Lovers think they are looking for each other,
but there is only one search: wandering
This world is wandering that, both inside one
transparent sky. In here
there is no dogma and no heresy.
The miracle of Jesus is himself, not what he said or did
about the future, Forget the future.
I'd worship someone who could do that.
On the way you may want to look back, or not,
but if you can say "There's nothing ahead",
there will be nothing there.
Stretch your arms and take hold the cloth of your clothes
with both hands. The cure for pain is in the pain.
Good and bad are mixed. If you don't have both,
you don't belong with us.
When one of us gets lost, is not here, he must be inside us.
There's no place like that anywhere in the world.
from 'The Essential Rumi" Coleman Barks with John Moyne
Sunday, November 30, 2008
My dear friend
My dear friend
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.
If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.
And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.
The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.
My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.
ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you.
trans. Nader Khalili.
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.
If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.
And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.
The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.
My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.
ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you.
trans. Nader Khalili.
Petals
Even when you tear its petals off one after another,
the rose keeps laughing and doesn't bend in pain.
"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?
It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."
Whatever you lost through fate,
be certain that it saved you from pain.
A Sheikh was asked: "What is Sufism?"
He said: "To feel joy in the heart when sorrow appears."
From: "Breathing Truth" Trans. Muriel Maufroy
the rose keeps laughing and doesn't bend in pain.
"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?
It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."
Whatever you lost through fate,
be certain that it saved you from pain.
A Sheikh was asked: "What is Sufism?"
He said: "To feel joy in the heart when sorrow appears."
From: "Breathing Truth" Trans. Muriel Maufroy
Love
Are you fleeing from Love because of a single humiliation?
What do you know of Love except the name?
Love has a hundred forms of pride and disdain,
and is gained by a hundred means of persuasion.
Since Love is loyal, it purchases one who is loyal:
it has no interest in a disloyal companion.
The human being resembles a tree; its root is a covenant with God:
that root must be cherished with all one's might.
A weak covenant is a rotten root, without grace or fruit.
Though the boughs and leaves of the date palm are green,
greenness brings no benefit if the root is corrupt.
If a branch is without green leaves, yet has a good root,
a hundred leaves will put forth their hands in the end.
From: "Jewels of Remembrance" Trans. Camille and Kabir Helminski
What do you know of Love except the name?
Love has a hundred forms of pride and disdain,
and is gained by a hundred means of persuasion.
Since Love is loyal, it purchases one who is loyal:
it has no interest in a disloyal companion.
The human being resembles a tree; its root is a covenant with God:
that root must be cherished with all one's might.
A weak covenant is a rotten root, without grace or fruit.
Though the boughs and leaves of the date palm are green,
greenness brings no benefit if the root is corrupt.
If a branch is without green leaves, yet has a good root,
a hundred leaves will put forth their hands in the end.
From: "Jewels of Remembrance" Trans. Camille and Kabir Helminski
IF
IF YOU CAN DISENTANGLE
yourself from your selfish self
all heavenly spirits
will stand ready to serve you
if you can finally hunt down
your own beastly self
you have the right
to claim Solomon's kingdom
you are that blessed soul who
belongs to the garden of paradise
is it fair to let yourself
fall apart in a shattered house
you are the bird of happiness
in the magic of existence
what a pity when you let
yourself be chained and caged
but if you can break free
from this dark prison named body
soon you will see
you are the sage and the fountain of life
translated by Nader Khalili
yourself from your selfish self
all heavenly spirits
will stand ready to serve you
if you can finally hunt down
your own beastly self
you have the right
to claim Solomon's kingdom
you are that blessed soul who
belongs to the garden of paradise
is it fair to let yourself
fall apart in a shattered house
you are the bird of happiness
in the magic of existence
what a pity when you let
yourself be chained and caged
but if you can break free
from this dark prison named body
soon you will see
you are the sage and the fountain of life
translated by Nader Khalili
Thou and I
Joyful the moment when we sat in the bower, Thou and I;
In two forms and with two faces - with one soul, Thou and I.
The colour of the garden and the song of the birds give the elixir of immortality
The instant we come into the orchard, Thou and I.
The stars of Heaven come out to look upon us -
We shall show the moon herself to them, Thou and I.
Thou and I, with no 'Thou' or 'I', shall become one through our tasting;
Happy, safe from idle talking, Thou and I.
The spirited parrots of heaven will envy us -
Wen we shall laugh in such a way, Thou and I.
This is stranger, that Thou and I, in this corner here...
Are both in one breath here and there - Thou and I.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
In two forms and with two faces - with one soul, Thou and I.
The colour of the garden and the song of the birds give the elixir of immortality
The instant we come into the orchard, Thou and I.
The stars of Heaven come out to look upon us -
We shall show the moon herself to them, Thou and I.
Thou and I, with no 'Thou' or 'I', shall become one through our tasting;
Happy, safe from idle talking, Thou and I.
The spirited parrots of heaven will envy us -
Wen we shall laugh in such a way, Thou and I.
This is stranger, that Thou and I, in this corner here...
Are both in one breath here and there - Thou and I.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
Rumi Poem 6
Never be without rememberance of Him,
for His rememberance
gives strength and wings
to the bird of the Spirit.
If that objective of yours
is fully realized, that is
"Light upon Light"...
...But at the very least, by
practicing God's rememberance
your inner being
will be illuminated
little by little and
you will achieve
some measure of detachment
from the world.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
for His rememberance
gives strength and wings
to the bird of the Spirit.
If that objective of yours
is fully realized, that is
"Light upon Light"...
...But at the very least, by
practicing God's rememberance
your inner being
will be illuminated
little by little and
you will achieve
some measure of detachment
from the world.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
Rumi Poem 5
"One went to the door of the Beloved and
knocked. A voice asked, 'Who is there?'
He answered, 'It is I.'
The voice said, 'There is no room for Me and Thee.'
The door was shut.
After a year of solitude and deprivation he returned and knocked.
A voice from within asked, 'Who is there?'
The man said, 'It is Thee.'
The door was opened for him."
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
knocked. A voice asked, 'Who is there?'
He answered, 'It is I.'
The voice said, 'There is no room for Me and Thee.'
The door was shut.
After a year of solitude and deprivation he returned and knocked.
A voice from within asked, 'Who is there?'
The man said, 'It is Thee.'
The door was opened for him."
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
Rumi Poem 4
The garden of
Love
is green without
limit
and yields many
fruits
other than sorrow
and joy.
Love is beyond either
condition:
without spring,
without autumn,
it is always fresh.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
Love
is green without
limit
and yields many
fruits
other than sorrow
and joy.
Love is beyond either
condition:
without spring,
without autumn,
it is always fresh.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi
Spring Giddiness
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.
I would love to kiss you.
The price of kissing is your life.
Now my loving is running toward my life shouting,
What a bargain, let's buy it.
Daylight, full of small dancing particles
and the one great turning, our souls
are dancing with you, without feet, they dance.
Can you see them when I whisper in your ear?
All day and night, music,
a quiet, bright
reedsong. If it
fades, we fade.
(Excerpts from The Essential Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, 1995.
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.
I would love to kiss you.
The price of kissing is your life.
Now my loving is running toward my life shouting,
What a bargain, let's buy it.
Daylight, full of small dancing particles
and the one great turning, our souls
are dancing with you, without feet, they dance.
Can you see them when I whisper in your ear?
All day and night, music,
a quiet, bright
reedsong. If it
fades, we fade.
(Excerpts from The Essential Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, 1995.
Art as Flirtation and Surrender
In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
(Excerpts from The Essential Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, 1995.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
(Excerpts from The Essential Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, 1995.
I am Wind, You are Fire
O you who've gone on pilgrimage -
where are you, where, oh where?
Here, here is the Beloved!
Oh come now, come, oh come!
Your friend, he is your neighbor,
he is next to your wall -
You, erring in the desert -
what air of love is this?
If you'd see the Beloved's
form without any form -
You are the house, the master,
You are the Kaaba, you! . . .
Where is a bunch of roses,
if you would be this garden?
Where, one soul's pearly essence
when you're the Sea of God?
That's true - and yet your troubles
may turn to treasures rich -
How sad that you yourself veil
the treasure that is yours!
Rumi 'I Am Wind, You are Fire'
Translation by Annemarie Schimmel
where are you, where, oh where?
Here, here is the Beloved!
Oh come now, come, oh come!
Your friend, he is your neighbor,
he is next to your wall -
You, erring in the desert -
what air of love is this?
If you'd see the Beloved's
form without any form -
You are the house, the master,
You are the Kaaba, you! . . .
Where is a bunch of roses,
if you would be this garden?
Where, one soul's pearly essence
when you're the Sea of God?
That's true - and yet your troubles
may turn to treasures rich -
How sad that you yourself veil
the treasure that is yours!
Rumi 'I Am Wind, You are Fire'
Translation by Annemarie Schimmel
Be Lost in the Call
Lord, said David, since you do not need us,
why did you create these two worlds?
Reality replied: O prisoner of time,
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you've never seen the face.
Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw?
Yet clean away the mud and straw,
and a mirror might be revealed.
Until the juice ferments a while in the cask,
it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright,
you must do a little work.
My King addressed the soul of my flesh:
You return just as you left.
Where are the traces of my gifts?
We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold.
This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace.
He is a hat to a hundred bald men,
a covering for ten who were naked.
Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child!
How could a zephyr ride an ass?
Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream.
Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity.
Remember God so much that you are forgotten.
Let the caller and the called disappear;
be lost in the Call.
-
"Love is a Stranger", Kabir Helminski
Threshold Books, 1993
why did you create these two worlds?
Reality replied: O prisoner of time,
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you've never seen the face.
Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw?
Yet clean away the mud and straw,
and a mirror might be revealed.
Until the juice ferments a while in the cask,
it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright,
you must do a little work.
My King addressed the soul of my flesh:
You return just as you left.
Where are the traces of my gifts?
We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold.
This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace.
He is a hat to a hundred bald men,
a covering for ten who were naked.
Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child!
How could a zephyr ride an ass?
Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream.
Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity.
Remember God so much that you are forgotten.
Let the caller and the called disappear;
be lost in the Call.
-
"Love is a Stranger", Kabir Helminski
Threshold Books, 1993
Koleksi Karya Jalaluddin ar-Rumi
SEBERAPA JAUH ENGKAU DATANG!
Sesungguhnya, engkau adalah tanah liat. Dari bentukan mineral, kau menjadi sayur-sayuran. Dari sayuran, kau menjadi binatang, dan dari binatang ke manusia. Selama periode ini, manusia tidak tahu ke mana ia telah pergi, tetapi ia telah ditentukan menempuh perjalanan panjang. Dan engkau harus pergi melintasi ratusan dunia yang berbeda.
JALAN
Jalan sudah ditandai.
Jika menyimpang darinya, kau akan binasa.
Jika mencoba mengganggu tanda-tanda jalan tersebut,
kau melakukan perbuatan setan.
EMPAT LAKI-LAKI DAN PENERJEMAH
Empat orang diberi sekeping uang.
Pertama adalah orang Persia, ia berkata, "Aku akan membeli anggur."
Kedua adalah orang Arab, ia berkata, "Tidak, karena aku ingin inab."
Ketiga adalah orang Turki, ia berkata, "Aku tidak ingin inab, aku ingin uzum."
Keempat adalah orang Yunani, ia berkata, "Aku ingin stafil."
Karena mereka tidak tahu arti nama-nama tersebut, mereka mulai bertengkar. Mereka memang sudah mendapat informasi, tetapi tanpa pengetahuan.
Orang bijak yang memperhatikan mereka berkata, "Aku tidak dapat memenuhi semua keinginan kalian, hanya dengan sekeping uang yang sama. Jika kalian jujur percayalah kepadaku, sekeping uang kalian akan menjadi empat; dan keempatnya akan menjadi satu."
Mereka pun tahu bahwa sebenarnya keempatnya dalam bahasa masing-masing, menginginkan benda yang sama, buah anggur.
AKU ADALAH KEHIDUPAN KEKASIHKU
Apa yang dapat aku lakukan, wahai ummat Muslim?
Aku tidak mengetahui diriku sendiri.
Aku bukan Kristen, bukan Yahudi,
bukan Majusi, bukan Islam.
Bukan dari Timur, maupun Barat.
Bukan dari darat, maupun laut.
Bukan dari Sumber Alam,
bukan dari surga yang berputar,
Bukan dari bumi, air, udara, maupun api;
Bukan dari singgasana, penjara, eksistensi, maupun makhluk;
Bukan dari India, Cina, Bulgaria, Saqseen;
Bukan dari kerajaan Iraq, maupun Khurasan;
Bukan dari dunia kini atau akan datang:
surga atau neraka;
Bukan dari Adam, Hawa,
taman Surgawi atau Firdaus;
Tempatku tidak bertempat,
jejakku tidak berjejak.
Baik raga maupun jiwaku: semuanya
adalah kehidupan Kekasihku ...
BURUNG HANTU DAN ELANG RAJA
Seekor elang kerajaan hinggap di dinding reruntuhan yang dihuni burung hantu. Burung-burung hantu menakutkannya, si elang berkata, "Bagi kalian tempat ini mungkin tampak makmur, tetapi tempatku ada di pergelangan tangan raja." Beberapa burung hantu berteriak kepada temannya, "Jangan percaya kepadanya! Ia menggunakan tipu muslihat untuk mencuri rumah kita."
DIMENSI LAIN
Dunia tersembunyi memiliki awan dan hujan,
tetapi dalam jenis yang berbeda.
Langit dan cahaya mataharinya, juga berbeda.
Ini tampak nyata,
hanya untuk orang yang berbudi halus --
mereka yang tidak tertipu oleh kesempurnaan dunia yang semu.
MANFAAT PENGALAMAN
Kebenaran yang agung ada pada kita
Panas dan dingin, duka cita dan penderitaan,
Ketakutan dan kelemahan dari kekayaan dan raga
Bersama, supaya kepingan kita yang paling dalam
Menjadi nyata.
KESADARAN
Manusia mungkin berada dalam keadaan gembira, dan manusia lainnya berusaha untuk menyadarkan. Itu memang usaha yang baik. Namun keadaan ini mungkin buruk baginya, dan kesadaran mungkin baik baginya. Membangunkan orang yang tidur, baik atau buruk tergantung siapa yang melakukannya. Jika si pembangun adalah orang yang memiliki pencapaian tinggi, maka akan meningkatkan keadaan orang lain. Jika tidak, maka akan memburukkan kesadaran orang lain.
DIA TIDAK DI TEMPAT LAIN
Salib dan ummat Kristen, ujung ke ujung, sudah kuuji.
Dia tidak di Salib.
Aku pergi ke kuil Hindu, ke pagoda kuno.
Tidak ada tanda apa pun di dalamnya.
Menuju ke pegunungan Herat aku melangkah,
dan ke Kandahar Aku memandang.
Dia tidak di dataran tinggi
maupun dataran rendah. Dengan tegas,
aku pergi ke puncak gunung Kaf (yang menakjubkan).
Di sana cuma ada tempat tinggal
(legenda) burung Anqa.
Aku pergi ke Ka'bah di Mekkah.
Dia tidak ada di sana.
Aku menanyakannya kepada Avicenna (lbnu Sina) sang filosuf
Dia ada di luar jangkauan Avicenna ...
Aku melihat ke dalam hatiku sendiri.
Di situlah, tempatnya, aku melihat dirinya.
Dia tidak di tempat lain.
MEREKA YANG TAHU, TIDAK DAPAT BICARA
Kapan pun Rahasia Pemahaman diajarkan kepada semua orang
Bibir-Nya dijahit melawan pembicaraan tentang Kesadaran.
JOHA DAN KEMATIAN
Seorang anak laki-laki menangis dan berteriak di belakang jenazah ayahnya, ia berkata, "Ayah! Mereka membawamu ke tempat di mana tidak ada pelindung lantai. Di sana tidak ada cahaya, tidak ada makanan; tidak ada pintu maupun bantuan tetangga..."
Joha, diperingatkan karena penjelasan tampaknya mencukupi, berteriak kepada ayahnya sendiri:
"Orangtua yang dihormati oleh Allah, mereka diambil ke rumah kami!"
KECERDASAN DAN PEMAHAMAN SEJATI
Kecerdasan adalah bayangan dari Kebenaran obyektif
Bagaimana bayangan dapat bersaing dengan cahaya matahari?
REALITAS SEJATI
Di sini, tidak ada bukti akademis di dunia;
Karena tersembunyi, dan tersembunyi, dan tersembunyi.
JIWA MANUSIA
Pergilah lebih tinggi -- Lihatlah Jiwa Manusia!
PELEPASAN MENIMBULKAN PEMAHAMAN
Wahai Hati! Sampai dalam penjara muslihat,
kau dapat melihat perbedaan antara Ini dan Itu,
Karena pelepasan seketika dari Sumber Tirani;
bertahan di luar
KAU DAN AKU
Nikmati waktu selagi kita duduk di punjung, Kau dan Aku;
Dalam dua bentuk dan dua wajah -- dengan satu jiwa,
Kau dan Aku.
Warna-warni taman dan nyanyian burung memberi obat keabadian
Seketika kita menuju ke kebun buah-buahan, Kau dan Aku.
Bintang-bintang Surga keluar memandang kita --
Kita akan menunjukkan Bulan pada mereka, Kau dan Aku.
Kau dan Aku, dengan tiada 'Kau' atau 'Aku',
akan menjadi satu melalui rasa kita;
Bahagia, aman dari omong-kosong, Kau dan Aku.
Burung nuri yang ceria dari surga akan iri pada kita --
Ketika kita akan tertawa sedemikian rupa; Kau dan Aku.
Ini aneh, bahwa Kau dan Aku, di sudut sini ...
Keduanya dalam satu nafas di Iraq, dan di Khurasan --
Kau dan Aku.
DUA ALANG-ALANG
Dua alang-alang minum dari satu sungai.
Satunya palsu, lainnya tebu.
AKAN JADI APA DIRIKU?
Aku terus dan terus tumbuh seperti rumput;
Aku telah alami tujuhratus dan tujuhpuluh bentuk.
Aku mati dari mineral dan menjadi sayur-sayuran;
Dan dari sayuran Aku mati dan menjadi binatang.
Aku mati dari kebinatangan menjadi manusia.
Maka mengapa takut hilang melalui kematian?
Kelak aku akan mati
Membawa sayap dan bulu seperti malaikat:
Kemudian melambung lebih tinggi dari malaikat --
Apa yang tidak dapat kau bayangkan.
Aku akan menjadi itu.
RASUL
Rasul adalah mabuk tanpa anggur:
Rasul adalah kenyang tanpa makanan.
Rasul adalah terpesona, takjub:
Rasul adalah tidak makan maupun tidur
Rasul adalah raja di balik jubah kasar:
Rasul adalah harta benda dalam reruntuhan.
Rasul adalah bukan dari angin dan bumi:
Rasul adalah bukan dari api dan air.
Rasul adalah laut tanpa pantai:
Rasul adalah hujan mutiara tanpa menalang.
Rasul adalah memiliki ratusan bulan dan langit:
Rasul adalah memiliki ratusan cahaya matahari.
Rasul adalah bijaksana melalui Kebenaran:
Rasul adalah bukan sarjana karena buku.
Rasul adalah melebihi keyakinan dan kesangsian:
Karena Rasul apakah ada 'dosa' atau 'kebaikan'?
Rasul berangkat dari Ketiadaan:
Rasul telah tiba, benar-benar berangkat.
Rasul adalah, Tersembunyi, Wahai Syamsuddin!
Carilah, dan temukan - Rasul!
KEBENARAN
Nabi bersabda bahwa Kebenaran telah dinyatakan:
"Aku tidak tersembunyi, tinggi atau rendah
Tidak di bumi, langit atau singgasana.
Ini kepastian, wahai kekasih:
Aku tersembunyi di kaibu orang yang beriman.
Jika kau mencari aku, carilah di kalbu-kalbu ini."
ILMU PENGETAHUAN
Pengetahuan akan Kebenaran lenyap dalam pengetahuan Sufi. Kapan manusia akan memahami ucapan ini?
DEBU DI ATAS CERMIN
Hidup/jiwa seperti cermin bening; tubuh adalah debu di atasnya. Kecantikan kita tidak terasa, karena kita berada di bawah debu.
TINDAKAN DAN KATA-KATA
Aku memberi orang-orang
apa yang mereka inginkan.
Aku membawakan sajak karena mereka
menyukainya sebagai hiburan.
Di negaraku, orang tidak menyukai puisi.
Sudah lama aku mencari orang yang
menginginkan tindakan, tetapi
mereka semua ingin kata-kata.
Aku siap menunjukkan tindakan pada kalian;
tetapi tidak seorang pun akan menyikapinya.
Maka aku hadirkan padamu -- kata-kata.
Ketidakpedulian yang bodoh
akhirnya membahayakan,
Bagaimanapun hatinya satu denganmu.
KERJA
Kerja bukan seperti yang dipikirkan orang.
Bukan sekadar sesuatu yang
jika sedang berlangsung, kau
dapat melihatnya dari luar.
Seberapa lama kita, di Bumi-dunia,
seperti anak-anak
Memenuhi lintasan kita dengan debu dan batu dan serpihan-serpihan?
Mari kita tinggalkan dunia
dan terbang ke surga,
Mari kita tinggalkan kekanak-kanakan
dan menuju ke kelompok Manusia.
RUMAH
Jika sepuluh orang ingin memasuki sebuah rumah, dan hanya sembilan yang menemukan jalan masuk, yang kesepuluh mestinya tidak mengatakan, "Ini sudah takdir Tuhan."
Ia seharusnya mencari tahu apa kekurangannya.
BURUNG HANTU
Hanya burung bersuara merdu yang dikurung.
Burung hantu tidak dimasukkan sangkar
UPAYA
Ikat dua burung bersama.
Mereka tidak akan dapat terbang,
kendati mereka tahu memiliki empat sayap.
PENCARIAN
Carilah mutiara, saudaraku, di dalam tempurung;
Dan carilah keahlian diantara manusia di dunia.
TUGAS INI
Kau mempunyai tugas untuk dijalankan. Lakukan yang lainnya, lakukan sejumlah kegiatan, isilah waktumu secara penuh, dan jika kau tidak menjalankan tugas ini, seluruh waktumu akan sia-sia.
KOMUNITAS CINTA
Komunitas Cinta tersembunyi diantara orang banyak;
Seperti orang baik dikelilingi orang jahat.
Sesungguhnya, engkau adalah tanah liat. Dari bentukan mineral, kau menjadi sayur-sayuran. Dari sayuran, kau menjadi binatang, dan dari binatang ke manusia. Selama periode ini, manusia tidak tahu ke mana ia telah pergi, tetapi ia telah ditentukan menempuh perjalanan panjang. Dan engkau harus pergi melintasi ratusan dunia yang berbeda.
JALAN
Jalan sudah ditandai.
Jika menyimpang darinya, kau akan binasa.
Jika mencoba mengganggu tanda-tanda jalan tersebut,
kau melakukan perbuatan setan.
EMPAT LAKI-LAKI DAN PENERJEMAH
Empat orang diberi sekeping uang.
Pertama adalah orang Persia, ia berkata, "Aku akan membeli anggur."
Kedua adalah orang Arab, ia berkata, "Tidak, karena aku ingin inab."
Ketiga adalah orang Turki, ia berkata, "Aku tidak ingin inab, aku ingin uzum."
Keempat adalah orang Yunani, ia berkata, "Aku ingin stafil."
Karena mereka tidak tahu arti nama-nama tersebut, mereka mulai bertengkar. Mereka memang sudah mendapat informasi, tetapi tanpa pengetahuan.
Orang bijak yang memperhatikan mereka berkata, "Aku tidak dapat memenuhi semua keinginan kalian, hanya dengan sekeping uang yang sama. Jika kalian jujur percayalah kepadaku, sekeping uang kalian akan menjadi empat; dan keempatnya akan menjadi satu."
Mereka pun tahu bahwa sebenarnya keempatnya dalam bahasa masing-masing, menginginkan benda yang sama, buah anggur.
AKU ADALAH KEHIDUPAN KEKASIHKU
Apa yang dapat aku lakukan, wahai ummat Muslim?
Aku tidak mengetahui diriku sendiri.
Aku bukan Kristen, bukan Yahudi,
bukan Majusi, bukan Islam.
Bukan dari Timur, maupun Barat.
Bukan dari darat, maupun laut.
Bukan dari Sumber Alam,
bukan dari surga yang berputar,
Bukan dari bumi, air, udara, maupun api;
Bukan dari singgasana, penjara, eksistensi, maupun makhluk;
Bukan dari India, Cina, Bulgaria, Saqseen;
Bukan dari kerajaan Iraq, maupun Khurasan;
Bukan dari dunia kini atau akan datang:
surga atau neraka;
Bukan dari Adam, Hawa,
taman Surgawi atau Firdaus;
Tempatku tidak bertempat,
jejakku tidak berjejak.
Baik raga maupun jiwaku: semuanya
adalah kehidupan Kekasihku ...
BURUNG HANTU DAN ELANG RAJA
Seekor elang kerajaan hinggap di dinding reruntuhan yang dihuni burung hantu. Burung-burung hantu menakutkannya, si elang berkata, "Bagi kalian tempat ini mungkin tampak makmur, tetapi tempatku ada di pergelangan tangan raja." Beberapa burung hantu berteriak kepada temannya, "Jangan percaya kepadanya! Ia menggunakan tipu muslihat untuk mencuri rumah kita."
DIMENSI LAIN
Dunia tersembunyi memiliki awan dan hujan,
tetapi dalam jenis yang berbeda.
Langit dan cahaya mataharinya, juga berbeda.
Ini tampak nyata,
hanya untuk orang yang berbudi halus --
mereka yang tidak tertipu oleh kesempurnaan dunia yang semu.
MANFAAT PENGALAMAN
Kebenaran yang agung ada pada kita
Panas dan dingin, duka cita dan penderitaan,
Ketakutan dan kelemahan dari kekayaan dan raga
Bersama, supaya kepingan kita yang paling dalam
Menjadi nyata.
KESADARAN
Manusia mungkin berada dalam keadaan gembira, dan manusia lainnya berusaha untuk menyadarkan. Itu memang usaha yang baik. Namun keadaan ini mungkin buruk baginya, dan kesadaran mungkin baik baginya. Membangunkan orang yang tidur, baik atau buruk tergantung siapa yang melakukannya. Jika si pembangun adalah orang yang memiliki pencapaian tinggi, maka akan meningkatkan keadaan orang lain. Jika tidak, maka akan memburukkan kesadaran orang lain.
DIA TIDAK DI TEMPAT LAIN
Salib dan ummat Kristen, ujung ke ujung, sudah kuuji.
Dia tidak di Salib.
Aku pergi ke kuil Hindu, ke pagoda kuno.
Tidak ada tanda apa pun di dalamnya.
Menuju ke pegunungan Herat aku melangkah,
dan ke Kandahar Aku memandang.
Dia tidak di dataran tinggi
maupun dataran rendah. Dengan tegas,
aku pergi ke puncak gunung Kaf (yang menakjubkan).
Di sana cuma ada tempat tinggal
(legenda) burung Anqa.
Aku pergi ke Ka'bah di Mekkah.
Dia tidak ada di sana.
Aku menanyakannya kepada Avicenna (lbnu Sina) sang filosuf
Dia ada di luar jangkauan Avicenna ...
Aku melihat ke dalam hatiku sendiri.
Di situlah, tempatnya, aku melihat dirinya.
Dia tidak di tempat lain.
MEREKA YANG TAHU, TIDAK DAPAT BICARA
Kapan pun Rahasia Pemahaman diajarkan kepada semua orang
Bibir-Nya dijahit melawan pembicaraan tentang Kesadaran.
JOHA DAN KEMATIAN
Seorang anak laki-laki menangis dan berteriak di belakang jenazah ayahnya, ia berkata, "Ayah! Mereka membawamu ke tempat di mana tidak ada pelindung lantai. Di sana tidak ada cahaya, tidak ada makanan; tidak ada pintu maupun bantuan tetangga..."
Joha, diperingatkan karena penjelasan tampaknya mencukupi, berteriak kepada ayahnya sendiri:
"Orangtua yang dihormati oleh Allah, mereka diambil ke rumah kami!"
KECERDASAN DAN PEMAHAMAN SEJATI
Kecerdasan adalah bayangan dari Kebenaran obyektif
Bagaimana bayangan dapat bersaing dengan cahaya matahari?
REALITAS SEJATI
Di sini, tidak ada bukti akademis di dunia;
Karena tersembunyi, dan tersembunyi, dan tersembunyi.
JIWA MANUSIA
Pergilah lebih tinggi -- Lihatlah Jiwa Manusia!
PELEPASAN MENIMBULKAN PEMAHAMAN
Wahai Hati! Sampai dalam penjara muslihat,
kau dapat melihat perbedaan antara Ini dan Itu,
Karena pelepasan seketika dari Sumber Tirani;
bertahan di luar
KAU DAN AKU
Nikmati waktu selagi kita duduk di punjung, Kau dan Aku;
Dalam dua bentuk dan dua wajah -- dengan satu jiwa,
Kau dan Aku.
Warna-warni taman dan nyanyian burung memberi obat keabadian
Seketika kita menuju ke kebun buah-buahan, Kau dan Aku.
Bintang-bintang Surga keluar memandang kita --
Kita akan menunjukkan Bulan pada mereka, Kau dan Aku.
Kau dan Aku, dengan tiada 'Kau' atau 'Aku',
akan menjadi satu melalui rasa kita;
Bahagia, aman dari omong-kosong, Kau dan Aku.
Burung nuri yang ceria dari surga akan iri pada kita --
Ketika kita akan tertawa sedemikian rupa; Kau dan Aku.
Ini aneh, bahwa Kau dan Aku, di sudut sini ...
Keduanya dalam satu nafas di Iraq, dan di Khurasan --
Kau dan Aku.
DUA ALANG-ALANG
Dua alang-alang minum dari satu sungai.
Satunya palsu, lainnya tebu.
AKAN JADI APA DIRIKU?
Aku terus dan terus tumbuh seperti rumput;
Aku telah alami tujuhratus dan tujuhpuluh bentuk.
Aku mati dari mineral dan menjadi sayur-sayuran;
Dan dari sayuran Aku mati dan menjadi binatang.
Aku mati dari kebinatangan menjadi manusia.
Maka mengapa takut hilang melalui kematian?
Kelak aku akan mati
Membawa sayap dan bulu seperti malaikat:
Kemudian melambung lebih tinggi dari malaikat --
Apa yang tidak dapat kau bayangkan.
Aku akan menjadi itu.
RASUL
Rasul adalah mabuk tanpa anggur:
Rasul adalah kenyang tanpa makanan.
Rasul adalah terpesona, takjub:
Rasul adalah tidak makan maupun tidur
Rasul adalah raja di balik jubah kasar:
Rasul adalah harta benda dalam reruntuhan.
Rasul adalah bukan dari angin dan bumi:
Rasul adalah bukan dari api dan air.
Rasul adalah laut tanpa pantai:
Rasul adalah hujan mutiara tanpa menalang.
Rasul adalah memiliki ratusan bulan dan langit:
Rasul adalah memiliki ratusan cahaya matahari.
Rasul adalah bijaksana melalui Kebenaran:
Rasul adalah bukan sarjana karena buku.
Rasul adalah melebihi keyakinan dan kesangsian:
Karena Rasul apakah ada 'dosa' atau 'kebaikan'?
Rasul berangkat dari Ketiadaan:
Rasul telah tiba, benar-benar berangkat.
Rasul adalah, Tersembunyi, Wahai Syamsuddin!
Carilah, dan temukan - Rasul!
KEBENARAN
Nabi bersabda bahwa Kebenaran telah dinyatakan:
"Aku tidak tersembunyi, tinggi atau rendah
Tidak di bumi, langit atau singgasana.
Ini kepastian, wahai kekasih:
Aku tersembunyi di kaibu orang yang beriman.
Jika kau mencari aku, carilah di kalbu-kalbu ini."
ILMU PENGETAHUAN
Pengetahuan akan Kebenaran lenyap dalam pengetahuan Sufi. Kapan manusia akan memahami ucapan ini?
DEBU DI ATAS CERMIN
Hidup/jiwa seperti cermin bening; tubuh adalah debu di atasnya. Kecantikan kita tidak terasa, karena kita berada di bawah debu.
TINDAKAN DAN KATA-KATA
Aku memberi orang-orang
apa yang mereka inginkan.
Aku membawakan sajak karena mereka
menyukainya sebagai hiburan.
Di negaraku, orang tidak menyukai puisi.
Sudah lama aku mencari orang yang
menginginkan tindakan, tetapi
mereka semua ingin kata-kata.
Aku siap menunjukkan tindakan pada kalian;
tetapi tidak seorang pun akan menyikapinya.
Maka aku hadirkan padamu -- kata-kata.
Ketidakpedulian yang bodoh
akhirnya membahayakan,
Bagaimanapun hatinya satu denganmu.
KERJA
Kerja bukan seperti yang dipikirkan orang.
Bukan sekadar sesuatu yang
jika sedang berlangsung, kau
dapat melihatnya dari luar.
Seberapa lama kita, di Bumi-dunia,
seperti anak-anak
Memenuhi lintasan kita dengan debu dan batu dan serpihan-serpihan?
Mari kita tinggalkan dunia
dan terbang ke surga,
Mari kita tinggalkan kekanak-kanakan
dan menuju ke kelompok Manusia.
RUMAH
Jika sepuluh orang ingin memasuki sebuah rumah, dan hanya sembilan yang menemukan jalan masuk, yang kesepuluh mestinya tidak mengatakan, "Ini sudah takdir Tuhan."
Ia seharusnya mencari tahu apa kekurangannya.
BURUNG HANTU
Hanya burung bersuara merdu yang dikurung.
Burung hantu tidak dimasukkan sangkar
UPAYA
Ikat dua burung bersama.
Mereka tidak akan dapat terbang,
kendati mereka tahu memiliki empat sayap.
PENCARIAN
Carilah mutiara, saudaraku, di dalam tempurung;
Dan carilah keahlian diantara manusia di dunia.
TUGAS INI
Kau mempunyai tugas untuk dijalankan. Lakukan yang lainnya, lakukan sejumlah kegiatan, isilah waktumu secara penuh, dan jika kau tidak menjalankan tugas ini, seluruh waktumu akan sia-sia.
KOMUNITAS CINTA
Komunitas Cinta tersembunyi diantara orang banyak;
Seperti orang baik dikelilingi orang jahat.
7 advises of Jalaluddin ar-Rumi
By adikbongsu
1. In generosity and helping others, be like a river.
1. In compassion and grace, be like the sun.
1. In concealing others’ faults, be like the night.
1. In anger and fury, be like one who is dead.
1. In modesty and humility, be like the earth.
1. In tolerance, be like a sea.
1. Either exist as you are, or be as you look.
(source : http://badriyah-ummi-almujahidah.blogspot.com/)
1. In generosity and helping others, be like a river.
1. In compassion and grace, be like the sun.
1. In concealing others’ faults, be like the night.
1. In anger and fury, be like one who is dead.
1. In modesty and humility, be like the earth.
1. In tolerance, be like a sea.
1. Either exist as you are, or be as you look.
(source : http://badriyah-ummi-almujahidah.blogspot.com/)
MY THOUGHTS AND STUFF
Inner beauty reflects through the very skin.
Friday, November 21, 2008
by Jalaluddin ar-Rumi
Allah
I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He
was not there; I went to the Temple of the
Hindus and to the old pagodas, but I could not
find a trace of Him anywhere.
I searched on the mountains and in the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I
able to find Him. I went to the Ka'bah in Mecca,
but He was not there either.
I questioned the scholars and philosophers but
He was beyond their understanding.
I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.
Posted by Dr_Prastanta at 11/21/2008 10:06:00 PM
Labels: Karya
Friday, November 21, 2008
by Jalaluddin ar-Rumi
Allah
I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He
was not there; I went to the Temple of the
Hindus and to the old pagodas, but I could not
find a trace of Him anywhere.
I searched on the mountains and in the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I
able to find Him. I went to the Ka'bah in Mecca,
but He was not there either.
I questioned the scholars and philosophers but
He was beyond their understanding.
I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.
Posted by Dr_Prastanta at 11/21/2008 10:06:00 PM
Labels: Karya
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Multi-Level Marketing Schemes
By The Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia for Research and Fatwâ
17 May 2005
The Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia for Research and Fatwâ
The type of business based upon a pyramid scheme – or “multi-level marketing” as it is often called – is unlawful. The real objective of such a business is to obtain the commissions earned from introducing new members to the company and not to earn profits from the sale of the products themselves. At a time when the commissions may reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, the revenue collected from the sale of the products might only be a few hundred. Any person of sense who is given a choice in such a scheme will obviously go for the commission.
This is the reason why companies of this kind, when promoting themselves, depend so heavily on showing the large volume of substantial commissions that they are giving out. They attract customers by the promise of large returns against the payment of a relatively modest initial sum that is often represented as the “price of the product”. The product this company is marketing, however, is merely a pretext to obtain commissions and to profit from those commissions.
With this being the true nature of the business, the Islamic ruling on it is that it is unlawful. The reasons for it being unlawful are as follows.
1. It entails the two kinds of unlawful interest:
a. Ribâ al-fadl: the interest resulting from an exchange of like for like in an unequal manner
b. Ribâ al-nasî’ah: the interest that is paid in lieu of credit.
The subscriber is paying a smaller sum at present in order to obtain a much larger sum of money at a later time in exchange for it. This is essentially an exchange of one sum of money for another sum of money of a greater value with a time delay. This is unlawful interest, as stated clearly by the sacred texts and agreed upon by consensus.
The product that is sold by the company is only a pretext for the real exchange that is going on. It is not intended in and of itself, and thus does not have any affect on the ruling.
2. It entails an unlawful degree of transactional uncertainty (gharar)
This uncertainty results from the subscriber not knowing whether or not he can obtain the required number of new subscriber to obtain his commission.
This pyramid scheme, no matter how long it lasts, will eventually come to an end. The subscriber is going into this pyramid scheme not knowing where he ranks in it; whether he will be in one of the higher tiers that will receive large profits or in one the lower tiers that will lose out.
As a matter of fact, the majority of the subscribers will be losers and only a minority will profit. Thus, loss in such schemes predominates, and this is the nature of transactional uncertainty. Here is a case where there is uncertainty between two outcomes, the most likely of them being the worst.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade transactional uncertainty, as related by Abû Hurayrah who said: “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) forbade business transactions determined by the throw of a stone and business transactions involving uncertainty.” [Sahîh Muslim (1513)]
3. It entails taking the money of others falsely.
It is essentially only the company that profits along with those who persuade others by way of deception to hand over their money to the company.
Allah says: “O you who believe! Do not devour your wealth among yourselves falsely.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 29]
4. It entails deception and fraud.
The company deceives people by misrepresenting its product as its business, when the sale of the product is not its true goal. It also engages in deception by holding out the promise of substantial commissions to would-be subscribers, when such large commissions are for most subscribers not possible to achieve. This is unlawful deception.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who cheats us is not one of us.” [Sahîh Muslim (101)]
This business arrangement cannot rightly be described as a brokerage agreement
A broker receives a commission for the sale of a real product, while there is no real product being sold here. In fact, the subscriber in a multi-level marketing scheme is actually paying for the right to market the product.
Also, with a real brokerage contract, the purpose behind it is actually to sell the product, whereas in multi-level marketing, the purpose is to sell memberships and not the product itself. This is why a subscriber strives to market to others the right to market to others, so that they can in turn market to others the right to market to others ad infinitum.
In a brokerage agreement, by contrast, the broker is out to get the product sold to someone who actually wants to purchase it.
These commissions, likewise, cannot be described as gifts or bonuses
Even if we were to classify these commissions as gifts, Islamic Law would view them as unlawful gifts. Not all gifts are permitted by Islamic Law. For instance, the gift from a debtor to his creditor is considered usury.
This is why `Abd Allah b. Salâm, the eminent Companion, said to Abû Bardah: “You are in a land where the practice of interest is rife. Therefore, it someone is in debt to you and gives you a gift – say, a bail of straw, a load of barley, or a pile of feed – then that is interest.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3814)]
A gift takes the ruling of the purpose behind it. For this reason, when a Zakâh collector came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “This is for you and this is what was given to me as a gift.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to this by saying: “Had you been sitting at home with your mother and father, would he have come to you and given you that gift?” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2597) and Sahîh Muslim (1832)]
The commissions given by the company in a pyramid scheme are given only on the basis of membership. Therefore, no matter what name we choose to give it, it will not affect what it actually is or the legal ruling that it takes.
The Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia for Research and Fatwâ
Chairman:Sheikh `Abd al-`Azîz Âl al-Sheikh
Members:Sheikh Sâlih al-Fawzân,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Ghudayân,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Mutlaq,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Rakbân, & Sheikh Ahmad al-Mubârakî
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein contain positions and viewpoints that are not necessarily those of the Federation of Maranao Associations in Saudi (FEMAS) being the sponsor of Maranao.Com. These are offered as a means for FEMAS to stimulate dialogue and discussion in our continuing mission of being an educational organization.
The Maranao.Com website may occasionally contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. FEMAS is making such material available in its effort to advance understanding of humanitarian, education, democracy, and social justice issues, etc. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
17 May 2005
The Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia for Research and Fatwâ
The type of business based upon a pyramid scheme – or “multi-level marketing” as it is often called – is unlawful. The real objective of such a business is to obtain the commissions earned from introducing new members to the company and not to earn profits from the sale of the products themselves. At a time when the commissions may reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, the revenue collected from the sale of the products might only be a few hundred. Any person of sense who is given a choice in such a scheme will obviously go for the commission.
This is the reason why companies of this kind, when promoting themselves, depend so heavily on showing the large volume of substantial commissions that they are giving out. They attract customers by the promise of large returns against the payment of a relatively modest initial sum that is often represented as the “price of the product”. The product this company is marketing, however, is merely a pretext to obtain commissions and to profit from those commissions.
With this being the true nature of the business, the Islamic ruling on it is that it is unlawful. The reasons for it being unlawful are as follows.
1. It entails the two kinds of unlawful interest:
a. Ribâ al-fadl: the interest resulting from an exchange of like for like in an unequal manner
b. Ribâ al-nasî’ah: the interest that is paid in lieu of credit.
The subscriber is paying a smaller sum at present in order to obtain a much larger sum of money at a later time in exchange for it. This is essentially an exchange of one sum of money for another sum of money of a greater value with a time delay. This is unlawful interest, as stated clearly by the sacred texts and agreed upon by consensus.
The product that is sold by the company is only a pretext for the real exchange that is going on. It is not intended in and of itself, and thus does not have any affect on the ruling.
2. It entails an unlawful degree of transactional uncertainty (gharar)
This uncertainty results from the subscriber not knowing whether or not he can obtain the required number of new subscriber to obtain his commission.
This pyramid scheme, no matter how long it lasts, will eventually come to an end. The subscriber is going into this pyramid scheme not knowing where he ranks in it; whether he will be in one of the higher tiers that will receive large profits or in one the lower tiers that will lose out.
As a matter of fact, the majority of the subscribers will be losers and only a minority will profit. Thus, loss in such schemes predominates, and this is the nature of transactional uncertainty. Here is a case where there is uncertainty between two outcomes, the most likely of them being the worst.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade transactional uncertainty, as related by Abû Hurayrah who said: “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) forbade business transactions determined by the throw of a stone and business transactions involving uncertainty.” [Sahîh Muslim (1513)]
3. It entails taking the money of others falsely.
It is essentially only the company that profits along with those who persuade others by way of deception to hand over their money to the company.
Allah says: “O you who believe! Do not devour your wealth among yourselves falsely.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 29]
4. It entails deception and fraud.
The company deceives people by misrepresenting its product as its business, when the sale of the product is not its true goal. It also engages in deception by holding out the promise of substantial commissions to would-be subscribers, when such large commissions are for most subscribers not possible to achieve. This is unlawful deception.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who cheats us is not one of us.” [Sahîh Muslim (101)]
This business arrangement cannot rightly be described as a brokerage agreement
A broker receives a commission for the sale of a real product, while there is no real product being sold here. In fact, the subscriber in a multi-level marketing scheme is actually paying for the right to market the product.
Also, with a real brokerage contract, the purpose behind it is actually to sell the product, whereas in multi-level marketing, the purpose is to sell memberships and not the product itself. This is why a subscriber strives to market to others the right to market to others, so that they can in turn market to others the right to market to others ad infinitum.
In a brokerage agreement, by contrast, the broker is out to get the product sold to someone who actually wants to purchase it.
These commissions, likewise, cannot be described as gifts or bonuses
Even if we were to classify these commissions as gifts, Islamic Law would view them as unlawful gifts. Not all gifts are permitted by Islamic Law. For instance, the gift from a debtor to his creditor is considered usury.
This is why `Abd Allah b. Salâm, the eminent Companion, said to Abû Bardah: “You are in a land where the practice of interest is rife. Therefore, it someone is in debt to you and gives you a gift – say, a bail of straw, a load of barley, or a pile of feed – then that is interest.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3814)]
A gift takes the ruling of the purpose behind it. For this reason, when a Zakâh collector came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “This is for you and this is what was given to me as a gift.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to this by saying: “Had you been sitting at home with your mother and father, would he have come to you and given you that gift?” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2597) and Sahîh Muslim (1832)]
The commissions given by the company in a pyramid scheme are given only on the basis of membership. Therefore, no matter what name we choose to give it, it will not affect what it actually is or the legal ruling that it takes.
The Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia for Research and Fatwâ
Chairman:Sheikh `Abd al-`Azîz Âl al-Sheikh
Members:Sheikh Sâlih al-Fawzân,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Ghudayân,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Mutlaq,Sheikh `Abd Allah al-Rakbân, & Sheikh Ahmad al-Mubârakî
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Shariah Issues in Multi Level Marketing
By : Ust Hj Zaharuddin Hj Abd Rahman
www.zaharuddin.net
Multi Level Marketing (MLM) is very popular in Malaysia, used not only in promoting consumer goods but also in promoting financial instruments such as Islamic unit trust funds and Takaful products. Statistics show that in year 2003 the MLM industry in Malaysia has recorded sales of more than RM 4 billion and more than 3 million people are involved in MLM transactions.
Me and Syeikh Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah (in the Middle) at Dallah AlBarakah Conference on Oct 2005
The above statistics render evidence that MLM is now a widely acceptable marketing strategy used by various companies and industries. This phenomenon has raised a lot of concerns and queries among the general public especially form the Shariah (Islamic law) point of view regarding the Islamic legality of income earned by joining these MLMs. However, rarely do we come across Shariah scholars (both locally and overseas) that analyze and evaluate MLMs in order to provide definite answers and guideline to the general publics' queries. The complex issues in MLM and perhaps the lack of interest of Shariah scholars in MLM practice might provide possible explanation for the limited number of opinions by the scholars regarding the matter.
The ‘Ustaz' and Multi Level Marketing
I was also flooded with zillion of questions regarding MLM and Shariah issues. Initially I tried to shun away from the questions because there was just too many MLM structures and this would make it difficult for anybody to provide a clear Shariah injunction regarding the matter. In addition, there are a lot of people who are currently involved in MLM and most of them, seem to be ‘fanatic' and very confident that the MLM structure and the income generated from it is Halal.
In addition, there seems to be a number of Shariah and Islamic studies graduates (the so called Ustaz and Ustazah) that promote various products using these MLM schemes. To add some spice and flavor to their promotion, these groups would claim that MLM is halal and they would quote various proofs from Al-Qur'an and Hadith that encourage Muslims to do business and improve their economic condition. As a matter of fact, the ‘evidences' quoted by them is general in meaning and does not provide specific verification of MLM and their pyramid scheme.
To be honest, there are quite a number of people influenced by the campaign of these groups of ustaz and ustazah. These people join the MLM schemes without any second thoughts whether it is halal or haram just because is has been approved by an ‘ustaz'. Therefore I would like to remind all the shariah and Islamic studies graduates to be more prudent in giving out any injunction and to carry out detailed analysis before promoting and claiming that MLM is halal. The opportunity to make sky-high profit in MLM scheme should not overshadow our opinion and the injunction we put forward. This reminder is vital as there are a lot of people who exploit the endorsement by the ‘ustaz' to advocate their MLM. Al-Laith bin Sa'ad said: "If the people with the understanding of halal and haram reviewed this problem, they would not endorse it as there is an element of gambling in it" (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, no 2346). Sayyidina Umar al-Khattab r.a reminded us:
لا يبع في سوقنا إلا من قد تفقه في الدين
"Do not trade in the markets unless you have full understanding about religion and trading." (Narrated by Tirmidzi, no 487, p 129; Albani: Hasan)
I believe it is best to share a general guide of Shariah issues in MLM so it could serve as a reference to help the general public make proper decision before they drown deeper into the quicksand of MLM. However, one has to bear in mind that this general guide is not meant to condemn any specific MLM brand or structure that exist either in Malaysia or overseas. This guide only provides an overview and highlights of several Shariah issues regarding MLM.
Definition of MLM
Generally Multi Level Marketing (also known as network marketing) refers to an alternative approach of conducting business that involves selling of goods and services through a network of distributors. It involves multiple levels of distributors known as upline and downline. The growth of MLM network could involve vertical (up-down) expansion, horizontal (right-left) expansion or a combination of both. (See All About MLM by Benny Santoso, p 28)
MLM practices : Between Haram and Syubhah
MLM that employ these schemes in their operation is clearly prohibited (haram) or Syubhah in Shariah:
1) Inflated Selling Prices: Some goods and services sold through MLM network are traded at higher prices compared to its market prices just to ensure the MLM companies enjoy a higher rate of return and are able to pay commission to their distributors. This practice is not recommended in Islam and according to some jurists this kind of contract is null and void. This practice is known as ‘Gabhnun Fahisyh'. However, there are differences of opinion regarding this practice. Some scholars say it's permissible (harus); some say it's undesirable (makruh) while others say it's prohibited (haram). (Durar al-Hukkam Fi Syarh Majallah al-Ahkam, clause no 356, p 369). Nevertheless, Prophet Muhammad SAW has indicated that selling goods at inflated price to those who do not have adequate knowledge regarding the pricing of goods is a form of oppression. (Al-Qawaid, Ibn Rusyd, p 601)
2) Sales target as a pre-requisite for commission payment: Usually, in addition to the membership fee, MLM companies would set a minimum sales target for the upline if they would like to enjoy any commission from the sales of their downline. If they fail to achieve this target, their membership maybe terminated or they would not be entitled to receive any commission although their downline has transacted a large amount of sales. Every MLMs that has this kind of pre-requisite would face some Shariah issues because this pre-requisite is a form of oppression. A policy that states "You must maintain a monthly personal sale, say RM500 in order for you to enjoy the commission from your downline's sale" involves a conditional sale where the condition is set to the disadvantage of the member. This policy implies a form of coercion.
Generally, commission that is earned through sales of goods and services (like brokerage fee) is permissible (harus) in Islam; this is the opinion of prominent Muslim scholars like Muhammad Ibn Sirin, ‘Ato' Bin Abi Rabah, Ibrahim an-Nakha'ie and many more (Sohih Al-Bukhari ; Al-Musannaf, 5/242 ; Mawahibul Jalil, 4/452 ). However, the commission in MLM and pyramid schemes may convert to haram status if:
* Sales commission of the network is tied to his/her personal sale. This condition raises several Shariah constraints because it involves oppression, invalid conditions and gambling like activities. A conditional contract like this results in unclear task of the agent or broker. If he is only the broker or agent, why should he be compelled to maintain certain level of sales? This is an implied coercion stated subtly in the agency contract. Therefore the nature of the agency contract is ambiguous (syubhah) and thus contaminates the commission received.
* Commission originates from an unknown downline because the network is too big. As a result, the upline seem to enjoy commission without the need to put any effort. This could be classified as compound brokerage (broker on broker on broker). In my discussion with Syeikh Prof. Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah (Main Shariah Expert in Islamic Finance at the International Fiqh Academy - Kesatuan Fiqh Sedunia, AAOIFI, Dow Jones Islamic Index and many more association), he pointed out that compound brokerage falls under the category of eating up another's property unjustly and has an element of gambling in it. The main factor that contributes to this is the fact that compound brokerage automatically implies that a portion from the sales of the downline will be channeled to the upline.
3) No tangible product for sale: Some MLM schemes only require the members to register and find more downline without the need to sell any product. With each new member introduced, the upline enjoy a portion of the registration fee of the downline. The more new members, one could attract, the more bonus he or she would enjoy. This is a form of Riba Nasiah and Riba Al-Fadl because it involves trading of money for more money in the future.
The same rule applies for MLM that does not have a product of good quality but only introduces a product for the sake of fulfilling the sales requirement. For example a product that only involves a web section in the Internet at inflated subscription price that is of no benefit to the members. In some cases the member does not even own a computer to utilize the web section. In reality the member is not interested to buy the product in the first place. He or she just wants to join the marketing network and earn bonuses from it. The Standing Committee of the Saudi Arabia Fatwa Council has classified buying bogus products as a mean to join network marketing in order to earn bonuses as haram. (Fatwa Council Al-Lajnah Ad-Daimah Arab Saudi no 15/192-193.)
4) Manipulation by MLM company: Some MLM companies manipulate their product, coerce the member to use their product or sell haram products. All these activities are cleary prohibited (haram).
5) Two in one contract: There are also elements of 2 in 1 contracts that is known as "shafqatayn fi shafqah" or bay'atayn fi bay'ah: This type of contract is forbidden by the Prophet SAW:
نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صفقتين في صفقة واحدة
"The prophet SAW prohibited two sales in one (contract)." [Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Bazzar ; Al-Haithami : The chain of narration from Ahmad is trustworthy (thiqah); 4/84 ]
Two in one contract occurs in MLM due to several factors as below:-
Firstly, the purpose of the initial membership fee is not clear - is it for the purpose of becoming the member of the network or is it for the purpose of buying the product.
Secondly, after becoming the member of a network he or she is automatically appointed as an agent of the company to recruit more members.
Combining these two factors, the contract would fall in the category of two in one contract. The first contract involves an exchange contract (‘Uqud Mu'awadat) where the fee is exchanged with membership right or product acquisition. However at the same time, another contract is executed - an agency with fee (Wakalah Bil Ujr) contract - where the member is appointed as an agent for the MLM to sell its product and recruit new members for a return of commission. Two contracts - exchange and agency - are executed within one contract.
The International Fiqh Academy (Majma' Fiqh Islami) has issued a legal verdict declaring that PT Biznas (a MLM scheme) is haram. The verdict also ruled that the commission paid is not like a brokerage fee because it involves activities similar to gambling. (Refer to verdict no 3/24, 17 July 2003). In addition, Syeikh Salim Al-Hilali also released a verdict prohibiting MLM. He said: "Many question has been put forward regarding the popular business (MLM). Generally, it follows the pyramid scheme in its marketing strategy where each member has to find a new member and so on and so forth. Each member pays a fee to the company with the objective to attain bonus. The more members one could attract, the more bonus they would enjoy. Majority of those who join these companies are motivated by the lucrative bonus offered and hope to get rich fast. They are not concerned about the product at all."This type of business is pure gambling because:
Ø In reality, the members of MLMs are not concerned about the product. They join the marketing network only to attain instant profit via the membership fee of new members.
Ø The actual price of the product is less than 30% of the price paid to the MLM company.
Ø The purpose of the business is to develop continuous network of people. With this network, large number of people at the bottom of the pyramid (downline) pays money to a few people at the top (upline). In this scheme, no new wealth is created, the only wealth gained by any participant is wealth lost by other participants. Each new member pays for the chance to profit from payment of others who might join later."
It is very rare to find MLMs that does not incorporate the prohibited activities I have mentioned above. Therefore, I remind all the Islamic unit trust and Takaful agents to be cautious and not to fall into the realm of MLM. If you still feel that MLM is halal after reading through all the prohibited activities I have highlighted above, then one should ensure the minimum level of Shariah compliance of the following:
1. Real sale of goods: The products should have tangible benefit to the members or users like health supplements of good quality and other goods. Therefore, goods which have no tangible benefit, of low quality that do not meet the requirements for a real sale of goods, naturally being used to hide the pyramid scheme in MLMs and serve as legal tricks to avoid Shariah prohibition. Therefore, the strength of a MLM should be based on the product quality and not based on the ability to make large profit out of new members fee.
2. The product is not gold or silver or currencies: Gold, silver and currencies are ribawi items and should observe strict Shariah rules that only permit spot transactions. Gold, silver and currencies could not be sold on deferred basis because it will be tantamount to Riba Nasiah.
3. Commission paid to each member is transparent: There should not be any commission paid without effort. Therefore an upline is only entitled to the commission of the downline whom he or she has helped.
4. Commission is not based on number of new recruits: Commission should be based on the amount of sales that one has managed to achieve. This is important to ensure that the MLM focuses on real business and is not a mere money game.
5. No sales target as a pre-requisite for commission payment: There should not be any form of implied coercion by setting this kind of condition.
6. Every upline should put effort to help their downline: Upline should assist their downline by arranging for meetings, giving motivation and explaining sales techniques to their downline. This is important to ensure the upline is legally (from shariah perspective) entitled to the commission received. If not, the commission received may be categorized as ambiguous (syubhah) income. If the network is too big and the upline does not even know the downline what else to offer assistance, then why should the upline still attain benefit at the expense of the new member? This would result in compound brokerage mentioned above.
7. Does not utilize pyramid scheme i.e First In Rich Forever (FIRF) scheme: The marketing plan should ensure that everybody has an opportunity to get commission based on their performance and not according to First in Rich Forever scheme. In FIRF schemes, those who join a MLM company at its infant/early stage will always gain more as more members join although the new member is able to sell/perform better than those who join earlier. If it is a genuine business, a downline who performs better than an upline should be able to make more profit than the upline.
8. Disclosure of the commission system should be transparent and understandable: This is to ensure that there will be no fraud and the members could observe the commission payment easily.
9. Structuring of marketing plan based on partnership (musharakah) contract: The best way to set up a marketing plan is based on musharakah where profit and losses in the business is shared according to according to the capital ratio. The parties should agree upon the profit sharing ratio before entering into the contract.
Last but not least, I am aware that rulings regarding MLM are not yet concluded and are still open for discussions. Even Syeikh Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah, during our discussion, pointed out that the MLM issue is still new to him. It is difficult to find writings of Middle Eastern scholars regarding MLM because MLM has yet to enter the Arab countries massively. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the South East Asian scholars to elaborate on this topic to provide the general public with guidelines about Shariah issues in MLM. This short writing is only a preliminary opinion intended to remind all of us about the ambiguity or doubtness that is embedded in MLM schemes. Readers should not be annoyed and irritated by the article. It is only a reminder for those who are concerned about the legality of their income and a forewarning for those who ponder upon the infinite life after death. Wallahu ‘alam.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (14 Zulhijjah 1427 H = 4 Januari 2007)
www.zaharuddin.net
Multi Level Marketing (MLM) is very popular in Malaysia, used not only in promoting consumer goods but also in promoting financial instruments such as Islamic unit trust funds and Takaful products. Statistics show that in year 2003 the MLM industry in Malaysia has recorded sales of more than RM 4 billion and more than 3 million people are involved in MLM transactions.
Me and Syeikh Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah (in the Middle) at Dallah AlBarakah Conference on Oct 2005
The above statistics render evidence that MLM is now a widely acceptable marketing strategy used by various companies and industries. This phenomenon has raised a lot of concerns and queries among the general public especially form the Shariah (Islamic law) point of view regarding the Islamic legality of income earned by joining these MLMs. However, rarely do we come across Shariah scholars (both locally and overseas) that analyze and evaluate MLMs in order to provide definite answers and guideline to the general publics' queries. The complex issues in MLM and perhaps the lack of interest of Shariah scholars in MLM practice might provide possible explanation for the limited number of opinions by the scholars regarding the matter.
The ‘Ustaz' and Multi Level Marketing
I was also flooded with zillion of questions regarding MLM and Shariah issues. Initially I tried to shun away from the questions because there was just too many MLM structures and this would make it difficult for anybody to provide a clear Shariah injunction regarding the matter. In addition, there are a lot of people who are currently involved in MLM and most of them, seem to be ‘fanatic' and very confident that the MLM structure and the income generated from it is Halal.
In addition, there seems to be a number of Shariah and Islamic studies graduates (the so called Ustaz and Ustazah) that promote various products using these MLM schemes. To add some spice and flavor to their promotion, these groups would claim that MLM is halal and they would quote various proofs from Al-Qur'an and Hadith that encourage Muslims to do business and improve their economic condition. As a matter of fact, the ‘evidences' quoted by them is general in meaning and does not provide specific verification of MLM and their pyramid scheme.
To be honest, there are quite a number of people influenced by the campaign of these groups of ustaz and ustazah. These people join the MLM schemes without any second thoughts whether it is halal or haram just because is has been approved by an ‘ustaz'. Therefore I would like to remind all the shariah and Islamic studies graduates to be more prudent in giving out any injunction and to carry out detailed analysis before promoting and claiming that MLM is halal. The opportunity to make sky-high profit in MLM scheme should not overshadow our opinion and the injunction we put forward. This reminder is vital as there are a lot of people who exploit the endorsement by the ‘ustaz' to advocate their MLM. Al-Laith bin Sa'ad said: "If the people with the understanding of halal and haram reviewed this problem, they would not endorse it as there is an element of gambling in it" (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, no 2346). Sayyidina Umar al-Khattab r.a reminded us:
لا يبع في سوقنا إلا من قد تفقه في الدين
"Do not trade in the markets unless you have full understanding about religion and trading." (Narrated by Tirmidzi, no 487, p 129; Albani: Hasan)
I believe it is best to share a general guide of Shariah issues in MLM so it could serve as a reference to help the general public make proper decision before they drown deeper into the quicksand of MLM. However, one has to bear in mind that this general guide is not meant to condemn any specific MLM brand or structure that exist either in Malaysia or overseas. This guide only provides an overview and highlights of several Shariah issues regarding MLM.
Definition of MLM
Generally Multi Level Marketing (also known as network marketing) refers to an alternative approach of conducting business that involves selling of goods and services through a network of distributors. It involves multiple levels of distributors known as upline and downline. The growth of MLM network could involve vertical (up-down) expansion, horizontal (right-left) expansion or a combination of both. (See All About MLM by Benny Santoso, p 28)
MLM practices : Between Haram and Syubhah
MLM that employ these schemes in their operation is clearly prohibited (haram) or Syubhah in Shariah:
1) Inflated Selling Prices: Some goods and services sold through MLM network are traded at higher prices compared to its market prices just to ensure the MLM companies enjoy a higher rate of return and are able to pay commission to their distributors. This practice is not recommended in Islam and according to some jurists this kind of contract is null and void. This practice is known as ‘Gabhnun Fahisyh'. However, there are differences of opinion regarding this practice. Some scholars say it's permissible (harus); some say it's undesirable (makruh) while others say it's prohibited (haram). (Durar al-Hukkam Fi Syarh Majallah al-Ahkam, clause no 356, p 369). Nevertheless, Prophet Muhammad SAW has indicated that selling goods at inflated price to those who do not have adequate knowledge regarding the pricing of goods is a form of oppression. (Al-Qawaid, Ibn Rusyd, p 601)
2) Sales target as a pre-requisite for commission payment: Usually, in addition to the membership fee, MLM companies would set a minimum sales target for the upline if they would like to enjoy any commission from the sales of their downline. If they fail to achieve this target, their membership maybe terminated or they would not be entitled to receive any commission although their downline has transacted a large amount of sales. Every MLMs that has this kind of pre-requisite would face some Shariah issues because this pre-requisite is a form of oppression. A policy that states "You must maintain a monthly personal sale, say RM500 in order for you to enjoy the commission from your downline's sale" involves a conditional sale where the condition is set to the disadvantage of the member. This policy implies a form of coercion.
Generally, commission that is earned through sales of goods and services (like brokerage fee) is permissible (harus) in Islam; this is the opinion of prominent Muslim scholars like Muhammad Ibn Sirin, ‘Ato' Bin Abi Rabah, Ibrahim an-Nakha'ie and many more (Sohih Al-Bukhari ; Al-Musannaf, 5/242 ; Mawahibul Jalil, 4/452 ). However, the commission in MLM and pyramid schemes may convert to haram status if:
* Sales commission of the network is tied to his/her personal sale. This condition raises several Shariah constraints because it involves oppression, invalid conditions and gambling like activities. A conditional contract like this results in unclear task of the agent or broker. If he is only the broker or agent, why should he be compelled to maintain certain level of sales? This is an implied coercion stated subtly in the agency contract. Therefore the nature of the agency contract is ambiguous (syubhah) and thus contaminates the commission received.
* Commission originates from an unknown downline because the network is too big. As a result, the upline seem to enjoy commission without the need to put any effort. This could be classified as compound brokerage (broker on broker on broker). In my discussion with Syeikh Prof. Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah (Main Shariah Expert in Islamic Finance at the International Fiqh Academy - Kesatuan Fiqh Sedunia, AAOIFI, Dow Jones Islamic Index and many more association), he pointed out that compound brokerage falls under the category of eating up another's property unjustly and has an element of gambling in it. The main factor that contributes to this is the fact that compound brokerage automatically implies that a portion from the sales of the downline will be channeled to the upline.
3) No tangible product for sale: Some MLM schemes only require the members to register and find more downline without the need to sell any product. With each new member introduced, the upline enjoy a portion of the registration fee of the downline. The more new members, one could attract, the more bonus he or she would enjoy. This is a form of Riba Nasiah and Riba Al-Fadl because it involves trading of money for more money in the future.
The same rule applies for MLM that does not have a product of good quality but only introduces a product for the sake of fulfilling the sales requirement. For example a product that only involves a web section in the Internet at inflated subscription price that is of no benefit to the members. In some cases the member does not even own a computer to utilize the web section. In reality the member is not interested to buy the product in the first place. He or she just wants to join the marketing network and earn bonuses from it. The Standing Committee of the Saudi Arabia Fatwa Council has classified buying bogus products as a mean to join network marketing in order to earn bonuses as haram. (Fatwa Council Al-Lajnah Ad-Daimah Arab Saudi no 15/192-193.)
4) Manipulation by MLM company: Some MLM companies manipulate their product, coerce the member to use their product or sell haram products. All these activities are cleary prohibited (haram).
5) Two in one contract: There are also elements of 2 in 1 contracts that is known as "shafqatayn fi shafqah" or bay'atayn fi bay'ah: This type of contract is forbidden by the Prophet SAW:
نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صفقتين في صفقة واحدة
"The prophet SAW prohibited two sales in one (contract)." [Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Bazzar ; Al-Haithami : The chain of narration from Ahmad is trustworthy (thiqah); 4/84 ]
Two in one contract occurs in MLM due to several factors as below:-
Firstly, the purpose of the initial membership fee is not clear - is it for the purpose of becoming the member of the network or is it for the purpose of buying the product.
Secondly, after becoming the member of a network he or she is automatically appointed as an agent of the company to recruit more members.
Combining these two factors, the contract would fall in the category of two in one contract. The first contract involves an exchange contract (‘Uqud Mu'awadat) where the fee is exchanged with membership right or product acquisition. However at the same time, another contract is executed - an agency with fee (Wakalah Bil Ujr) contract - where the member is appointed as an agent for the MLM to sell its product and recruit new members for a return of commission. Two contracts - exchange and agency - are executed within one contract.
The International Fiqh Academy (Majma' Fiqh Islami) has issued a legal verdict declaring that PT Biznas (a MLM scheme) is haram. The verdict also ruled that the commission paid is not like a brokerage fee because it involves activities similar to gambling. (Refer to verdict no 3/24, 17 July 2003). In addition, Syeikh Salim Al-Hilali also released a verdict prohibiting MLM. He said: "Many question has been put forward regarding the popular business (MLM). Generally, it follows the pyramid scheme in its marketing strategy where each member has to find a new member and so on and so forth. Each member pays a fee to the company with the objective to attain bonus. The more members one could attract, the more bonus they would enjoy. Majority of those who join these companies are motivated by the lucrative bonus offered and hope to get rich fast. They are not concerned about the product at all."This type of business is pure gambling because:
Ø In reality, the members of MLMs are not concerned about the product. They join the marketing network only to attain instant profit via the membership fee of new members.
Ø The actual price of the product is less than 30% of the price paid to the MLM company.
Ø The purpose of the business is to develop continuous network of people. With this network, large number of people at the bottom of the pyramid (downline) pays money to a few people at the top (upline). In this scheme, no new wealth is created, the only wealth gained by any participant is wealth lost by other participants. Each new member pays for the chance to profit from payment of others who might join later."
It is very rare to find MLMs that does not incorporate the prohibited activities I have mentioned above. Therefore, I remind all the Islamic unit trust and Takaful agents to be cautious and not to fall into the realm of MLM. If you still feel that MLM is halal after reading through all the prohibited activities I have highlighted above, then one should ensure the minimum level of Shariah compliance of the following:
1. Real sale of goods: The products should have tangible benefit to the members or users like health supplements of good quality and other goods. Therefore, goods which have no tangible benefit, of low quality that do not meet the requirements for a real sale of goods, naturally being used to hide the pyramid scheme in MLMs and serve as legal tricks to avoid Shariah prohibition. Therefore, the strength of a MLM should be based on the product quality and not based on the ability to make large profit out of new members fee.
2. The product is not gold or silver or currencies: Gold, silver and currencies are ribawi items and should observe strict Shariah rules that only permit spot transactions. Gold, silver and currencies could not be sold on deferred basis because it will be tantamount to Riba Nasiah.
3. Commission paid to each member is transparent: There should not be any commission paid without effort. Therefore an upline is only entitled to the commission of the downline whom he or she has helped.
4. Commission is not based on number of new recruits: Commission should be based on the amount of sales that one has managed to achieve. This is important to ensure that the MLM focuses on real business and is not a mere money game.
5. No sales target as a pre-requisite for commission payment: There should not be any form of implied coercion by setting this kind of condition.
6. Every upline should put effort to help their downline: Upline should assist their downline by arranging for meetings, giving motivation and explaining sales techniques to their downline. This is important to ensure the upline is legally (from shariah perspective) entitled to the commission received. If not, the commission received may be categorized as ambiguous (syubhah) income. If the network is too big and the upline does not even know the downline what else to offer assistance, then why should the upline still attain benefit at the expense of the new member? This would result in compound brokerage mentioned above.
7. Does not utilize pyramid scheme i.e First In Rich Forever (FIRF) scheme: The marketing plan should ensure that everybody has an opportunity to get commission based on their performance and not according to First in Rich Forever scheme. In FIRF schemes, those who join a MLM company at its infant/early stage will always gain more as more members join although the new member is able to sell/perform better than those who join earlier. If it is a genuine business, a downline who performs better than an upline should be able to make more profit than the upline.
8. Disclosure of the commission system should be transparent and understandable: This is to ensure that there will be no fraud and the members could observe the commission payment easily.
9. Structuring of marketing plan based on partnership (musharakah) contract: The best way to set up a marketing plan is based on musharakah where profit and losses in the business is shared according to according to the capital ratio. The parties should agree upon the profit sharing ratio before entering into the contract.
Last but not least, I am aware that rulings regarding MLM are not yet concluded and are still open for discussions. Even Syeikh Dr Abd Sattar Abu Ghuddah, during our discussion, pointed out that the MLM issue is still new to him. It is difficult to find writings of Middle Eastern scholars regarding MLM because MLM has yet to enter the Arab countries massively. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the South East Asian scholars to elaborate on this topic to provide the general public with guidelines about Shariah issues in MLM. This short writing is only a preliminary opinion intended to remind all of us about the ambiguity or doubtness that is embedded in MLM schemes. Readers should not be annoyed and irritated by the article. It is only a reminder for those who are concerned about the legality of their income and a forewarning for those who ponder upon the infinite life after death. Wallahu ‘alam.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (14 Zulhijjah 1427 H = 4 Januari 2007)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Koleksi Pantun Faisal Tehrani dalam "Karya Nan Indah"
Ini bukan usaha menciplak atau meniru jua menidakkan hak cipta karya-karya Faisal Tehrani. Sekadar salinan untuk pedoman semua.
Kain berlipat dalam istana,
Pakaian puteri raja kayangan,
Sepatah nasihat ilmu yang berguna,
Secubita rasa jadi kenangan.
Anak Cina bertimbang mandat,
Dari Mengkasar langsung ke Deli;
Hidup di dunia kita beradab,
Bahasa tidak berjual beli.
Anak angsa mati lemas,
Mati lemas di air masin;
Hilang bahasa kerana emas,
Hilang budi kerana miskin.
Anak raja mudik ke Daik,
Mauk ke taman mandi di kolam;
Kalau asal bajak yang baik,
Sedikit dicanai menjadi tajam.
Apa guna pasang pelita,
Jika tidak dengan sumbunya;
Apa guna bermain mata,
Kalau tidak dengan sungguhnya.
Hairan memandang gajah mina,
Tempat berdiam di dalam laut;
Culas malas menjadi hina,
Tali manila menjadi sabut.
Isi beras dalam ceper,
Jangan isi dalam cepu;
Kalu tidak habis fikir,
Kerja serenpak kena tipu.
Kalau tuan pergi ke hulu,
Singgah bermain tepi pangkalan;
Hendak turut, turut selalu,
Jangan turut sekerat jalan.
Kertup-kertap bunyi ditutup,
Kunci pintu malam-malam;
Air laut hijau siapa celup?
Duri di hutan siapa pertajam?
Lagi lebai lagi berjanggut,
Naik ke balai berhinggut-hinggut;
Sahaja Pak Lebai buta perut,
Haram halal bubuh di mulut.
Lebai hujan dari hulu,
Anak rusa mandi terngadah;
Jangan tuan bersumpah dahulu,
Ingat dosa kepada Allah.
Pagi-pagi masak kanji,
Makan dahulu melapikkan perut;
Cakapan kosong tiada berisi,
Menjadi dusta bercampur karut.
Padi segenggam habislah lecuh,
Tidak boleh ditumbuknya lagi;
Kehendak Allah juga yang sungguh,
Tidak boleh kehendak hati.
Tikar pucuk, tikar mengkuang,
Tempat duduk Raja Melayu;
Ika busuk jangan dibuang,
Buat perencah daun kayu.
Lumba-lumba main gelombang,
Riaknya sampai ke Indergiri;
Cuba-cuba menanam mumbang,
Jika hidup turus negeri.
Kalau ada peria pahit,
Belanga baru jerang udang;
Kalau ada budi baik,
Jadi abu dikenang orang.
Kain berlipat dalam istana,
Pakaian puteri raja kayangan,
Sepatah nasihat ilmu yang berguna,
Secubita rasa jadi kenangan.
Anak Cina bertimbang mandat,
Dari Mengkasar langsung ke Deli;
Hidup di dunia kita beradab,
Bahasa tidak berjual beli.
Anak angsa mati lemas,
Mati lemas di air masin;
Hilang bahasa kerana emas,
Hilang budi kerana miskin.
Anak raja mudik ke Daik,
Mauk ke taman mandi di kolam;
Kalau asal bajak yang baik,
Sedikit dicanai menjadi tajam.
Apa guna pasang pelita,
Jika tidak dengan sumbunya;
Apa guna bermain mata,
Kalau tidak dengan sungguhnya.
Hairan memandang gajah mina,
Tempat berdiam di dalam laut;
Culas malas menjadi hina,
Tali manila menjadi sabut.
Isi beras dalam ceper,
Jangan isi dalam cepu;
Kalu tidak habis fikir,
Kerja serenpak kena tipu.
Kalau tuan pergi ke hulu,
Singgah bermain tepi pangkalan;
Hendak turut, turut selalu,
Jangan turut sekerat jalan.
Kertup-kertap bunyi ditutup,
Kunci pintu malam-malam;
Air laut hijau siapa celup?
Duri di hutan siapa pertajam?
Lagi lebai lagi berjanggut,
Naik ke balai berhinggut-hinggut;
Sahaja Pak Lebai buta perut,
Haram halal bubuh di mulut.
Lebai hujan dari hulu,
Anak rusa mandi terngadah;
Jangan tuan bersumpah dahulu,
Ingat dosa kepada Allah.
Pagi-pagi masak kanji,
Makan dahulu melapikkan perut;
Cakapan kosong tiada berisi,
Menjadi dusta bercampur karut.
Padi segenggam habislah lecuh,
Tidak boleh ditumbuknya lagi;
Kehendak Allah juga yang sungguh,
Tidak boleh kehendak hati.
Tikar pucuk, tikar mengkuang,
Tempat duduk Raja Melayu;
Ika busuk jangan dibuang,
Buat perencah daun kayu.
Lumba-lumba main gelombang,
Riaknya sampai ke Indergiri;
Cuba-cuba menanam mumbang,
Jika hidup turus negeri.
Kalau ada peria pahit,
Belanga baru jerang udang;
Kalau ada budi baik,
Jadi abu dikenang orang.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan 6
Outside the Curtains the Rain is Murmuring (Di Balik Tabir, Hujan Sedang Berbisik) - Li Yu
Lian wai yu chan chan
Chun yi lan shan
Luo qin bu nai wu geng han
Meng li bu zhi shen shi ke
Yi shang tan huan
Du zi mo ping lan
Wu xian jiang shan
Bie shi rong yi jian shi nan
Liu shui luo hua chun qu ye
Tian shang ren jian
Outside the curtains the rain is murmering,
And spring is waning,
Silk bedding cannot resist the fifth watch cold.
While in my dream, I forget I am a guest,
And covet pleasure!
I should not lean alone on these railings,
The land is unlimited;
It's easy to part- to meet again is hard.
Spring's gone like blossom fallen on flowing water,
My paradise too!
Lian wai yu chan chan
Chun yi lan shan
Luo qin bu nai wu geng han
Meng li bu zhi shen shi ke
Yi shang tan huan
Du zi mo ping lan
Wu xian jiang shan
Bie shi rong yi jian shi nan
Liu shui luo hua chun qu ye
Tian shang ren jian
Outside the curtains the rain is murmering,
And spring is waning,
Silk bedding cannot resist the fifth watch cold.
While in my dream, I forget I am a guest,
And covet pleasure!
I should not lean alone on these railings,
The land is unlimited;
It's easy to part- to meet again is hard.
Spring's gone like blossom fallen on flowing water,
My paradise too!
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan 5
My Idle Dreams Roam Far (Mimpi Kaburku Menjangkau Jauh) - Li Yu
Xian meng yuan
Nan guo zheng fang chun
Chuan shang guan xian jiang mian lu
Man cheng fei xu qing chen
Mang sha kan hua ren
Xian meng yuan
Nan guo zheng qing qiu
Qian li jiang shan han se yuan
Lu hua shen chu bo gu zhou
Di zai yue ming luo
My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where spring is fragrant.
Wind and strings play on a boat on the river's clear surface,
The city is full of catkins flying like light dust.
People are occupied admiring the flowers.
My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where autumn is clear.
For a thousand li over rivers and hills cold colours stretch far,
Deep in flowering reeds, a solitary boat is moored.
Beneath the bright moon, a flute plays in the tower.
Mimpi kaburku menjangkau jauh
Terimbau hingga ke negeri bunga selatan
Angin dan bebenang bermain di atas sampan,
Sungai penuh aman
Kota-kota himpunan “catkin”,
Sambil penduduk asyik merenung bunga
Mimpi kaburku menjangkau jauh
Ke tanah selatan tumbuhan menyegar
Demi ribuan li,
Sungai dan gunung beku
Tertimbus dek kerimbunan bunga
Dan sebuah perahu belayar
Di bawah sinaran purnama, terdengar seruling di angkasa.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Xian meng yuan
Nan guo zheng fang chun
Chuan shang guan xian jiang mian lu
Man cheng fei xu qing chen
Mang sha kan hua ren
Xian meng yuan
Nan guo zheng qing qiu
Qian li jiang shan han se yuan
Lu hua shen chu bo gu zhou
Di zai yue ming luo
My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where spring is fragrant.
Wind and strings play on a boat on the river's clear surface,
The city is full of catkins flying like light dust.
People are occupied admiring the flowers.
My idle dreams roam far,
To the southern land where autumn is clear.
For a thousand li over rivers and hills cold colours stretch far,
Deep in flowering reeds, a solitary boat is moored.
Beneath the bright moon, a flute plays in the tower.
Mimpi kaburku menjangkau jauh
Terimbau hingga ke negeri bunga selatan
Angin dan bebenang bermain di atas sampan,
Sungai penuh aman
Kota-kota himpunan “catkin”,
Sambil penduduk asyik merenung bunga
Mimpi kaburku menjangkau jauh
Ke tanah selatan tumbuhan menyegar
Demi ribuan li,
Sungai dan gunung beku
Tertimbus dek kerimbunan bunga
Dan sebuah perahu belayar
Di bawah sinaran purnama, terdengar seruling di angkasa.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan 4
How Many Tears (Tangisan Demi Tangisan) - Li Yu
Duo shao lei
Duan lian fu heng yi
Xin shi mo jiang he lei shuo
Feng sheng xiu xiang lei shi chui
Chang duan geng wu yi
How many tears
Criss-cross your cheeks and run across your face!
Don't try to speak when worry makes you weep,
Nor play the flute when it will bring your tears,
Or surely then your heart will break.
Tangisan demi tangisan
Menjalar merentasi wajah
Elak bicara gundah
Mahupun serunai gelisah
Bahkan, hatimu kan kian parah
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Duo shao lei
Duan lian fu heng yi
Xin shi mo jiang he lei shuo
Feng sheng xiu xiang lei shi chui
Chang duan geng wu yi
How many tears
Criss-cross your cheeks and run across your face!
Don't try to speak when worry makes you weep,
Nor play the flute when it will bring your tears,
Or surely then your heart will break.
Tangisan demi tangisan
Menjalar merentasi wajah
Elak bicara gundah
Mahupun serunai gelisah
Bahkan, hatimu kan kian parah
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan 3
Beneath the Moon, Before the Steps (Di Balik Rembulan dan Permulaan Tetangga) - Li Yu
Ying hua luo jin qian yue
Xiang chuang chou yi xun long
Yuan si qu nian jin ri hen hai ton
Shuang huan bu zheng yun qiao cui
Lei zhan hong ma xiong
He chu xiang si ku
Sha chuang zui meng zhong
Beneath the moon, before the steps, all cherry blossom has fallen,
Enwreathed in smoke, she looks sorrowful lying in bed.
She feels the same regret today as one long year ago.
Both braids like cloud in disarray, her face is wan and sallow,
The crimson corset wet from wiping tears.
But what's the reason why she suffers so?
She lies in a drunken dream before the window.
Di balik rembulan, bebunga ceri mekar
Terlingkung kabus, terlihat insan halus
Tangisan seorang wanita dalam kesedihan,
Meski bertahun sudah lamanya,
Wajah berubah muram, suram
Kesan air mata kelihatan
Lantas kenapa dia terlalu bersedih?
Terus mabuk dalam mimpi yang tiada lekang, sibuk.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
P/S: Terjemahan Bahasa Melayu disediakan oleh theawak3ning. Sebarang komen amatlah dialu-alukan.
Ying hua luo jin qian yue
Xiang chuang chou yi xun long
Yuan si qu nian jin ri hen hai ton
Shuang huan bu zheng yun qiao cui
Lei zhan hong ma xiong
He chu xiang si ku
Sha chuang zui meng zhong
Beneath the moon, before the steps, all cherry blossom has fallen,
Enwreathed in smoke, she looks sorrowful lying in bed.
She feels the same regret today as one long year ago.
Both braids like cloud in disarray, her face is wan and sallow,
The crimson corset wet from wiping tears.
But what's the reason why she suffers so?
She lies in a drunken dream before the window.
Di balik rembulan, bebunga ceri mekar
Terlingkung kabus, terlihat insan halus
Tangisan seorang wanita dalam kesedihan,
Meski bertahun sudah lamanya,
Wajah berubah muram, suram
Kesan air mata kelihatan
Lantas kenapa dia terlalu bersedih?
Terus mabuk dalam mimpi yang tiada lekang, sibuk.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
P/S: Terjemahan Bahasa Melayu disediakan oleh theawak3ning. Sebarang komen amatlah dialu-alukan.
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan 2
Mountain Travel (Kembara di Pergunungan) - Du Mu
Shan Xing
Yuan shang han shan shi jing xia
Bai yun sheng chu you ren jia
Ting che zuo ai feng lin wan
Shuang ye hong yu er yue hua
Far away on the cold mountain, a stone path slants upwards,
In the white clouds is a village, where people have their homes.
I stop the carriage, loving the maple wood in the evening,
The frosted leaves are redder than the second month's flowers.
Di puncak gunung membeku, sebuah lorong tersusun
Di balik keputihan awan, sebuah kampung keriangan
Kuhentikan tunggangan, nikmati keindahan daunan maple dan waktu petang
Semerah bungaan bulan dua, malahan lebih girang.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Shan Xing
Yuan shang han shan shi jing xia
Bai yun sheng chu you ren jia
Ting che zuo ai feng lin wan
Shuang ye hong yu er yue hua
Far away on the cold mountain, a stone path slants upwards,
In the white clouds is a village, where people have their homes.
I stop the carriage, loving the maple wood in the evening,
The frosted leaves are redder than the second month's flowers.
Di puncak gunung membeku, sebuah lorong tersusun
Di balik keputihan awan, sebuah kampung keriangan
Kuhentikan tunggangan, nikmati keindahan daunan maple dan waktu petang
Semerah bungaan bulan dua, malahan lebih girang.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Koleksi Puisi-puisi Oriental beserta terjemahan
Thoughts on a Still Night (Kolam Fikir di Malam Kaku) - Li Bai
Jing Ye Si
Chuang qian ming yue guang
Yi shi di shang shuang
Di tou si gu xiang
Before my bed, the moon is shining bright,
I think that it is frost upon the ground.
I raise my head and look at the bright moon,
I lower my head and think of home.
Di balik kamar, purnama menyinar terang
Salji tertabur di atas tanah
Ku angkat wajah menghadap rembulan
Ku tundukkan mata terimbau halaman.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Jing Ye Si
Chuang qian ming yue guang
Yi shi di shang shuang
Di tou si gu xiang
Before my bed, the moon is shining bright,
I think that it is frost upon the ground.
I raise my head and look at the bright moon,
I lower my head and think of home.
Di balik kamar, purnama menyinar terang
Salji tertabur di atas tanah
Ku angkat wajah menghadap rembulan
Ku tundukkan mata terimbau halaman.
http://www.chinese-poems.com/lb4.html
Lirik Lagu Mantera Beradu - Malique Feat M.Nasir
Song / Lagu : Mantera Beradu - Malique Feat. M.Nasir
Lyrics / Lirik Mantera Beradu :
Masih belum sempurna..
(M.Nasir)
Gerakkan Hati… Hati gerakkan…
Pandanglah aku.. aku lah dia..
(Malique)
Kulitku tebal.. ku kebal.. ingatku kebal
Hanya berbual makan angin kembung perut mual
Resah dan tidak senang.. hidup tak pernah lenang
Ku schizo paranoia takut pecah tembelang
(M.Nasir)
Pecah tembelang… peta dah hilang
Bangau dah pulang… suara sumbang
(Malique)
Lidahku kaku tak selicin kuku
Teman baikku buku
Bini ku pena.. tak pernah lena
Aku suka mengintai pantang ditenung
Berakhir pertelingkahan dalaman
Pasti belum
Ikut gerak hati.. pena melayang
Dilihat dua layang pandang
Tak lah sekarang
Takat meradang
Tanya.. abang gedang, apa barang?
Badan macam badang
Main acah belakang parang
Kuhunuskan keris musuh ada pistol
Tradisi kekalkan adaptasi harus betul
Tujuh baris keramat tujuh garis penamat
Baik berpada biar jahat asal selamat
Ramai saudaraku yang baik telah dipijak
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
(Malique)
Yo! ijazah terbaik datangnya dari jalanan
Dari pengalaman bercakap dan bersalaman
Konflik motivasi cuba medatasi
Positif dan benci jadi inspirasi pagi
Peduli itu interpretasi basi pekakkan sebelah
Halang biar keduanya muka cantik
Soalan bodoh yang ditanya jadi melodinya
Lebih hina dari zina
Lu bikin dosa ku bikin prosa
Testosterone testarosa
Cita-cita sosa KL KL kosa nostra
Jalan berliku ku harung roller coaster
Gah sentosa tiada penyesalan
Luas pandangan jauh dah berjalan
Tak sempurna masih ada kejanggalan
Gagal merancang, merancang kegagalan
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
Kucing bawa tidur rimau bawa igau
Masuk tempat orang bawa otak bukan pisau
(Malique)
Naik bukit angkuh cakap ayah jangan risau
Turun bukit pucat dengar tiga miaww
Kucing bawa tidur rimau bawa igau
Masuk tempat orang bawa otak bukan pisau
Tolak pintu gua tiga kerat tenaga
Kosong tak dijaga sampai datang tiga naga
Ingat nak berlaga tapi tak kan boleh menang
Menang dengan otak tak mesti dengan pedang
Sebelum jadi naga, ikan koi renang renang
Kura-kura salah jawab pantun, naik berang
Panggil lima kawan atau biar pergi laju
Risaukan pekara remeh kita tak akan maju
Muka sama hijau hati siapa tahu
Merah dah menyala pasti mati siapa mahu
Gagap tiga kali bercakap benar saja
bulan terang ramai yang keluar buat kerja
(Malique & M.Nasir)
Panjat pokok buluh cari tokong air terjun
Naik sampai nampak dah terpegun turun
Tiga ular ikut lompat atau paut
Kalau terus mati jika belok maut
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
Puisi hati mu… hati mu puisi
Palu hati ku palu hatiku
(Malique)
Kulit tak besalin walau saling ganti baju
Pandang sini pandang sini
Ku berbahasa baku kata kata nahu
Himpun jadi satu
Mantera beradu dengan irama dan lagu
(Suara Latar)
Akhirnya sempurna
Lirik Mantera Beradu - Malique & M.Nasir
Posted by mr.ular at 12:09 AM
Lyrics / Lirik Mantera Beradu :
Masih belum sempurna..
(M.Nasir)
Gerakkan Hati… Hati gerakkan…
Pandanglah aku.. aku lah dia..
(Malique)
Kulitku tebal.. ku kebal.. ingatku kebal
Hanya berbual makan angin kembung perut mual
Resah dan tidak senang.. hidup tak pernah lenang
Ku schizo paranoia takut pecah tembelang
(M.Nasir)
Pecah tembelang… peta dah hilang
Bangau dah pulang… suara sumbang
(Malique)
Lidahku kaku tak selicin kuku
Teman baikku buku
Bini ku pena.. tak pernah lena
Aku suka mengintai pantang ditenung
Berakhir pertelingkahan dalaman
Pasti belum
Ikut gerak hati.. pena melayang
Dilihat dua layang pandang
Tak lah sekarang
Takat meradang
Tanya.. abang gedang, apa barang?
Badan macam badang
Main acah belakang parang
Kuhunuskan keris musuh ada pistol
Tradisi kekalkan adaptasi harus betul
Tujuh baris keramat tujuh garis penamat
Baik berpada biar jahat asal selamat
Ramai saudaraku yang baik telah dipijak
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
(Malique)
Yo! ijazah terbaik datangnya dari jalanan
Dari pengalaman bercakap dan bersalaman
Konflik motivasi cuba medatasi
Positif dan benci jadi inspirasi pagi
Peduli itu interpretasi basi pekakkan sebelah
Halang biar keduanya muka cantik
Soalan bodoh yang ditanya jadi melodinya
Lebih hina dari zina
Lu bikin dosa ku bikin prosa
Testosterone testarosa
Cita-cita sosa KL KL kosa nostra
Jalan berliku ku harung roller coaster
Gah sentosa tiada penyesalan
Luas pandangan jauh dah berjalan
Tak sempurna masih ada kejanggalan
Gagal merancang, merancang kegagalan
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
Kucing bawa tidur rimau bawa igau
Masuk tempat orang bawa otak bukan pisau
(Malique)
Naik bukit angkuh cakap ayah jangan risau
Turun bukit pucat dengar tiga miaww
Kucing bawa tidur rimau bawa igau
Masuk tempat orang bawa otak bukan pisau
Tolak pintu gua tiga kerat tenaga
Kosong tak dijaga sampai datang tiga naga
Ingat nak berlaga tapi tak kan boleh menang
Menang dengan otak tak mesti dengan pedang
Sebelum jadi naga, ikan koi renang renang
Kura-kura salah jawab pantun, naik berang
Panggil lima kawan atau biar pergi laju
Risaukan pekara remeh kita tak akan maju
Muka sama hijau hati siapa tahu
Merah dah menyala pasti mati siapa mahu
Gagap tiga kali bercakap benar saja
bulan terang ramai yang keluar buat kerja
(Malique & M.Nasir)
Panjat pokok buluh cari tokong air terjun
Naik sampai nampak dah terpegun turun
Tiga ular ikut lompat atau paut
Kalau terus mati jika belok maut
(M.Nasir)
Awan mendung yang berarak
Bawa tangis bawa resah
Rebah rindu yang terkumpul
Semua birat dan kalimah
Semua janji yang terikat
Lebur disisimu
Puisi hati mu… hati mu puisi
Palu hati ku palu hatiku
(Malique)
Kulit tak besalin walau saling ganti baju
Pandang sini pandang sini
Ku berbahasa baku kata kata nahu
Himpun jadi satu
Mantera beradu dengan irama dan lagu
(Suara Latar)
Akhirnya sempurna
Lirik Mantera Beradu - Malique & M.Nasir
Posted by mr.ular at 12:09 AM
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Mungkinkah kembali?
Putaran waktu meminggir
hati yg pilu terpanggil
sejarah itu, kisah itu
muncul penuh ragu
datang dalam kabut
dan kini
aku yang serabut
Sebut kata indah,
tegah kian parah,
tegur, akur, tegur
tiada masuk akan hati,
lagi telinga berkarat, khali
bagai badai lalu menyepi
ingin hati disapa
istimewa gamaknya,
tapi budi tahu,
gelora dunia palsu
tiada yang tahu
balik awanan biru,
mungkin hitam atau kelabu
C-cuba
I-ingat
N-naluri
T-tentang
A-Allah
Mengapa ingin kembali kepada dunia?
pada cinta yg tiada habis bahana?
indah, cantik
semua antik,
tapi tiada seunik,
empunya Baitul 'Atiq.
hati yg pilu terpanggil
sejarah itu, kisah itu
muncul penuh ragu
datang dalam kabut
dan kini
aku yang serabut
Sebut kata indah,
tegah kian parah,
tegur, akur, tegur
tiada masuk akan hati,
lagi telinga berkarat, khali
bagai badai lalu menyepi
ingin hati disapa
istimewa gamaknya,
tapi budi tahu,
gelora dunia palsu
tiada yang tahu
balik awanan biru,
mungkin hitam atau kelabu
C-cuba
I-ingat
N-naluri
T-tentang
A-Allah
Mengapa ingin kembali kepada dunia?
pada cinta yg tiada habis bahana?
indah, cantik
semua antik,
tapi tiada seunik,
empunya Baitul 'Atiq.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Pasir
Tertiuplah sutradara Sahara,
melitup kabur zarah angkasa,
Mesir yang gelita,
Sudan yang gerhana,
Chad yang derita,
naungan utara semenanjung Afrika,
semua dalam ribut bencana.
Dan,
Kafilah itu kembali berdagang,
meski kian terbuang,
pul, dam'ah,
'ish,syawarma, kofta,
sedikit baklava,
air dari nil putih dan biru, ashir manju,
buat bekal perjalanan yang jauh,
jua barang dagang yang ampuh.
Tiap kota yang disinggah,
tiap henti yang disanggah,
tiap oasis yang digali,
tiap kali jua pasir menghampiri,
timbus
kelam
kambus
Bagai jerlus yang menghirup warna,
tinggal terkapai dalam sandiwara,
untung sabut timbul,
untung batu tenggelam.
Maka bangkitlah kafilah itu,
setelah debu rangkum segenap jihat,
terus langkah iring kalimah,
didik diri agar berdiri,
bukan bak paku terlangkup satu,
tapi rusa tanduk beribu.
Di sudut hujung muatan,
sisa pul masih lagi kelihatan.
melitup kabur zarah angkasa,
Mesir yang gelita,
Sudan yang gerhana,
Chad yang derita,
naungan utara semenanjung Afrika,
semua dalam ribut bencana.
Dan,
Kafilah itu kembali berdagang,
meski kian terbuang,
pul, dam'ah,
'ish,syawarma, kofta,
sedikit baklava,
air dari nil putih dan biru, ashir manju,
buat bekal perjalanan yang jauh,
jua barang dagang yang ampuh.
Tiap kota yang disinggah,
tiap henti yang disanggah,
tiap oasis yang digali,
tiap kali jua pasir menghampiri,
timbus
kelam
kambus
Bagai jerlus yang menghirup warna,
tinggal terkapai dalam sandiwara,
untung sabut timbul,
untung batu tenggelam.
Maka bangkitlah kafilah itu,
setelah debu rangkum segenap jihat,
terus langkah iring kalimah,
didik diri agar berdiri,
bukan bak paku terlangkup satu,
tapi rusa tanduk beribu.
Di sudut hujung muatan,
sisa pul masih lagi kelihatan.
Budi
Tandus bumi indah
Meski cuma perang dan merah
Langit biru tiada membeku
Rumput hijau tiada kaku
Dan angkasa
Bagai sendawa, tiada sendu
Budi itu
Suatu bicara
Jua citra
Dalam tingkah gema
Pada waktu bisa
Merobek seluruh alam buana
Jujur hatimu menyampai senyum
Dan gerakmu
Juga tangismu
Dalam hilai tawa engkau selindung
Gemersik suara engkau mengalun
Kalam Tuhanmu Yang Maha Santun
Terkadang sumpah tiada sempadan
Pada cerca, bukan sekadar teman
Kasar pekerti
Hilang toleransi
tiada lagi harga diri
Tiada bumbung apresiasi
Tiada hati,
Sekadar nafsu nafsi
Lihatlah dunia dengan mata
Yang terang ceria
Dan engkau kan tahu
Jiwa mana yang bakal
Kausambut
kemas dan erat
Buat nadimu yang baru taat
Selepas fana sumbat
Setiap ruang yang ketat
Berbudikah dirimu wahai penyantun?
Meski cuma perang dan merah
Langit biru tiada membeku
Rumput hijau tiada kaku
Dan angkasa
Bagai sendawa, tiada sendu
Budi itu
Suatu bicara
Jua citra
Dalam tingkah gema
Pada waktu bisa
Merobek seluruh alam buana
Jujur hatimu menyampai senyum
Dan gerakmu
Juga tangismu
Dalam hilai tawa engkau selindung
Gemersik suara engkau mengalun
Kalam Tuhanmu Yang Maha Santun
Terkadang sumpah tiada sempadan
Pada cerca, bukan sekadar teman
Kasar pekerti
Hilang toleransi
tiada lagi harga diri
Tiada bumbung apresiasi
Tiada hati,
Sekadar nafsu nafsi
Lihatlah dunia dengan mata
Yang terang ceria
Dan engkau kan tahu
Jiwa mana yang bakal
Kausambut
kemas dan erat
Buat nadimu yang baru taat
Selepas fana sumbat
Setiap ruang yang ketat
Berbudikah dirimu wahai penyantun?
Petals of Love
Crawling upon the ground,
Seeds of numerous plants, greenery
And there stood thee,
Amongst the envy of beauty,
For each sway that stays,
And each blazing rays,
Shall thou be in grace and peace.
For none shall disturb,
Thy time and space.
Be not forget of all beauty adheres,
Of forever threat shall be near,
Upon hurting thou,
Though hath granted,
of equal truth,
and prosperity that shall ever soothes.
Upon the world did I reflect,
In thy hearts and hands shall some be placed,
love of never end,
Pleasure be it,
For shall I share thou this,
Of affection it may seen,
Beauty of men indeed be well versed,
Still none shall be apart,
Of those in eternity,
That lies only for those of ill herds.
Be happy upon you for life be once,
Unto forever shall speak in dance,
In the heavenly Eden,
Or of the burning burden.
May your petals, o! Jasmine,
Be always under soothes, and tranquility.
Seeds of numerous plants, greenery
And there stood thee,
Amongst the envy of beauty,
For each sway that stays,
And each blazing rays,
Shall thou be in grace and peace.
For none shall disturb,
Thy time and space.
Be not forget of all beauty adheres,
Of forever threat shall be near,
Upon hurting thou,
Though hath granted,
of equal truth,
and prosperity that shall ever soothes.
Upon the world did I reflect,
In thy hearts and hands shall some be placed,
love of never end,
Pleasure be it,
For shall I share thou this,
Of affection it may seen,
Beauty of men indeed be well versed,
Still none shall be apart,
Of those in eternity,
That lies only for those of ill herds.
Be happy upon you for life be once,
Unto forever shall speak in dance,
In the heavenly Eden,
Or of the burning burden.
May your petals, o! Jasmine,
Be always under soothes, and tranquility.
The Dove
In springs,
shall i see thou in art,
soaring the majestic sky,
as thee glance upon the world,
and shall i hear,
thy enchanting chirps,
amongst the voices of love.
Sweet be the beauty seems,
and nay of words be there to describe,
as for only see hearts unto hearts,
skin deep,
of choices that reflects our soul,
be it good,
nor out of control.
Speak not of ill of thyself,
nor should others speak unto,
be grateful as for life only once,
be may some thought,
more lives be it, differ,
if the same only occur,
in the colour of none other.
Fly, as high as the sky could reach you,
but forget not, the ground under,
imagine the world in its place, shudder,
still ne'er deny of the upcoming thunder.
Shall some be love,
nor be hate,
but be thou self,
for it is already great.
shall i see thou in art,
soaring the majestic sky,
as thee glance upon the world,
and shall i hear,
thy enchanting chirps,
amongst the voices of love.
Sweet be the beauty seems,
and nay of words be there to describe,
as for only see hearts unto hearts,
skin deep,
of choices that reflects our soul,
be it good,
nor out of control.
Speak not of ill of thyself,
nor should others speak unto,
be grateful as for life only once,
be may some thought,
more lives be it, differ,
if the same only occur,
in the colour of none other.
Fly, as high as the sky could reach you,
but forget not, the ground under,
imagine the world in its place, shudder,
still ne'er deny of the upcoming thunder.
Shall some be love,
nor be hate,
but be thou self,
for it is already great.
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