من يهده الله فلا مضل له ومن يضلل فلا هادي له وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريكله وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله وبعد




Alhamdulilah segala puji-pujian kepada Allah SWT kerana dengan limpah kurnia Rahmat Nya dapat lagi kita menikmati kurniaan NikmatNya yang sangat berharga dari Dunia dan Seisinya ialah Nikmat Iman dan Islam… dan Pada peluang pada kali ini insyaallah saya akan keluarkan artikal dalam blog ini sedikit Ilmuan Tentang Keimanan… Pada petama kalinya saya akan huraikan Muaddimah dahulu yang menjadi rujukan kepada saya ialah Kitabul Iman, yang dikarang oleh Syeikh Abd Majid Azzindani seorang Ulama yaman yang tersohor Alim dengan Ilmu I’jazul Ilmi…

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim…

Hendaklah diketahui oleh kita semua perkara yang pertama wajib kita ketahui ialah mengenal Allah SWT melalui jalan pengetahuan dengan Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah. Sebagaiman Firman Allah swt didalam Al-Quran:

قال الله تعالى : (فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ) محمد-19
Yang Bermaksud: ( Maka hendaklah kamu mengetahui bahawa tiada tuhan melainkan Allah SWT )


Dan hendaklah kita mengenal Utusan Allah (yakni Rasulnya), Benarnya Utusan Allah itu, Melalui dengan jalan Ilmu yang diwarisi dengan Yakin, sepertimana firman Allah SWT:


قال الله تعالى : {أَفَمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَى إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُوا الأَلْبَابِ}
الرعد/19
Yang Bermaksud: ( Adakah orang yang mengetahui bahwasanya apa yang diturunkan kepadamu dari Tuhanmu itu benar sama dengan orang yang buta? hanyalah orang-orang yang berakal saja yang dapat mengambil pelajaran )

Hendaklah mengetahui hikmah kita diciptakan di dunia ini, dan mengetahui tempat pulang kita, hanya kepada Allah kita susuli, dan juga hendaklah kita mengetahui agama Islam dengan sempurna yang Allah suruh kita ikutinya.

Dan adalah semulia-mulia ilmu pengetahuan ialah ilmu Iman yang berhubung kait dengan mengenal Allah SWT, Rasulnya, dan Agamanya (Islam), Sesungguhnya kepentingan amal itu dinisbahkan bersama faedah yang mencapai manusia daripadanya, seperti dinisbahkan bahaya yang ditolak oleh manusia dari dirinya dengan pengetahuan ini, Hendaklah kita ketahui Ilmu Iman menjamin kepada manusia dengan kebahagian dan kejayaan yang besar didunia dan akhirat.

Sesungguhnya Allah SWT telah menjanjikan kepada orang-orang yang beriman di dunia dengan janji yangbanyak, diantaranya:

1 - Memberi kemenangan kepada golongan Islam menghadapi musuh-musuh Islam.

قال الله تعالى: { وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ } الروم/47
Yang Bermaksud: (dan kami selalu berkewajiban menolong orang-orang yang beriman )

2 - Allah menjaga (pendinding) orang beriman terhadap orang-orang kafir.

قال الله تعالى: {إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ} الحج/38
Yang Bermaksud: ( Sesungguhnya Allah membela orang-orang yang Telah beriman. Sesungguhnya Allah tidak menyukai tiap-tiap orang yang berkhianat lagi mengingkari nikmat)

3 - Allah pengawai kepada orang-orang yang beriman.

قال الله تعالى :{اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا} البقرة/257
Yang Bermaksud: ( Allah pelindung orang-orang yang beriman )

4 - Allah SWT memberi hidayah kepada orang-orang yang Beriman.

قال الله تعالى: {وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ} الحج/54
Yang Bermaksud: (Sesungguhnya Allah adalah pemberi petunjuk bagi orang-orang yang beriman kepada jalan yang lurus)

5 - Tidak memberi kemenangan kepada orang kafir memerangi orang-orang yang beriman.

قال الله تعالى : {وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلاً} النساء/141
Yang Bermaksud: ( Allah sekali-kali tidak akan memberi jalan kepada orang-orang kafir untuk memusnahkan orang-orang yang beriman )

6 - Memberi kedudukan dan pemerintahan kepada orang yang beriaman di muka bumi ini.

قال الله تعالى : {وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لاَ يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الْفَاسِقُونَ} النور/55
Yang Bermaksud: ( Dan Allah Telah berjanji kepada orang-orang yang beriman di antara kamu dan mengerjakan amal-amal yang saleh bahwa dia sungguh- sungguh akan menjadikan mereka berkuasa dimuka bumi, sebagaimana dia Telah menjadikan orang-orang sebelum mereka berkuasa, dan sungguh dia akan meneguhkan bagi mereka agama yang Telah diridhai-Nya untuk mereka, dan dia benar-benar akan menukar (keadaan) mereka, sesudah mereka dalam ketakutan menjadi aman sentausa. mereka tetap menyembahku-Ku dengan tiada mempersekutukan sesuatu apapun dengan Aku. dan barangsiapa yang (tetap) kafir sesudah (janji) itu, Maka mereka Itulah orang-orang yang fasik )

7 - Rezki yang baik.

قال الله تعالى : {وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَى آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكَاتٍ مِنْ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ وَلَكِنْ كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ} الأعراف/96
Yang Bermaksud: ( Jikalau sekiranya penduduk negeri-negeri beriman dan bertakwa, Pastilah kami akan melimpahkan kepada mereka berkah dari langit dan bumi, tetapi mereka mendustakan (ayat-ayat kami) itu, Maka kami siksa mereka disebabkan perbuatannya )

8 - Kemuliaan.

قال الله تعالى : { وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ } المنافقون/8
Yang Bermaksud: ( kekuatan itu hanyalah bagi Allah )

9 – kehidupan yang baik dan tenang.

فال الله تعالى : {مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً} النحل/97
Yang Bermaksud: ( Barangsiapa yang mengerjakan amal saleh, baik laki-laki maupun perempuan dalam keadaan beriman, Maka Sesungguhnya akan kami berikan kepadanya kehidupan yang baik )

Ini adalah sebahagian kejayaan yang Allah SWT berikan kepada orang yang Beriman didunia. Dan kejayaan ini Allah SWT telah berikan kepada orang-orang yang Beriman dengan sebenarnya sebelum kami.

Adapun kehidupan di Dar Akhirat, maka kita akan dihitungkan apa yang telah kita laku kan didunia. Dan orang yang beriman akan dimasukkan kedalam syurga yang telah dijanjikan oleh Allah SWT.

قال الله تعالى : {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلاً} {خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا لاَ يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلاً} (الكهف/107-108
Yang Bermaksud: ( Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman dan beramal saleh, bagi mereka adalah surga Firdaus menjadi tempat tinggal. Mereka kekal di dalamnya, mereka tidak ingin berpindah dari padanya ) (107,108)

Dan barangsiapa ambik tahu Hal Ehwal orang-orang Islam satu hari, dia dapati apa yang telah dijanjikan oleh Allah SWT kepada oang-orang beriman didunia ini tidak benar benar berlaku kepada mereka dari apa yang mereka lihat, bahawa sesungguhnya adalah Iman mereka itu lemah, atau sesungguhnya mereka telah hilang sifat-sifat keimanan yang banyak. Maka telah hilanglah kehidupan mereka didunia sebagaimana yang telah dijanjikan oleh Allah kepada orang yang beriman dari: Pertolongan, Pengawai, Menjaga, Memberi Hidayah, Beri Pemerintahan, Beri Kedudukan, tidak memberi kemenangan tehadap orang kafir, Rizki yang baik, Kemuliaan, dan Kehidupan yang Baik.

Dan barangsiapa berterusan kehidupannya yang lalai ( lemah imannya ) Maka mereka ini akan rugi, tidak dapat apa yang telah Allah janjikan kepada orang yang beriman di akhirat sebagaiman mereka rugi didunia, bahkan seakan-akan kerugian diri mereka didalam neraka. Waiyazubillah.

Tidak dapat tidak hendak kita memperkuatkan, memperkukuhkan dan memperbaharukan Iman kita, dengan syarat-syarat berikut:

1- Dengan menyebarkan Ilmu kepada orang-orang islam.
2- Mempraktik ( beramal ) dengan hukum hakam Agama Islam.

Dan adalah kepada orang yang alim tentang agama mereka hendaklah bersungguh-sungguh dan serta merta bangun untuk melaksakan kewajipan dakwah ini. Ulama’ ini hendahlah mereka mengetahui dan melihat bagaimana serangan musuh-musuh islam terhadap Islam, seperti serangan gerakan yahudi, nasrani, kristian dan gerakan-gerakan kebatilan yang lain lagi.

Ini adalah kitab Iman yang menjelaskan keimanan orang-orang Islam daripada silsilah (rangkaian) supaya mengetahui kewajipan keagamaan, kami memohon kepada Allah supaya menjadikannya Ikhlas kepada Allah SWT, dan memberi manfaat kepada orang-orang Islam.

Wallahu A’lam...

Mengapa Umat Islam Mundur ?

Satu waktu dipermulaan abad dua puluh seorang ulama dari Borneo, Muhammad Basyuni ‘Imran [dalam edisi Inggris, Muhammad Bisyooni 'Umran] berkirim surat kepada Rasyid Ridha yang memintanya untuk meneruskan dua buah pertanyaan agar dijawab oleh sang pangeran kefasihan (prince of eloquence) Amir Syakib Arsalan. Pertanyaan pertama, mengapa kaum muslimin mengalami kelemahan dan kemunduran yang merata di seluruh dunia, baik dalam urusan agama maupun dunia. Pertanyaan kedua, apakah yang menyebabkan kemajuan bangsa Eropa, Amerika dan Jepang ? Apakah dimungkinkan bagi kita, kaum muslimin, untuk juga maju dan pada saat yang sama tetap komitmen dengan agama mereka ?

Maka lahirlah, kemudian, buku Limadza Ta-akhharal Muslimuna Wa Taqaddama Ghairuhum ?, Mengapa Kaum Muslim Mundur dan Yang Lainnya Maju ?. Buku ini kemudian menjadi sangat terkenal di dunia islam. Mengapa begitu terkenal ? Karena kompetensi dan terkenalnya sang penulis [Amir Syakib Arsalan], juga karena pertanyaan [tema] yang coba dijawabnya, dan jaringan majalah Al Manar yang dikelola oleh Rasyid Ridha. Dalam bahasa Indonesia terjemahan buku ini diterbitkan tahun 1954 oleh K.H. Munawwar Chalil, dengan beberapa tema [bab] tambahan yang disisipkannya.

Fenomena Dunia Islam
Kemunduran umat Islam adalah gejala yang merata di seluruh dunia Islam. Perbedaannya hanya pada derajat saja. Mengapa umat islam mundur ? Untuk menjawab pertanyaan ini perlulah diketahui terlebih dahulu apa yang menyebabkan majunya umat Islam di kurun awal. Syakib Arsalan menyatakan faktor keagamaan, Islam, menjadi faktor pendorong utama kemajuan bangsa arab dahulu. Bagaimana faktor Islam ini dioperasionalkan, kata kuncinya terletak pada iman [keyakinan] dan amal [aksi], yang tidak terpisahkan dalam islam. Hal ini menuntut pada umat untuk memenuhi kualifikasi yang menuntutnya ke gelanggang perjuangan, jihad. Karakter yang tidak mencukupkan identitas keislaman pada atribusi atau sekadar pada nama atau aktifitas kesalehan pribadi semata-mata.

Kontras terhadap karakter pejuang, jihad pendahulunya umat islam saat ini [awal abad kedua puluh] kehilangan gairah, semangat dan kesetiaan terhadap keimanannya. Hal ini digambarkan oleh Syakib Arsalan dalam beberapa fenomena berikut :

1. Rendahnya semangat untuk memberi dan berkorban. Syakib Arsalan menggambarkan betapa pengorbanan yang diberikan oleh orang-orang Barat untuk membela negeri mereka, sebagaimana terjadi dalam perang dunia I. Jutaan orang tewas. Demikian pula dengan pengorbanan harta, jutaan dolar hilang untuk membela kepentingan bangsa mereka. Syakib Arsalan mengkontraskan itu semua dengan pengorbanan yang diberikan oleh umat Islam untuk membela negeri mereka, saudara mereka.
2. Pengkhianatan para elite. Perjuangan umat islam dalam menghadapi bangsa penjajah seringkali mentah atau gagal atau terintangi karena pengkhianatan elite mereka dalam perjuangan, baik elite kepemimpinan maupun elite intelektual, ulama.

Mengapa Umat Islam Mundur ?
Berdasarkan fenomena-fenomena di atas Syakib Arsalan mencatat beberapa penyebab kemunduran umat Islam.

1. Kebodohan. Bukan cuma kebodohan yang sesungguhnya, tetapi juga pengetahuan setengah-setengah yang dimiliki oleh beberapa kalangan umat. Bahkan pengetahuan setengah-setengah lebih berbahaya dari kebodohan.
2. Karakter [akhlaq], moralitas yang rendah. Kemajuan memiliki akhlaq atau karakter yang mendukungnya semisal, keberanian, keteguhan, kesabaran [determinasi diri], mengembangkan kapasitas intelektual.
3. Degradasi yang menginfeksi para elite, penguasa. Sikap despotik, menganggap rakyat sebagai makhluk yang diciptakan bagi mereka, sewenang-wenang.
4. Rasa takut, pengecut dan rendah diri, perasaan tidak berdaya, sekedar menjadi objek tertuduh [victims].


Responsi Umat Islam Terhadap Kemajuan Barat
Syakib Arsalan kemudian memetakan dua responsi ekstrem yang diberikan oleh sebagian kalangan umat Islam dalam menyikapi kemajuan Barat. Profil pertama adalah mereka yang ultra-modern, zaahid [ingkar-pembantah], yang mengingkari sejarah dan identitas kultural mereka, yang ingin mengesampingkan agama dari kehidupan sosial dan kemajuan, yang ingin melikuidasi agama dari kehidupan sosial politik, yang ingin membangun wilayah itu menjadi wilayah netral agama. Profil kedua adalah mereka yang menganut konservatisme ekstrem [jamid, enggan berubah], yang menolak ilmu pengetahuan semata-mata karena ia adalah produk orang kafir, yang bersikap fatalistik, yang menutup diri dan mencukupkan dengan warisan tradisi semata-mata.

Kedua profil diatas membawa sikap yang tidak tepat. Syakib Arsalan membantah sikap pertama dengan mengajak mereka untuk memikirkan lebih dalam fenomena sejarah bangsa-bangsa yang maju adakah mereka melepaskan identitas religius [keagamaan] dan kultural mereka. Eropa [dengan negara-bangsa yang beraneka], Jepang justru menegaskan dan memelihara identitas keagamaan dan kultural mereka. Untuk membantah sikap kedua, Syakib Arsalan mengutip ayat-ayat yang mengajak untuk optimis, bekerja, dan menghilangkan sikap fatalistik dalam kehidupan. Ia juga mengingatkan sikap konservatisme ekstrem akan memuluskan para penjajah untuk menduduki negeri mereka.

Apakah Mungkin Umat Islam Maju Sekaligus Bertahan Dalam Islam ?
Syakib Arsalan mengafirmasi secara positif kemungkinan ini. Jepang bisa menjadi pelajaran. Islam sendiri mampu memberikan dorongan dan motivasi internal untuk meraih kemajuan, sebagaimana dulu ia pernah meraih kejayaan. Bagaimana memulainya ? Atau darimana memulai langkah menuju kemajuan itu ? Syakib Arsalan menjawab terletak pada semangat untuk memberi dan berkorban. Ini adalah akar awal untuk memulai, yang mungkin agak mengejutkan; mengapa bukan dimulai dari meraih ilmu pengetahuan modern terlebih dahulu.

Rujukan
Mengapa Kaum Muslim Mundur. Al Amir Syakib Arsalan. Penerbit Bulan Bintang, 1992 [cet 1. 1954].
Our Decline, Its Causes and Remidies. Amir Shakib Arsalan. Islamic Book Trust, Kuala Lumpur. 2005.

Buku Bermanfaat

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The Voice of a Woman in Islam

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi

Many Muslims have adopted the Judeo-Christian ethic which views women as the source of human tragedy because of her alleged biblical role as the temptress who seduced Adam into disobedience to his Lord. By tempting her husband to eat the forbidden fruit, she not only defied Allah, but caused humankind's expulsion from Paradise, thus instigating all temporal human suffering. Those misogynists who support this Biblical myth, dredge from the archives of psuedo-Islamic literature such as false and weak hadiths.

This Old Testament myth is a widely circulated belief in the Islamic community despite the fact that Allah in the Qur'an stresses that it was Adam who was solely responsible for his mistake. In 20:115 it is stated:

"We had already, beforehand, taken the convenant of Adam, but he forgot; and we found on his part no firm resolve." Verse 20:121-122 continues: "In result, they both ate of the tree...thus did Adam disobey His Lord, and fell into error. But his Lord chose for him (From His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him guidance."


Therefore, there is nothing in Islamic doctrine or in the Qur'an which holds women responsible for Adam's expulsion from paradise or the consequent misery of humankind. However, misogyny abounds in the pronouncements of many Islamic "scholars" and "imams." The result of such misinterpretation of hadiths and spreading negativity is that entire societies have mistreated their female members despite the fact that Islam has honored and empowered the woman in all spheres of life. The woman in Islamic law is equal to her male counterpart. She is as liable for her actions as a male is liable. Her testimony is demanded and valid in court. Her opinions are sought and acted upon. Contrary to the pseudo hadith: "Consult women and do the opposite," the Prophet (SAW) consulted his wife, Um Salama on one of the most important issues to the Muslim community. Such references to the Prophet's positive attitudes toward women disprove the one hadith falsely attributed to Ali bin Abi Talib: "The woman is all evil, and the greatest evil about her is that man cannot do without her."

The promotion of such negativity against women has led many "scholars" and "imams" to make the unsubstantiated ruling about female speech. They claim that women should lower their voice to whispers or even silence except when she speaks to her husband, her guardian or other females. The female act of communication has become to some a source of temptation and allurement to the male.

The Qur'an, however, specifically mentions that those seeking information from the Prophet's wives were to address them from behind a screen (33:53). Since questions require an answer, the Mothers of the Believers offered fatwas to those who asked and narrated hadiths to whomever wished to transmit them. Furthermore, women were accustomed to question the Prophet (SAW) while men were present. Neither were they embarassed to have their voices heard nor did the Prophet prevent their inquiries. Even in the case of Omar when he was challenged by a woman during his khutba on the minbar, he did not deny her. Rather, he admitted that she was right and he was wrong and said: "Everybody is more knowledgeable than Omar."

Another Qur'anic example of a woman speaking publicly is that the daughter of the Shaykh mentioned in the Qur'an in 28:23. Furthermore, the Qur'an narrates the coversation between Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba as well as between her and her subjects. All of these examples support the fatwa that women are allowed to voice their opinion publicly for whatever has been prescribed to those before us is prescribed to us, unless it was unanimously rejected by Islamic doctrine.

Thus, the only prohibition is the female talking softly and flirting in a manner meant to excite and tempt the male. This is expressed in the Qur'an as complacent speech which Allah mentions in 33:32:

"O consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the other women: If ye do fear Allah, be not too complaisance of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech that is just."

What is prohibited then is alluring speech which entices those whose diseased hearts may be moved with desire and that is not to say that all conversation with women is prohibited for Allah completes the verse: "...but speak ye a speech that is just." (33:32)

Finding excuses to silence women is just one of the injustices certain scholars and imams attempt to inflict upon women. They point to such hadiths as narrated by Bukhari about the Prophet which says: "I have not left a greater harm to men than women." They assume that the harm implies that women are an evil curse to be endured just as one must endure poverty, famine, disease, death and fear. These "scholars" ignore the fact that man is tried more by his blessings than by his tragedies. And Allah says:



"And We test you by evil and by good way of trial." (21:35).

To support this argument Allah says in the Qur'an that two of the most appreciated blessings of life, wealth and children, are trials. Allah says: "And know ye that your posessions and your progeny are but a trial." (Anfal 28) A woman, despite the blessings she bestows on her relations, can also be a trial for she may distract a man from his duty toward Allah. Thus, Allah creates awareness how blessings can be misguided so that they become curses. Men can use their spouses as an excuse for not performing jihad or for eschewing sacrafice for the compiling of wealth. Allah in the Qur'an warns: "Truly among your wives and children are enemies for you." (64:14)

The warning is the same as for the blessings of abundant welath and offspring (63:9). In addition, the sahih hadith says: "By Allah I don't fear for you poverty, but I fear that the world would be abundant for you as it has been for those before you so you compete for it as they have competed for it, so it destroys you as it has destroyed them." (Agreed upon) This hadith does not mean that the Prophet (SAW) encouraged poverty. Poverty is a curse from which the Prophet sought refuge from Allah. He did not mean for his Ummah to be bereft of wealth and abundance for he said: "The best of the good wealth is for the pious person." (narrated by ahmed and Al-Hakam) Women are also a gift for the pious person for the Qur'an mentions the Muslim men and women (the Muslimat), the believing men (Mumins) and women Muminat as aids and comforts for each other here and in the hereafter. The Prophet did not condemn the blessings Allah provided for his Ummah. Rather the Prophet wished to guide the Muslims and his Ummah away from
the slippery slope whose bottomless pit is a mire of callousness and desire.

Object of Despair

By Fahim Firfiray

From: Faiza Iqbal
Date: 25 Mar 2001

Comments:

First and foremost, I would like to thank the creators of this website for offering muslims and non-muslims alike, the opportunity to properly understand the principles of Islam. I was reading the article entitled "Liberation through the Veil," and I was reminded of a poem I once received that beatifully describes the role of Hijab. I wanted to share this poem with you.

OBJECT OF DESPAIR
(By Fahim Firfiray)

Emma is a lawyer
And so is Aisha too
Colleagues going into court
At circa half past two

Its 1 O'Clock right now
They grab a bite before the trial
They chat about this and that
Conversing with a smile

Aisha is in full hijab
With a loose all over suit
Emma's in her business wear
With accessories taboot

Emma's really quite bemused
At Aisha's godly ways
She looks Aisha in the eyes
And very firmly says

You're a smart girl Aisha
Why do you wear that across your hair?
Subjugated by "man"-kind
An object of despair

Take it off my sister
Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD

Aisha is amazed
But not the least bit shy
She bravely puts her milkshake down
And gives Emma the reply

My dear sister Emma,
Why do you dress the way you do?
The skirt you're wearing round your waist,
Is it really you?

Now that we've sat down
I see you tug it across your thighs,
Do you feel ashamed?
Aware of prying eyes?

I see the way you're sitting,
Both legs joined at the knees,
Who forces you to sit like that?
Do you feel at ease?

I'll tell you who obliges you,
To dress the way you do,
Gucci, Klein, and St. Laurent
All have designs on you!

In the main, its men my friend,
Who dictate the whims of fashion,
Generating all the garb,
To incite the basest passion

"Sex Sells" there is no doubt
But who buys with such great haste,
The answer is likes like you,
Because they want to be embraced...

They want to be accepted,
On a level playing field
Sure, with brain and intellect
But with body parts revealed

Intelligence and reason
Are useful by and by
But if you want to make a mark
Stay appealing to the eye

You claim your skirt is office like
A business dress of sorts
Would we not laugh at Tony Blair?
If he turned up in shorts?

His could be the poshest of pants
Pinstripe from Saville Rowe
But walking round like that my friend
He'd really have to go

Why do you douse yourself in creams
To make your skin so milky?
Why do you rip off all your hair
To keep your body silky?

A simple shower's all you need
To stay respectable and clean
The time and money that you spend
Is really quite obscene

Why do you wake up at dawn,
To apply a firm foundation,
Topped with make up and the like,
In one chaotic combination?

And if you should have to leave the house
Devoid of this routine
Why do you feel insecure
That you should not be seen?

Be free my sister Emma
Escape from your deep mire
Don hijab today my friend
And all Islam's attire

Avoid all those sickly stares
Or whistles from afar
Walk down the street with dignity
Take pride in who you are

Strength lies in anonymity
Be a shadow in the crowd
Until you speak and interact
When your voice will carry loud

You're a smart girl Emma
Wear this across your hair
Don't be subjugated by "man"-kind
An object of despair

To use your very words my friend
Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD

Women's Liberation Through Islam

by Mary Ali and Anjum Ali

Today people think that women are liberated in the West and that the women's liberation movement began in the 20th century. Actually, the women's liberation movement was not begun by women but was revealed by God to a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad (peace be uponhim), who is known as the last Prophet of Islam. The Qur'an and theTraditions of the Prophet (Hadith or Sunnah) are the sources from whichevery Muslim woman derives her rights and duties.

I. HUMAN RIGHTS

Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equally accountable to God in glorifying and worshipping Him - setting no limits on her moral progress. Also, Islam established a woman's equality in her humanity with men.

In the Qur'an, in the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women," God says, "O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom you claim (your rights) of one another, and towards the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah has been a Watcher over you." (4:1)

Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal in their humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religions believe) or then men would be evil also. Similarly, neither gender can be superior because it would be a contradiction of equality.

II. CIVIL RIGHTS

In Islam, a woman has the basic freedom of choice and expression based on recognition of her individual personality. First, she is free to choose her religion. The Qur'an states: "There is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from error." (2:256)

Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas. There are many traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) which indicate women would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters.

A Muslim woman chooses her husband and keeps her name after marriage. A Muslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes. In fact, in areas in which women are more familiar, their evidence is conclusive.

III. SOCIAL RIGHTS

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male and female)." This includes knowledge of the Qur'an and the Hadith as well as other knowledge. Men and women both have the capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests.

While maintenance of a home, providing support to her husband, and bearing, raising and teaching of children are among the first and very highly regarded roles for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside the home for the good of the community, she may do so as long as her family obligations are met.

Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for men and other types for women. This in no way diminishes either's effort nor its benefit. God will reward both sexes equally for the value of their work, though it may not necessarily be the same activity.

Concerning motherhood, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Heaven lies under the feet of mothers." This implies that the success of a society can be traced to the mothers that raised it. The first and greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection, and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent.

IV. POLITICAL RIGHTS

A right given to Muslim women by God 1400 years ago is the right to vote. On any public matter, a woman may voice her opinion and participate in politics. One example, narrated in the Qur'an (60:12), is that Muhammad (pbuh) is told that when the believing women come to him and swear their allegiance to Islam, he must accept their oath. This established the right of women to select their leader and publicly declare so. Finally, Islam does not forbid a woman from holding important positions in government. Abdur-Rahman Ibn Auf consulted many women before he recommended Uthman Ibn Affan to be the Caliph.

V. ECONOMIC RIGHTS

The Qur'an states: "By the creation of the male and female; Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse." (92:3-4)

In these verses, God declares that He created men and women to be different, with unique roles, functions and skills. As in society, where there is a division of labor, so too in a family; each member has different responsibilities. Generally, Islam upholds that women are entrusted with the nurturing role, and men, with the guardian role. Therefore, women are given the right of financial support.

The Qur'an states: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women)." (4:34)

This guardianship and greater financial responsibility given to men, requires that they provide women with not only monetary support but also physical protection and kind and respectful treatment.

The Muslim woman has the privilege to earn money, the right to own property, to enter into legal contracts and to manage all of her assets in any way she pleases. She can run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings including her husband. The Qur'an states:

"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty, for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." (4:32)

A woman inherits from her relatives. The Qur'an states: "For men there is a share in what parents and relatives leave, and for women there is a share of what parents and relatives leave, whether it be little or much - an ordained share." (4:7)

VI. RIGHTS OF A WIFE

The Qur'an states: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between you; Verily, in that are signs for people who reflect." (30:21)

Marriage is therefore not just a physical or emotional necessity, but in fact, a sign from God! It is a relationship of mutual rights and obligations based on divine guidance. God created men and women with complimentary natures, and in the Qur'an, He laid out a system of laws to support harmonious interaction between the sexes.

"...They are your garments and you are their garments." (2:187)

Clothing provides physical protection and covers the beauty and faults of the body. Likewise, a spouse is viewed this way. Each protects the other and hides the faults and compliments the characteristics of the spouse.

To foster the love and security that comes with marriage, Muslim wives have various rights. The first of the wife's rights is to receive mahr, a gift from the husband which is part of the marriage contract and required for the legality of the marriage.

The second right of a wife is maintenance. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands. The Qur'an states: "Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him." (65:7)

God tells us men are guardians over women and are afforded the leadership in the family. His responsibility for obeying God extends to guiding his family to obey God at all times.

A wife's rights also extend beyond material needs. She has the right to kind treatment. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct. And the best of you are those who are best to their wives." God tells us He created mates and put love, mercy, and tranquillity between them.

Both men and women have a need for companionship and sexual needs, and marriage is designed to fulfill those needs. For one spouse to deny this satisfaction to the other, temptation exists to seek it elsewhere.

VII. DUTIES OF A WIFE

With rights come responsibilities. Therefore, wives have certain obligations to their husbands. The Qur'an states: "The good women in the absence of their husbands guard their rights as Allah has enjoined upon them to be guarded." (4:34)

A wife is to keep her husband's secrets and protect their marital privacy. Issues of intimacy or faults of his that would dishonor him, are not to be shared by the wife, just as he is expected to guard her honor.

A wife must also guard her husband's property. She must safeguard his home and possessions, to the best of her ability, from theft or damage. She should manage the household affairs wisely so as to prevent loss or waste. She should not allow anyone to enter the house whom her husband dislikes nor incur any expenses of which her husband disapproves.

A Muslim woman must cooperate and coordinate with her husband. There cannot, however, be cooperation with a man who is disobedient to God. She should not fulfill his requests if he wants her to do something unlawful. A husband also should not take advantage of his wife, but be considerate of her needs and happiness.

VIII. CONCLUSION

The Qur'an states: "And it becomes not a believing man or a believing women, when Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) have decided on an affair (for them), that they should (after that) claim any say in their affair; and whoso is rebellious to Allah and His Messenger, he verily goes astray in error manifest." (33:36)

The Muslim woman was given a role, duties and rights 1400 years ago that most women do not enjoy today, even in the West. These are from God and are designed to keep balance in society; what may seem unjust or missing in one place is compensated for or explained in another place. Islam is a complete way of life.

-- Mary Ali and Anjum Ali

INTRODUCTION OF III & E

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Gender Equity In Islam

Gender Equity In Islam
10/11/2002 - Religious - Article Ref: IC0210-1757
Number of comments: 16
By: Jamal A. Badawi Ph.D.
IslamiCity* -
(http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC0210-1757&p=1)

Introduction & Methodology

When dealing with the Islamic perspective of any topic, there should be a clear distinction between the normative teachings of Islam and the diverse cultural practices among Muslims, which may or may not be consistent with them. The focus of this paper is the normative teachings of Islam as the criteria to judge Muslim practices and evaluate their compliance with Islam. In identifying what is "Islamic" it is necessary to make a distinction between the primary sources of Islam (the Qur'an and the Sunnah) and legal opinions of scholars on specific issues, which may vary and be influenced by their times, circumstances, and cultures. Such opinions and verdicts do not enjoy the infallibility accorded to the primary and revelatory sources. Furthermore, interpretation of the primary sources should consider, among other things:

1. The context of any text in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This includes the general context of Islam, its teachings, its world view, and the context of the surah and section thereof.

2. The occasion of the revelation, which may shed light on its meanings.

3. The role of the Sunnah in explaining and defining the meaning of the Qur'anic text.

This paper is a brief review of the position and role of woman in society from an Islamic perspective. The topic is divided into spiritual, economic, social, and political aspects.

I. The Spiritual Aspect

1. According to the Qur'an, men and women have the same spiritual human nature:

O mankind: Reverence your Guardian Lord Who created you from a single person created of like

A sea of humanity - men, women & children - praying in the first sanctuary built for the worship of God.
The Kaba in Makkah

nature his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; reverence Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you. (Qur'an 4:1)

It is He who created you from a single person and made his mate of like nature in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy they both pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "If You give us a goodly child we vow we shall (ever) be grateful. "(Qur'an 7:189)

(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him and He is the One that hears and sees (all things.) (Qur'an 42:11)

2. Both genders are recipients of the "divine breath" since they are created with the same human and spiritual nature (nafsin-waahidah):

But He fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks to you give (Qur'an 15:29)

3. Both genders are dignified and are trustees of Allah on earth.

We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors above a great part of Our Creation. (Qur'an 17:70)

Behold your Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said "Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (name)?" He said: "I know what you do not." (Qur'an 2:30)

4. According to the Qur'an, woman is not blamed for the "fall of man." Pregnancy and childbirth are not seen as punishments for "eating from the for bidden tree." On the contrary, the Qur'an considers them to be grounds for love and respect due to mothers.

In narrating the story of Adam and Eve, the Qur'an frequently refers to both of them, never singling out Eve for the blame:

O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and enjoy (its good things) as you [both] wish: but approach not this tree or you [both] run into harm and transgression. Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said "Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest you [both] should become angels or such beings as live for ever." And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if you forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your mercy we shall certainly be lost." (Allah) said: "Get you [both] down with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." He said: "Therein shall you [both] live and therein shall you [both] die; and from it shall you [both] be taken out (at last)." O you children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you but the raiment of righteousness that is the best. Such are among the signs of Allah that they may receive admonition! O you children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents out of the garden stripping them of their raiment to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith. (Qur'an 7:19 27)

On the question of pregnancy and childbirth, the Qur'an states:

And We have enjoined on the person (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail upon travail did his/her mother bear his/her and in years twain was his/her weaning: (hear the command) "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal. (Qur'an 31:14)

We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam [submission]."(Qur'an 46:15)

5. Men and women have the same religious and moral duties and responsibilities. They both face the consequences of their deeds:

And their Lord has accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you be it male or female: you are members of one another ..."(Qur'an 3:195)

If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them. (Qur'an 4:124)

For Muslim men and women and for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Qur'an 33:35)

One Day shall you see the believing men and the believing women how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good news for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for ever! This is indeed the highest Achievement!" (Qur'an 57:12)

6. Nowhere does the Qur'an state that one gender is superior to the other. Some mistakenly translate "qiwamah" or responsibility for the family as superiority. The Qur'an makes it clear that the sole basis for superiority of any person over another is piety and righteousness not gender, color, or nationality:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (one who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Qur'an 49:13)

7. The absence of women as prophets or "Messengers of Allah" in prophetic history is due to the demands and physical suffering associated with the role of messengers and prophets and not because of any spiritual inferiority.

II. The Economic Aspect

1. The Islamic Shariiah recognizes the full property rights of women before and after marriage. A married woman may keep her maiden name.

2. Greater financial security is assured for women. They are entitled to receive marital gifts, to keep present and future properties and income for their own security. No married woman is required to spend a penny from her property and income on the household. She is entitled to full financial support during marriage and during the waiting period ('iddah) in case of divorce. She is also entitled to child support. Generally, a Muslim woman is guaranteed support in all stages of her life, as a daughter, wife, mother, or sister. These additional advantages of women over men are somewhat balanced by the provisions of the inheritance which allow the male, in most cases, to inherit twice as much as the female. This means that the male inherits more but is responsible financially for other females: daughters, wives, mother, and sister, while the female (i.e., a wife) inherits less but can keep it all for investment and financial security without any legal obligation so spend any part of it even for her own sustenance (food, clothing, housing, medication, etc.).

III. The Social Aspect

First: As a Daughter

1. The Qur'an effectively ended the cruel pre Islamic practice of female infanticide (wa'd):

When the female (infant) buried alive is questioned for what crime she was killed. (Qur'an 81 89)

2. The Qur'an went further to rebuke the unwelcoming attitudes among some parents upon hearing the news of the birth of a baby girl, instead of a baby boy:

When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female (child) his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance and) contempt or bury her in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on! (Qur'an 16:58 59)

3. Parents are duty bound to support and show kindness and justice to their daughters. Prophet Muhammad said:

"Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise." [Ahmad]

"Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together)." [Ahmad]

4. Education is not only a right but also a responsibility of all males and females. Prophet Muhammad said:

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim ("Muslim" is used here in the generic meaning which includes both males and females).

Second: As a Wife

1. Marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love, and compassion, not just the satisfaction of man's needs:

And among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may well in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts); verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (Qur'an 30:21)

(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him and He is the One that hears and sees (all things). (Qur'an 42:11)

2. The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. Her consent is prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract according to the Prophet's teaching. It follows that if by "arranged marriage" is meant marrying the girl without her consent, then such a marriage is nullifiable if she so wished.

"Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad, and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice ...(between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). "(Ahmad, Hadeeth no. 2469). In another version, the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right to force a husband on them." [Ibn Majah] 3. The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection, and overall headship of the family (qiwamah) within the framework of consultation and kindness. The mutual dependency and complementary of the roles of males and females does not mean "subservience" by either party to the other. Prophet Muhammad helped in household chores in spite of his busy schedule.

The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child nor father on account of his child. An heir shall be chargeable in the same way if they both decide on weaning by mutual consent and after due consultation there is no blame on them. If you decide on a foster mother for your offspring there is no blame on you provided you pay (the mother) what you offered on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what you do. (Qur'an 2:233)

The Qur'an urges husbands to be kind and considerate to heir wives even if they do not like them.

O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness that you may take away part of the marital gift you have given them except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings about though it a great deal of good. (Qur'an 4:19)

Prophet Muhammad taught:

" I command you to be kind to women ..."

"The best of you is the best to his family (wife) ..."

Marital disputes are to be handled privately between the parties whenever possible, in steps (without excesses or cruelty). If disputes are not resolved then family mediation can be resorted to.

Divorce is seen as the last resort, which is permissible but not encouraged. Under no circumstances does the Qur'an encourage, allow or condone family violence or physical abuse and cruelty. The maximum allowed in extreme cases is a gentle tap that does not even leave a mark on the body while saving the marriage from collapsing.

3. Forms of marriage dissolution include mutual agreement, the husband's initiative, the wife's initiative (if part of her marital contract, court decision on the wife's initiative (for a cause), and the wife's initiative without a "cause" provided that she returns the marital gift to her husband (khul' [divestiture]).

4. Priority for custody of young children (up to the age of about seven) is given to the mother. A child later chooses between his mother and father (for custody purposes). Custody questions are to be settled in a manner that balances the interests of both parents and well being of the child.

Question of Polygyny (Polygamy)

1. One of the common myths is to associate polygyny with Islam as if it were introduced by Islam or is the norm according to its teachings. While no text in the Qur'an or Sunnah states that either monogamy or polygyny is the norm, demographic data indicates that monogamy is the norm and polygyny is the exception. In almost all countries and on the global level the numbers of men and women are almost even, with women's numbers slightly more than men.

As such, it is a practical impossibility to regard polygyny as the norm since it assumes a demographic structure of at least two thirds females, and one third males (or 80 percent females and 20 percent males if four wives per male is the norm!). No Islamic "norm" is based on an impossible assumption.

2. Like many peoples and religions, however, Islam did not out law polygyny but regulated it and restricted it. It is neither required nor encouraged, but simply permitted and not outlawed. Edward Westermarck gives numerous examples of the sanctioning of polygyny among Jews, Christians, and others.

3. The only passage in the Qur'an(4:3) which explicitly mentioned polygyny and restricted its practice in terms of the number of wives permitted and the requirement of justice between them was revealed after the Battle of Uhud in which dozens of Muslims were martyred leaving behind widows and orphans. This seems to indicate that the intent of its continued permissibility is to deal with individual and collective contingencies that may arise from time to time (i.e., imbalances between the number of males and females created by wars). This provides a moral, practical, and humane solution to the problems of widows and orphans who are likely to be more vulnerable in the absence of a husband/father figure to look after their needs: financial, companions, proper rearing, and other needs.

If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans marry women of your choice two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one ...(Qur'an 4:3)

4. All parties involved have options: to reject marriage proposals as in the case of a proposed second wife or to seek divorce or khul' (divestiture) as in the case of a present wife who cannot accept to live with a polygynous husband.

While the Qur'an allowed polygyny, it did not allow polyandry (multiple husbands of the same woman). Anthropologically speaking, polyandry is quite rare. Its practice raises thorny problems related to the lineal identity of children, and incompatibility of polyandry with feminine nature.

Third: As a Mother

1. Kindness to parents (especially mothers) is next to worship of Allah:

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in you life say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. (Qur'an 17:23)

And We have enjoined on the human (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail upon travail did his/her mother bear him/her and in years twain was his/her waning: (hear the command) "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny." (Qur'an 31:14)

2. Mothers are accorded a special place of honor in Hadeeth too:

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad asking: O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said, your mother. The man said then who is next: the Prophet said, Your mother. The man further asked, Then who is next? Only then did the Prophet say, Your father. (al Bukhari)

Fourth: As a Sister in Faith(Generally)

1. According to the Prophet Muhammad's saying:

"Women are but sisters (or the other half) of men (shaqa'iq).

2. Prophet Muhammad taught kindness, care, and respect of women in general:

"I commend you to be kind to women"

Fifth: Issue of Modesty and Social Interaction

1. There exists, among Muslims a big gap between the ideal of the real. Cultural practices on both extremes do exist. Some Muslims emulate non Islamic cultures and adopt the modes of dress, unrestricted mixing and behavior resulting in corrupting influences of Muslims and endangering the family's integrity and strength. On the other hand, in some Muslim cultural undue and excessive restrictions is not seclusion are believed to be the ideal. Both extremes seem to contradict the normative teachings of Islam and are not consistent with the virtuous yet participative nature of the society at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

2. Parameters of proper modesty for males and females (dress and behavior) are based on revelatory sources (the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah) and as such are seen by believing men and women as divinely based guidelines with legitimate aims, and divine wisdom behind them. They are not male imposed or socially imposed restrictions.

3. The notion of near total seclusion of women is alien to the prophetic period. Interpretation problems in justifying seclusion reflect, in part, cultural influences and circumstances in different Muslim countries.

IV. The Legal/Political Aspect

1. Both genders are entitled to equality before the law and courts of law. Justice is genderless.

Most references to testimony (witness) in the Qur'an do not make any reference to gender. Some references fully equate the testimony of males and female.

And for those who launch a charge against their spouses and have (in support) no evidence but their own their solitary evidence (can be received) if they bear witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth; And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a life. But it would avert the punishment from the wife is she bears witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that (her husband) is telling a lie; And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself is (her accuser) is telling the truth. (Qur'an 24:69)

One reference in the Qur'an distinguishes between the witness of a male and a female. It is useful to quote this reference and explain it in its own context and in the context of other references to testimony in the Qur'an.

O you who believe! When you deal with each other in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate but let him fear his Lord Allah and not diminish aught of what he owes. If the party liable is mentally deficient or weak or unable himself to dictate let his guardian dictate faithfully. And get two witnesses out of your own men and if there are not two men then a man and two women such as you choose for witnesses so that if one of them errs the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period whether it be small or big: it is just in the sight of Allah more suitable as evidence and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves; but if it be a transaction which you carry out on the spot among yourselves there is no blame on you if you reduce it not to writing. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If you do (such harm) it would be wickedness in you. So fear Allah; for it is Allah that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with all things. (Qur'an 2:282)

A few comments on this text are essential in order to prevent common misinterpretations:

1. It cannot be used as an argument that there is a general rule in the Qur'an that the worth of a female's witness is only half the male's. This presumed "rule" is voided by the earlier reference (24:69) which explicitly equates the testimony of both genders in the issue at hand.

2. The context of this passage (ayah) relates to the testimony on financial transactions which are often complex and laden with business jargon. The passage does not make a blanket generalization which would otherwise contradict 24:69 cited earlier.

3. The reason for variations in the number of male and female witnesses required is given in the same passage. No reference was made to the inferiority or superiority of one gender's witness or the other's. The only reason given is to corroborate the female's witness and prevent unintended errors in the perception of the business deal. The Arabic term used in this passage (tadhilla) means literally "loses the way," "gets confused or errs." But are females the only gender that may err and need corroboration of their testimony. Definitely not, and this is why the general rule of testimony in Islamic law is to have two witnesses even if they are both males. This leaves us with only one reasonable interpretation that in an ideal Islamic society as envisioned by Islamic teachings the female members will give priority to their feminine functions as wives, mothers, and pioneers of charitable works. This emphasis, while making them more experienced in the inner function of the family and social life, may not give them enough exposure and experience to business transactions and terminology, as such a typical Muslim woman in a truly Islamic society will not normally be present when business dealings are negotiated and if may present may not fully understand the dealings. In such a case, corroboration by two women witnesses helps them remind one another and as such give an accurate account of what happened.

4. It is useful to remember that it is the duty of a fair judge, in a particular case, to evaluate the credibility, knowledge and experience of any witness and the specific circumstances of the case at hand.

2. The general rule in social and political life is participation and collaboration of males and female in public affairs:

The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another; they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (Qur'an 9:71)

3. Now there is sufficient historical evidence of participation by Muslim women in the choice of rulers, in public issues, in lawmaking, in administrative positions, in scholarship and teaching, and even in the battlefield. Such involvement in social and political affairs was done without losing sight of the complementary priorities of both genders and without violating Islamic guidelines of modesty and virtue.

4. There is no text in the Qur'an or the Sunnah that precludes women from any position of leadership, except in leading prayer due to the format of prayer as explained earlier and the headship of state (based on the common and reasonable interpretation of Hadeeth).

The head of state in Islam is not a ceremonial head. He leads public prayers in some occasions, constantly travels and negotiates with officials of other states (who are mostly males). He may be involved in confidential meetings with them. Such heavy involvement and its necessary format may not be consistent with Islamic guidelines related to the interaction between the genders and the priority of feminine functions and their value to society. Furthermore, the conceptual and philosophical background of the critics of this limited exclusion is that of individualism, ego satisfaction, and the rejection of the validity of divine guidance in favor of other man-made philosophies, values, or "ism." The ultimate objective of a Muslim man or woman is to selflessly serve Allah and the ummah in whatever appropriate capacity.

Conclusion:

1. Textual injunctions on gender equity and the prophetic model are sometimes disregarded by some if not most Muslims individually and collectively. Revision of practices (not divine injunctions) is needed. It is not the revelatory Qur'an and the Sunnah that need any editing or revision. What needs to be reexamined are fallible human interpretations and practices.

2. Diverse practice in Muslim countries often reflect cultural influences (local or foreign), more so than the letter or spirit of the Shariiah.

3. Fortunately, there is an emerging trend for the betterment of our understanding of gender equity, based on the Qur'an and Hadeeth, not on alien and imported un-Islamic or non-Islamic values and not on the basis of the existing oppressive and unjust status quo in many parts of the Muslim world.

Endnotes

1. The term equity is used instead of the common expression 'equality" which is sometimes mistakenly understood to mean absolute equality in each and every detailed item of comparison rather than the overall equality. Equity is used here to mean justice and overall equality of the totality of rights and responsibilities of both genders. It does allow for the possibility of variations in specific items within the overall balance and equality. It is analogous to two persons possessing diverse currencies amounting, for each person to the equivalence of US$1000. While each of the two persons may possess more of one currency than the other, the total value still comes to US$1000 in each case. It should be added that from an Islamic perspective, the roles of men and women are complementary and cooperative rather than competitive.

2. The Sunnah refers to the words, actions, and confirmations (consent) of the Prophet Muhammad in matters pertaining to the meaning and practice of Islam. Another common term which some authorities consider to be equivalent to the Sunnah is the Hadeeth (plural: Ahadeeth) which literally means "sayings."

3. In both Qur'anic references, 15:29 and 32:99, the Arabic terms used are basharan and al Insaun both mean a human being or a person. English translations do not usually convey this meaning and commonly use the terms "man" or the pronoun" him" to refer to "person" without a particular gender identification. Equally erroneous is the common translation of Bani Adam into "sons of Adam" or "men" instead of a more accurate term "children of Adam."

4. A common question raised in the West is whether a Muslim woman can be ordained as a priest as more "liberal" churches do? It should be remembered that there is no "church" or "priesthood" in Islam. The question of "ordaining" does not arise. However, most of the common "priestly" functions such as religious education, spiritual and social counseling are not forbidden to Muslim women in a proper Islamic context. A woman, however, may not lead prayers since Muslim prayers involve prostrations and body contact. Since the prayer leader is supposed to stand in front of the congregation and may move forward in the middle of crowded rows, it would be both inappropriate and uncomfortable for a female to be in such a position and prostrate, hands, knees and forehead on the ground with rows of men behind here. A Muslim woman may be an Islamic scholar, In the early days of Islam, there were several examples of female scholars who taught both genders.

5. Islamic Shariiah recognizes the full property rights of women before and after marriage. This contrast with the legal provisions in Europe which did not recognize the right until nearly 13 centuries after Islam. "By a series of acts starting with the Married Women's Property Act in 1879, amended in 1882 and 1997, married women achieved the right to won property and to enter into contracts on a par with spinsters, widows, and divorcees." See Encyclopedia Britannica, 1968, vol. 23, p. 624.

6. In the event of a family dispute, the Qur'an exhorts the husband to treat his wife kindly and not to overlook her positive aspects. If the problem relates to the wife's behavior, her husband may exhort her and appeal for reason. In most cases, this measure is likely to be sufficient. In cases where the problem continues, the husband may express his displeasure in another peaceful manner by sleeping in a separate bed from hers. There are cases, however where a wife persists in deliberate mistreatment of her husband and disregard for her marital obligations. Instead of divorce, the husband may resort to another measure that may save the marriage, at least in some cases. Such a measure is more accurately described as a gentle tap on the body, but never on the face, making it more of a symbolic measure than a punitive one. Following is the related Qur'anic text:

Men are the protectors and maintains of women because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share their beds (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience seek not against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High, great( above you all). (Qur'an 4:34)


Even here, that maximum measure is limited by the following:

1. It must be seen as a rare exception to the repeated exhortation of mutual respect, kindness and good treatment discussed earlier. Based on the Qur'an and Hadeeth, this measure may be used in the case of lewdness on the part of the wife or extreme refraction and rejection of the husband's reasonable requests on a consistent basis (nushuz). Even then other measures such as exhortation should be tried first.

2. As defined by the Hadeeth, it is not permissible to strike anyone's face, cause any bodily harm or even be harsh. What the Hadeeth qualified as dharban ghayra mubarrih or light beating was interpreted by early jurists as a (symbolical) use of the miswak (a small natural toothbrush).

They further qualified permissible "beating" as beating that leaves no mark on the body. It is interesting that this latter fourteen centuries old qualifier is the criterion used in contemporary American law to separate a light and harmless tap or strike from "abuse" in the legal sense. This makes it clear that even this extreme, last resort and "lesser of the two evils" measure that may save the marriage does not meet the definitions of "physical abuse," "family violence," of "wife battering" in the twentieth century laws in liberal democracies, where such extremes are commonplace that they are seen as national concerns.

3. Permissibility of such symbolical expression of the seriousness of continued refraction does not imply its desirability. In several Ahadeeth, Prophet Muhammad discouraged this measure. Among his sayings: "Do not beat the female servants of Allah," "Some (women visited my family complaining about their husbands (beating them). These (husbands) are not the best of you," "[Is it not a shame that], one of you beats his wife like [an unscrupulous person] beats a slave and maybe he sleeps with her at the end of the day." See Riyad Al Saliheen, op cit., pp. 130 140. In another Hadeeth, the Prophet said:

"How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?" Shaheeh Al Bukhari, op. cit., vol. 8, Hadeeth no. 68, pp. 42 43.

4. True following of the Sunnah is to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who never resorted to that measure regardless of the circumstances.

5. Islamic teachings are universal in nature. They respond to the needs and circumstances of diverse times, cultures, and circumstances but unnecessary in others. Some measures may work in some cases, cultures, or with certain persons but may not be effective in others. By definition a "permissible" it is neither required encouraged, or forbidden. In fact, it may be better to spell out the extent of permissibility such as in the issue at hand, than leaving it unrestricted and unqualified or ignoring it all together. In the absence of strict qualifiers, persons may interpret the matter in their own way lending to excesses and real abuse.

6. Any excess, cruelty, family violence, or abuse committed by any "Muslim" can never be traced, honestly, to any revelatory text (Qur'an and Hadeeth). Such excesses and violations are to be blamed on the person(s) himself as it shows that he is paying lip service to Islamic teachings and injunctions and is failing to follow the true sunnah of the Prophet.

8. For more details on marriage dissolution and custody of children, see A. Abd al Ati, Family Structure in Islam, Indianapolis: American Trust Publications, 1977, pp. 217 49.

9. For more details on the issue of polygyny, see Jamal A. Badawi, Polygyny in Islamic Law, Plainfield, IN: American Trust Publications, also Islamic Teachings (audio series), Islamic Information Foundation, 1982, album IV.

10. For more details on the issue of polygyny, see Edward A. Westermarck, The History of Human Marriage, 4th ed.( London: Macmlllan, 1925), vol 3, pp. 42 43; also Encyclopedia BibRca, Rev. T. K. Cheyene and J. S. Black, eds.)(London: Macmillan, 1925), vol. 3, p 2946.

Bibliography

I. The Qur'an and Hadeeth

1. The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary by A. Y. Ali, The American Trust Publication, Plainfield, IN 1977.

2. Matn al Bukhari, Al Bukhari (compiler), Dar Ihya al Kutub al Arabiyah, Cairo, Egypt, n.d.

3. Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hanba l(compiler), Dar Ihya' al Kutub al Arabiyah, Cairo Egypt, 1950 and 1955.

4. Riyadh al Saliheen, Al Nawawi, (compiler) New Delhi, India n.d.

5. Sahih Al Bukhari, M. Khan (translator), Maktabat Al Riaydh Al Hadeethah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1982.

6. Silsilat Kunuz Al Sunnah: Al Jami al Sagheer, 1st ea., 1410 AH, a computer software.

7. Sunan Ibn Majah, Dar Ihya al Kutub al Arabiyah, Cairo: 1952.

Other References

1. Al Martah wa Huququha fi al Islam, M. S. Aftfi, Maktabat AlNadhhah, Cairo: 1988.

2. Holy Bible, RSV, American Bible Society, New York: 1952.

3. Encyclopedia Biblica, vol. 3, Rev. T. K. Cheyene and J. S. Black, editors, London: Machollan, 1925.

4. Encyclopedia Britanica, Vol. 23, 1968

5. The History of Human Marriage, vol. 3, Edward A. Westermarck, London: Macmillan, 1925

Source: World Assembly of Muslim Youth