Bila Takdirmu Dipoligami

Aku tak tahu, apa yang akan kuceritakan. Aku wanita asli solo, meski berdarah keturunan. Suamiku juga berasal dari kota batik itu. Kami pun tinggal, menikah dan menjalani hidup berumah tangga hingga 27 tahun di sana.

Aku menikah di usia 18 tahun, sementara suamiku 22 tahun. Kini, aku telah memasuki 45 tahun, sementara suamiku sudah 48 tahun.Selama ini, kami hidup tentram. Sampai saatnya, aku mulai memasuki masa manopause, dan suamiku ingin menikah lagi. Ia ingin berpoligami. Ingin mencari wanita lain sebagai maduku.

Kita lebih beruntung, tapiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii..........

Sore itu,, ketika adzan magrib berkumandang, aku dan temanku sedang duduk di teras masjid kampus sambil menunggu teman kami (laki-laki) yang sedang berwudhu untuk bersiap sholat magrib. Kebetulan aku dan temanku itu sedang berhalangan sehingga tidak sholat. Kami berdua, tepatnya duduk di samping kanan pintu utama masjid.

Kami terdiam sambil mendengarkan adzan magrib yang sedang berkumandang. Ketika adzan telah selesai, temanku sedang asyik memainkan handphonenya. Aku sibuk dengan pikiranku sendiri sambil melihat-lihat ke sekitar. Kemudian tiba-tiba mataku menangkap sesosok laki-laki lanjut usia yang mengalami kesulitan untuk berjalan. Kakinya tidak bisa berjalan seperti orang normal. Namun ia masih mampu berdiri.

Mataku tidak lepas dari sosok itu. Pria itu mengambil posisi duduk dintara dua sujud di teras masjid. "Apa yang hendak ia lakukan?", batinku dalam hati. Dia meletakkan tasnya disamping kemudian memulai sholat. Aku tertegun. Ku perhatikan setiap gerakan sholatnya. Dia tidak bisa bergerak dengan normal. Bahkan ketika sujud, dia hanya mampu membungkukkan tubuhnya. Bahkan ketika duduk tahiyat awal maupun akhir, dia mengalami kesulitan.

Airmataku ku pun mengalir deras karena melihat apa yang terjadi dihadapanku. Temanku juga ikut menangis. Kami memandangi pria yang sedang sholat itu sambil menangis. Temanku bertanya padaku, "Kenapa dia ga sholat diatas aja ya?"

"Gimana dia naik tangganya?, air mataku semakin tumpah.

Setelah selesai sholat, aku ingin sekali menghampirinya dan bertanya lebih banyk. Tapi aku tidak berani. Setelah teman-teman kami yang cowok selesai sholat, mereka bingung melihat kami menangis.

The Hijâb: Unveiling a Mystery

"And tell the believing women to lower their eyes, and guard their modesty, and that they display not their ornaments except what appears of them. And that they draw their veils over their bosoms and display not their ornaments except to their husbands, their brothers ... And repent to Allah, all of you O believers, that you may succeed." [Al-Qur’ân 24:31]

"That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate." [Al-Qur’ân 33:59]

American Muslim women today are rediscovering Islam as revealed by Allah, to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, more than 1,400 years ago but without any of the contradictions of ancestral culture. Consequently they are essentially engaging in a life-long exercise of rediscovering their own selves; what it means to be a human, a Muslim, and more so, a Muslim woman. Wearing the divinely mandated hijâb, the veil or head covering, as a part of their everyday dresses is among the first steps toward this rediscovery. In a society which shamelessly and publicly exposes a woman's body and intimate requirements where nudity somehow symbolises the expression of a woman's freedom and where the most lustful desires of men are fulfilled unchecked, it is of little wonder such an introspection leads many Muslim women to decide to wear the hijâb.

However, generalisations about Islam and Muslims are replete in today's media and, by extension, in the minds of many Americans who shape their image of the world through the media. Veiled Muslim women are typically unfairly stigmatised. They are regarded on the one hand as suppressed and oppressed, and on the other, as fanatics and fundamentalists. Both depictions are grossly wrong and imprecise. Such portrayals not only misrepresent these women's strong feelings towards the hijâb, but also fail to acknowledge their courage and the resulting identity the hijâb lends to them. Amongst such misconceptions is also the belief that any Muslim woman who wears the hijâb is forced to do so. Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, the final determination to wear the hijâb is often not easily reached. Days of meditation, an inevitable fear of consequences and reactions, and ultimately, plenty of courage weigh heavily in reaching the decision. Wearing the hijâb is a very personal and independent decision, coming from appreciating the wisdom underlying Allah's command and a sincere wish to please Him.

"I believe the hijâb is pleasing to Allah, or I wouldn't wear it. I believe there is something deep down beautiful and dignified about it. It has brought some beautiful and joyous dimension to my life that always amaze me," said Mohja Kahf, assistant professor of English and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in an internet posting.

"To me the hijâb is a gift from Allah. It gives me the opportunity to become closer to Allah. Also quite importantly, (it provides me) the chance to stand and be recognised as a Muslim," Fariha Khan, 18, of Rockville, Maryland, said.

However, with this recognition comes tremendous responsibility as highly visible representatives of Islam and Muslims. Anywhere covered sisters go, Muslims and non-Muslims alike recognise them as followers of Islam. In a land where misinformation about Islam and Muslims abounds, Muslim sisters have the opportunity to portray Islam in its true light. But the greatest responsibility related to the hijâb is the understanding that there is more to it than just the scarf; the internalised modesty really matters. This internal moral system gives meaning to the external scarf. This can be perceived from the overall demeanour of any Muslim woman - how she acts, dresses, speaks, and so on. Only when the internalised modesty manifests itself through the external hijâb can sisters represent Muslims according to the beautiful example set by the Prophet, upon whom be peace, and followed by his companions.

"The hijâb by itself is just a piece of cloth, at some level. I do not think we should take (it) as an exclusive marker of a woman's moral worth or level of faith. It is the surrounding context - the etiquette, the morals - which make it anything," Kahf said.

Saba M. Baig, 21, is a recent graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. She was 17 when she seriously started wearing hijâb, and feels she is still in the process of learning internal hijâb:

"My biggest realization was that the hijâb was not just about wearing a scarf on my head, but more of a (veil) on my heart," said Baig. "The hijâb is more than an external covering. That's the easy part of it all. It has a lot (more) to do with modesty and just the way you present yourself."

"In this life, I couldn't think of anything better than being a Muslim. Wearing hijâb signifies it and reminds me of it. The hijâb is important to me and it means everything to me when I wear it," Khan said.

"Unfortunately, it also has its down side: you get discriminated against, treated as though you are oppressed. I wear it for (Allah), and because I want to. Period," said Imaan, a convert to Islam, currently studying in Australia.

Yet, the general society, to some extent defines the image of the hijâb.

"The surrounding context can make it oppressive," explained Kahf. "For example, in social contexts where observing hijâb includes (the practice) of separating women from the resources of society including education, mosques, sources of religious and spiritual guidance, economic livelihood, etc., (hijâb) develops oppressive qualities. Or when the hijâbis literally imposed through punitive sanctions rather than encouraged benignly, this distorts the underlying beauty of it and turns it into something ugly. I believe it is pleasing to Allah, or I wouldn't wear it. I believe there is something deep down beautiful and dignified about it. It has brought some beautiful and joyous dimension to my life that always amaze me."

"(At the same time,) the surrounding context can make it liberating, as we in the United States often experience. For many of us, in a society which imposes degrees of sexualised nakedness on women, wearing hijâb has been a liberating experience. To us hijâb has meant non-conformism to unjust systems of thought. We have experienced social sanctions for wearing it, and these experiences are seared in our memories, rather than experiences of being forced to wear it," Kahf concluded.

For many women the hijâb is a constant reminder that unlike other women they should not have to design their lives and bodies for men.

"Before I started covering, I thought of myself based on what others thought of me. I see that too often in girls, their happiness depends on how others view them, especially men. Ever since, my opinion of myself has changed so much; I have gained (a lot of) self-respect. I have realised whether others may think of me as beautiful is not what matters. How beautiful I think of myself and knowing that Allah finds me beautiful makes me feel beautiful," said Baig softly, her eyes glowing.

Furthermore, modest clothing and hijâb are precautions to avoid any social violations. Contrary to popular belief, this is not limited to women only. Preceding the verse in the Qur'ân about women lowering their gaze comes the following verse:

"Tell believing men to lower their eyes and guard their modesty. That will be purer for them. Allah is aware of what they do." [Al-Qur’ân 24:30]

In addition, on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'ad, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

"Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones (the tongue) and what is between his two legs (the private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him." [Recorded by al-Imâm al-Bukhârî]

The hijâb is not worn for men, to keep their illicit desires in check. Rather, Muslim women wear it for Allah and their own selves. Islam is a religion of moderation, of balance between extremes. Therefore, it does not expect women alone to uphold the society's morality and uprightness. Rather, Islam asks men and women to mutually strive to create a healthy social environment where children may grow with positive, beautiful, constructive and practical values and concepts. Men are equally required to be modest and to conduct themselves responsibly in every sphere of their lives. In fact, in this society, enough emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for men to keep their gaze lowered, as a concerned brother put it:

"Think about it -- what has the potential to cause more damage a sister otherwise modestly dressed but no scarf, or a brother who goes about gawking in the streets, (or) on campus? I cannot exactly quantify it, but guess the latter," he said.

Islam asks men and women to mutually strive to create a healthy social environment where children may grow with positive, beautiful, constructive, and practical values and concepts.

According to Jâbir ibn Abdullâh, when he asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, about a man's gaze falling inadvertently on a strange woman, the Prophet replied, "Turn your eyes away." [Recorded by al-Imâm Muslim]

In another tradition, the Prophet, on whom be peace, chided Ali for looking again at a woman - he said, the second glance is from the Shaytân (the Devil).

The concept of modesty and the hijâb in Islam is holistic, and encompasses both men and women. The ultimate goal is to maintain societal stability and to please Allah. Since Muslim women are more conspicuous because of their appearance, it is easier for people to associate them with the warped images they see in the print and broadcast media. Hence, stereotypes are perpetuated and often sisters seem "mysterious" to those not acquainted with Muslim women who dress according to Divine instruction. This aura of "mystery" cannot be removed until their lifestyles, beliefs and thought-systems are genuinely explored. And, frankly, this cannot be achieved until one is not afraid to respectfully approach Muslim women - or any Muslim for that matter. So, the next time you see a Muslim, stop and talk to him or her - you'll feel, God-Willing, as if you're entering a different world, the world of Islam - full of humility, piety, and of course, modesty!

Taken from THIS SITE

The Biggest Change in My Life – A Sister’s Story!

As salaamu alaykum warahmatuallaah wabarakatuh,

I want to talk to you about my life before and after Hijab. I am a Muslim girl 20 years old from Arabian Gulf " The original place of Islam." I used to believe that hijab is not an important issue. And it's lucking my freedom. So I decided that I would never were Hijab as long as I live. Although my mother wears Hijab but she never convinces my sisters or me to wear it. She thought that you have to believe in it to do it or else you will take it off as soon as we are far away from her. And I think that it might be right in some way.

Or it might make hijab more difficult for us when we get older. It is so hard to get used to something for your whole life and change it at once. It will take you a long time to change your mind. Any way, I used to love to show up specially that I am not bad looking at all. And that was the most difficult part. I used to love to dress up and buy expensive clothes and I loved it when every one was looking and pointing at me. I used to love it when some says "wow! She's beautiful."

After I finished my High school I decided to go to have my degree in the United States. I saw  a thing in there that I have not ever seen before. It is Muslim society and community. It's amazing society with perfect Muslims. They are practicing Islam in a different way that we got used to it. Muslims in Gulf aria have been borne Muslims. Arabs didn't have to ask any questions because every thing is obvious. We didn't have to think about faith and how to believe in God, because we were raised and every one around us is Muslim. We didn't know what's the real Islam and how does it feel to live between all different religious and a mix society. And I just realized that people in Gulf didn't practice pure religion, but they had a mixture between Islam and culture. So many things that I thought it was an Islamic terms turned out to be a culture believe. And they are absolutely wrong aspects. I learned that the pure Islam is not the one that we were raised on which is full of nonsense stuff that we had in our culture since a long time ago. The real Islam is only in Quran and Sunah.

When people in the states find out that I am Muslim, they always ask so many questions about Islam and most the time I can't find an answer to their questions. So I started to go searching and looking in Islamic books and in Internet about Islam "the real thing." I was like someone has not heard any thing about Islam before. I learned so many things that I have not knew.. I started to go to the masjid and sit with so many brothers and sisters talking and discussing Islamic matters. I swear that I have never gone to any masjid in my country or even think about it. Although we had thousands of Masjids back home. All the sisters in the masjids were wearing hijab except me. And they were all Americans except me.  And they wear all broad about it and I respected them so much for that. I started to think about it all the time.

And I started to have so many dreams about me wearing the hijab. I started to have some strange feeling towered my self; I hated it when someone was looking at me. I felt that I was only a picture without a heart or a brain. I finally   decided to go for it and wear the Hijab. It was the best choice I have ever had. For the first time in my life; I felt that I am a strong person. Because  I will go for what I believe in, and I didn't care of what people think of it or how they will look at me.

First day of Hijab was the best. I never felt so good and broad in my whole life of my self as much as I felt in that day. My friends and relatives didn't believe that I could do it. And every one said that I won't keep it for too long. And that maybe one of the things that pushed me to keep it until this day. I had to go through a fight with my self. My self which always loved this life any try to enjoy it as much as I could. Now was time to say stop, and I did. After a while every one started to respect me so much that no one had treat me like that before. Every one believed in me so much because they knew that I am a religious person. And what gave them that expression? It's the Hijab. I can go every where now and no one would look at me as if I was a picture or a dummy. Never the less I still dress up good and put make up when I am with my sisters and that turned out to be more fun.

I believe that Allah demand Hijab to help us and to make our life easier. It builds respect between men and women. Also, it's a matter of  keeping your body to your self or who Allah allowed you to show (mahram). It is also a sign that show that you are Muslim, like in all religious. For example, Jewish wears a small cup on top of their heads and Christians wear a cross. And non of those two feels ashamed to show it to public. No man would think badly about

A woman who is wearing a hijab so that will provide her to fall in mistakes (khateah) or something that is (haram). A person who can wear Hijab is strong enough to do any thing else and to go through any problems that she may face in all life matter. Every one around you will trust you in every thing because you trust your self. Don't you think your body is so important? And don't you think your body is that valuable?  You don't need some one to tell you that you're beautiful because you know that. And you don't need someone to look at you as if you were a beautiful drawing or a picture because you're a human been.

Assalaamu alaykum warahmatallaah wabarakatuh..

(please forward this to all the people you know, I want every one to read my story)

May Allah bless you, jazakum allaah khayran

Taken from THIS SITE

Inspiring Story: She’s my sister

Her cheeks were worn and sunken, and her skin hugged her bones. That didn't stop her because you could never catch her not reciting Qur'an. She was always vigil in her personal prayer room that our father had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer, was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again; boredom was for other people.
As for me, I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself to videos until the trips to the rental place became my trademark. It’s a saying that when something becomes habit, people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and my salah was characterized by laziness.
One night, after a long three hours of watching, I turned the video off. The adhan rose softly in the quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket.
Her voice called me from her prayer room. "Yes? Would you like anything Noorah?" I asked.
With a sharp needle she popped my plans. "Don't sleep before you pray Fajr!"
Agghh! “There's still an hour before Fajr. That was only the first adhan,” I said.
With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was like that even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. "Hanan, can you come sit beside me."
I could never refuse any of her requests; you could touch the purity and sincerity in her."Yes, Noorah?"
"Please sit here."
"Alright, I’m sitting. What's on your mind?"
With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting:
Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on the Day of Resurrection.
She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, "Do you believe in death?"
"Of course I do,”I replied.
"Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?"
"I do, but Allah is Forgiving and Merciful, and I’ve got a long life waiting for me."
"Stop it Hanan! Are you not afraid of death and its abruptness? Take a look at Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die."
The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. "I'm scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death. How am I supposed to go to sleep now? Noorah, I thought you promised you'd go with us on vacation during the summer break."
Her voice broke and her heart quivered. "I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. All of our lives are in Allah’s hands and we all belong to Him."
My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks. I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness. The doctors had informed my father in private that there was not much hope Noorah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn't told, so I wondered who hinted to her. Or was it that she could sense the truth?
"What are you thinking about Hanan?"Her voice was sharp. "Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? I hope not. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. How long are you going to live Hanan? Perhaps twenty years? Maybe forty? Then what?"Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. "There's no difference between us; we're all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. Listen to the words of Allah:
Anyone who is pushed away from the Fire and shown into Jannah will have triumphed.
I left my sister's room dazed, her words ringing in my ears:“May Allah guide you Hanan - don't forget your prayer.”
I heard pounding on my door at eight o'clock in the morning. I don't usually wake up at this time. There was crying and confusion. O Allah, what happened?

Noorah’s condition became critical after Fajr; they took her to the hospital immediately.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oon.

There wasn't going to be any trips this summer. It was written that I would spend the summer at home.

It felt like an eternity had gone by when it was one o'clock in the afternoon. Mother phoned the hospital.

"Yes. You can come and see her now." Dad's voice had changed, and mother could sense something had gone deathly wrong. We left immediately.

Where was that avenue I used to travel and thought was so short? Why was it so very long now? Where was the cherished crowd and traffic that would give me a chance to gaze left and right? Everyone, just move out of our way!

Mother was shaking her head in her hands crying as she made du'a for her Noorah. We arrived at the hospital’s main entrance. One man was moaning, while another was involved in an accident. A third man’s eyes were iced. You couldn’t tell if he was dead or alive.

Noorah was in intensive care. We skipped stairs to her floor. The nurse approached us. "Let me take you to her."

As we walked down the aisles the nurse went on expressing how sweet of a girl Noorah was. She somewhat reassured Mother that Noorah’s condition had gotten better than what it was in the morning. "Sorry. No more than one visitor at a time,” the nurse said.

This was the intensive care unit. Past the flurry white robes, through the small window in the door, I caught my sister’s eyes. Mother was standing beside her. After about two minutes, mother came out unable to control her crying. "You may enter and say salaam to her on the condition that you do not speak too long," they told me. "Two minutes should be enough."

"How are you Noorah? You were fine last night sister, what happened?"

We held hands; she squeezed harmlessly. "Even now, alhamdulillah, I'm doing fine."

"Alhamdulillah...but...your hands are so cold."

I sat on her bedside and rested my fingers on her knee. She jerked it away. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

"No, it is just that I remembered Allah's words.”

Waltafatul saaqu bil saaq (One leg will be wrapped to the other leg [in the death shroud]).

"Hanan pray for me. I may be meeting the first day of the Hereafter very soon. It’s a long journey and I haven't prepared enough good deeds in my suitcase."

A tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek at her words. I cried and she joined me. The room blurred away and left us two sisters to cry together. Rivulets of tears splashed down on my sister’s palm, which I held with both hands. Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I've never cried like that before.

At home and upstairs in my room, I watched the sun pass away with a sorrowful day. Silence mingled in our corridors. One after another, my cousins came in my room. The visitors were many and all the voices from downstairs stirred together. Only one thing was clear at that point – Noorah had died!

I stopped distinguishing who came and who went. I couldn't remember what they said. O Allah, where was I? What was going on? I couldn't even cry anymore.

Later that week they told me what had happened. Dad had taken my hand to say goodbye to my sister for the last time. I had kissed Noorah's head.

I remember only one thing while seeing her spread on that bed – the bed that she was going to die on. I remembered the verse she recited:

One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud).

And I knew too well the truth of the next verse:

The drive on that day will be to your Lord (Allah)!

I tiptoed into her prayer room that night. Staring at the quiet dressers and silenced mirrors, I treasured the person that had shared my mother's stomach with me. Noorah was my twin sister.

I remembered who I had swapped sorrows with, who comforted my rainy days. I remembered who prayed for my guidance and who spent so many tears for many long nights telling me about death and accountability. May Allah save us all.

Tonight is Noorah's first night that she shall spend in her tomb. O Allah, have mercy on her and illumine her grave. This was her Qur'an and her prayer mat. And this was the spring, rose-colored dress that she told me she would hide until she got married; the dress she wanted to keep just for her husband.

I remembered my sister and cried over all the days that I had lost. I prayed to Allah to have mercy on me, accept me and forgive me. I prayed to Allah to keep her firm in her grave as she always liked to mention in her supplications.

At that moment, I stopped. I asked myself what if it was I who had died. Where would I be moving on to? Fear pressed me and the tears began all over again.

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…” The first adhan rose softly from the masjid. It sounded so beautiful this time. I felt calm and relaxed as I repeated the mu’adhin’s call. I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and stood to pray Fajr. I prayed as if it was my last prayer, a farewell prayer, just like Noorah had done yesterday. It had been her last Fajr.

Now, and in sha Allah for the rest of my life, if I awake in the morning I do not count on being alive by evening, and in the evening I do not count on being alive by morning. We are all going on Noorah's journey. What have we prepared for it?

Taken from THIS SITE

Kekuatan Cinta Seorang Suami

Pernikahan itu telah berjalan empat (4) tahun, namun pasangan suami istri itu belum dikaruniai seorang anak. Dan mulailah kanan kiri berbisik-bisik: “kok belum punya anak juga ya, masalahnya di siapa ya? Suaminya atau istrinya ya?”. Dari berbisik-bisik, akhirnya menjadi berisik.

Tanpa sepengetahuan siapa pun, suami istri itu pergi ke salah seorang dokter untuk konsultasi, dan melakukan pemeriksaaan. Hasil lab mengatakan bahwa sang istri adalah seorang wanita yang mandul, sementara sang suami tidak ada masalah apa pun dan tidak ada harapan bagi sang istri untuk sembuh dalam arti tidak peluang baginya untuk hamil dan mempunyai anak.

Melihat hasil seperti itu, sang suami mengucapkan: inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un, lalu menyambungnya dengan ucapan: Alhamdulillah.

Sang suami seorang diri memasuki ruang dokter dengan membawa hasil lab dan sama sekali tidak memberitahu istrinya dan membiarkan sang istri menunggu di ruang tunggu perempuan yang terpisah dari kaum laki-laki.

Sang suami berkata kepada sang dokter: “Saya akan panggil istri saya untuk masuk ruangan, akan tetapi, tolong, nanti anda jelaskan kepada istri saya bahwa masalahnya ada di saya, sementara dia tidak ada masalah apa-apa.

Kontan saja sang dokter menolak dan terheran-heran. Akan tetapi sang suami terus memaksa sang dokter, akhirnya sang dokter setuju untuk mengatakan kepada sang istri bahwa masalah tidak datangnya keturunan ada pada sang suami dan bukan ada pada sang istri.

Sang suami memanggil sang istri yang telah lama menunggunya, dan tampak pada wajahnya kesedihan dan kemuraman. Lalu bersama sang istri ia memasuki ruang dokter. Maka sang dokter membuka amplop hasil lab, lalu membaca dan mentelaahnya, dan kemudian ia berkata: “… Oooh, kamu –wahai fulan- yang mandul, sementara istrimu tidak ada masalah, dan tidak ada harapan bagimu untuk sembuh.

Mendengar pengumuman sang dokter, sang suami berkata: inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un, dan terlihat pada raut wajahnya wajah seseorang yang menyerah kepada qadha dan qadar Allah SWT.

Lalu pasangan suami istri itu pulang ke rumahnya, dan secara perlahan namun pasti, tersebarlah berita tentang rahasia tersebut ke para tetangga, kerabat dan sanak saudara.

Lima (5) tahun berlalu dari peristiwa tersebut dan sepasang suami istri bersabar, sampai akhirnya datanglah detik-detik yang sangat menegangkan, di mana sang istri berkata kepada suaminya: “Wahai fulan, saya telah bersabar selama

Sembilan (9) tahun, saya tahan-tahan untuk bersabar dan tidak meminta cerai darimu, dan selama ini semua orang berkata:” betapa baik dan shalihah-nya sang istri itu yang terus setia mendampingi suaminya selama Sembilan tahun, padahal dia tahu kalau dari suaminya, ia tidak akan memperoleh keturunan”. Namun, sekarang rasanya saya sudah tidak bisa bersabar lagi, saya ingin agar engkau segera menceraikan saya, agar saya bisa menikah dengan lelaki lain dan mempunyai keturunan darinya, sehingga saya bisa melihat anak-anakku, menimangnya dan mengasuhnya.

Mendengar emosi sang istri yang memuncak, sang suami berkata: “istriku, ini cobaan dari Allah SWT, kita mesti bersabar, kita mesti …, mesti … dan mesti …”. Singkatnya, bagi sang istri, suaminya malah berceramah di hadapannya.

Akhirnya sang istri berkata: “OK, saya akan tahan kesabaranku satu tahun lagi, ingat, hanya satu tahun, tidak lebih”. Sang suami setuju, dan dalam dirinya, dipenuhi harapan besar, semoga Allah SWT memberi jalan keluar yang terbaik bagi keduanya.

Beberapa hari kemudian, tiba-tiba sang istri jatuh sakit, dan hasil lab mengatakan bahwa sang istri mengalami gagal ginjal. Mendengar keterangan tersebut, jatuhnya psikologis sang istri, dan mulailah memuncak emosinya. Ia berkata kepada suaminya: “Semua ini gara-gara kamu, selama ini aku menahan kesabaranku, dan jadilah sekarang aku seperti ini, kenapa selama ini kamu tidak segera menceraikan saya, saya kan ingin punya anak, saya ingin memomong dan menimang bayi, saya kan … saya kan …”. Sang istri pun bad rest di rumah sakit.

Di saat yang genting itu, tiba-tiba suaminya berkata: “Maaf, saya ada tugas keluar negeri, dan saya berharap semoga engkau baik-baik saja”. “Haah, pergi?”. Kata sang istri. “Ya, saya akan pergi karena tugas dan sekalian mencari donatur ginjal, semoga dapat”. Kata sang suami.

Sehari sebelum operasi, datanglah sang donatur ke tempat pembaringan sang istri. Maka disepakatilah bahwa besok akan dilakukan operasi pemasangan ginjal dari sang donatur.

Saat itu sang istri teringat suaminya yang pergi, ia berkata dalam dirinya: “Suami apa an dia itu, istrinya operasi, eh dia malah pergi meninggalkan diriku terkapar dalam ruang bedah operasi”.

Operasi berhasil dengan sangat baik. Setelah satu pekan, suaminya datang, dan tampaklah pada wajahnya tanda-tanda orang yang kelelahan.

Ketahuilah bahwa sang donatur itu tidak ada lain orang melainkan sang suami itu sendiri. Ya, suaminya telah menghibahkan satu ginjalnya untuk istrinya, tanpa sepengetahuan sang istri, tetangga dan siapa pun selain dokter yang dipesannya agar menutup rapat rahasia tersebut.

Dan subhanallah …

Setelah Sembilan (9) bulan dari operasi itu, sang istri melahirkan anak. Maka bergembiralah suami istri tersebut, keluarga besar dan para tetangga.

Suasana rumah tangga kembali normal, dan sang suami telah menyelesaikan studi S2 dan S3-nya di sebuah fakultas syari’ah dan telah bekerja sebagai seorang panitera di sebuah pengadilan di Jeddah. Ia pun telah menyelesaikan hafalan Al-Qur’an dan mendapatkan sanad dengan riwayat Hafs, dari ‘Ashim.

Pada suatu hari, sang suami ada tugas dinas jauh, dan ia lupa menyimpan buku hariannya dari atas meja, buku harian yang selama ini ia sembunyikan. Dan tanpa sengaja, sang istri mendapatkan buku harian tersebut, membuka-bukanya dan membacanya.

Hampir saja ia terjatuh pingsan saat menemukan rahasia tentang diri dan rumah tangganya. Ia menangis meraung-raung. Setelah agak reda, ia menelpon suaminya, dan menangis sejadi-jadinya, ia berkali-kali mengulang permohonan maaf dari suaminya. Sang suami hanya dapat membalas suara telpon istrinya dengan menangis pula.

Dan setelah peristiwa tersebut, selama tiga bulanan, sang istri tidak berani menatap wajah suaminya. Jika ada keperluan, ia berbicara dengan menundukkan mukanya, tidak ada kekuatan untuk memandangnya sama sekali.

(Diterjemahkan dari kisah yang dituturkan oleh teman tokoh cerita ini, yang kemudian ia tulis dalam email dan disebarkan kepada kawan-kawannya)

Taken from THIS SITE

Wanita Bertudung

Saya ingin bercerita mengenai kisah adik saya, Nur Annisa, seorang gadis yang baru menginjak dewasa tetapi agak kasar dan suka berkelakuan seperti lelaki. Ketika usianya mencecah 17 tahun, perkembangan tingkah-lakunya benar-benar membimbangkan ibu.

Moga kisah yang dipaparkan oleh seorang saudara dari Indonesia ini, dapat dijadikan iktibar khususnya buat kaum hawa.

Dia sering membawa teman-teman lelakinya pulang ke rumah. Situasi ini menyebabkan ibu tidak senang tambahan pula ibu merupakan guru Al-Quran. Bagi mengelakkan pergaulan yang terlalu bebas, ibu telah meminta adik memakai tudung. Permintaan ibu itu ditolaknya sehingga seringkali berlaku pertengkaran-pertengkaran kecil antara mereka. Pernah pada suatu masa, adik berkata dengan suara yang agak keras,

 “Cuba mama tengok, jiran-jiran kita pun ada yang anaknya pakai tudung, tapi perangainya sama saja macam orang yang tidak pakai tudung. Sampai kawan-kawan Ani di sekolah yang pakai tudung pun selalu keluar temu-janji dengan teman lelaki mereka dan pegang-pegang tangan. Ani ini, walaupun tidak pakai tudung, tidak pernah buat macam itu!”

Ibu hanya mampu mengelus mendengar kata-kata adik. Kadang-kala saya terlihat ibu menangis di akhir malam. Dalam qiamullailnya. Terdengar lirik doanya,

 “Ya Allah, kenalkan Annisa dengan hukum-Mu”

Pada satu hari ada jiran yang baru pindah berhampiran rumah kami. Sebuah keluarga yang mempunyai enam orang anak yang masih kecil. Suaminya bernama Abu Khoiri (nama sebenarnya siapa, tidak dapat dipastikan). Saya mengenalinya sewaktu di masjid.

Setelah beberapa lama mereka tinggal berhampiran rumah kami, timbul desas-desus mengenai isteri Abu Khoiri yang tidak pernah keluar rumah, hingga ada yang menggelarnya si buta, bisu dan tuli.

Perkara ini telah sampai ke pengetahuan adik. Dia bertanya kepada saya,

“Abang, betul ke orang yang baru pindah itu, isterinya buta, bisu dan tuli?”

Lalu saya menjawab sambil lewa,

“Kalau nak tahu sangat, pergi rumah mereka, tanya sendiri”

Rupa-rupanya adik mengambil serius kata-kata saya dan benar-benar pergi ke rumah Abu Khoiri.

Sekembalinya dari rumah mereka, saya melihat perubahan yang benar-benar mendadak berlaku pada wajah adik. Wajahnya yang tidak pernah muram atau lesu menjadi pucat lesi. Entah apa yang sudah berlaku?

Namun, selang dua hari kemudian, dia minta ibu buatkan tudung. Tudung yang labuh. Adik pakai baju labuh, lengan panjang pula tu. Saya sendiri jadi bingung. Bingung campur syukur kepada Allah Ta’ala kerana saya melihat perubahan yang ajaib. Ya, saya katakan ajaib kerana dia berubah seratus-peratus! Tiada lagi anak-anak muda atau teman-teman wanitanya yang datang ke rumah hanya untuk bercakap perkara-perkara yang tidak tentu arah. Saya lihat, dia banyak merenung, banyak baca majalah Islam (biasanya dia suka beli majalah hiburan) dan saya lihat ibadahnya pun melebihi saya sendiri. Tidak ketinggalan tahajudnya, baca Al-Qurannya, solat sunatnya dan yang lebih menakjubkan lagi, bila kawan-kawan saya datang, dia menundukkan pandangannya.

“Segala puji bagi Engkau wahai Allah”

Jerit hati saya.

Tidak lama kemudian, saya mendapat panggilan untuk bekerja di Kalimantan, kerja di satu perusahaan minyak CALTEX. Dua bulan saya bekerja di sana, saya mendapat khabar bahawa adik sakit tenat hingga ibu memanggil saya pulang ke rumah ( rumah saya di Madiun). Dalam perjalanan, saya tidak henti-henti berdoa kepada Allah Ta’ala agar adik diberi kesembuhan, hanya itu yang mampu saya usahakan. Ketika saya sampai di rumah, di depan pintu sudah ramai orang. Hati berdebar-debar, tidak dapat ditahan. Saya berlari masuk ke dalam rumah. Saya lihat ibu menangis. Saya segera menghampiri ibu lantas memeluknya. Dalam esak tangisnya ibu memberitahu,

“Dhi, adik boleh mengucapkan kalimat Syahadah diakhir hidupnya”

Air mata ini tidak dapat ditahan lagi. Setelah selesai upacara pengkebumian dan lain-lainnya, saya masuk ke bilik adik. Saya lihat di atas mejanya terletak sebuah diari. Diari yang selalu adik tulis. Diari tempat adik menghabiskan waktunya sebelum tidur semasa hayatnya. Kemudian diari itu saya buka sehelai demi sehelai hingga sampai pada satu halaman yang menguak misteri dan pertanyaan yang selalu timbul di hati ini. Perubahan yang terjadi ketika adik baru pulang dari rumah Abu Khoiri. Di situ tertera soal-jawab antara adik dan isteri jiran kami itu.

Butirannya seperti ini:

Soal-jawab (saya lihat di lembaran itu terdapat banyak bekas airmata),

Annisa: Aku hairan, wajah wanita ini cerah dan bersinar seperti bidadari,

“Mak Cik,  wajah Mak Cik sangat muda dan cantik”

Isteri jiranku: “Alhamdulillah, sesungguhnya kecantikan itu datang dari lubuk hati”

Annisa: “Tapi Mak Cik kan sudah ada anak enam, tapi masih kelihatan cantik”

Isteri jiranku: “Subhanallah, sesungguhnya keindahan itu milik Allah Ta’ala dan bila Allah Ta’ala berkehendak, siapakah yang boleh menolaknya?”

Annisa: “Mak Cik, selama ini ibu saya selalu menyuruh saya memakai tudung, tapi saya selalu menolak kerana saya rasa tidak ada masalah kalau saya tidak pakai tudung asalkan saya berkelakuan baik. Saya tengok, banyak wanita yang pakai tudung tapi kelakuannya melebihi kami yang tidak pakai. Sampaikan saya tidak pernah rasa nak pakai tudung. Pendapat Mak Cik bagaimana?”

Isteri jiranku: “Annisa, sesungguhnya Allah Ta’ala menjadikan seluruh tubuh wanita ini perhiasan dari hujung rambut hingga hujung kaki, segala sesuatu dari tubuh kita yang terlihat oleh bukan mahram kita semuanya akan dipertanggungjawabkan di hadapan Allah Ta’ala nanti, tudung adalah perlindungan untuk wanita”

Annisa: “Tapi yang saya tengok, banyak wanita bertudung yang kelakuannya tidak elok”

Isteri jiranku: “Tudung hanyalah kain, tapi hakikat atau makna di sebalik tudung itu sendiri yang harus kita fahami”

Annisa: “Apakah hakikat tudung?”

Isteri jiranku: “Hakikat tudung adalah perlindungan zahir dan batin, lindungi mata kamu dari memandang lelaki yang bukan mahram kamu, lindungi lidah kamu dari mengumpat orang dan bercakap perkara yang sia-sia, sentiasalah lazimi lidah dengan zikir kepada Allah Ta’ala, lindungi telinga kamu dari mendengar perkara yang mengundang mudharat baik untuk dirimu mahupun masyarakat, lindungi hidungmu dari mencium segala yang berbau busuk, lindungi tangan-tangan kamu dari berbuat sesuatu yang tidak senonoh, lindungi kaki kamu dari melangkah menuju maksiat, lindungi fikiran kamu dari berfikir perkara yang mengundang syaitan untuk memperdayai nafsu kamu, lindungi hati kamu dari sesuatu selain Allah Ta’ala. Bila kamu sudah biasa, maka tudung yang kamu pakai akan menyinari hati kamu. Itulah hakikat tudung”

Annisa: “Mak Cik, sekarang saya sudah jelas tentang erti tudung. Mudah- mudahan saya mampu pakai tudung. Tapi, macam mana saya mahu buat semua itu?”

Isteri jiranku: “Duhai Nisa, bila kamu memakai tudung, itulah kurniaan dan rahmat yang datang dari Allah Ta’ala yang Maha Pemberi Rahmat, bila kamu mensyukuri rahmat itu, kamu akan diberi kekuatan untuk melaksanakan amalan-amalan ‘tudung’ hingga mencapai kesempurnaan yang diinginkan Allah Ta’ala. Duhai Nisa, ingatlah akan satu hari dimana seluruh manusia akan dibangkitkan ketika ditiup sangkakala yang kedua, pada saat roh-roh manusia seperti anai-anai yang bertebaran dan dikumpulkan dalam satu padang yang tiada batas, yang tanahnya dari logam yang panas, tiada rumput mahupun tumbuhan, ketika tujuh matahari didekatkan di atas kepala kita namun keadaan gelap-gelita, ketika seluruh manusia ketakutan, ketika ibu tidak mempedulikan anaknya, anak tidak mempedulikan ibunya, sanak-saudara tidak kenal satu sama lain lagi, antara satu sama lain boleh menjadi musuh lantaran satu kebaikan lebih berharga dari segala sesuatu yang ada di alam ini, ketika manusia berbaris dengan barisan yang panjang dan masing-masing hanya mempedulikan nasib dirinya dan pada saat itu ada yang berpeluh kerana rasa takut yang luar biasa hingga tenggelam dirinya akibat peluh yang banyak dan bermacam-macam rupa bentuk manusia yang tergantung amalannya, ada yang melihat ketika hidupnya namun buta ketika dibangkitkan, ada yang berbentuk seperti haiwan, ada yang berbentuk seperti syaitan. Semuanya menangis, menangis kerana hari itu Allah Ta’ala murka. Belum pernah Allah Ta’ala murka sebelum dan sesudah hari itu. Hingga ribuan tahun manusia dibiarkan Allah Ta’ala di Padang Mahsyar yang panas membara hinggalah sampai ke Timbangan Mizan. Hari itulah dipanggil hari Hisab. Duhai Annisa, bila kita tidak berusaha untuk beramal pada hari ini, entah dengan apa nanti kita akan menjawab bila kita ditanya oleh Yang Maha Perkasa, Yang Maha Besar, Yang Maha Kuat, Yang Maha Agung, Allah Ta’ala”

Sampai di sini sahaja kisah itu saya baca kerana di sini tulisannya terhenti dan saya lihat banyak titisan air mata yang jatuh dari pelupuk matanya. Subhanallah. Saya selak halaman berikutnya dan saya lihat tertera tulisan kecil di bawah tulisan itu,

“Buta, tuli dan bisu wanita itu ialah wanita yang tidak pernah melihat lelaki selain mahramnya, wanita yang tidak pernah mahu mendengar perkara yang dapat mengundang murka Allah Ta’ala dan wanita yang tidak pernah berbicara ghibah atau segala sesuatu yang mengundang dosa dan sia-sia”

Tidak tahan air mata ini pun jatuh. Semoga Allah Ta’ala menerima adikku disisinya. Amiin.

Taken from THIS SITE

Overcoming Fear to Finally Wearing Hijab

If hijab seems hard my dear sister, remember, all blessings come from Allah. If you put on the hijab to obey His commandment, do you think Allah would abandon you?

I reverted to Islam in May 2008 at the age of 24. I was a single mother of two. Fresh out of college, living in a tiny town with almost no diversity. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to wear hijab.

Hijab is a commandment from Allah, and could I disobey? Living where I did, I was bound to stand out and feared harm that may come to my family. Really, this feelings was out of ignorance.

I had recently reverted. I also feared the reactions that would come from family and friends. I really wasn’t ready to deal with that just yet.

I couldn’t help how my heart felt. I desperately wanted to wear hijab. My heart yearned for it. I started feeling guilty every time I went out without it.

Allah states in the Qur’an:

“Truly Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are good-doers.” [An-Nahl, 16:128]

I couldn’t just leave things the way they were. So I started to make little changes. I began to wear hoodies and hooded jackets, throwing the hood on no matter the weather, just to feel a little better about myself. I started wearing long sleeves, longer and looser clothing, and long skirts.

While driving to the masjid in a nearby town, I would stop in a parking lot and put hijab on. As I got braver and my iman began to get stronger, the place that I stopped to put it on got closer to home and further from the masjid. In other words, I would be driving further with it on. I felt at the time that in order to wear it, I needed to move from my location, away from the area where wearing hijab was difficult. However, I didn’t have the money to do so.

I had just landed a job working as a state social worker and had only been there a few weeks when I received an email from my boss saying that there was a problem with my taxes. Out of my own ignorance, I hadn’t paid taxes from my college job earnings for 2 years! At first, I thought this was horrible but soon discovered that it was an absolute blessing! I would receive a very nice tax return and that gave me the money to move.

I began looking for jobs in a city nearly three hours away. As soon as I was at a comfortable distance from my town, I would stop and put hijab on. The only people I knew in the “big city” were a few Muslims. Once I got to the new location, I knew I would feel free and safe enough to wear the hijab. The Muslim community there was active and supportive. I knew it would be a great place for my kids and myself to learn and grow in Islam.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t strong enough. I lost my courage and for the first few job interviews and I didn’t wear the hijab. Subhan Allah, I didn’t receive any of those jobs. If Allah doesn’t help me, where else is there help for me? All help is from Allah.

About two months after I reverted, I applied for the perfect job. The pay was nice. I would be working with special needs children in a public school. This was great because I would be working at the same hours my daughter would be in school. I became ambitious and hopeful. I really wanted this job.

This time, I decided to do what’s right. A few days before my interview, I decided that if they couldn’t accept me wearing hijab, then I didn’t need to work there because obeying Allah is more important than any job!

Can anyone argue that obeying Allah is more important than any job! Who is the One who would provide the job for me? Allah! Does it make sense for me to take off my hijab in disobedience to Allah when Allah is the One Who provides everything?

I regained my courage and I wore it to the interview. I went with my hijab, in a state of obedience to my Creator.

Within 30 minutes of leaving, my interviewer called and offered me the job! The teacher I worked with was a Southern Baptist woman, but she was very supportive and didn’t mind me taking a few minutes each day to pray. Alhamdulillah! She liked to ask questions and always put a respectable humor into it. I admired her curiosity. We even made a sign to go on the door of the room I prayed in so that I wouldn’t be disturbed. Also, I found a Muslim daycare to put my son in! Alhamdulillah, I think I was glowing for weeks! Allah did take care of me and provided for me!

I began wearing hijab permanently. It’s been 15 months and I haven’t gone without it yet. Alhamdulillah. I even found a husband in the city. We recently moved close to where I use to live previously so that he could finish school. The courage I found in the big city stayed with me. Allah has guided me to come so far!

Even though I’m in a dinky country town where I constantly see family and familiar faces, people I had feared to wear the hijab around before, I continue to wear hijab full-time.

I feel like Allah made that happen to me (the move, the job, etc.) so that I could become a strong and transform into a proud Muslimah. Now, insha’Allah, I can stand up to anyone for the sake of Allah.

I make du’a that Allah always gives me and my sisters in Islam the courage to always wear hijab, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Sisters, remember hijab is a blessing! Don’t fear what will happen if you put on the hijab. If you put on the hijab out of fear of Allah and to obey Him, as it is His commandment, Allah will take care of you insha’Allah.

Sisters, if wearing the hijab seems difficult, remember what Allah states in the Qur’an:

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine…” [al-Talaaq, 65:2-3].

Taken from THIS SITE

Lamaranmu KuTolak...!!

Tulisan ini dikirim oleh UHAMKA B ke akun facebook saya via message.

Mereka, lelaki dan perempuan yang begitu berkomitmen dengan agamanya.

Melalui ta'aruf yang singkat dan hikmat, mereka memutuskan untuk
melanjutkannya menuju khitbah.

Sang lelaki, sendiri, harus maju menghadapi lelaki lain: ayah sang
perempuan.

Dan ini, tantangan yang sesungguhnya. Ia telah melewati deru
pertempuran semasa aktivitasnya di kampus, tetapi pertempuran yang
sekarang amatlah berbeda.

Sang perempuan, tentu saja siap membantunya. Memuluskan langkah mereka
menggenapkan agamanya.

Maka, di suatu pagi, di sebuah rumah, di sebuah ruang tamu, seorang
lelaki muda menghadapi seorang lelaki setengah baya, untuk 'merebut'
sang perempuan muda, dari sisinya.

"Oh, jadi engkau yang akan melamar itu?" tanya sang setengah baya.

"Iya, Pak," jawab sang muda.

"Engkau telah mengenalnya dalam-dalam? " tanya sang setengah baya sambil menunjuk si perempuan.

"Ya Pak, sangat mengenalnya, " jawab sang muda, mencoba meyakinkan.

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Berarti engkau telah memacarinya sebelumnya? Tidak bisa. Aku tidak bisa mengijinkan pernikahan yang diawali dengan model seperti itu!" balas sang setengah baya.

Si pemuda tergagap, "Enggak kok pak, sebenarnya saya hanya kenal
sekedarnya saja, ketemu saja baru sebulan lalu."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Itu serasa 'membeli kucing dalam karung' kan, aku
tak mau kau akan gampang menceraikannya karena kau tak mengenalnya.

Jangan-jangan kau nggak tahu aku ini siapa?" balas sang setengah baya,
keras.

Ini situasi yang sulit. Sang perempuan muda mencoba membantu sang lelaki muda. Bisiknya, "Ayah, dia dulu aktivis lho."

"Kamu dulu aktivis ya?" tanya sang setengah baya.

"Ya Pak, saya dulu sering memimpin aksi demonstrasi anti Orba di
Kampus," jawab sang muda, percaya diri.

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Nanti kalau kamu lagi kecewa dan marah sama
istrimu, kamu bakal mengerahkan rombongan teman-temanmu untuk mendemo rumahku ini kan?"

"Anu Pak, nggak kok. Wong dulu demonya juga cuma kecil-kecilan. Banyak
yang nggak datang kalau saya suruh berangkat."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Lha wong kamu ngatur temanmu saja nggak bisa, kok mau ngatur keluargamu?"

Sang perempuan membisik lagi, membantu, "Ayah, dia pinter lho."

"Kamu lulusan mana?"

"Saya lulusan Teknik Elektro UGM Pak. UGM itu salah satu kampus terbaik
di Indonesia lho Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kamu sedang menghina saya yang cuma lulusan STM ini tho? Menganggap saya bodoh kan?"

"Enggak kok Pak. Wong saya juga nggak pinter-pinter amat Pak. Lulusnya
saja tujuh tahun, IPnya juga cuma dua koma Pak."

"Lha lamaranmu ya kutolak. Kamu saja bego gitu gimana bisa mendidik
anak-anakmu kelak?"

Bisikan itu datang lagi, "Ayah dia sudah bekerja lho."

"Jadi kamu sudah bekerja?"

"Iya Pak. Saya bekerja sebagai marketing. Keliling Jawa dan Sumatera
jualan produk saya Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kalau kamu keliling dan jalan-jalan begitu, kamu
nggak bakal sempat memperhatikan keluargamu."

"Anu kok Pak. Kelilingnya jarang-jarang. Wong produknya saja nggak
terlalu laku."

"Lamaranmu tetap kutolak. Lha kamu mau kasih makan apa keluargamu, kalau kerja saja nggak becus begitu?"

Bisikan kembali, "Ayah, yang penting kan ia bisa membayar maharnya."

"Rencananya maharmu apa?"

"Seperangkat alat shalat Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kami sudah punya banyak. Maaf."

"Tapi saya siapkan juga emas satu kilogram dan uang limapuluh juta Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kau pikir aku itu matre, dan menukar anakku dengan
uang dan emas begitu? Maaf anak muda, itu bukan caraku."

Bisikan, "Dia jago IT lho Pak"

"Kamu bisa apa itu, internet?"

"Oh iya Pak. Saya rutin pakai internet, hampir setiap hari lho Pak saya
nge-net."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Nanti kamu cuma nge-net thok. Menghabiskan anggaran untuk internet dan nggak ngurus anak istrimu di dunia nyata."

"Tapi saya ngenet cuma ngecek imel saja kok Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Jadi kamu nggak ngerti Facebook, Blog, Twitter,
Youtube? Aku nggak mau punya mantu gaptek gitu."

Bisikan, "Tapi Ayah..."

"Kamu kesini tadi naik apa?"

"Mobil Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kamu mau pamer tho kalau kamu kaya. Itu namanya
Riya'. Nanti hidupmu juga bakal boros. Harga BBM kan makin naik."

"Anu saya cuma mbonceng mobilnya teman kok Pak. Saya nggak bisa nyetir"

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Lha nanti kamu minta diboncengin istrimu juga? Ini
namanya payah. Memangnya anakku supir?"

Bisikan, "Ayahh.."

"Kamu merasa ganteng ya?"

"Nggak Pak. Biasa saja kok"

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Mbok kamu ngaca dulu sebelum melamar anakku yang cantik ini."

"Tapi pak, di kampung, sebenarnya banyak pula yang naksir kok Pak."

"Lamaranmu kutolak. Kamu berpotensi playboy. Nanti kamu bakal
selingkuh!"

Sang perempuan kini berkaca-kaca, "Ayah, tak bisakah engkau tanyakan
soal agamanya, selain tentang harta dan fisiknya?"

Sang setengah baya menatap wajah sang anak, dan berganti menatap sang muda yang sudah menyerah pasrah.

"Nak, apa adakah yang engkau hapal dari Al Qur'an dan Hadits?"

Si pemuda telah putus asa, tak lagi merasa punya sesuatu yang berharga.

Pun pada pokok soal ini ia menyerah, jawabnya, "Pak, dari tiga puluh
juz saya cuma hapal juz ke tiga puluh, itupun yang pendek-pendek saja.

Hadits-pun cuma dari Arba'in yang terpendek pula."

Sang setengah baya tersenyum, "Lamaranmu kuterima anak muda. Itu cukup. Kau lebih hebat dariku. Agar kau tahu saja, membacanya saja pun, aku masih tertatih."

Mata sang muda ikut berkaca-kaca.

well.... harus happy ending, bukan? ^__^

Filosofi Supir Taksi

Tulisan ini dikirim oleh UHAMKA B ke akun facebook saya via message.

Saya mendekati taksi biru itu. Sebenarnya saya ragu, karena Tebet bukan jarak yang jauh dari Pasaraya Manggarai, tempat saya berdiri sekarang ini. Paling 10-15 menit sudah sampai. Jarak sedekat itu tentu tidak sebanding dengan lamanya sopir taksi tersebut mangkal di tempat ini. Oleh karenanya, saya sudah bersiap untuk tidak kecewa.

Saya buka pintu belakang taksi itu.

"Pasaraya Manggarai, Pak?" tanya saya setengah ragu. "Mari, Pak!" kata sopir taksi itu mengiyakan, tanpa berpikir sejenakpun.

Tentu saja saya gembira, karena tidak menyangka lelaki itu bakal mau mengantar.

Saya segera duduk di jok belakang, menutup pintu. Taksi pun melaju. Sebentar kemudian berputar 180 derajat di depan Balai Sudirman. Sekarang melaju ke arah Manggarai.

"Kok Bapak mau c anatar saya ke manggarai? Kan jaraknya dekat Pak?" tanya saya memancing.

"Kita kan tidak pernah tahu ada apa di balik yang dekat itu, Pak," katanya sejenak kemudian. Senyumnya saya lihat di spion atas kepalanya. "Jika penumpang yang jarak dekat tidak diambil, rasanya seperti tidak menghargai Tuhan yang membagi rezeki buat kita."

Berkata bijak ternyata bukan hanya monopoli kaum filosof. Tetapi juga bisa keluar dari mulut Firmansyah, begitu nama yang terpampang di dashboard, seorang sopir taksi bersahaja yang saya temui pagi ini.

Maka meluncurlah cerita "filosof" yang sopir taksi itu.

"Saya banyak mengalami, kadang memang rasanya gimana gitu ketika sudah lama ngantri, ternyata dapat penumpang yang dekat," katanya sembari menarik napas perlahan. "Dapat lagi, dekat lagi. Dapat lagi, dekat lagi."

Saya cuma tersenyum. Tentu saja saya bisa merasakan "duka" itu. Seperti kita mengharapkan durian runtuh, tetapi apa daya jika kenari yang ternyata melayang jatuh.

"Tetapi, tak jarang," imbuh lelaki itu, "saya dapat yang dekat-dekat, tetapi berkali-kali. Juga pernah sekalinya dapat yang jauh, tetapi setelah itu baliknya tidak membawa penumpang sama sekali."

Ia tersenyum di tengah klakson persimpangan pasar jembatan merah.

Saya mengangguk-angguk.

"Yah, artinya lebih baik terima saja yang masuk ke taksi, entah jurusan dekat ataupun jauh," kata saya. "Karena kita tidak pernah tahu, setelah itu dapat rezeki dalam bentuk apa lagi."

***

Saya banyak belajar dari beliau, Pak Firmansyah; sopir taksi yang sederhana. beliau masih "menghargai Tuhan", begitu bahasanya. Caranya sungguh sangat sederhana: mengantarkan penumpang yang naik taksi mereka, meski dekat sekalipun jaraknya. Menolak penumpang, sama saja dengan menolak rezeki yang sudah Allah hidangkan di hadapan. Menolak penumpang, sama halnya tidak menghargai Sang Pembagi Rezeki. Karenanya, tidak ada yang sepatutnya harus dilakukan, baginya, kecuali ikhlas mengantar.

Terbukti dalam berbagai kesempatan mengantar penumpang yang dekat itu, ternyata sambung-menyambung dengan penumpang yang turun naik; begitu satu penumpang turun, ada yang langsung naik. Bahkan tak jarang, banyak penumpang jarak dekat yang memberikan "uang lebih" berkat kesediaan mereka mengantar tanpa mengeluh. Jumlahnya sering lebih banyak ketimbang persentase yang mereka terima dari mengantar penumpang jarak jauh. Jarak dekat, karenanya tidak lantas identik dengan rezeki cekak.

Saya lantas teringat dengan sebuah hadits, bahwa "Allah itu berdasarkan pada persangkaaan (dzon) hamba pada-Nya". Kedua lelaki di atas, dalam pandangan saya, telah memberikan persangkaan yang baik pada rencana Tuhan di balik penumpang yang dekat itu. Ketika sopir yang lain menyangka "rugi" ketika harus mengantar penumpang yang dekat, keduanya tidak pernah berprasangka demikian.

Boleh jadi beliau tidak hapal dengan ayat Al-Qur'an tentang rezeki yang min haitsu laa yahtasib. Tetapi saya yakin, beliau, juga kita, paham bahwa rezeki itu datangnya bisa tidak disangka-sangka. Tetapi sementara sopir di atas sudah mempraktekkan pemahaman itu di kehidupan keseharian, kita sendiri barangkali masih berkutat pada tataran teori.

Jika Nabi Musa pernah belajar kepada Khidir, kita yang bukan siapa-siapa ini tak ada salahnya belajar pada orang-orang sederhana seperti kedua sopir taksi di atas. Benar juga sebuah tulisan yang say a baca terpampang di sebuah Sekolah dan selalu terpatri dalam ingatan saya hingga kini: jika semua tempat adalah sekolah, maka setiap orang adalah guru. Dan Pak Firmansyah serta Pak Endang, adalah guru saya hari ini.

Wa Allahu a'lamu bi ash-shawab