By CT Hj Mahmod
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam urged all Muslims on the eve of Hijrah 1426 to make the new Islamic year a year for redemption as well as self-realisation, and to reflect on the tsunami tragedy as a great lesson from Allah the Almighty for all humankind.
In the titah, His Majesty advised Muslims not to undermine such lessons, as they form the basis of piety, which should be regarded as a sign that comes from no other than Allah the Almighty, the Most Knowledgeable.
This is the attitude Muslims should adopt to be blessed by the Almighty, His Majesty said, while stressing that it is also the right attitude should his subjects wish for Brunei to be a safe and harmonious nation.
His Majesty said that his subjects' commitment towards improvement and religious devotion has made the Sultanate into a harmonious society, which is a gift from the Almighty. In this regard, His Majesty called on Muslims to uphold the Almighty's gifts to guarantee it's continuity.
His Majesty outlined the meaning of well-being by saying that there is no blessing more meaningful than an all-round good health. According to His Majesty, there is no happiness without general well-being.
His Majesty reasoned why Prophet Mohammad SAW himself taught his followers to seek Afiat or well-being in this life and the hereinafter.
The opposite of well-being, His Majesty said, is all sorts of difficulties and insecurity such as wars, conflicts, crime, natural disaster and any kind of life crises. All this, His Majesty added, are factors that derail harmony.
Outlining the events of the past Hijrah year of 1425, His Majesty touched upon war, terrorism and the likes and regarded them as 'debt of evil'.
Speaking on the tsunami tragedy, His Majesty saw it as a significant message to all humankind to realise and comprehend that the supremacy of Allah the Almighty exceeds all kinds of power.
This, His Majesty added, is a lesson for all time, and that Muslims should not be complacent. His Majesty told faithful Muslims that they should reject any sort of discordant views that say such a tragedy was not a sign from the Almighty, and not to fall into deception.
"Such tragedies should bring us (Muslims) closer to Allah the Almighty and to comprehend and fear the wrath of the Almighty, instead of disputing it," His Majesty said.
- Borneo Bulletin
