By H Rubijanto

The Spirit of Gog and Magog.

When Zulqarnain reached a tract between two mountains, he found, beneath them, a people who scarcely understood a word. They asked him to erect a barrier to separate them from Gog and Magog people that did great mischief on earth, fierce and brutal; As compensation they would render tribute to Zulqarnain .

He said that the power in which Allah swt. had established him was better than tribute.

He asked the people to support him with strength labor and some blocks of iron. At length, he had filled up the space between the two steep mountain-sides, and blew with bellows, then poured over it

molten lead.

Thus were they made powerless to scale it or to dig through. He said that it was a mercy from Allah; but when the promise of Allah comes to pass, He will make it into dust.

1671 Zainab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) got up from sleep saying: There is no god but Allah. Woe to the Arabs because of turmoil which is at hand, the barrier of Gog and Magog has opened so much. And Sufyan made a sign of ten with the help of his hand (in order to indicate the width of the gap) and I said: Allah's Messenger, would we be perished in spite of the fact that there would be good people amongst us? Thereupon he said: Of course, but only when the evil predominates. (Bukhari – Muslim).

1672 Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Today the wall (barrier) of Gog and Magog has been opened so much, and Wuhaib (in order to explain it) made the figure of ninety with the help of his hand. (Bukhari – Muslim). Bandung, 25 Rabi’ul Akhir 1428 H.

Sing the Praises of Allah.

“We bestowed Grace aforetime on David from Ourselves: ‘O ye Mountains! Sing ye back the Praises of Allah with him. And ye birds (also)! And We made the iron soft for him”.

(Commanding), ‘Make thou coats of mail, balancing well the rings of chain armor; and work you righteousness; for be sure I see (clearly) all that ye do”. (As Sabaa: 10 – 11).

Whatever David had, all of it comes from Allah swt. Among others David had the gift of song the Praises of Allah, and this is shown in his Psalms. All nature, hills and birds sing and echo back the Praises of Allah swt.

Thousands years a go, David had a special capability to make hard iron became soft and pliable. With it could be made instruments for the defense of righteousness. It was traditionally attributed to David.

Allah swt. gave David power and wisdom, and taught whatever else He willed.

And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief, But Allah is full of bounty to all the worlds.

And Allah knows best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth

Allah did bestow on some Prophets more gifts than on others,

And He gave to Nabi Daud the gift of the Psalms,

He gave Judgment and Knowledge, it was His Power that made the hills and the birds Celebrate His Praises with David: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Laillahailallah, Allahu Akbar . . . . . !

Bandung, 26 Rabi’ul Akhir 1428 H.

Esteemed Moral.

1360 Abdullah bin 'Amr's Hadith, may Allah be pleased with them. It is reported: We went to Abdullah bin Amr when Mua'awiya came to Kufah, and he made a mention of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: He was never immoderate in his talk and he never reviled others. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) also said: The best amongst you are those who are best in Morals. (Bukhari – Muslim).

To excite enmity and hatred one to another, Satan has special weapon with intoxicants, gambling, corruption, bribery and engage in illicit sex.

And they hinder from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer;

Those are the abomination of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such abomination, that we may prosper.

Beware of evil and obey Allah, and obey Rasulullah saw.; those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, there is no blame for what they are in the past; When they guard themselves from evil and believe and do good, for Allah loveth those who do good.

1562 Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.

(Bukhari – Muslim). Bandung, 27 Rabi’ul Akhir 1428 H.