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Speech for the Singapore Student Graduation Reception 2015
SPEECH BY ABDUL RAUUF BIN MASKHAZIN,
FOR THE SINGAPORE STUDENT GRADUATION RECEPTION
CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL
His Excellency, Mr S Premjith,
Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Egypt
His Excellency, Ambassador Abdel Rahman Moussa,
Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on foreign relations
His Excellency, Dr Muhammad Abu Hashim,
Vice President of Al-Azhar University
Honourable and respected deans of Al-Azhar’s faculties
Esteemed guest, parents,
Fellow PERKEMAS members and the graduate class of 2015 Ladies and gentlemen
A very good afternoon.
In the name of Allah ArRahman ArRaheem.
اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين. الهي أنت مقصودي ورضاك مطلوبي أعطني محبتك ومعرفتك. رب اشرح لي صدري ويسر لي أمري واحلل عقدة من لساني يفقه قولي.
1. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said, “Would you like if I were to share with you an act that if you were to do it, you may love each other? Give and spread peace amongst you”.
فأحيئكم بتحية الإسلام، السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.
2. Alhamdulillah, today is without doubt a special day for me and the graduate class of 2015. I may not be the best to be here to give this speech – it’s indeed an honour for me – but I believe God has His own reasons to why I am standing here today.
3. 5 years. Yes, 5 years. Unlike some other students who may have completed their studies for 4 years, it took me 5 years to complete my studies here in Al-Azhar Ash-Sharief.
4. The fact that I am such an introverted student was not easy. I suppose most of you would have realised that I lack social skills and to be honest, it took me some time to get along with this batch of students. However, things got better towards the end of my final year.
5. On this note I would like to thank the members of my cohort for the time we spent at study groups, for the everlasting
support and encouragement and motivation as well as well wishes flooding my WhatsApp before the examination days.
6. I could still remember how thankful I was to be able to pursue my studies here in Al-Azhar. I have always wanted to study here since I was in my early secondary school days. Back in 2005, I left my teachers and friends at Madrasah Al- Irsyad Al-Islamiah and transferred into Madrasah Aljunied Al- Islamiah with hopes that I could pursue my studies here. Alhamdulillah, my prayers were answered.
7. It is the love of Al-Azhar that brought me here today. This love may fade someday as we face new obstacles and challenges each new day but as long we shower this passion with positivity, I believe this love will continue to flourish.
8. Perhaps it was frustrating when our lecturers speak Colloquial Egyptian Arabic. Going through all the traffic jams everyday was a bore. It must have been annoying to have to queue for hours and end up being told, “bukroh” or “come back tomorrow” but I am pretty sure these are the little things that we are going to miss dearly. What are those small challenges compared to the chance that we were given to seek knowledge from the great scholars here.
9. I have learnt that sometimes, to start together does not mean that we are going to end together. The learning process is more of a marathon.
10. We may have begun this journey together at the same
starting point but one does not necessarily end at the same time. It all depend on how strong you are and little bit of luck perhaps. In the marathon, while we’re running, we may fall but remember, we have the choice. We may get up and continue or we can choose to just stay there on the ground, give up and cry. But as for me… I chose to cry a little bit and get up as soon as I can.
11. Well that’s life. The sun is not always bright. The sea is not always calm. The storm, it doesn’t last either. What comes after is a shiny bright day.
12. One of my lecturers once reminded us, السقوط لا يعني الفشل ولكن الفشل الحقيقي أن تبقى مكانك. Which means, a fall does not mean failure but the real failure is when you stay at your place after the fall. And remember, God has His own perfect plan for you and it’s all good cos it’s all God’s. You just have to believe in His perfect timing.
لأجاريهم، قلدت ظاهر ما فيهم فبدوتُ شخصاً آخر، كي أتفاخر
فأخبروني كيف لا أتفاخر وقد تعلمّت في جامعة الأزهر الشريف، أقدم جامعةٍ لا مثيلَ لها، جامعة التي تَخَرَّجَ منها الأئمة والرؤساء والعلماء الكثيرون، جامعة التي ما زالت تَنشُرُ منهجَها الوسطي إلى العالم حتى الحين.
وأخبروني كيف لا أقلد “شخصا آخر” وهم الدكاتير والمشايخ والعلماء وهم ورثة الأنبياء. فأخبروني!
إخواني الأعزاء، اعلموا أن الأمانة في أيدينا أينما نكون. وليس من أماناتنا هنا كالطلبة إلا لطلب العلوم النافعة. اللهم إنا نعوذ بك من علم لا ينفع ومن قلب لا يخشع ، ودعاء لا يسمع، ونفس لا تشبع. اللهم إنا نعوذ بك من هؤلاء الأربع.
قال الشيخ أسامة سيد الأزهري: إنما ذهب الذاهبون إلى الأزهر الشريف ويجلسون بين أيدي العلماء ويقرؤون العلم ويتعلمون من شيوخهم وإنما يذهب الناس إلى هذه الساحة التي أسسها الأكابر من أهل الله لهذا المقصد الشريف والمطلب العلي وهو أن يجمع برسول الله في رحالهم، وإنما نحرك إلى الأزهر لأن رسول الله في الأزهر الشريف وإنما نجد ورثة النبوة فيها”
فطوبى. طوبى لنا يا أيها الأحباء لأن الله اختارنا لأن نتعلم في مصر. لدينا فرصة كثيرة لطلب العلوم في الجوامع المتنوعة وفي المساجد المتعددة لا سيما في جامعة الأزهر. والأهم، لا تنسوا دورنا بعدما رجعنا إلى وطننا الحبيب سنغافورة ونَنْشرُ ما تعلمنا على أرض الكنانة لنحقّق ما قال الله تعالى: وادع إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة.
ويومٍ نسأل أنفسنا، لماذا سافرنا إلى مصر؟ ولماذا قضينا سنوات طويلة فيها؟ تذكروا يا إخواني، ما غايتكم؟ وما هدفكم؟ وما نية كونكم في مصر؟ وذكروا وقت مغادرتكم في المطار في السنة الأولى، ذكِّروا كل أشخاص الذين ملؤواه، الذين أرسلوكم بألف أمل وأمل. فقبل أن نبلغ إلى غايتنا المريدة وآمالنا المفيدة يجب علينا أن نجدّد ما في جوهرنا. جوهرنا هنا، في القلب تلالا.
22. Dalam semangat menyambut SG50 tahun ini, marilah kita mengambil pelajaran dari tanah air kita, pulau kecil yang bernama Singapura.
23. Biarpun awalnya, ada pihak yang berprasangka dan tidak yakin bahawa Singapura dapat berdikari kerana ketiadaan sumber alam, namun kita berjaya membuktikan yang sebaliknya. Bahkan hari ini, kita dapat dapat meraih kejayaannya bersama dan melihat betapa pesatnya pembangunan di negara kita yang dikenali di mata dunia.
24. Begitulah juga semangat yang harus kita tanam dalam diri kita. Biarpun mungkin awalnya sukar, hujungnya pasti ada yang membuat kita tersenyum mekar. Pastinya, dengan tekad,
semangat jitu, usaha dan keyakinan kita akan berjaya dengan izin Yang Esa.
25. Semoga kepulangan kita nanti dapat memberikan manfaat pada rakyat Singapura amnya dan Masyarakat Islam khususnya sekaligus mencorak Singapura untuk SG100. Bukankah Nabi ada bersabda, “sebaik-baik manusia adalah yang memberikan manfaat pada manusia yang lainnya.”
26. Sebelum mengakhiri ucapan, saya ingin merakam jutaan terima kasih kepada Kedutaan Singapura Ke Republik Arab Mesir atas bantuan yang dihulurkan selama keberadaan saya di sini. Pastinya bantuan mereka dalam revolusi 25 Januari 2011 tidak akan dilupakan.
27. Buat Perkemas, terima kasih atas usaha membantu menguruskan ehwal kebajikan pelajar. Semoga kita dapat terus kekal belajar, bersatu dan berbakti.
28. Buat rakan-rakan saya, terima kasih atas sokongan dan tunjuk ajar anda semua. Jazaakumullah Khairahu.
29. Yang terakhir dan yang terpenting sekali, buat keluarga saya yang nun jauh berada di Singapura, terima kasih atas kepercayaan, semangat dan dorongan belajar yang diberikan.
30. Sekian, saya Abdul Rauuf Maskhazin untuk Ucapan Majlis Resepsi bagi Graduan Singapura.
Wassalaam.
Mimpikah diri ini
Seakan bermimpi
Dijemput Ilahi Rabbi
Meski hina diri ini
Meski berlumuran dosa saban hari
Meski kadang lalai perintah Rabbani
Doaku tetap Dia dengari
Sungguh malu rasa hati
Amat malu diri ini
Saat mula muhasabah diri
Masih segar di fikiran lagi
27 Ramadhan meminta Ilahi
Selesai khatam Kalam Ilahi
Duduk menunggu Maghrib dinanti
Doaku bisik di dalam hati
Di tanah Aqsa yang dicintai
Agar dijemput menjadi tetamuNya nanti
Melaksanakan ibadah Haji
Moga Hajiku diterima Ilahi
Moga dosaku diampuni
Moga aku menjadi hamba yang lebih baik dari hari ini
Ya Allah Ya Rabbi
Terima kasih atas jemputanMu ini
Sejenak di perhentian
Dalam kita berjalan, mengorak langkah demi langkah, kita mungkin alpa, lalai, leka dan terlupa sangkinkan indahnya pemandangan di hadapan.
Permulaan, segalanya indah. Jalan dihiasi bebunga wangi dan pepohon hijau. Kita terlupa, di hadapan nanti bisa saja ada duri, bukit untuk didaki dan juga lurah untuk dituruni.
Saat segalanya indah, saat kita jauh dari sukar dan susah, semakin itulah mungkin kita mula jauh dariNya. Semakin terlupa segala nikmat, segala rezeki yang dikurniakan dan diberi adalah dariNya. Hingga datang satu detik, detik yang mana datangnya semula sirna sinaran ‘cahaya’ Ilahi, meneguri, mengingatkan keesaan Yang Hakiki.
Alhamdulillah atas ‘sepakan’ hidayah.
Sepakan yang kita semua perlukan demi meneruskan perjalanan dan terus mara ke hadapan untuk menemui Ilahi pada suatu hari nanti.
Saat itulah kita dapat merasakan diri kita hampir denganNya. Merasakan Dia Maha Mendengar, hinggakan seakan bisa ‘berbicara’ denganNya secara langsung. Syukurilah dan hargailah saat-saat itu.
Itulah saat terbaik untuk kita berhenti sebentar dari perjalanan, duduk sebentar, rehat, tenangkan minda dan mula untuk membuat refleksi diri.
Cermin semula diri kita. Hitunglah diri kita sebelum saat tiba Hari perhitungan nanti. Hitung juga umur kita, dosa yang kita lakukan saban hari yang kita terlupa untuk bertaubat. Selanjutnya, fikirkan apa yang patut kita mulakan, kurangkan dan hentikan.
Moga di perhentian yang sebentar ini, ada keberkatannya dan mudah-mudahan akan selalu dilimpahi sinaran hidayah dariNya.
اللهم إني أسألك حبك وحب من يحبك وحب كل عمل يقربني إلى حبك
Allahumma aku mohon akan cintaMu dan cinta mereka yang mencintaimu dan cinta pada amalan yang mendekatkan diriku kepada cintaMu.
Syukur
Semalam, sewaktu kunjungan pelajar baru ke rumah saya di Mesir. Saya diberi peluang untuk memberikan sepatah dua kata.
Saya memilih untuk mengingatkan tentang syukur. Alhamdulillah. Telah menjadi kebiasaan bagi saya untuk melakukan sujud syukur.
Sujud kerana bersyukur atas nikmat yang kita perolehi. Tidak kiralah besar atau kecil mana pun nikmat yang diberikan, bersyukurlah.
Sebuah pepatah Arab ada menyebutkan, “بالشكر تدوم النعم” atau maksudnya, dengan bersyukur akan berkekalanlah nikmat itu.
Allah s.w.t. juga ada berfirman yang mana jika kita bersyukur akan ditambah nikmat bagi kita. Sementara yang kufur pula, bagi mereka ‘azab’ yang pedih.
Antara kita mungkin lupa, kita fikir dan kita rasa nikmat tu senang-senang je kita perolehi. Kita lupa betapa hinanya diri kita untuk menerima nikmat yang Dia beri. Kita lupa betapa Maha Pemurahnya Dia sedang kita bergelumang dengan dosa saban hari.
Remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew
We have all heard of the news and are deeply saddened.
Our MM Lee Kuan Yew has heaved his last breath.
As citizens of Singapore, we truly feel the loss for our beloved country. His contributions together with more fellow Singaporeans since 50 years ago have resulted in our country’s progress and development that we see today. Yes, there was a time when people said that Singapore couldn’t make it but we did, and all Praises are due to Allah.
A Malay saying goes, “berakit-rakit ke hulu berenang-renang ke tepian. Bersakit-sakit dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian.” We started small, but look at us today; living in harmony regardless of race, language or religion, alhamdulillah. Let us be thankful for this and not be complacent about it.
One of the late MM Lee’s contributions to the Muslim community that carries through till today is the broadcast of the Azan (Call to Prayer), aired five times a day on our local radio station, Warna 94.2fm. Many might not be aware of this contribution of his. In fact, it was weeks ago when this information was shared with us in a conversation with Habib Hassan, Baalwie Mosque’s Imam.
MM Lee’s death reminds us of Rasulullah’s ﷺ saying in Sunan An-Nasa-i. It was narrated that Sahl bin Hunaif and Qais bin Sa’d bin ‘Ubadah were in Al-Qadisiyyah when a funeral passed by them, so they stood up (to show respect).
And it was said to them: ‘It is one of the local people.’ They said: ‘a funeral passed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he stood up, and it was said to him: It is a Jew.
He ﷺ said: ‘Is it not a soul?” In another narration, “was he not a human being or did he not have a soul?”
Glory be to Allah! Look at how Rasulullah ﷺ reacted. He stood up and highlighted the importance of respecting the souls despite the differences in faith. Yes, we may have a different beliefs, but that does not mean that we should respect others any less. Rasulullah ﷺ is indeed a blessing to all and as his followers, let us continue to spread the blessings and together we spread the beauty of Islam through our Akhlaq.
Our deepest condolences to MM Lee’s family.
May Allah continue to bless our beloved country. Aameen.
Prophet Muhammad celebrated his own Birthday?
Audhu billahi minash shaitaanir rajiim
I seek refuge with allah from the accursed satan
Bismillahir Rahmaani Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
So Prophet Muhammad celebrated his own Birthday?
Yes, he did.
Seriously?
Okay, skip all the way to the last part of the blog if you’re only interested to read on that.
Oh ya, before I forget; assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabaarakatuhu wamaghfiratuhu waridhwaanuhu!
Marhaban bikum!
On behalf of the crew at JOM.SG, I would like to wish everyone a prosperous 2015! May this year brings us closer to Al-Khaaliq. Amin.
Welcome back to our blog. Yes, we have been on hiatus, but now WE ARE BACK!
Acknowledge and appreciate different views
12 Rabi’alAwwal is approaching in a few days. It is the month that majority of the Islamic Scholars agree when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born. However, we must not forget that there are some other Islamic Scholars who have different views on his exact birth date.
Before I continue writing, let us be reminded to discuss this topic with an open mind, and not let the different views disunite and divide us from being ‘Ummatan Wahidah’ (one nation).
One thing’s for sure; Allah Knows Best.
“Celebrate Mawleed and you’ll be in Hell!”
It is often we hear some of us mentioning such words to another brother or sister of ours. As Muslims, we can’t deny that we love Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. However, let us reflect if our actions really show our love towards Rasulullah ﷺ.
Take a look at ourselves today. Some of us have unnecessary arguments for and against mauleed, or worse; place our brothers and sisters in Hell, when Akhirah is Allah’s decision alone. Astaghfirullah.
This reminds me of a hadith narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas: Ma’iz bin Malik came to the Prophet ﷺ to confess that he did an unlawful sexual intercourse. The Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Probably you have only kissed (the lady), or winked, or looked at her?” He said, “No, O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ!”
The Prophet said, using no indirectness, “Did you have sexual intercourse with her?” The narrator added: At that, (i.e. after his confession) the Prophet ﷺ ordered that he be stoned to death.
Look at how beautiful our Prophet’s ﷺ akhlaq was. He did not straight away ordered Ma’iz to be stoned when he came to confess, but Rasulullah ﷺ made positive ‘assumptions’ which can reflect how he does not want Ma’iz to be punished.
In another narration, it was told that Ma’iz repeated four times before Rasulullah ﷺ took his confession to consideration. But look at us today! How cruel and brave we are to put our brothers and sisters, who celebrate the Mauleed, in hell.
“Watch what we say”
So what should I tell my friends who say that I may go to hell by celebrating Mauleed?
A verse in a Quran mentions, “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” Quran 25:63
At times when words are not peaceful, it could be better to simply be silent than quarrel over something that is not worth fighting for. 
Let us be reminded by a hadith reported by Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari, “I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Who is the most excellent among the Muslims?” He said, “One from whose tongue and hands the other Muslims are secure.””
In another hadith reported by Abu Hurairah, The Prophet ﷺsaid, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.”
“So how did Rasulullah celebrate his birthday?”
Abu Qatadah reported in a hadith saying, “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, “That is the day on which I was born” Reading the hadith, we understand that Rasulullah celebrated his birthday by fasting.
Today, in Singapore specifically, we do not only see events for Rasulullah ﷺ during Rabi’ AlAwwal but it took place throughout the year. Sollu ‘alan Naby! Allahuma solli ala Sayyidina Muhammad!
I would like to take this chance to applaud the organisers, sponsors and supporters for Majlis Selawat events such as the ones held in mosques, madrasahs, the expo, local stadiums, and many other places. Let us continue celebrate the gift of mercy all year long!
I hope this sharing benefits us all and may Allah continue to guide us all, forgive our sins and shower on us His blessings. Ameen.
Wallahu a’lam
Warmest regards,
Abdul Rauuf Maskhazin
Managing Director
JOM.SG
abdulrauuf 