(cited from: http://www.ramadhanzone.com/welcoming_ramadhan.asp)

Ramadhan is a very important part of every Muslim’s life. Ramadhan is the month of giving and mercy, and during this month Allah blesses the believers with forgiveness and great reward.

This is a time to stop and contemplate, to look inwards and out, it is a time to set our goals. We should ask ourselves what we want to achieve this month, – something we will carry into our futures.

Achievement is accomplished by change. ‘How’ and ‘what’ we change are as important to consider as ‘when’ we change. Ramadhan gives us a huge opportunity to improve ourselves and gain rewards for our actions.

Just consider how precious time is. Our time when used well can gain us much reward, but when wasted we lose something of unimaginable value.

Therefore, whoever is merciful and giving in Ramadhan, Allah will be even more Merciful and Giving towards them and will bestow upon them countless bounties and blessings.
All praises to Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds. As revealed in the Glorious Qur’an, “Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord” 2:185.

There are many actions we can take during the month of Ramadhan which will benefit us immensely. One of these would be to take Sahoor (the pre-dawn meal) as there is great benefit in it. The greatest blessing of Sahoor may be that Allah engulfs those who partake in it with His Forgiveness, showers His Mercy on them, while His angels ask of Him to forgive and pardon them.

Reciting the Quran has much benefit as it was in this blessed month that the Qur’an was revealed to prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
“Verily! We have sent you (O Muhammad) with the Truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner has passed among them,” The Holy Quran (35:24).

“Surely this Qur’an’ guides to the way that is straightest and gives good tidings to the believers who do deeds of righteousness, that theirs shall be a great reward.” The Holy Quran (17 : 11).
The importance of the Qur’an cannot be presented in a few words. It is not just another book on the shelf, but it is the words of Allah, speaking to every one of us. It is direct contact with Allah Himself. This is what we should keep in mind when we read the Qur’an or think about it.
The Giving of charity also carries much blessing and the rewards, giving during the holy month will increase your reward immensely. Zakah does not only purify the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed.

The following shows us the importance of charity:
The Prophet said:’Charity is a necessity for every Muslim’. He was asked: ‘What if a person has nothing?’ The Prophet replied: ‘He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity’. The Companions asked: ‘What if he is not able to work?’ The Prophet said: ‘He should help the poor and needy persons.’ The Companions further asked ‘What if he cannot do even that?’ The Prophet said ‘He should urge others to do good’. The Companions said ‘What if he lacks that also?’ The Prophet said ‘They should stop themselves from doing evil. That is also charity.

Charity is not only giving money but following the above example will ensure you are giving charity as well as receiving Allah’s blessing.

Finally here is a simple du’a (supplication) written by Shahid Athar, M. D:
• Give us the knowledge, the skills and the will to serve fellow humans.
• Give us the wisdom to comfort and console all toward peace and harmony.
• Help us to alleviate human sufferings.
• Give us the strength to admit our mistakes, amend our ways, and forgive others.
• Give us the devotion to serve the poor, the hungry, the destitute and the homeless with honour, love, dignity and piety, with patience and tolerance, with knowledge and vigilance, with Thy love in our hearts, compassion for Thy servants and desire for Thy mercy for all those who are instruments of Thy healing. (Amen)

If we look deep into our hearts we can see how blessed we are, with Allah’s blessing and your help Islamic Relief can help others.

Tiba-tiba aja terbayang gambaran itu ketika membaca artikel yang dikirim seorang teman ke emailku. Ternyata,.. di negeri ini, ditengah-tengah panas teriknya berita keadilan, hukum, ham, yang membuat kering dan semakin kering negeri ini, masih ada setetes embun yang memberikan kesejukan.

Berikut ini adalah artikel yang dikutip dari Gatra, edisi 8 September 2007. (http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=107584)

Dandim Lebak Suka Menyamar Jadi Tukang Becak

Lebak, 8 September 2007 08:40
Komandan Distrik Militer (Dandim) 0603 Kabupaten Lebak, Letkol Inf Bambang Heriadi, suka menyamar jadi tukang becak, karena rasa ingin tahu yang begitu besar akan nasib dan penderitaan orang-orang kecil, seperti penarik becak, pedagang kaki lima dan pedagang asongan di Kota Rangkasbitung.

“Saya banyak menerima keluhan orang-orang kecil sering diganggu aparat pemerintah maupun oknum TNI, sehingga saya menyamar sebagai penarik becak itu,” kata Bambang Heriadi, Jumat.

Selama menyamar, ia mengaku, menemukan laporan seorang pedagang nasi di Pasar Rangkasbitung, karena beberapa oknum TNI dari kesatuan tertentu tidak membayar setelah makan di warung itu.

Dari laporan tersebut, ia langsung menelepon Komandan Rayon (Danyon) kesatuan mereka, agar mau bertanggung jawab untuk membayar uang makan itu.

“Alhamdulilah, setelah saya telepon Danyon itu mau bertanggungjawab dan membayarnya,” katanya.

Setelah itu, ia juga melihat secara langsung penertiban Pedagang Laki Lima (PKL), sehingga akhirnya Bambang meminta aparat Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP), agar memberikan tindakan persuasif dan jangan sampai kekerasan yang dilakukan petugas.

Akibat saran yang diberikannya, ia sempat digertak oleh petugas Satpol PP.

“Saya langsung menelepon komandan Polisi Pamong Praja itu, agar bertindak lebih manusiawi lagi kepada rakyat kecil, seperti PKL itu,” katanya.

Pengalaman penyamaran, kata dia, ternyata sangat positif mengingat selama ini masyarakat yang tertindas oleh aparat tidak segera melaporkan karena takut.

“Saya akan memberikan sanksi berat jika menemukan anak buah yang menyakiti rakyat kecil itu. Sebab, TNI adalah milik rakyat dan harus dekat dengan rakyat,” ujarnya.

Menurut dia, pekerjaan orang kecil, seperti penarik becak, PKL dan pedagang asongan patut dihargai, karena mereka bekerja untuk membantu orang lain, serta memenuhi kebutuhan keluarganya. [TMA, Ant]

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