Artikel Pengajian Nov 06 (English)

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Artikel Pengajian Nov 06 (English)

Adhomir (Inner Heart)

Dhomir or the Inner Heart (conscience) is the most important element in our body. The core of a human’s value is dependent on his dhomir. When observing a cruel or impolite person, an Arab would often say, “huwa mainduh dhomir” (he has no dhomir). It means the voice of his heart is dead.

Question
In order to further understand dhomir or the inner heart, try answering the following questions:
1. You are eating on the roadside, suddenly a young five year old girl stands right in front of you, watching the food in your hand with anticipation. Which voice would appear in your heart at that instant?
2. Imagine, the moment you are walking alone in a beautiful garden. You see a family: a father, a mother with two young and cute children are having a good time. Which voice would appear in your heart at that instant?
3. Try to imagine this situation: One of your co-workers was sent off for management training by your company for two weeks. Meanwhile you were not chosen to go. How would you feel?
4. Two weeks later, he returns to work with excitement, showing off his certificate to you. What voice appears in your heart?
5. You are standing on a clean floor, with the tiles looking all shiny. Suddenly you spotted a dirty piece of paper by your feet. What voice do you feel in your inner heart?
6. Later someone carelessly throws a cigarette butt there. What inner voice do you hear?
7. On the road, you witness a young man attempting to snatch an elderly woman’s purse. What type of emotion would you experience at that moment?
8. Then you realize that the purse snatcher carries a gun. What do you feel?
9. You are in the middle of a green garden. Suddenly you see a flower of red, orange and purple colors. What do you feel?
10. Suddenly a young man brusquely plucks the flower. What do you feel?
Positive Answers
If your answers to the above questions were positive, it means that you still possess pure dhomir. Further, the answers should ‘match’ Allah’s characteristics as found in the ‘Asmaul Husna’. For example, Allah is The Protector, The Most Compassionate and the Lovingly Beneficent, etc.


Allah says in the Qur’an:
Whatever beings there are in heavens and on the earth do prostate themselves to Allah (acknowledging subjection), - with good-will or in spite of themselves: so do their shadows in the mornings and evenings. (13:15)

When your Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam – from their loins – their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): “Am I not your Lord (Who cherishes and sustains you)?” they said: “Yes! We do testify!” (This), lest you should say on the Day of Judgment: “Of this we were never mindful”.

What Could Conceal The Inner Heart (Dhomir)
Nonetheless there are times when the inner heart is concealed or blind. Humankind often becomes lackadaisical about this fact, which in the end results in their plunging into evil doing, unethical behaviors, obstinacy, immorality, etc.

There are seven factors that “enslave” the inner heart, which sometimes make a person ‘blind’ without realizing it.

1. Presumption
2. Principles of life
3. Experience
4. Importance
5. Viewpoint
6. Comparison
7. Literature

Allah says in the Qur’an:
“When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, you fall down in obeisance to him. So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together. Not so Iblis; he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith.” (38:72-74)

1. PRESUMPTION
“Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, Our Lord! For You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (60:5)

One morning, during an interdepartmental meeting, the participants were discussing the results of a routine monthly evaluation. One participant started yawning in the middle of the serious meeting. The other participants immediately turned towards him, even his superior was shaking his head. The boss, who was leading the meeting, berated him, “I’m very disappointed with you; it appears that you don’t care about this important meeting!” The individual hung his head. With a pale face, he said, “I am sorry, I would like to convey that regretfully I am not able to be attentive in this meeting. However, considering its importance, I tried to attend.” His eyes started tearing up. “Last night, my child was in an accident. He is being treated in the ICU, and is in a comma. So, I wasn’t able to sleep at all last night.” All the participants of the meeting became stunned. They had fallen into a presumption, a preconceived notion and a prejudice which regarded that: “If someone yawns during an important meeting, it can be interpreted that that person is not enthusiastic.” And a negative presumption occurred.

Solutions
1. Avoid making frequent bad presumptions, make an effort to think well of others.

2. The Influence of the Thought Process
One’s actions depend heavily on his thought process. Every person is given the freedom to choose for oneself. Negative thoughts will multiply and become reinforced as the information system becomes more advanced, and the information media such as the television, magazines and newspapers keep bombarding our thought process with news of murder, fraud and other crimes. In the end, many of us are influenced by it; often harboring negative presumptions and feeling suspicion towards others. These negative presumptions continue to flow and transform one into becoming ‘defensive’ and withdrawn because he often harbors presumptions that others are dangerous.

As a result, one’s own self experiences loss, for example, he will be demoted at his job, he is not able to cooperate with others, he will miss precious opportunities; in fact he becomes a social outcast.

On the other hand, one who possesses a free inner heart will be more able to protect his thoughts. He is able to choose a positive response even in the most devastating situation. He will keep thinking positively and always think well of others. He encourages and enjoins his circle of influence to trust each other, help each other, to be open and cooperative. The outcome is a ‘smart alliance” which will create a peak performance. He is the king of his own thought.

So: Avoid having bad presumptions, and make an effort to think well of others.

“But most of them follow nothing but fancy: truly fancy can be of no avail against Truth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do.” (10:36)

2. THE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE
“The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the Spider’s house; - if they but knew.” (29:41)

In the most recent decades, we have frequently witnessed many principles of life which result in a variety of human actions. The principles of life that they adopt and have faith in have created many kinds of beliefs with their own agenda. Every person is shaped by the principle which he adopted. The outcome is usually deemed awesome, terrifying, even saddening.

“If Allah had found in them any good, He would indeed have made them listen: (as it is), if He had made them listen, they would but have turned back and declined (faith). (8:23)

Solution 2
Abide by Allah The Everlasting.


3. EXPERIENCE
“By no means! But on their hearts is the stain of the (ill) which they do!” (83:14)

Life experiences and one’s sphere will heavily influence one’s way of thinking, which eventually leads to the emulation of one’s social circle. For instance, when a person exists in a bad social circle, he will become like that circle. For example, a child who is raised with love and affection (acceptance) and in a close-knit family will learn to live with feelings of love and camaraderie. So is the opposite true.

“Let there be out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104)
Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof." (Bukhari-Muslim)
Solution 3
Liberate yourself from experiences that shackle your way of thinking; think freedom!

4. PRIORITIES
“By (the Token of) Time through the Ages, Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” (103:1-3)

The placing of importance will establish the priorities of actions taken by an individual. For example, an individual leaning towards politics will think of what could be beneficial in the form of politics. Those who place importance on self worth will prioritize their decisions towards increasing their self worth, etc.

Often our inner heart (dhomir) will also contribute in providing important information in determining our priorities. However, that inner heart is often disregarded by distracting desires or such importance placed in achieving long-term benefits.

“Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them.” (28:54)

“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) he has sent forth for the morrow. Yes, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that you do.” (59:18)

Solution 4
Listen to your inner heart, hold on to the principle of “for the sake of Allah”, think extensively before deciding on importance and priorities.


5. VIEWPOINT
“Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame); the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord bestows His Mercy; but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (12:53)

One’s viewpoint will influence his thoughts and actions. Hence, before we decide on something or take an action, we should look at all angles wisely based on the inner heart that is derived from Asmaul Husna.

“Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious; for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path, and who received guidance.” (16:125)I

“O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is best, and most suitable for final determination.” (4:59)

Solution 5
Look at all angles wisely based on the voice of the inner heart that is derived from Asmaul Husna (99 thinking hats).

6. COMPARISON
“And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall into no disputes, lest you lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (8:46)

Frequently in a meeting, a harsh and unpleasant argument occurs where one group says “A” while the other says “B”. In fact, after persisting for a while, no agreement was reached, yet they often debate with each other.

Among its causes is the fact that we frequently value something based on the comparison of past experiences as well as our own imagination that we create in our own thought. The framework of evaluation in our thought changes easily within a fraction of a second. We could imagine how our relations can quickly create and change our way of thinking by every second. In the end, we will be the victim of our association’s molding.

Don’t make an observation based on your bias; but look at it has in value.

“But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.” (53:28)

“We have explained in detail in this Qur’an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude; but man is, in most things, contentious. (18:54)


Solution 6
Examine your thoughts first before making an evaluation on something. Don’t make an observation based on your bias; but look at what it has in value.

7. LITERATURE
“Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright! (43:37)

If we study and contemplate carefully, we will realize that in actuality Unconscious Thinking as cited by Napoleon Hills, or The Magic of Thinking Big as cited by David J. Schwartz, PhD, as well as Emotional Intelligence as cited by Robert K. Cooper, PhD, all have the same principle, yet goes by different terms. That is the shape of their research to look for true values which in the end will arrive at one source (consciously or otherwise) – to affirm the truth of Allah SWT, Al-Qur’an and the teaching of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

“Read! (or Proclaim!) in the name of your Lord and Cherisher, Who created-“ (96:1)

“Nay, do not obey him; but bow down in adoration, and bring yourself the closer (to Allah)! (96:19)

“And no question do they bring to you but We reveal to you the truth and the best explanation (thereof). (25:33)

Solution 7
Don’t be enslaved by literatures, think freely, become one with an ‘Ummi’ heart.