I had intended to post some excerpt from the the 'Penawar Bagi Hati' kitab today. But something went wrong with my desktop and the material is in the hard disc. I am now working on my laptop.
As is the practice at many mosque in Selangor, our mosque also breaks the taraweh prayers into two parts with a tazkirah session inserted between. There are some who were not too happy when the system ws first introduced, because they just want to get it over with and go home. Just as there are those who object to Imams who read slightly long surahs during the prayers. As for me, I find the sessions quite relaxing. I don't know if the majority shares my view, but I'm quite sure that the majority of those who are regulars at the mosque (those who frequent the mosque everyday, and not just on Fridays and for the taraweh) agree with me. I think that the majority don't really mind one way or the other.
Today the tazkirah was delivered by Ustaz Abu Bakar Yang, a fellow of IKIM (Institute Kefahaman Islam Malaysia) who happens to also be our Nazir. A tazkirah is not meant to be a teaching session. Its purpose is similar to that of the Friday sermons, i.e. to remind and to exhort. I think that's what some are not keen to listen to, just like there are some who come late for the Friday prayers, purposely missing out on the sermon. They also immediately leave after the Hari Raya prayers, not staying back to listen to the sermon, which is really one of the rukuns (must do parts) of the rite.
Among the things mentioned was that the month of Ramadan is when Allah SWT grants us three invaluable gifts. The first third of the month is when He dispenses forgiveness (maghfirah). The second ten days is when He grants his blessings/favours (Rahmah). Or is it the other way round? Well does it really matter? And the third ten days, which includes the Night of Determination (Lailatul Qadr), is when He grants us protection from the Hellfire. These are for those who seek it in earnest.
Talking about seeking the pleasure of Allah SWT in earnest, there are three categories of people who fast. First, there are those who abstain from food, drinks and sex from sun up to sun down, period. They continue to talk bad about others (mengumpat), or play the numbers, or waste time or material, or look at and listen to what's forbidden, etc. etc. These are those who gain nothing but hunger and thirst. Next are those whose fast extend to all their senses and they abstain from all manner of misdemeanors, filling their days and nights with prayers and other ibadats, including acts of charity. Next are those whose fast is complete; even to think of what to eat when they break their fast is considered an aberration. We should at least aspire to be amongst the second group. Let's muhasabah ourselves in honesty. There are things difficult to achieve, e.g. controlling your thoughts. But there are also those that are easy to do things if we want to; attend to them.
He also spoke about the need to remember our parents, dead or alive. Those whose parents have passed away should remember them in prayers. Those whose parents are yet alive should know what are due to them. He also spoke about the need for parents to set the proper example for their children. If parents don't perform the solat, or perform it only when convenient, the children will do even less.
These are the gists of what was delivered. Most certainly, there are a lot more elaborations, interspersed with quotes from the Quran and Hadis, as well as examples. Something that I heard for the first time today: There was an occassion when the Prophet SAW recited three long surahs at one go, starting with the Al-Baqarah, during a solat. If that happens today, I think the Imam will be left standing alone.
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