By Laila Rahman
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam called on his subjects to face challenges with obedience, patience and inner strength.
The ruler said this in a titah in conjunction with the Feast of Sacrifice or Hari Raya Aidil Adha 1426 Hijrah.
His Majesty urged the ummah to take the example of the challenge given to Prophet Ibrahim by Allah the Almighty to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail. His Majesty said the triumph was a result of their obedience in abiding to the command of Allah. This should be taken as a lesson by us, added His Majesty.
Success is usually attained when a person is tested. Without the test, the success of any individual cannot be considered as one, the monarch noted.
This happens to all, especially Muslims. Muslims are tested for their faith in Allah, with all the 'halal' and 'haram', with orders and prohibitions. Those who succeed in going through these tests are those who are most successful, said His Majesty.
"In this era, many people like to mention about 'great challenges' but these challenges, however, are not that great or difficult compared to the test of Allah," His Majesty added.
The ruler also mentioned that disasters, death, sickness, poverty and others are part of the tests in obeying the command of Allah.
The incident faced by Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail was a sign of how to confront the test of Allah the Almighty. "It requires the inner strength of an individual," His Majesty noted.
"Face any tests with patience, Insya Allah we will be successful and achieve happiness," added His Majesty.
Tests in the form of calamities and religious obligations should be endured with patience, advised His Majesty and added, particularly the test in terms of religious obligations should not be thought as a burden but as something that can improve us.
Citing an example of the obligation to pray and to pay tithe, which may seem like a burden, His Majesty asked how aware are we that praying and paying tithe makes the 'Ummah' protected.
"We are required to be patient and accept the test of Allah which amongst them include following religious obligations. Insya Allah, we will achieve happiness and safety through the blessings of our faithfulness," the monarch added.
His Majesty also wished a Happy Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all the people and Muslim residents in the country.
- Borneo Bulletin
(11th Jan 2006)
