Hj Mat Lela Pahlawan Pahang

Oleh : Santri 

FB Peminat Sejarah Lama

Jentera berat di kuis dengan kaki...

“Kalau awak nak, awak alihlah sendiri! Awak buat susahkan saya saja!” Tercalar dengan kata-kata biadap kontraktor itu, Hj. Mat Lela lantas menguis besi penghentak itu dengan kaki kanannya, ”Boooom!!!burrrrr……” besi penghentak itu terus terjunam ke dalam sungai.

DALAM lipatan sejarah, Mat Lela memainkan peranan yang amat besar dalam menentang campur tangan Inggeris di negeri Pahang. Mat Lela adalah anak kepada Datuk Bahaman Orang Kaya Setia Perkasa Pahlawan Semantan. Mat Lela turut berjuang bersama Datuk Bahaman, Tok Gajah, Mat Kilau, Awang Nong, Teh Ibrahim, Mamat Kelubi, Panglima Hitam Hj Othman @ Radin Damabulan dan sahabat-sahabat seperjuangan yang lain dari tahun 1891 hingga 1895. Nama beliau turut terpahat dalam Sejarah Pahang sebagai pahlawan Melayu terbilang.

Nama Mat Lela banyak digunakan oleh masyarakat Melayu dahulu. Di negeri Pahang hanya ada dua orang yang mempunyai nama serupa yang memiliki ilmu kepahlawanan yang cukup tinggi. Sudah semestinya salah seorang itu adalah Mat Lela anak Datuk Bahaman sendiri dan seorang lagi yang ramai belum mengenalinya ialah Hj. Mat Lela bin Buang.

Hj. Mat Lela bin Buang yang ingin penulis kisahkan kali ini merupakan sahabat baik kepada Mat Kilau Pahlawan Pahang. Beliau mempunyai ilmu setanding dengan ilmu kepahlawanan Mat Kilau. Jika Mat Kilau memiliki buntat embun, gagah dan boleh menghilangkan diri, Hj. Mat Lela pun begitu juga. Mungkin mereka sama-sama berguru tetapi disebabkan Mat Kilau menjadi buruan pihak Inggeris maka sahabat-sahabat beliau terpaksa merahsiakan perhubungan antara mereka.

Hj. Mat Lela atau dikenali dengan panggilan Tok Janggut berasal dari Kg. Luit, Maran, Pahang. Ketika Sultan Ahmad Al Muazzam Shah (Sultan Pahang pertama) bersemayam di Pekan, Hj Mat Lela sudah tinggal di Kg. Merchong, Nenasi, Pekan. Beliau hidup dalam zaman pemerintahan lima orang Sultan iaitu daripada Sultan Ahmad Al Muazzam Shah, Sultan Mahmud, Sultan Abdullah Al Mu’tasim Bi’llah, Sultan Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al Muazzam Shah dan Sultan Hj. Ahmad Shah.

Tidak diketahui sama ada Hj. Mat Lela pernah mengangkat senjata menentang Inggeris di Pahang. Beliau terlalu banyak menyimpan rahsia. Para pemberita pernah datang untuk mencungkil rahsia tentang hubungan baik beliau dengan Mat Kilau. Apabila diajukan soalan, beliau hanya berkata pernah mendengar nama Mat Kilau sahaja. Sedangkan Mat Kilau kerap datang bertandang ke rumah beliau. Itulah akrabnya seorang sahabat, rahsia sekali-kali tidak akan dibocorkan kerana sumpah telah dilafazkan bagi merahsiakan identiti masing-masing.

Sewaktu Mat Kilau tinggal di Kg. Aur, Rompin beliau seringkali menziarahi Hj. Mat Lela. Pak Andak Aman (allahyarham) anak kepada Hj. Mat Lela pernah melihat seorang tua seringkali datang bertemu ayahnya. Melihatkan kemesraan mereka, beliau ingin mendapatkan kepastian siapakah gerangan sahabat ayahnya itu. Pada peringkat awal, ayahnya tidak mendedahkan identiti sahabatnya itu. Tetapi akhirnya beliau mengakui sahabatnya itu adalah Mat Kilau. Tetapi ayahnya tidak mahu rahsia itu dipecahkan kerana Mat Kilau sendiri menyamar dengan memakai gelaran Mat Din dan Mat Dahan.

Mat Kilau juga pernah menyarankan kepada kaum keluarganya untuk menziarahi Hj. Mat Lela. Jika tiada apa-apa ikatan, masakan Mat Kilau begitu menghormati Hj. Mat Lela. Hj. Abu Bakar bin Awang (allahyarham), anak murid dan menantu kesayangan Mat Kilau juga tidak melepaskan peluang bertemu Hj. Mat Lela.

Mat Kilau pernah bercerita kepada anak muridnya Ishak bin Awang (allahyarham), abang kepada Hj. Abu Bakar bahawa di daerah Pekan terdapat seorang tua yang gagah bernama Hj. Mat Lela. Ketika itu sebuah jambatan besar sedang dibina bagi kemudahan penduduk kampung. Setelah kerja-kerja hampir siap, besi penghentak bagi kerja-kerja tersebut dibiarkan berada di atas jambatan. Ia menjadi penghalang laluan penduduk kampung. Apabila disuarakan kepada kontraktor, kontraktor itu tidak menghiraukannya dan menyuruh penduduk kampung mengalihkannya sendiri. Masakan boleh diangkat begitu saja kerana beratnya hanya layak diangkat dengan kren sahaja.

Penduduk kampung sudah tidak dapat bersabar lagi. Itulah saja jalan penghubung buat mereka mencari rezeki. Macam mana kenderaan hendak lalu jika laluannya terhalang. Akhirnya mereka menemui Hj. Mat Lela bagi meminta bantuan. Hj. Mat Lela mencari kontraktor itu dan akhirnya bertemu di atas jambatan tersebut. Beliau meminta jasa baik kontraktor itu untuk mengalih halangan di atas jambatan itu.

Kontraktor itu dengan angkuhnya berkata, “Kalau awak nak, awak alihlah sendiri! Awak buat susahkan saya saja!”

Tercalar dengan kata-kata biadap kontraktor itu, Hj. Mat Lela lantas menguis besi penghentak itu dengan kaki kanannya,”Boooom!!!burrrrr……” besi penghentak itu terus terjunam ke dalam sungai. Kontraktor cina itu terpinga-pinga. Beliau dalam keadaan terketar-ketar terus menghulurkan tangan untuk memohon maaf daripada Hj. Mat Lela.

Guru Zol, guru utama Perguruan Seni Silat Gayang Lian juga adalah anak kepada Hj. Mat Lela. Beliau masih mengingati saat-saat manis ketika bersama ayah beliau. Beliau juga adalah Dewan Pendekar Persatuan Silat Negeri Pahang dan Dewan Perguruan Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Beliau bukannya hendak menceritakan kehebatan ayah beliau, hanya sekadar ingin berkongsi pengalaman. Orang- orang Melayu dahulu penuh ilmu di dada. Ilmu-ilmu yang tuntut digunakan untuk membebaskan tanahair dari cengkaman penjajah. Tok Gajah, Datuk Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Tok Janggut, Abdul Rahman Limbong, Datuk Maharaja Lela, Dol Said dan beberapa nama lagi menggunakan kehebatan ilmu mereka untuk kepentingan masyarakat Melayu itu sendiri.

“Semasa kecil saya sering mengikut ayah ke dalam hutan mencari akar-akar kayu. Saya diajar mengenal berbagai jenis akar kayu seperti rempah gunung, sekecut, tongkat ali hitam, serapat, jenjulung, akar meroyan, kacip fatimah dan sebagainya lagi. Ada tumbuhan boleh dijadikan penawar dan ada yang beracun. Ayah sentiasa mengamal meminum akar-akar kayu untuk kekal sihat hingga ke usia tua,” cerita Guru Zol.

Hj. Mat Lela memakai buntat embun. Pemakai buntat embun jarang tidur pada waktu subuh. Sewaktu embun turun mereka bertambah segar dan tidak merasa mengantuk. Di waktu inilah mereka melakukan kerja-kerja ringan di dalam rumah.

“Setiap pagi ayah tadah air embun dalam satu bekas. Dia beritahu air embun banyak khasiatnya. Ia diminum untuk menyihatkan badan dan dititis bagi mencerahkan mata. Di usia tua pun ayah masih boleh membaca Al-Quran tanpa memakai cermin mata, ” jelas Guru Zol.

Hj. Mat Lela juga boleh mengubati orang sakit. Rumah beliau sentiasa dikunjungi orang bertujuan untuk berubat dan mendapatkan air penawar. Beliau juga boleh mengetahui siapa yang akan bertandang ke rumahnya walaupun tidak membuat temujanji terlebih dahulu.

“Kalau ada orang nak datang, ayah akan berpesan kepada anak-anak supaya jaga tingkah laku. Dia beritahu sekejap lagi akan sampai tiga orang lelaki, seorang Melayu, seorang Cina dan seorang India untuk berubat. Betul! Tidak beberapa lama tibalah orang-orang yang beliau maksudkan. Memang hairan kerana orang itu tidak pernah buat temujanji sebelum ini,” ujar Guru Zol.

Hj. Mat Lela turut menurunkan ilmu- ilmu perubatan kepada anak-anaknya. Dengan izin Allah, Guru Zol boleh berikhtiar untuk merawat demam campak, kembung, gatal kulit, kayap, sawan, sakit raja, bisul, lekat uri, lekat tulang, selusuh, mengesan punca penyakit sama ada sakit dalam badan sendiri atau angkara sihir dan mengesan orang-orang yang hilang. Khidmat beliau sentiasa diperlukan bagi menangani masalah ini.

Pada 8 Disember 1941, kerajaan Jepun telah mengisytiharkan perang terhadap kerajaan British dan Amerika Syarikat. Pada hari yang sama, mereka telah mendarat di Kota Bharu, Kelantan dan Patani lalu menyerang tentera pihak British dan sekutu-sekutunya di sana. Dua hari selepas peristiwa itu tentera Jepun telah dapat menenggelamkan dua buah armada besar angkatan perang tentera British bernama Prince Of Wales dan Repulse yang dalam pelayaran di Laut Cina Selatan menuju ke Teluk Siam.

Sewaktu pendudukan Jepun, kehidupan aman damai yang dikecapi bertukar menjadi porak peranda. Tentera Jepun mula memasuki daerah Pekan dan seterusnya menuju ke Kg. Merchong. Orang-orang kampung lari ke hutan belantara bagi menyelamatkan diri masing-masing. Tinggallah Hj. Mat Lela keseorangan bagi menjaga kampung tersebut. Kemasukan tentera Jepun tidak sekali-kali menggentarkan beliau.

Tentera Jepun tidak dapat menyelongkar rumah-rumah dan kedai-kedai yang ditinggalkan kerana pergerakan mereka sentiasa dihalang oleh Hj. Mat Lela. Hendak ditangkap, Hj. Mat Lela tidak nampak oleh pandangan mata kasar sehinggakan ramai askar Jepun dicederakan oleh beliau. Tentera Jepun merasa cukup ganjil dan akhirnya meninggalkan kampung tersebut.

Anak-anak Hj. Mat Lela dididik sepenuhnya dengan ilmu agama. Solat lima waktu wajib ditunaikan, jika tidak, rotan sudah tersedia di tangan untuk menghukum.

“Sebelum masuk waktu maghrib, tugas saya membakar sabut kelapa di bawah rumah. Asapnya boleh menghalau nyamuk. Ayah tidak mahu seekor nyamuk pun menganggu ketika dia sedang bersolat.

Kami juga dididik dengan sifat berani. Untuk ke sekolah kami terpaksa melalui hutan tebal. Di situ terdapat kesan-kesan tapak kaki harimau dan beruang. Bila kami beritahu ayah, dia kata binatang pun nak makan dan nak hidup macam kita juga. Kalau belum sampai ajal kita tak akan mati disebabkan haiwan-haiwan itu,” beritahu Guru Zol.

Di hutan yang sama Hj. Mat Lela pernah diterkam dari belakang oleh seekor beruang yang amat besar. Beruang itu mencakar dan mengigit tetapi ilmu orang dahulu, kulit sedikit pun tidak terjejas. Akhirnya beruang itu dapat beliau tewaskan dan diserahkan kepada pihak mergastua.

Batang nibung adalah sumber rezeki Hj. Mat Lela. Permintaannya amat tinggi untuk dijadikan kelong di laut. Pokok nibung yang ditebang diikat dengan tali, dipintal dan ditarik sedikit demi sedikit oleh beliau untuk dikumpul pada satu tempat. Memang kerja itu merumitkan kerana batang nibung itu panjang dan berduri. Pernah orang-orang kampung mengintai, apabila tiada orang berhampiran, Hj. Mat Lela memikul batang-batang nibung itu. Mereka berasa amat terkejut. Memang betullah cakap- cakap orang bahawa Hj. Mat Lela itu memiliki ilmu gagah.

Seorang tauke cina di kampung itu pernah menempah kepala payang untuk perahu besar beliau daripada Hj. Mat Lela. Setelah menunggu beberapa bulan, kepala payang itu masih belum disiapkan. Beliau menemui Hj. Mat Lela dan mahukan kepala payang itu disiapkan segera. Sedangkan perjanjian untuk disiapkan masih ada beberapa minggu lagi.

Keesokkan paginya tauke itu membuka pintu rumahnya. Aiyaaa…..! Beliau amat terkejut. Kepala payang berada di depan mata. Bagaimana ia boleh berada di situ? Untuk mengangkatnya saja memerlukan tenaga sepuluh orang perkasa. Ini memang kerja Hj. Mat Lela. Kepala payang itu diangkatnya seorang pada waktu malam. Tauke itu mencari Hj. Mat Lela untuk memohon maaf. Beliau tahu orang tua ini tidak boleh buat sembarangan.

Sewaktu majlis perkahwinan anaknya, Hj. Mat Lela sendiri bersilat pulut berpasangan dengan Tok Putih. Tok Putih juga adalah pawang besar di kampung itu. Tari pulut yang dipersembahkan amat cantik dan menarik sekali.

“Saya tanya ayah silat apa yang dibawanya. Dia kata itu Silat Laksamana. Bila saya kata nak belajar dia kata tak pandai. Memang saya tak percaya. Dia suruh saya cari guru silat lain kalau nak belajar,” jelas Guru Zol.

Di atas saranan ayahnya, Guru Zol mencari guru dan belajar daripada Pak Atan Hussin dari Perguruan Silat Lian Buah Pukul dan Anjang Adam dari Perguruan Seni Pencak Silat Sangkar Rewana.

Pada 26 Disember 1969, Mat Siam telah mengisytiharkan dirinya bahawa beliau adalah Mat Kilau anak Tok Gajah yang menentang campur tangan Inggeris di Pahang dahulu. Daripada perisytiharan itu, orang ramai datang dari merata tempat menziarahi Mat Kilau di Pulau Tawar, Jerantut dan di rumahnya di Batu 5, Jalan Gambang, Kuantan.

Hj. Mat Lela hanya mengeleng kepala. Beliau berkata, “Mat Kilau nak matilah tu. Sebab itulah dia mengaku diri dia.”

Hj. Mat Lela sebenarnya adalah seorang tokoh yang tidak mahu ditonjolkan. Beliau berpegang kepada sumpah dan janji. Beliau meninggal dunia pada tahun 1995 diusia 118 tahun akibat sakit tua dan dikebumikan di pusara Kg. Merchong, Nenasi, Pekan.

Alfatihah buat tokoh-tokoh yang pernah berjasa kpd Agama, Bangsa dan Tanah air.

C&P: 29/4/2021 @ 17 RAMADAN 1442H: 2.34 AM

Allah Sent Islam to My Very Home

SOURCE: ABOUT ISLAM NET

An American Police Officer Discovers Islam

About five years ago, I was fifty-two years old and a Christian.

I had not become a member of any Christian church, but all my life I had been searching for the truth.

I attended many churches and studied with their teachers. All fell short and I recognized none as being the truth about Allah.

Since I was nine years old, I had read the Bible every day of my life. I cannot tell you, over the many years, how many times I searched it for the truth.

During the long years of my search for the truth, I studied with many religious faiths. For over a year I studied two times a week with a Catholic priest, but could not accept Catholic beliefs. I spent another year studying with the Jehovah Witnesses and did not accept their beliefs either.

I spent nearly two years with the LDS (Latter-Day Saints, i.e. the Mormons) and still did not find truth. I had a Jewish friend and we had many discussions about the Jewish beliefs. I went to many Protestant churches, some for months at a time, trying to find answers to my questions.

My heart told me Jesus was not God but a Prophet. My heart told me Adam and Eve were responsible for their sin, not me. My heart told me I should pray to God and no other. My reason told me that I was responsible for both my good and bad deeds and that God would never assume the form of a man in order to tell me that I was not responsible. He had no need to live and die as a human; after all, He is God.

So there I was, full of questions and praying to God for help. I had a real fear of dying and not knowing the truth. I prayed and I prayed. I received answers from preachers and priests like, “This is a mystery.” I felt that God wanted people to go to heaven so He wouldn’t make it a mystery as to how to get there, how to live life accordingly, and how to understand Him. I knew in my heart that all that I was hearing was untrue.

My Discovery

About four years ago, I retired after twenty-four years as a police officer. My husband also retired as a police officer. The year before my retirement I was still a police sergeant/supervisor. Police officers worldwide have a common bond, which we call a law-enforcement brother-sisterhood. We always help one another no matter what police department or country.

That year I received a flyer asking for help with a group of Saudi Arabian police officers who had come to the United States to learn English at a local University and attend a police academy in the city that I live in. The Saudi police officers were looking for homes to live in with host families in order to learn about US customs and to practice the English that they would be learning.

My son is raising my granddaughter as a single parent. We helped him to find a house next to ours so that we could help in raising her. I talked to my husband and we decided that it would be good to help these police officers. It would be an opportunity for our granddaughter to learn about people from another country. I was told that the young men were Muslims and I was very curious.

An Arizona State University Saudi interpreter brought a young man named Abdul to meet us. He could speak no English. We showed him a bedroom and bathroom, which would be his when he stayed with us. I liked Abdul immediately. His respectful and kind manner won my heart!

Next Fahd was brought to our home. He was younger and shyer, but a wonderful young man. I became their tutor and we shared many discussions about police work, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Islam, etc. I observed how they helped each other and also the other sixteen Saudi police officers who came to the USA to learn English.

During the year they were here, I came to respect and admire Fahd and Abdul for not letting the American culture have any impact on them. They went to mosque on Fridays, said their prayers no matter how tired they were, and were always careful of what they ate, etc. They showed me how to cook some traditional Saudi foods and they took me to Arab markets and restaurants. They were very kind with my granddaughter. They showered her with presents, jokes and friendship.

They treated my husband and me with much respect. Each day, they would call to see if I needed them to go to market for me before they went to study with their fellow Saudi officers.

One day, I asked them if they had an extra Quran. I wanted to read what it had to say. They sent to their embassy in Washington DC and they got me an English Quran, tapes, and other pamphlets. At my request, we began to discuss Islam (they had to speak English and this became the focus of our tutoring sessions).

My “foster sons” were to return home to Saudi Arabia, I planned a family dinner with all their favorite traditional foods (I bought some because I didn’t know how to cook all of them). I purchased a hijab and an abaya (long Islamic gown). I wanted them to go home remembering me dressed appropriately as a Muslim sister.

Before we ate, I said the Shahadah (public declaration of faith). The boys cried and laughed and it was so special. I believe in my heart that Allah sent the boys to me in answer to my years of prayers. I believe He chose me to see the truth by the light of Islam. I believe Allah sent Islam to my very home. I praise Him for His mercy, love and kindness to me.

Many Changes Happened

My Saudi boys returned to their homeland about a week after my reversion. I missed them greatly, but was still happy. I had joined the local mosque as a member almost immediately after my reversion and registered myself as a Muslim. I was anticipating a warm welcome from my new Muslim community. I thought all Muslims were like my Saudi boys and the other young Saudi officers whom I had met and spent time with during the previous year.

My family was still in a state of shock! They thought I would stick with this new religion for a while, become disgruntled, and move on to another religion as I had done all my adult life. They were surprised at the changes that I began to make in my daily life. My husband is a congenial man, so when I said that we were going to be eating halal foods and eliminating haram (forbidden) foods, he said, “Okay.”

Next I wrote a letter to my non-Muslim family telling them about my reversion and how it would and wouldn’t change our family relationships. I explained a few of the basics of Islam. Still my family kept their own counsel, and I continued to work on learning prayer and reading my Quran. I got active in sister groups on the Internet and this facilitated my learning about my new beliefs.

I also attended a “Fundamentals of Islam” class at the mosque when I could get away from my work. I was still a state police sergeant and it was difficult – no, impossible to cover. This became a source of real discontent and concern for me. Just eight months and I could retire, so I asked for and was granted the right to telecommute from my home three days a week doing planning and research projects.

After the first six months had passed, sisters at the mosque that I attended still hadn’t warmed up to me. I was disappointed. I began to feel like an outsider. I was puzzled and concerned. I tried to become active in community services with a few sisters who had been friendly towards me. I looked for the kindness, friendship, and best of manners that were practiced each and every day by my Saudi boys.

I made many mistakes at the mosque, such as talking in the prayer room as I tried to get up and down from the floor. I went to a community celebration and ate with my left hand; I wore clear nail polish on my trimmed nails and got scolded. I did wudu (ablutions) incorrectly and was frowned at. I became very discouraged.

Then one day I received a package in the mail from a sister-friend who I had met on the Internet. In the package were several abayas, hijabs, silk stockings, and a warm and friendly note welcoming me as her sister in Islam. She lives in Kuwait. Next a dear sister sent me a prayer robe and prayer rug she had hand-made herself. This dear sister lives in Saudi Arabia.

I got an email that had a statement that I always remember at times when I get that “outsider” feeling. The note said: “I am glad that I became Muslim before I met many Muslims.” This is not an insult. It was a reminder that Islam is perfect and it is we Muslims who are imperfect. Just as I have shortcomings, so may my sisters and brothers. I also began to understand what I personally believe to be one of the greatest gifts that Allah gave to the Muslims: the sister and brotherhood in Islam.

Over the past four years my life has changed dramatically. My family has come to accept with generosity and tolerance that I am Muslim and will remain Muslim. All thanks be to Allah for sparing me the trials of so many reverts who must deal with beloved family who strive to dissuade them from Islam.

As my health continued to fail and I grew weaker physically, I had to discontinue community service work and became more isolated from the local Muslim community. I continued to work hard on my prayer, having great difficulty with the Arabic pronunciation but not giving up.

My Islamic teacher made some cassette tapes, and a sister brought them to my home to help me. After two years, I had learned to recite four Surahs (chapters) of the Quran. This may seem like a small number to most Muslims, but for me it was a very big accomplishment. I set about learning the words for the other parts of prayer; another two years of struggle.

During the early part of my third year as a Muslim, I suffered a heart attack and had heart surgery. It was a sad time for me, as I knew that I would never again touch my head to the floor when praying, but would forever have to sit in my chair and pray. It was at this time that I truly understood the provision from Allah that Islam is the religion of ease. Praying while seated in a chair is acceptable; not fasting when one is sick is acceptable. I did not have to feel that I was less a Muslim because of these circumstances.

After visiting several mosques and observing that they were like mini United Nations, I began to see that the small groups within the mosque were mostly formed because of language and culture and not because of liking or disliking any person. I felt good that regardless of these differences, I could always count on a smile and an “As-Salaam’ Alaykum!”

After a while, I began to gravitate towards sisters who are reverts to Islam like me. We have much in common – we experience many of the same trials, such as non-Muslim family members, difficulty pronouncing Arabic, being lonely on Muslim holidays, and not having a family member to break fast with during Ramadan.

Sometimes our reversions meant losing life-long friends who just couldn’t accept our new habits, or it was because of our discontinuance of activities common to non-Muslims, such as dancing and mixing in groups.

As I grew less able to do community services, I searched for some way to contribute to the greater Muslim community. I continually asked Allah for His help in this. One day, my young granddaughter suggested that I write books about my Saudi boys, Islam, and my family’s experience with Islam. I decided to write the books and also include stories about a group of young girls, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who were friends. The stories would include the young girls’ problems encountered at school and at home and I would use my knowledge of Islam as a guide for these book characters.

I began writing a book series that I called Islamic Rose Books. I created an e-group for sister authors and aspiring writers and this developed into the creation of the Islamic Writers Alliance. The Alliance is an international organization created to provide support for female Muslim authors and aspiring writers.

Our main goal is to help each other promote our works to readers and publishers. I also decided to help two Muslim food banks by creating databases that help them to track their inventory, clients, and contacts and to create reports necessary for funding purposes. I decided that I would spend a large portion of my profits from book sales to buy books for Islamic children’s libraries. I have discovered that many such libraries have lots of empty shelves where Islamic books belong.

I still have much to learn about Islam. I never tire of reading the Quran and one of my favorite pastimes is reading about prominent, historical Islamic figures. When I am unsure about something in Islam, I look to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I see how he responded to situations and use this as my guide.

My journey in Islam will continue, and I look forward to many new experiences. I thank Allah daily for His Mercy and Love.

C&P: 28 APRIL 2021 @ 16 RAMADAN 1442H: 3.45 AM

POLEMIK kewujudan Hang Tuah

SUMBER: SUNGAI BATU TAMADUN TERAWAL ASIA TENGGARA

POLEMIK kewujudan Hang Tuah bukanlah perkara baharu, malah hampir setiap tahun ada pihak mempertikaikan kesahihan kisah pahlawan Melayu terbilang itu, disamping tidak kurang juga mempertahankannya.

Hang Tuah adalah pahlawan yang hidup pada zaman Kesultanan Melayu Melaka dan dilantik sebagai Laksamana sejak pemerintahan Sultan Mansur Shah hingga Sultan Mahmud Shah.

Bagaimanapun, kerana kekurangan bukti kukuh mengenai Hang Tuah, menyebabkan pelbagai teori dilemparkan, sama ada benar atau tidak kewujudannya, hingga ada sekurang-kurangnya 10 versi berbeza mengenai kisah pahlawan itu.

Logik di sebalik dakwaan kewujudan Hang Tuah, tambah diragui kerana sebarang bukti yang dikaitkan mengenai kehidupannya hanya bersandarkan hujah serta cerita mulut turun-temurun yang tidak konkrit dan nyata.

Hujah mengenai kewujudan Hang Tuah selama ini adalah bersandarkan daripada beberapa nukilan tempatan, antaranya Hikayat Hang Tuah dan Sulalatus Salatin (Sejarah Melayu).

Namun, penemuan dua penyelidik Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) baru-baru ini membuka lembaran baharu apabila buat pertama kalinya pembuktian kewujudan Hang Tuah dilakukan secara kajian empirikal termasuk menggunakan sumber dan artifak asing.

Sumber dan artifak itu ialah dokumen rasmi Empayar Ryukyu (kini Okinawa), Jepun dalam bahasa China, 'Rekidai Hoan', catatan peribadi penakluk Melaka, Alfonso de Albuquerque, yang ditulis antara tahun 1510 hingga 1511.

Selain itu, dokumen Ming Shi, iaitu Sejarah Dinasti Ming ditulis bermula tahun 1403 oleh Maharaja Ming, Cheng Zu yang mengandungi perutusan ke Alam Melayu serta dokumen hasil tulisan Xin Fei, iaitu pencatat rasmi Laksamana Zeng He (Cheng Ho).

Penyelidikan dua Pensyarah Kanan Fakulti Bahasa Moden dan Komunikasi UPM, Profesor Emeritus Dr Hashim Musa dan Dr Rohaidah Kamaruddin itu berjaya mengesahkan tahun kelahiran Hang Tuah iaitu pada 1431.

Turut disahkan ialah jejak terakhirnya yang didokumentasikan iaitu di Temasik (kini Singapura) pada tahun 1511 ketika berusia 80 tahun. Hang Tuah pernah menjejakkan kaki ke Ryukyu pada tahun 1480 dan 1481, selain penemuan sebilah keris luk sembilan di Okinawa yang dikatakan dibawa sendiri oleh Hang Tuah ke Jepun.

Lebih banyak penemuan dan bukti akan didedahkan Hashim dan Rohaidah dan ia sekali gus akan terus membuktikan kewujudan Hang Tuah melalui fakta sejarah serta sumber yang berwibawa.

INFO

Dokumen Empayar Ryukyu, 'Rekidai Hoan'

• Mencatatkan hubungan Kerajaan Ryukyu dengan Korea dan kepulauan Asia Tenggara antara tahun 1424-1867.
• Mengandungi 19 surat daripada Kerajaan Ryukyu dan 11 surat daripada Kesultanan Melayu Melaka.
• Tiga surat ditulis sendiri oleh Hang Tuah bagi pihak Sultan Melaka.
• Hang Tuah berusia 50 tahun ketika surat ke Ryukyu ditulis pada tahun 1480.
• Memperincikan hadiah yang dibawa Hang Tuah, antaranya keris luk sembilan yang ditemui di Kuil Diraja Engakuji, Okinawa.

Catatan Peribadi Alfonso de Albuquerque

• Ditulis ketika pelayar itu menakluk Goa, India (1510) dan Melaka (1511).
• Catatan dalam bahasa Portugis itu diterbitkan dalam bentuk buku bertajuk The Commentaries of the Great Alfonso Dalboquerque pada tahun 1557.
• Hang Tuah yang digelar Laksamana disebut pada halaman 83, 89, 90, 395.
• Menceritakan carta salasilah Kesultanan Melayu Melaka membabitkan Hang Tuah sebagai mentua kepada Sultan Mansur Shah dan datuk kepada Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah.
• Menyatakan Laksamana Hang Tuah masih hidup pada tahun 1511, berusia 80 tahun dan bermukim di Singapura selepas kejatuhan Melaka, selain menyifatkannya sebagai masyhur, perwira handal dan berpengetahuan.

Dokumen Ming Shi dan Catatan Xin Fei

• Dokumen Ming Shi ditulis mulai bermula tahun 1403 oleh Maharaja Ming, Cheng Zu, yang mengandungi perutusan ke Alam Melayu.
• Membuktikan kewujudan hubungan kerajaan Kesultanan Melayu Melaka dengan Dinasti Ming sebelum kelahiran Hang Tuah.
• Catatan Xin Fei mengenai pelayaran Laksamana Zheng He (Cheng Ho) pada abad ke-15, antaranya ke Melaka pada 1405.
• Membuktikan kedatangan terakhir Laksamana Zheng He ke Melaka pada tahun 1430, setahun sebelum kelahiran Hang Tuah.

Garis masa hayat Hang Tuah

1431-1444

- Tahun kelahiran sehingga berusia 13 tahun / zaman kanak-kanak

- Pemerintahan Sultan Muhammad Shah (1424-1444)

1444-1459

- Berusia 13 tahun hingga 25 tahun / zaman remaja

- Pemerintahan Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1446-1456)

1459-1477

- Berusia 25 tahun hingga 46 tahun / zaman dewasa

- Pemerintahan Sultan Mansur Shah (1456-1477)

1477-1488

- Berusia 46 tahun hingga 57 tahun - zaman pertengahan

- Pemerintahan Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah (1477-1488)

1488-1511

- Berusia 57 tahun hingga 80 tahun - zaman tua

- Pemerintahan Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511)

Keris luk sembilan

• Ditemui di pekarangan Kuil Diraja Engakuji, Okinawa pada tahun 2002 tanpa hulu dan sarung.
• Hadiah kerajaan Kesultanan Melayu Melaka kepada Kerajaan Ryukyu, yang tercatat dalam surat dibawa Hang Tuah.
• Bilah keris sepanjang 22.1 sentimeter (hampir sembilan inci).
• Dipercayai diperbuat daripada meteor kerana kajian saintis Jepun mendapati bilahnya tidak sepadan dengan mana-mana elemen di bumi.
• Dipercayai berukuran lebih satu kaki jika diukur dengan hulunya.
• Luk sembilan pada keris menandakan ia sebagai peralatan majlis rasmi, bukan untuk berjuang.
• Ahli sejarah dari University of The Ryukyus, percaya keris itu berasal daripada Melaka, berdasarkan hubungan diplomatik kedua-dua kerajaan yang terjalin pada abad ke-15.

* Kredit ;

Legasi Tuah

Ahmad Suhael Adnan

ahmad.suhael@bh.com.my

December 1, 2015 @ 12:02am

Copy and paste: 28 April 2021 @ 16 Ramadan 1442H: 2.41 am

China Airlines Flight 140

RESOURCE: AVIATION ACCIDENTS / THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Historical Crashes... 27 years ago

Tuesday, 26th of April, 1994

- Japan

:

China Airlines Flight 140, an international scheduled passenger flight from Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (TPE/RCTP), Taiwan, to Nagoya-Komaki International Airport (NGO/RJNN), Japan, operated with an Airbus A300B4-622R, registration B-1816, experienced an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain while on approach to Nagoya-Komaki International Airport (NGO/RJNN), Japan.

The aircraft was completely destroyed. The fifteen crew members and 249 passengers from the 256 on board perished. (264 fatalities, 7 survivors)

The crash of Flight 140 is the second deadliest aviation accident on Japanese soil. It is also the third worst accident involving the Airbus A300, and the deadliest accident in the history of China Airlines.

- Details

China Airlines Flight 140 departed from Taipei International Airport, Taiwan, bound for Nagoya Airport, Japan. After initial descent and contact with Nagoya Approach Control, the flight was cleared for the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 34 (ILS 34 approach) and was switched to the Nagoya tower frequency at approximately 2007 local time. It was nighttime and Nagoya airport weather at the time was reported as winds from 280 degrees at 8 knots, visibility of 20 kilometers, cumulus clouds at 3,000 feet and a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. During the initial phase of the approach, both autopilot systems (AP1 and AP2) were engaged as well as the auto throttles. After passing the ILS outer marker and receiving landing clearance, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, disengaged the autopilot system and continued the ILS approach manually.

When passing through approximately 1,000 feet on the approach glidepath, the first officer inadvertently triggered the GO levers placing the auto throttles into go-around mode, which led to an increase in thrust. This increase in thrust caused the aircraft to level off at approximately 1,040 feet for 15 seconds and resulted in the flight path becoming high relative to the ILS glideslope. The captain recognized that the GO lever had been triggered and instructed the first officer to disengage it and correct the flight path down to the desired glide slope. While manually trying to correct the glide path with forward yoke, the first officer engaged the autopilot, causing it to be engaged in the go-around mode as well. As he manually attempted to recapture the glide slope from above by reducing thrust and pushing the yoke forward, he was providing pitch inputs to the elevator that were opposite the autopilot commands to the THS, which was attempting to command pitch up for a go around.

The THS progressively moved from -5.3 degrees to its maximum nose-up limit of approximately -12.3 degress as the aircraft passed through approximately 880 feet. During this period the first officer continued to apply increasing manual nose-down command through forward yoke control which resulted in increasing nose-down elevator movement, opposite the THS movement, masking the out-of-trim condition. The first officer attempted to use the pitch trim control switch to reduce the control force required on the yoke. However, because pitch trim control of the THS is inhibited during autopilot operation, it had no effect. In a normal, trimmed condition the THS and elevator should remain closely aligned. However, because of the opposing autopilot (nose up) commanded THS and manually commanded elevator (nose down) for approximately 30 seconds, the THS and elevator became "mis-trimmed".

Passing through approximately 700 feet, the autopilot was disengaged but the THS remained at its last commanded position of -12.3 degrees. Also at this time, due to the thrust reduction commanded by the first officer, the airspeed decreased to a low level, resulting in an increasing angle of attack (also termed alpha, or AOA). As a result, the automatic alpha floor function of the aircraft was activated, causing an increase in thrust and a further pitch-up. The alpha floor function of the A300 is an AOA protection feature intended to prevent excessive angles of attack during normal operations. Because of the greater size of the THS relative to the elevator (approximately three times greater in terms of surface area), the available elevator control power or authority was overcome as the aircraft neared 570 feet on the approach. Upon hearing the first officer report that he could not push the nose further down and that the throttles had latched (alpha floor function engaged), the captain took over the controls unaware of the THS position.

Upon assuming control, the captain initially attempted to continue the approach but was surprised by the strong resistive force to his full nose-down control inputs. He retarded the throttles in an attempt to recapture glide slope. Unable to control the increasing nose-up pitch, which had reached 22 degrees, he called for the GO-lever shortly thereafter in attempt to execute a go around. The increasing thrust added additional nose-up pitch moment and resulted in and uncontrolled steep climb as airspeed continued to decrease and AOA continued to rise. During the attempted go-around, the captain only operated the pitch trim briefly, indicating he was unaware of the mis-trimmed position (extreme nose-up) of the THS. Furthermore, flaps/slats had been retracted two positions (30/40 to 15/15) to the go-around setting, which increased the airplane pitch up and reduced the stall margin. The aircraft continued to climb steeply up to 1,730 feet with AOA rapidly increasing and airspeed decreasing, reaching a maximum pitch angle of approximately 53 degrees until the stall warning and subsequent stall.

Once stalled the aircraft nose lowered to a steep dive and the captain applied full aft yoke in an attempt to recover from the dive; however, the aircraft remained stalled until impacting the ground tail-first, 300 feet to the right of the runway and burst into flames.

- Cause:

"CAUSES: While the aircraft was making an ILS approach to runway 34 of Nagoya Airport, under manual control by the F/O, the F/O inadvertently activated the GO lever, which changed the FD (Flight Director) to GO AROUND mode and caused a thrust increase. This made the aircraft deviate above its normal glide path. The APs were subsequently engaged, with GO AROUND mode still engaged. Under these conditions the F/O continued pushing the control wheel in accordance with the CAP's instructions. As a result of this, the THS (Horizontal Stabilizer) moved to its full nose-up position and caused an abnormal out-of-trim situation. The crew continued approach, unaware of the abnormal situation. The AOA increased the Alpha Floor function was activated and the pitch angle increased.

It is considered that, at this time, the CAP (who had now taken the controls), judged that landing would be difficult and opted for go-around. The aircraft began to climb steeply with a high pitch angle attitude. The CAP and the F/O did not carry out an effective recovery operation, and the aircraft stalled and crashed.

The AAIC determined that the following factors, as a chain or a combination thereof, caused the accident:

* The F/O inadvertently triggered the Go lever. It is considered that the design of the GO lever contributed to it: normal operation of the thrust lever allows the possibility of an inadvertent triggering of the GO lever.

* The crew engaged the APs while GO AROUND mode was still engaged, and continued approach.

* The F/O continued pushing the control wheel in accordance with the CAP's instructions, despite its strong resistive force, in order to continue the approach.

* The movement of the THS conflicted with that of the elevators, causing an abnormal out-of-trim situation.

* There was no warning and recognition function to alert the crew directly and actively to the onset of the abnormal out-of-trim condition.

* The CAP and F/O did not sufficiently understand the FD mode change and the AP override function.

It is considered that unclear descriptions of the AFS (Automatic Flight System) in the FCOM (Flight Crew Operating Manual) prepared by the aircraft manufacturer contributed to this.

* The CAP's judgment of the flight situation while continuing approach was inadequate, control take-over was delayed, and appropriate actions were not taken.

* The Alpha-Floor function was activated; this was incompatible with the abnormal out-of-trim situation, and generated a large pitch-up moment. This narrowed the range of selection for recovery operations and reduced the time allowance for such operations.

* The CAP's and F/O's awareness of the flight conditions, after the PlC took over the controls and during their recovery operation, was inadequate respectively.

* Crew coordination between the CAP and the F/O was inadequate.

* The modification prescribed in Service Bulletin SB A300-22-602 1 had not been incorporated into the aircraft.

* The aircraft manufacturer did not categorise the SB A300-22-6021 as "Mandatory", which would have given it the highest priority. The airworthiness authority of the nation of design and manufacture did not issue promptly an airworthiness directive pertaining to implementation of the above SB."

C&P: 26/4/2021 @ 14 RAMADAN 1442H: 11.30 AM

Benua Melayu: Exploring another World View

BY: PROF. DATO' DR. AHMAD MURAD MERICAN

THERE was a recent response forwarded via the social media critical of “Malay civilization.” Apparently it appeared to describe the previous Melaka Hari Ini column titled “Ideas on Civilizations: The Homeland Basis for Malaysia’s National Culture” (12 April 2021). Among other things, it had argued that the case for advocating Malay civilization through the social media and writings would often be accompanied by “a picture of Malay men doing silat…as if silat (and men) is what best represents Malay civilization.”

The illustration and visuals accompanying the writing is not the work of the writer, nor originating from the writer. It was the decision and authority of the newspaper concerned. I am not defending the work of journalism. But there are constraints and consciousness. At the same time, I would agree with the response of the writer on the problematic of representing Malay civilization.

Problems in representation persists in journalism and media – through headlines, texts, visuals, audio. It also is present in other forms of narrative and aesthetics, such as literature, art and architecture. Truth is, as popularly conceived, would always be the first casualty. No. On the contrary it is the morality in the reading of the narrative, and the interest inherent in the reader. And this is fused with the potential prejudice towards (new) theories, scholarship and perspectives, thus reinforcing the misrepresentation, altercating the discourse.

The title of this week’s column implies an extension of my two previous columns, one mentioned earlier and the other one being “Rantau and Merantau: Geography and Soul” (18 January 2021). In his 2007 work titled The Malay Civilization, Mohd. Aroff had described merantau as a trait of the wandering spirit of the Malays. With this specific trait in mind (although one can erroneously argue and equate this with migration), the Malays have been known to have become the first inhabitants of the island of Madagascar. This happened by about 600 AD.

According to Mohd Aroff, the date of settlement between was the year 0 to 400 AD. Linguistic studies found that Malagasi correlated with the Maanyan people of south eastern Borneo. More recent studies point out a genetic and linguistic linkage to the Banajarese in southern Borneo. This is an example of the merantau from Sundaland.

The “Out-of-Sundaland” theory was advocated by Stephen Oppenheimer, physician, geneticist and writer. In the 1990s, he had synthesized the various works from oceanography, archaeology, linguistics, social anthropology and human genetics. He placed the homeland of the Malays on the eastern seaboard of the now drowned Sundaland stretching from the northern tip of the island of Borneo to the present-day island of Banka in one area, and also from the south eastern coast of the island of Borneo, to the entire northern coast of the island of Java.

The Sundaland then, is the present-day Malay Archipelago, and the now-under-water Sunda shelf was a large sub-continental size land mass. The sunk lowland, now termed the Sunda Shelf is the world’s largest continental shelf. As dry land, it was mainly of low elevation with three very large river systems – one flowed northward , emptying into what we call now as the South China Sea, another flowed southeast-west ward into present-day Java sea, and another originating from Thailand, flowing into the Southeast China Sea. The tropical climate, abundance of rainfall made Sundaland an ideal ground for the development of human civilization.

The Sundaland perspective challenged the conventional appreciation of Asian History and Civilization which has always ascribed to the Chinese a lofty culture in the midst of an otherwise “barbaric” Asia. This view persisted for a long time. Later scholars realized the bias of Chinese sources. The sources would later develop a belief on self and others on who is civilized.

This is a relatively new understanding of the prehistory of the region. Oppenheimer in his book titled Eden in the East: The Drowned Continent of Southeast Asia (1999) advances the view that Southeast Asia, specifically the drowned Sundaland, the last of the three “superfloods,” caused by the rise of sea levels about 8,000 years ago, was of the fabled Lost Atlantis. Generating much interest in recent decades, the Atlantis was Plato’s lost continent.

The drowned Sundaland was a vast plain of about 6,000,000 square kilometers in size, bigger than India, or about two thirds the of China. Oppenheimer argued that the peoples of Sundaland first started agriculture and was earliest in using stones to grind wild grains, as early as 24,000 years ago, 10,000 years earlier than ancient Eqypt.

It was further argued that some of the population in Sundaland had fled their homeland to fertilize other cultures. Some reached Africa and got into contact with the ancient Eqyptians. They related the story of the lost civilization to the Greeks. And that story was retold by Plato.

Much needs to be uncovered, through the fusion of many fields and disciplines. Certainly combining genetics and linguistics only are not enough. What is also important is that we do not dismiss such narratives as myths and fables.

The Bahasa Melayu word benua is Austronesian, with cognates across the Melayu-Polynesian world, as in the Maori whenua meaning “land” and “placenta”, Visayan “banwa and Rapa Nui “henua.” Benua is not merely land, nor continent. Benua is genesis and worldview – expressing geography, origins and deep history, expressing long term structures and causality.

C&P: 26/4/2021 @ 14 RAMADAN 1442H: 3.33 AM

DI AKHIR ZAMAN SEHARI BAGAIKAN SESAAT

SUMBER: WHATSAPP GENG SUNGAI SIPUT

Pertukaran masa dari siang ke malam , kemudian silih berganti hari demi hari , tahun  demi tahun adalah ukuran jarak perjalanan manusia di atas dunia.

Manusia akhir zaman akan merasai kedudukan waktu dan masa yg pantas berlalu sehingga banyak perkara tidak dapat dilaksanakan .

Allah SWT berfirman yg maksudnya  :  "Demi masa , sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian , kecuali orang yg beriman dan beramal saleh dan mereka pula berpesan-pesan dengan kebenaran serta berpesan-pesan dengan sabar ".

( Surah al-Asr, ayat 1- 3 ).

Masa adalah merujuk pelbagai situasi sama ada dalam keadaan senang atau susah , sihat atau sakit , kaya atau miskin , mulia atau hina .

Masa juga merujuk kepada tahun , bulan , minggu , hari , jam , minit dan saat.

Dalam sebuah hadis Baginda Nabi SAW bersabda yg maksudnya : "Daripada Abi Hurairah RA :  Nabi bersabda :  "Tidak akan berlakunya kiamat sehingga diangkatnya ilmu ( ilmu semakin berkurang ) ,  banyak gempa bumi , masa pantas berlalu , terzahirnya fitnah ,  banyaknya al-Harj iaitu pembunuhan dan banyak dalam kalangan kamu harta yg melimpah ruah ." ( Hadis Sahih Riwayat al- Bukhari , 1036 ).

Terdapat beberapa pandangan mengenai maksud  "masa pantas berlalu"  antaranya kurangnya keberkatan terhadap  masa .

Jika pada zaman dahulu , sehari dapat digunakan keseluruhannya  untuk kebaikan , tetapi sekarang  hanya beberapa minit atau saat .

Ibn Hajar RA berkata :  " Ini telah berlalu pada zaman kita .  Kita nampak hari-hari berlalu dengan  pantas seperti yg belum pernah kita lihat pada zaman sebelum ini".

Masa berlalu pantas juga adalah merujuk kepada perkembangan teknologi dan pengangkutan .

Manusia akan menjadi semakin hampir antara satu sama lain disebabkan kewujudan telekomunikasi dan perkembangan kenderaan pantas seperti kapal terbang dan kereta api laju.

Perjalanan antara satu tempat dengan tempat yg jauh hanya mengambil masa singkat sehingga manusia mampu berulang alik dalam tempoh yg pendek.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda yg bermaksud :  "Daripada Abi Hurairah RA , Nabi bersabda :  "Tidak akan berlaku hari kiamat sehingga masa (zaman ) pantas berlalu :  Setahun seperti sebulan , sebulan seperti se- Jumaat ( seminggu ) se-Jumaat seperti sehari dan sehari seperti sesaat .

Satu saat yg dimaksudkan adalah nyalaan api yg membakar ranting kering".

( Hadis Riwayat Ahmad , 10560)

Semua keadaan yg berlaku adalah merujuk kepada  cepatnya masa berlalu dalam arti kata sebenar pada akhir zaman .

Allah akan menjadikan hari-hari sepanjang yg Dia mahu dan sependek yg Dia mahu dengan menggantikan malam dan siang dalam keadaan manusia sedar mengenai perkara itu .

Salah satu hadis Rasulullah SAW .

Jabir RA mendengar daripada Nawwas ibn Sam'an RA berkata :  "Wahai Rasulullah , berapa lama Dajjal akan tinggal di muka bumi?   Baginda menjawab ,  selama 40 hari , satu hari seperti satu tahun , satu hari seperti satu bulan , satu hari seperti  seminggu , kemudian bakinya adalah seperti hari-hari biasa kamu semua lalui .

( Hadis Sahih Muslim  18 : 66 )

C&P: 24 APRIL 2021 @ 12 RAMADAN 1442H: 3.15 PM

Misteri Gudang Tuyere

OLEH: SRIKANDI

Srikandi ada menulis tentang penemuan tuyere yang berjumlah lebih 2 juta di Tapak Arkeologi Sungai Batu.

Tetapi foto yang dikirimkan oleh salah seorang aktivis tapak arkeologi di sana menimbulkan satu pertanyaan. Sebelum itu... ada pendapat yang menyatakan bahawa mungkin longgokan ini adalah stor atau gudang simpanan tuyere bagi kegunaan aktiviti peleburan besi di sekitar kawasan terbabit.

Boleh diterima pendapat itu, tetapi Srikandi ada pendapat lain yang diwakilkan dengan pertanyaan:

Adakah longgokan tuyere ini adalah semata-mata untuk kegunaan tempatan atau sebahagiannya dieksport ke luar negeri?

Soalan ini adalah penting dan mampu merungkai segala misteri di Tamadun Besi Sungai Batu.

Hanya 20 tuyere ini di Perancis, ia adalah sesuatu yang amat membanggakan negara itu dan istilah 'tuyere' itu sendiri berasal dari bahasa Perancis yang bermaksud 'pembuluh/paip'. Di Korea Selatan, penemuan tuyere ini di sana amat diraikan dan lakonan semula orang zaman purba meniup tuyere dan melebur besi dilaksanakan bagi menarik pelancong dan sebagai pendidikan sejarah kepada anak bangsa Korea.

Tetapi di negeri Kedah, di Malaysia...benda ni...tuyere ni ditemui sebanyak LEBIH 2 JUTA!

Adakah sebenarnya, aktiviti utama di Tamadun Sungai Batu selain perkilangan besi adalah pengeluaran tuyere bagi perkhidmatan B2B (Business-to-business)?

Disamping melebur besi, mereka juga membuat pengeluaran besar-besaran peralatan melebur seperti tuyere bagi kegunaan industri besi di tempat lain? Mungkin relau juga? 2 juta tuyere adalah jumlah yang besar dan longgokan tuyere begini adalah bukti bahawa ianya dikilang dan disimpan untuk tujuan eksport. Takkanlah mereka membikin jutaan tuyere semata-mata berimpian untuk terus melebur besi sampai kiamat? Tidakkah longgokan tuyere begini jika terlalu lama akan mengurangkan dayatahannya, boleh pecah atau tidak lagi berkualiti? Maka longgokan tuyere begini adalah untuk dibekalkan kepada skala industri dalam dan luar negara.

Perkara-perkara yang begitu 'plot twist' begini mampu mengjungkirbalikkan mitos dan dongeng yang dipaksakan oleh kerani penjajah dan pegawai kolonial yang menulis bahawa orang Melayu dahulukala tiada tamadun dan mundur sejak azali.

Hanya kerana mereka tidak menemui bukti sejarah begini, tidak bermaksud kita di zaman android bagai kini berterusan menelan pembohongan kepala tau dari kepala otak para penjajah ini semua.

~Srikandi

Sejarah luhurku abadi

*files: http://goo.gl/eInJzI

C&P: 24/4/2021 @ 12 RAMADAN 1442H: 11.45 AM

REZEKI YANG SUDAH DITAKDIRKAN

Perkongsian dari bilik sebelah, semoga bermanfaat:

Pada satu masa dulu ada sorang lelaki tua di zaman Nabi Musa AS. Dia sentiasa sibuk berzikir kepada ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala tetapi macam terganggu sedikit sebab setiap hari dia asyik fikir dan risau pasal rezekinya. Hari-hari memang rezekinya ada sebuku roti sahaja.

Satu hari, Nabi Musa AS lalu tempat orang tua itu. Orang tua itu pun fikir inilah peluang yang terbaik untuk dia tanya Nabi Musa AS untuk tanya ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala tentang rezekinya. Dia pun tegur dan beri salam kepada Nabi Musa AS dan dengan teragak-agak dia bertanya.

"Oh Nabi Musa, apabila tuan bercakap kepada ALLAH, bolehkah tuan memohon ALLAH meningkatkan rezeki saya (rezeki). Dari dulu sampai sekarang, saya dapat hanya sebuku roti setiap hari. Saya berhajat untuk dapat lebih. Bolehkah saya dapat lebih daripada itu? Jika tuan bertanya kepadaNya, sesungguhnya pasti ALLAH akan menjawab permintaan tuan dan memberikan saya lebih."

Nabi Musa AS pun setuju dan kemudian selepas bertanya, Nabi Musa AS mendapat jawapan bahawa rezeki yang telah ditetapkan dan ditakdirkan kepada orang tua itu memang sebuku roti setiap hari sepanjang hayat dia. Nabi Musa AS pun sampaikan kepada orang tua itu apa yang dia diberitahu.

Orang tua itu berasa sungguh gembira. Dia bertepuk tangan dengan gembira. Terkejut dengan tindak balas ini Nabi Musa AS bertanya kepadanya sebab kegembiraannya. Lelaki itu menjawab, "Jika dah ditakdirkan, maka saya tidak mempunyai apa-apa yang perlu dibimbangkan. Sekurang-kurangnya saya akan sentiasa menerima satu buku roti untuk sepanjang hidup saya!".

Dan dengan itu dia kembali untuk solat dan ibadatnya.

Setelah beberapa bulan berlalu, ketenangan lelaki itu meningkat dengan pengetahuan bahawa dia tidak perlu risau bimbang tentang rezekinya. Ini membolehkan beliau memberi tumpuan lebih kepada ibadatnya terhadap ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala yang menyebabkan dia mempunyai masa yang kurang tumpuan kepada makanan, dan juga kurang masa untuk makan.

Jadi, dari dia memakan satu buku roti sehari, dan hampir tidak berjaya makan separuh roti.

Baki roti itu kemudian diletakkan di satu sudut. Tidak lama kemudian, longgokan di sudut itu mula meningkat, sehingga ia menjadi satu timbunan besar.

Pada satu pagi, ada penggembala yang berjalan melalui kampung tersebut dan berhenti untuk bercakap dengan lelaki tua itu. Dia sedang mencari rumput kering untuk ternakan beliau tetapi tidak berjaya menjumpai apa-apa makanan.

Orang tua itu berkata kepadanya, "Apa kata kalau tuan bawak roti-roti yang terletak dalam timbunan itu, lembutkan semuanya dengan air dan berilah makan kepada haiwan tuan!". Penggembala tu pun lakukan seperti apa yang dicadangkan orang tua itu dan haiwan ternakan dia pun makan semua roti itu sampai habis.

Untuk tanda berterima kasih kepada orang tua itu, pengembala itu memberikan seekor kambing ternakan dan meneruskan perjalanannya.

Masa berlalu setelah berbulan-bulan dan bertahun-tahun dan Nabi Musa AS melalui lagi kawasan orang tua itu. Dengan kagum baginda Nabi Musa AS mendapati bahawa tempat orang tua itu tinggal, telah bertukar menjadi sebuah taman.

Ada pokok-pokok buah-buahan tumbuh berhampiran dan haiwan-haiwan ternakan meragut tidak jauh dari situ.

Terdapat sebuah ladang gandum dan suasana kesejahteraan. Nabi Musa AS mendapat tahu bahawa semua ini adalah milik orang tua yang sama.

Nabi Musa AS pun menjadi hairan kerana dia tahu apa yang ditulis dalam takdir orang tua itu - sebuku roti sehari - Nabi Musa AS pergi untuk mengetahui apa yang terjadi.

"Bagaimana ini boleh berlaku? Sebuku roti sehari adalah apa yang tertulis .. namun dia memiliki begitu banyak lagi."

Jawapannya, sesuatu yang kita semua perlu mengambil iktibar:

Satu buku roti adalah Rizq (rezeki) yang telah ditulis untuk orang tua itu.

Pokok-pokok buah-buahan, binatang ternakan dan ladang tanaman adalah BARAKAH yang datang dari penerimaan apa yang telah tertulis untuk kehidupan dia.

Semua itu adalah ganjaran atas kepercayaan sempurna pada ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

Barakah adalah hasil daripada peralihan dalam tumpuan dari apa yang dia mahu, kepada mensyukuri dan menikmati apa yang dia ada sehinggakan walaupun selepas makan seberapa banyak yang dia mahu, dia tetap mempunyai baki. Keperluannya telah menjadi sangat kecil.

Kelimpahan barakah ini diberikan dalam kehidupan orang tua itu disebabkan kemurahan hati dan kesediaan untuk berkongsi apa yang dia ada.

Jadi Rezeki memang ditakdirkan.

Tetapi...

BARAKAH datang apabila kita bertaqwa kepada ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, apabila kita bermurah hati dengan apa yang kita ada, apabila kita bersyukur dan apabila kita meletakkan Ibadah & Zikir ALLAH Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala di atas segala-galanya.

Semoga ALLAH menjadikan kita dalam kalangan hambaNya yang bersyukur, taat dan murah & besar hati. Aamiiinnn.

Sila kongsi kisah ini untuk manfaat bersama.

Moral dari kisah ini.

- Janganlah kita risau dengan rezeki kita dapat sekarang.

- Bersyukur walaupun sedikit.

- Jangan mudah mengeluh bila kita dtimpa kesusahan.

- Jangan mudah rasa tidak puas hati dengan apa yang kita dapat sekarang.

Wallahu A'lam.

Sama-sama kita muhasabah.

C&P: 24 APRIL 2021 @ 12 RAMADAN 1442H : 11.35 AM