Sense of Direction

God is ever wise. God preordains, and yet He blesses us with free will and reasoning. All that's left on our behalf is effort and faith.

Because my future is my decision... and God knows...

Racism 2

My faith does not have any space for racism. That is what is ordained in the book of God.

***

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do."

5:8

***

This is what is instructed. This is what is ordained. This is the path of wisdom and righteousness. I can't simply dislike a people (a race) just because of some negative sentiments that are stuck on any particular race or skin colour. That is the most unjust thing in the world.

The greatest thing about being human is the ability to think and tell between what's right and what's wrong. We can choose to be better or worse. Rules, traditions, cultures... they're just guidelines, for the sake of betterment, not for shutting down our thinking capacities; not for rendering progress obsolete.

I simply have no room for hating a people, for the sake of hatred itself... no, not even Jews. Jesus was a Jew, Moses was a Jew. And they are God's messengers, spreading light and truth upon the world. Negatively stigmatizing a race without giving it a single thought whatsoever is just lazy, irresponsible, and most heavily unjust. We are better than that.

Sadly, the world in which we strut on and earn our daily bread is not a perfect world. Where there is good, there is bound to be evil. Evil is the lack of good, and our world has had been lacking in good for quite some time. War. Greed. Oppression. Injustice. Sloth. 

I strongly detest evil. But being racist does not help rid the world of evil. It just makes things worse. Evil is everywhere, and evil does not recognize race. Slapping a particular race with the evil tag is really not helping. 

It's actually a "pointing a finger at another person, without realising that three other fingers are pointed back at you" thing, being racist.  

God does not simply make us many peoples and nations for the purpose of conflict. No.

I don't hate this guy because of his race.

Nor do I hate Joe who lives in Israel, simply because of his race.

Nor do I hate Saravanan in Mumbai, simply beacuse he's a tad bit on the dark side.

Nor do I hate Chong in Shanghai because he's too kiasu.

But I really detest what the immoral soldiers are doing in Palestine and to the Palestinian people. 

Am I a racist?

No.

Not because I believe in justice, no.

Because justice is nearer to righteousness;

Racism

Scene: a TAM Airlines flight-boarding.

Story:

A 50-something year old white woman arrived at her seat and saw that the passenger next to her was a black man.

Visibly furious, she called the air hostess.

"What's the problem, ma'am?" the hostess asked her

"Can't you see?" the lady said - "I was given a seat next to a black man. I can't sit here next to him. You have to change my seat"

"Please, calm down, ma'am" - said the hostess.

"Unfortunately, all the seats are occupied, but I'm still going to check if we have any."

The hostess left and returned some minutes later.

"Madam, as I told you, there isn't any empty seat in this class- economy class.

I spoke to the captain and he confirmed that we only have seats in the first class."

And before the woman said anything, the hostess continued

"Look, it is unusual for our company to allow a passenger from the economy class change to the first class.

However, given the circumstances, the commandant thinks that it would be a scandal to make a passenger travel sat next to an unpleasant person."

And turning to the black man, the hostess said:

"Which means, Sir, if you would be so nice to pack your handbag, we have reserved you a seat in the first class..."

And all the passengers nearby, who were shocked to see the scene started applauding, some standing on their feet."

***

If I were in that flight, I'd smile too.

Because racism is a cheap and tasteless form of prejudice;

... and That Pretty Much Sums Up the Sermon

Unconditional love of God's wisdom and the prophet's (peace be upon him) teachings builds and seals faith.

Because faith should be clear, simple, pure, and faultless... and I haven't heard Uztaz Dawi talk for quite a while...

Here's to Inner Strength

I would like to dedicate this new semester to inner strength.

Not so much this...

But more like this...

Because American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

... and That Pretty Much Sums Up the Sermon

The book of God, is a book of wisdom. It is a clear path to inner peace, yet this is often overlooked. It is adored, but sadly ignored.

Because sometimes, we tend to look right though what has always been right in front of us;

The Official Launch of Rohaizat Suradi on Facebook

Happy birthday, bapak. Have a good year. Let the good times roll, let the bad times sink, and grab a front-row seat in the classroom of life, because there will always be something to learn along the way.

And I got you a facebook page. Think of it as a virtual present. I can't afford the Tag Heuer watches, or those Hugo Boss man-purses (man-purse..??) that mak would predictably give... so a facebook page would be the next best thing. Yes, surfing under a pseudonym, with only two friends, can be boring. So have fun. Go ahead and like your own page (hahahh..!!) someone eventually will (makkkkkkkkk..!!) If it reaches a hundred likes, I'll treat you to a movie. Good luck.

Some say... he drives a Volvo...

Because 'Sahara Ahmad maintain Melayu, tapi tak maintain gender'...