Cis Jebat! Kau penderhaka kepada nusa dan bangsa!

 Assalamu 'Alaikum

Cis Jebat! Kau penderhaka kepada nusa dan bangsa!

Tuah kekanda ku,

Bermadah sedih burung tempua

Fajar menyingsing disangka malam

Sekira ku perlu pilih antara nusa dan bangsa

Akan ku sanjung keadilan, tuntutan Islam.

The dilemma of a Malay in today’s modern world. The dialogue above is an imaginary one between the legendary Malay hero Hang Tuah and his loyal but betrayed friend Hang Jebat. The Sultan wrongfully accused the ever loyal Hang Tuah of treason and sentenced  him to be killed. Hang Jebat avenged his compatriot’s innocence in the only way he knows how, thinking Tuah is already dead. Hang Tuah returned to execute Jebat for betrayal of the Sultan.

“Jebat! You are a traitor to the nation and race!

Tuah, my brother,

I choose not between nation and race,

But I care not for death,

if it is for the sweetness of justice.”

Caught between a rock and hard place that seems to be the dilemma forced upon the modern Malay today. And neither can he run from the choices he has to make. Isn’t it wonderful if the people of this country is of just one religion. Then leaders are chosen by bai’ah of the learned. But God wish to test him. One is reminded of Surah Al-Maidah ayah 48.

“To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;”

No matter how we spin, how we debate and how we argue we cannot run away from being questioned by our Maker in the manner he makes us and in the manner he expects us to behave. It is how we interpret what is expected of us by Him which is at issue. Fully equipped and learned insyaAllah we will make the correct decision. But there are pitfalls along the way we need to recognise. Pitfalls by the ever waiting whispers of our sworn eternal enemy as forewarned in the Quran for which we are taught to constantly recite Surah AlNas.

“Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind. The King (or Ruler) of Mankind. The Allah (for judge) of Mankind. From the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil), who withdraws (after his whisper). (The same) who whispers into the hearts of Mankind. Among Jinns and among men.”

Another pitfall is the failure to recognise oneself. This is the biggest challenge. If one acknowledges one doesn’t know, then its easy, one takes the steps to learn. However if one doesn’t know that one doesn’t know! Only the du’a of our loved ones who has gone before us, or the dakwah of one who cares, will open the door of light.

“Dear God, grant me always the knowledge to know that I don’t know”

Wassalam,

Zahid