Sultan Muhammad Alp Arslan (1063-1072)

SULTAN KERAJAAN SELJUK 

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL

Nama Islam beliau ialah Muhammad bin Dawud Chaghri. Gelarannya di kalangan pasukan tenteranya adalah Alp Arslan di dalam bahasa Turki yang bermaksud 'Singa Berani'. Beliau pernah dilantik sebagai gabenor Khurasan pada tahun 1059 untuk menggantikan bapanya. Alp Arslan telah dilantik bagi menggantikan pemerintahan bapa saudaranya iaitu Tughrul Beg.

Alp Arslan adalah putera Bey Chaghri atau Chaghri Beg iaitu abang sulung kepada Tughrul Beg. secara ringkasnya beliau meluaskan empayar Seljuk hingga ke Armenia dan Georgia pada 1064. Belaiu juga menyerang Empayar Byzantin pada tahun 1068 dan berjaya menawan Anatolia. Kejayaan Alp Arslan dalam Perang Manzikert melenyapkan ancaman kerajaan Byzantin.

Kejayaan penaklukan di wilayah Kristian dilakukan oleh Alp Arslan telah membangkitkan kemarahan Kaisar Romawi yang bernama Romanus Diogenes IV yang memerintah dari tahun 1068-1071. Beliau bertekad untuk melakukan serangan balas dalam usaha mempertahankan kedaulatan wilayahnya.

Pasukan tentera Kaisar beberapa kali terlibat dalam pertempuran dengan angkatan tentera Seljuk. Antara peperangan yang paling penting adalah Perang Manzikert atau Malazgird dalam Daerah Mus (Turki) pada 26 Ogos 1071.

Ibn Katsir merupakan seorang sejarahwan Islam telah menceritakan di dalam bukunya;

"Pada tahun itu, Kaisar Romawi yang bernama Romanus telah bergerak dalam satu pasukan yang besar seumpama gunung. Pasukannya terdiri dari kalangan tentera Romawi, Georgia dan Perancis. Jumlah mereka begitu ramai dengan senjata yang begitu lengkap. Dalam pasukan itu, terdapat 35 orang panglima perang. Di bawah seorang panglima, terdapat 1,000 orang penunggang kuda"

"Pasukan yang datang dari Perancis berjumlah 35,000 orang. Manakala pasukan yang berada di Konstantinopel berjumlah 15,000 orang. Turut mengiringinya ialah 100,000 orang pemain seruling dan penggali lubang. 1,000 kuda kerja, 400 gerabak pengangkut kasut dan paku dan 1,000 gerabaklain yang mengangkut senjata, lampu dan manjanik".

Alp Arslan sendiri turut merasa gentar setelah melihat pasukan Romawi yang begitu ramai. Melihat keadaan ini, sorang Ulama yang bernama Abu  Nasr, Muhammad bin Abdul Malik al-Bukhari menasihatinya agar melancarkan perang pada hari Jumaat sewaktu tergelincir matahari dengan tibanya waktu Zuhur. Ini kerana pada waktu tersebut para khatib sedang mendoakan kemenangan kaum Muslimin di serata pelusuk negara umat Islam.

Apabila tiba waktunya dan kuda pasukan saling berhadapan, Alp Arslan turun dari kudanya dan bersujud di atas tanah, berdoa agar diberi kemenangan. Antara kalimahnya yang masyhur ialah;

"Aku meletakkan jiwaku di tangan Allah. Jika aku mencapai syahadah (mati syahid) maka aku akan disambut oleh burung hijau (ke syurga) dan menjadi sisa burung nasar yang berdebu di atas kematianku. seandainya aku menang, tiada yang lebih menggembirakan aku dari waktu semalam dan hari ini adalah lebih baik daripada semalam".

Lantas beliau menyeru ke arah tenteranya;

"Kita adalah kelompok yang sedikit bilangannya, aku mahu mencampakkan diriku di tengah-tengah pasukan mereka sewaktu seluruh kaum Muslimin mendoakan kita di atas mimbar-mimbar. samada aku mencapai tujuanku atau aku akan mati syahid lalu berangkat ke syurga. Sesiapa di kalangan kamu ingin mengikutiku, maka ikutlah aku."

"Siapa yang ingin berundur, maka pilihlah untuk dirinya kerana di sini tiada lagi raja yang memberi perintah dan tidak ada tentera yang menerima perintah. Kerana aku pada hari ini adalah sebahagian daripada kamu, aku berperang bersama kamu semua. Sesiapa yang bersamaku, nescaya Allah akan kurniakan kepadanya, samada jannah atau ghanimah (syurga atau rampasan perang). Siapa yang berundur nescaya ditimpakan azab neraka dan juga kehinaan."

Para tenteranya menajawab;

"Apa sahaja yang kamu perintahkan nescaya kami akan ikuti dan kami membantumu".

Lalu beliau segera melepaskan pakaian kebesarannya dan mengambil busur, anak panah serta pedangnya untuk menuju ke medan perang. Beliau sendiri yang memesang pelana kudanya tanpa bantuan orang lain. Beliau mengenakan pakaian berwarna putih, siap masuk ke medan perang seraya berkata;

"Seandainya aku terbunuh pada hari ini, inilah kain kafanku!'.

Akhirnya perang mula meletus dengan serangan dari kedua-dua belah pihak Tentera Alp Arslan telah membunuh ramai tentera Romawi. Diceritakan, tentera Kristian Romawi yang terbunuh adalah seramai 110,000 orang manakala 40,000 orang pula ditawan, termasuklah Kaisar sendiri berjaya ditawan oleh seorang pemuda (hamba) yang berasal dari negaranya sendiri.

Alhamdullilah.....

Book: Era Kebangkitan Kerajaan Uthmaniyyah (1299M-1453M), Episod silam yang dilupakan.

Author: Mohd Fikri Che Hussain

Publisher: Hijjaz Record Publishing, 2010.

'ABD ALLAH IBN MAS'UUD The first Reciter of Qur'aan

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MOST BENEFICENT

Before the Prophet (PBUH) entered Daar Al-Arqam, Ibn Mas'uud had declared his belief in him. He was the sixth one to embrace Islam and follow the Prophet (PBUH). thus he was one of the early Muslims.

He narrated his first meeting with the Prophet (PBUH): I ws a young shepherd boy responsible for the sheep of 'Uqbah Ibn Abu Mu'ait. The Prophet (PBUH) once came with Abu Bakr and said, "O' boy, do you have milk for us to drink?" and I said, "I can't let you drink their milk."

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do you have a virgin sheep that has never mated with a male?" I said, "Yes" and brought it to them. The Prophet (PBUH) caught it and stroked its udder and prayed to ALLAH till the udder filled. Abu Bakr brought him a concave rock into which he milked the sheep. Abu Bakr drank the milk, and then after that the Prophet said to the udder, "Shrink". and it did. I went to the Prophet after this incident and said to him, "Teach me this kind of talk." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "You are already a learned boy."

Before his Islam he never dared to pass by a session attended by any Quraish nobleman except with hastened steps and a  bowed head, but after Islam he was capable of going to the Ka'bah, where the elite Quraish congregated and standing among them reading the Qur'aan in a loud, beautiful, impressive voice:

{ In the Name of ALLAH, the Most Merciful, The Most Beneficent! Has taught the Qur'aan. He created man. He taught him eloquent speech. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each. and the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate } (55: 1-6).

He went on reciting while the Quraish  were thunderstruck , not believing their own eyes or ears. They could not imagine that the one challengging their pride was just one of their hired shehperd boys who was the poor unknown 'Abd Allah Ibn Mas'uud.

Az-Zubair (May Allah be pleased with him), describe the exciting scene: 'Abd Allah Ibn Mas'uud was the first one to recite Qur'aan publicly in Makkah after the Prophet (PBUH). It happened one day that the Prophet's Companions were gathered with the Prophet (PBUH). They said, "By Allah, the quraish have never heard the Qur'aan being recited to them before. Isn't  there any man to recite it so that they may hear it?"

Tereupon 'Abd Allah Ibn Mas'uud said, "I". They said, "we are afraid may harm you." We want a  man with a strong family to protect him from those people if they want to harm him." He said, "Let me go, Allah will protect me". Ibn Mas'uud went to the Maqam at the Ka'bah and recited :

< In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful! Has taught the Qur'aan.......> and when went on reciting. The Quraish gazed at him and said, "What does Ibn Umm 'Abd say? He is reciting some of what Muhammad came with." They went to him and began to beat him in the face while he was reciting till he finished whatever Allah wished him to recite from the Surah. he returned to his friends with a wounded face and body, and they told him, "This is what we were afraid would happen to you,"

He answered them, "Those enemies of Allah have never been more worthless to me than this moment, and if you wish I will go back to them and do the same tomorrow." They said, "No, it is enough for you. You have made them hear what they hated.

It was a pleasure for the Prophet (PBUH) to hear Qur'aan being recited from the mouth of Ibn Mas'uud. The Prophet (PBUH) once called on him and said, "Recite to me, 'Abd Allah," and 'Abd Allah said, "How can I recite to you when it was revealed to you?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "I like to hear it from others."

Thereupon Ibn Mas'uud started reading part of Surah An-Nisaa' till he reached the verse: 

< How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you as a witness against those people. On that day those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messeger will wish that they were buried in the earth, but they will never be able to hide a single fact from Allah > (4: 41-42).

Upon hearing this, the Prophet's eyes flooded with tears and he waved to Ibn Mas'uud saying, "Enough, enough, Ibn Mas'uud."

Alhmadulillah......

from the favorite book ....

The HAWK of the Day of AL-Yamaamah......

ZAID IBN AL-KHATTAAB

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL

Ar-Rajjaal was more dangerous to Islam than Musailamah himself because he exploited his previous association with Islam and the period he had lived with the Messenger in Al-Madiinah, memorizing many verses of the Holy Qur'aan, and his intercession to Abu Bakr (May ALLAH be pleased with him), the Caliph of the Muslims.

Ar-Rajjaal exploited all those things for evil purposes and cunningly supported and confirmed the sovereignty of Musailamah and his false prophethood.

He walked among people saying that he heard the Messenger of ALLAH say he had taken Musailamah into partnership and when the Messenger (PBUH) died, he was worthy of carrying the banner of prophethood and revelation after him.

The number of Musailamah's supporters increased to a great extent because of the lies of Ar-Rajjal and his cunning exploitation of his previous relationships with Islam and the Messenger (PBUH). When the news of Ar-Rajjal reached Al-Madiinah, the Muslims were exceedingly angry because of the lies of this dangerous apostate who used to mislead people. His evil words and deeds expanded the range of the war and intensified the conflict the Muslims had their enemies and adversaries. 

The most anxious and the most eager to meet Ar-Rajjal was Zaid Ibn Al-Khattaab, whose heroism and fame was outstanding in the biographies and books of Islamic history.

Who is Zaid Al-Khattaab?. He was the brother of 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (May ALLAH be pleased with both). Yes! he was his elder brother. He was older than 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab and he embraced Islam and gained the honor of martyrdom before him.

He was the ideal hero whose motto was "Action speak louder than words." His faith in ALLAH and His Messenger and His religion was strong and firm. He never stayed away from the Messenger in any setting, and in every battle he sought martyrdom more than he sought victory.

On the day of Uhud, when the fight between the believers and the polytheists was very fierce, Zaid was fighting boldly. His brother 'Umar Al-Khattaab (May ALLAH be pleased with him) saw him as his shield fell down and he was within reach of the enemies, 'Umar cried, "O' Zaid, take my shield and fight with it!." He continued fighting without his shield with astonishing heroism.

In Zaid's opinion, Ar-Rajjaal was not only an apostate but also a hypocrite and self-seeker. Zaid was, like his brother 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, in his abhorrence of hypocrisy and lying, especially when hypocrisy aimed at selfish gain and mean purposes. For those mean purposes Ar-Rajjaal committed his atrocious acts, resulting in the numbers of Musailamah's supporters greatly increasing and causing great numbers of deaths in the Apostate Battles. First he deceived them, and finally he led them to their deaths for the sake of his devilish hopes.

His only hope was to kill Ar-Rajjaal, so he began to penetrate the enemy army like an arrow searching for its target, until he saw him. Then he began to attack him from right and left. Whenever the deluge of the battle swallowed Ar-Rajjaal and hid him, Zaid dived towards him until the waves pushed him to the surface again. Zaid approached him and stretched out his sword towards him, but the furious human waves swallowed Ar-Rajjaal again. then Zaid followed and dived after him so as not to allow him to escape.

At last, Zaid held him by his neck and with the sword, he cut off his head which was full of vanity, lies, and villainy. by the death of the great liar, the ranks of its whole army began to fall. Musailamah and Al-Mahkam Ibn At-Tufail were filled with horror. The killing of Ar-Rajjaal spread in Musailamah's army like fire on a stormy day.

TAKBIR!........

They wished, if they had any strength to fight with, they would be able to witness the triumph of the battle in its glorious conclusion. But how could that be?. Since the doors of Paradise had opened to welcome them, they were now hearing their names while they were being called to immortality!......

Zaid raise his hands towards heaven supplicating ALLAH and thanking Him for His blessings. Then he returned to his sword and his silence, as he had sworn by ALLAH not to utter a word until he had completed the victory or gained the honor of martyrdom.

The battle began to lean to the side of the Muslims and their inevitable victory began to approach rapidly. At that moment Zaid did not desire a better conclusion to his life than praying to ALLAH to grant him martyrdom on that DAY of YAMAAMAH!...

The wind of Paradise blew to fill his soul with longing, his eyes with tears, and his determination with firmness. he began to fight as if he was searching for his glorious destiny, and the hero fell!. So he died a martyr, magnanimously, gracefully and happily. The Army of Islam returned to Al-Madiinah victorious.

While 'Umar and the Caliph Abu Bakr were welcoming those who were returning triumphantly, 'Umar began to search for his home coming brother with longing eyes. 

Zaid was to tall that he could be easily recognized. But before 'Umar had strained his eyes, one of the returning Muslims approached and consoled him. 'Umar said, "May ALLAH have mercy upon Zaid, he preceded me into two instances. He embraced Islam before me and gained martyrdom before me, too."

In spite of the victories that Islam won and enjoyed, 'Umar Al-Faaruuq never forgot his brother Zaid, and always said  "When ever the east wind blows, I smell the scent of Zaid." 

Yes! The east wind carries the perfume of Zaid (May ALLAH be pleased with him).

Blessings be upon Al-Khattaab under the flag of the Messenger (PBUH). Blessed be they the moment they embraced Islam. Blessed be they when they fought and were martyred. and blessings be upon them in the hereafter.

Alhamdulillah.... 

TAKBIR!....

TAKBIR!.....

TAKBIR!....

Source: book..one of my favorite....

Profile of the Week : Sneering at Horror!..(continued)

BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHIM

It was Bilaal, who had shouted thirteen years before while the torture was destroying him, "Allah is One! One!" He was chosen by the Messenger that day to be the first muezzin in Islam. With his melodious soul-stirring voice, he filled the hearts with faith and the ears with awe when he called;

Allah is the Greatest 4x
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah 2x
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah 2x
Come to Prayer 2x
Come to Success 2x
Allah is the Greatest 2x
There is no god but Allah

Fighting broke out between the Muslims and the army of the Quraish who cane to invade Al-Madiinah. The war raged fiercely and terribly while Bilaal was there attacking and moving about in the first battle. Islam was plunged into the Battle of Badr, whose motto the Messenger (PBUH) ordered to be, "One! One!"

In this battle, the Quraish sacrificed their youth and all their noblemen to their destruction. Umayah Ibn Khalaf, who had been Bilaal's master and who used to torture him with deadly brutality , was about to retreat from fighting. But his friend 'Uqbah Ibn Abu Mu'iit went to him when he heard the news of his withdrawal, carrying a censer in his right hand. when he arrived he was sitting among his people. He threw the censer between his hand and said to him, "O 'Abu 'Aliy, use this. You are one of the women." But Umayah shouted at him saying, "May Allah make you and what you came with ugly!" And he did not find a way out, so he went out to fight.

Indeed destiny would be very mush pleased to mock the tyrants. 'Uqbah, whose provocations Umayah used to listen to follow his desire to torture the innocent believers, was the same person

who would lead Umayah to his death. By the hand of whom? By the hand of Bilaal himself and Bilaal alone!. The same hands that Umayah used to chain and whose owner he beat and tortured. Those very hands were on that day, in the Battle of Badr, on a rendezvous that destiny had set the best time for, with the torture of the Quraish who had humiliated the believers unjustly and aggressively. that is what really happened.

When the fighting began between the two sides, and the side of the Muslims shouted the motto, "One! One!" the heart of the Umayah was startled, and a warning came to him. The word, which his slave used to repeat yesterday under torture and horror, became today the motto od a whole religion and of a whole new nation.

"One! One!" is it so? what this quickness? and with this rapid growth?......

The sword dashed in the battle and the fighting became severe. Bilaal realized that he would not be able alone to storm the sanctuary of his brother in faith, 'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn 'Awf. So he shouted at the top of his voice to the Muslims, "O helpers of Allah! The head of Kuffar, Umayah Ibn Khalaf! May I not be saved if he saved!. 

A band of Muslims approached with swords dripping blood. They surrounded the Umayah and his son, who was fighting with the Quraish. 'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn 'Awf could not do anything. He could not even protect his armor, which the crowd removed. Bilaal gazed long at the body of Umayah, who fell beneath the smashing swords. Then he hastened away from him shouting, "One! One!"

The swords were blazing, the killed was falling. Then Bilaal saw Umayah, who had no left even a small place on his body free of the traces of his torture.

The days went by and Makkah was conquered. The Messenger (PBUH) entered it, thankful and saying, "Allah is the Greatest," at the head of 10,000 Muslims. he needed for the Ka'bah immediately, this holy place which the Quraish had crowded with idols amounting to the number of days of the year. "The truth has come and falsehood has vanished."

Alhamdulillah....

from my book shelves, favorite kitab.

Profile of the Week : Sneering at Horror!....

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Bilaal ibn Rabaah 

His tortures shouted at him, imploring him, "Mention the name of Al-Laat and Al-'Uzzaa." But he answered , One! One! They said to him,  "Say as we say, but he answered them with remarkable mockery and caustic irony, "Indeed my tongue is not good at that." 

So Bilaal remained in the melting heat and under the weight of the heavy rock, and by sunset they raised him up and put a rope around his neck. Then they ordered their boys to take him around the muntains and streets of Makkah. And Bilaal's tongue did not mention anything oter than his holy chant, One! One!.

When the night overtook them, they began bargaining with him, "Tomorrow, speak well of our gods, say, "My Lord is Al-Laat and Al-'Uzzaa," and we'll leave you alone. We are tired of torturing you as if we are the tortured ones." But he shook his head and said, "One! One!" So, Umayah Ibn Khallaf kicked him and exploded with exasperating fury, and shouted, "What bad luck has thrown you upon us, O slave of evil? By Al-Laat and Al-'Uzzaa, I'll make you an example for slaves ad master." But Bilaal answered with the holy greatness and certainty of a believer, "One! One!"


It was the next day and midday approached. Bilaal was taken to the sun-baked ground.he was patient, brave, firm and expecting the reward in the Hereafter. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq went to them while they were torturing him and shouted at them, "Are you killing a man because he says, 'Allah is may Lord?" Then he shouted at Umayah Ibn Khalaf, "Take more than his price and set him free." It was as if Umayah were drowning and had caught a lifeboat. It was to his liking and he was very much pleased when he heard Abu Bakr offering the price of his freedom, since they had despaired of subjugating Bilaal. And as they were merchants, they realized that selling him was more profitable to them than his death.


They sold him to Abu Bakr, and then he emancipated him immediately, and Bilaal took his place among free men. When As-Siddiq put his arm around Bilaal, rushing with him to freedom, Umayah said to him, "Take him, for Al-Laat and Al-'Uzzaa, if you had refused to buy him except for one ounce of gold, I would have sold him to you." Abu Bakr realized the bitterness of despair and disappointment hidden in these words. It was appropriate not to answer, but because they violated the dignity of this man who had become his brother and his equal, he answered Umayah saying, "But Allah, if you had refused to sell him except for hundred ounces, I would have paid it." He departed with his companion to the Messenger of Allah, giving him news of his liberation, and there was a great celebration.


After the Hijrah of the Messenger (PBUH) and the Muslims to Al-Madiinah and their settling there, the Messenger instituted the Adhaan. so who would become the muezzin five times a day? Who would call across distant lands, "Allah is the Greatest" and "There is no god but Allah"?


                                                                                                                             to be continued.........

SIAPAKAH LUQMAN AL-HAKIM?......

DENGAN NAMA ALLAH YANG MAHA PEMURAH LAGI MAHA PENYAYANG

SERTA SELAWAT DAN SALAM KE ATAS JUNJUNG NABI MUHAMMAD SAW

LUQMAN PENGGEMBALA KAMBING

Ada suatu riwayat mengatakan bahawa beliau berjumpa dengan seseorang, ketika beliau mengucapkan kata-kata hikmah lalu orang tersebut bertanya: "Bukanlah engkau ini pengembala kambing?" Beliau menjawab, "Benar, saya pengembala kambing."

Orang tersebut melanjutkan pertanyaannya, "Bagaimana engkau dapat mencapai apa yang engkau capai kini?" Beliau menjawab,

"i   - Dengan bercakap benar perkara yang benar

ii   - Menunaikan amanah

iii  - Meninggalkan sesuatu yang tidak bermanfaat

iv  - Setia kepada janji"

Ibn 'Atiyah meriwayatkan daripada Ibn Umar.a., beliau berkata: "Aku mendengar Rasulullah SAW bersabda: "Luqman bukanlah seorang nabi, tetapi beliau adalah seorang hamba yang banyak berfikir, berkeyakinan tinggi, maka ALLAH Azzawajalla mengasihinya dan menganugerahkannya hikmah. Ditawarkan kepadanya jawatan Khalifah untuk melaksanakan hukum yang benar. Luqman berkata: "Tuhanku, sekiranya Engkau memberi pilihan kepadaku, aku terima dengan rela dan aku meninggalkan ujian. tetapi jika Engkau memfardukan ke atasku, maka aku dengar dan taat, sesungguhnya Engkau akan memeliharaku."

KEBIJAKSANAAN LUQMAN

Ibn Kathir berkata, "Berpandukan hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Abu Darda' tentang kebijaksanaa Luqman adalah seperti berikut:

* Luqman adalah lelaki yang cekal dengan kebenaran

* Pendiam, banyak bertafakur, dan berpandangan jauh

* Tidak pernah tidur siang

* Tidak pernah meludah dan tidak berkahak

* Tidak membuang air besar dan air kecil

* Tidak pernah mandi

* Tidak bermasam muka dan tidak ketawa

* Tidak mengulangi kata-katanya melainkan orang lain yang akan mengulanginya

* Pernah berkahwin dan memiliki beberapa orang cahaya mata namun kesemuanya menemui ajal tetapi Luqman tidak menangisi kematian itu

* Beliau juga mendampingi sultan dan pemerintah untuk melihat keadaan mereka dan mengambil iktibar

Luqman mempunyai putera bernama Taran sebagaimana dikemukan oleh al-Thabari. Juga ada yang mengatakan namanya Tsaran atau Anm atau Masykum. Ada yang mengatakan bahawa putera Luqman itu seorang kafir yang musyrik. Oleh sebab itu, Luqman tanpa henti-henti selalu memberi nasihat sehingga anaknya memeluk agama Islam.

Dari buku: Wasiat LUQMAN AL-HAKIM (Mentafsir dan memahami pesanan Luqman al-Hakim yan tercatat dalam al-Quran

Daripada: AHMAD HASAN MOHD. NAZAM

Terbitan: Telaga Biru Sdn. Bhd

Harga: RM20.00

Alhamdulillah..........

Surat Yang Dialamatkan Kepada SUNGAI NIL

DENGAN NAMA ALLAH YANG MAHA PENGASIH LAGI MAHA PENYAYANG

SERTA SELAWAT DAN SALAM KE ATAS JUNJUNGAN NABI

Tengah malam itu Amru al-As dikejutkan daripada tidur oleh pembantunya. "Orang ramai berkumpul di tebing Sungai Nil. Kami tidak tahu apa tujuan mereka. Kerana itu kami memaklumkannya kepada Tuan!"

"Kita ke sana sekarang!" kata Amru al-As.

Dia tertanya-tanya apakah tujuan mereka berkumpul di tebing Sungi Nil pada waktu tengah malam itu. Mungkinkah mereka hendak memberontak? Kerana itu dia mesti menyiasatnya. Apabila sampai di tempat perhimpunan itu, kedengaran suara orang ramai bersorak riang.

"Apa yang sedang berlaku? Mengapa mereka bersorak? tanya Amru al-As kepada Muiz yang berada di situ.


"Para petani mengadakan upacara korban. Mereka bersorak sebagai tanda kesyukuran kepada dewa Sungai Nil!" jawab Muiz.


"Apa yang mereka korbankan?" tanya Amru al-As lagi.


"Mereka memilih seorang gadis yang paling cantik. Kemudian dihias seperti pengantin. Menjelang tengah malam gadis itu dihumbankan ke dalam sungai sebagai tanda korban bagi dewa Sungai Nil," jawab Muiz yang sempat menyaksikan upacara itu.


"Itu adalah upacara jahiliah. Mengapa kamu tidak menghalangnya?" marah Amru al-As.


"Sekiranya dihalang pasti terjadi rusuhan. Boleh berlaku pertumpahan darah. Kerana itu kami dilaporkan perkara ini kepada tuan," jawab Muiz.

Amru al-As tidak setuju acara korban seperti itu diadakan. Keesokan harinya dia berbincang dengan ketua penduduk Sungai Nil.

"Upacara korban seperti itu kami lakukan sejak nenek moyang kami dahulu. Tujuannya bagi memberi makan kepada dewa yang menjaga Sungai Nil supaya terus memberikan kami rezeki," ketua petani itu menjelaskan.


"Seorang gadis yang cantik dilemparkan ke dalam Sungai Nil?" tanya Amru al-As lagi.


"Memang benar, tuan," jawab lelaki itu. "Setiap tahun Dewa Sungai Nil meminta seorang gadis yang cantik supaya dikorbankan. Kerana itu kami mengorbankan seorang gadis yang cantik setiap tahun sebagai memenuhi kehendak Dewa Sungai Nil," jawab lelaki itu.


"Bagaimana kamu mendapatkan gadis itu? Adakah dengan paksaaan ataupun kerelaan keluarganya?" tanya Amru al-As lebih lanjut.

"Sebenarnya tuan, setiap ibu bapa merasa gembira sekiranya anak gadis mereka terpilih dijadikan hadiah kepada Dewa Sungai Nil. Keluarga mereka dipandang tinggi oleh jiran tetangga," jawab ketua petani Sungai Nil itu.

Amru al-As tidak senang hati mendengarnya kerana upacara itu bertentangan dengan Islam. Tetapi dia tidak segera mengatakannya demi menjaga hati rakyat Mesir.


"Tahun hadapan kami menjemput tuan supaya sama-sama menyaksikan upacara korban itu. Selepas itu tuan dijamu dengan makanan dan minuman," kata ketua petani itu lagi.


"Kami datang ke Mesir atas perintah Khalifah Umar al-Khattab bagi menyebarkan Islam. Saya mesti merujuk perkara ini kepada dia terlebih dahulu. Kita sama-sama tunggu apa pandangan dia," kata Amru al-As.

Kemudian dia menulis surat kepada Khalifah Umar al-Khattab menceritakan mengenai upacara korban kepada dewa Sungai Nil itu. Ternyata Umar al-Khattab tidak bersetuju dengan upacara itu. Dia menulis surat kepada Amru al-As supaya melarang upacara itu diadakan lagi. Amru al-As mengeluarkan perintah supaya upacara korban kepada Sungai Nil dihentikan dan tidak boleh diadakan lagi. sesiapa yang ingkar perintah itu, dihukum.


Pada tahun berikutnya, penduduk Sungai Nil tidak berani mengadakan upacara itu. Tambahan pula tentera Islam berkawaal bagi memastikan upacara itu tidak diadakan. Kebetulan pada tahun itu berlaku kemarau yang panjang. Air sungai Nil mula surut. Akibatnya banyak kawasan tanah pertanian yang kering-kontang.


"Wahai tuan, Dewa Sungai Nil marah kerana tidak diberi makan. Kerana itu, air Sungai Nil semakin kering. Mereka bimbang sekiranya tidak diadakan upacara korban, air Sungai Nil menjadi kering-kontang. Akibatnya mereka kebuluran.


Amru al-As menulis surat mengadukan masalah itu kepada Khalifah Umar al-Khattab. Tidak lama kemudian surat balasan daripada Khalifah tiba. tetapi surat itu dialamatkan kepada Sungai Nil bukan kepada Amru al-As. Surat itu berbunyi,




'Daripada hamba Allah, Khalifah Umar bin al-Khattab. Surat ini ditujukan kepada Sungai Nil, di Mesir. Wahai Sungai Nil, sekiranya kamu mengalirkan air dengan kuasa kamu sendiri maka janganlah melimpahkan air. Tetapi sekiranya kamu melimpahkan air dengan izin Allah SWT Tuhan yang maha berkuasa, kami berdoa kepadaNya supaya airmu melimpah sehingga lebih daripada cukup'

Orang ramai diminta berkumpul di tepi Sungai Nil. Amru al-As membacakan surat itu di hadapan orang ramai kemudian surat itu dilemparkan ke dalam sungai. dengan izin Allah SWT, awan mendung berarak di dada langit. Tidak lama kemudian hujan turun sepanjang hari sehingga air Sungai Nil melimpah semula. Sejak itu air Sungai Nil tidak pernah kering lagi. Acara korban itu juga tidak pernah diadakan lagi.






From book: KHALIFAH-KHALIFAH YANG BENAR (ABU BAKAR, UMAR, UTHMAN, ALI)
Written by: Abdul Latip Talib
Publisher: PTS UTAMA Sdn. Bhd


Alhamdulillah..................