Just to touch on 1 topic which I think it’s very crucial nowadays especially among Dai’e, i.e. PUNCTUALITY.
Punctuality is a golden feature, a quality we all most have in order to succeed in life.
Punctuality is the easiest way to prove that you are organized, respectful and caring for other people. Being able to organize your own time, and it is a key element for an efficient way of living. By not being punctual, you show people that you have no respect and consideration for their own agenda, and that is because the fact that once they have to wait for you, their whole schedule is compromised for the day.
Few days before, I’ve a short talk with my foreign friend. Out of nowhere, he asked me about the Malay Promise term (Janji Melayu). Just to get his first idea, rather than I answered his question, I asked him back, what he understood about “Janji Melayu”.Expectable answer. Malays seldom stick to their promises especially in timing. Agreed to come at 9am but late almost 1 hour.
I’m not denying his statement but I told him that it’s only happened to those, so called Muslims, regardless his nation or race. The term Janji Melayu is not specific to Malays although it has been popularized by Malays themselves.
As a Dai’e, punctuality issue should totally settle. How come we called ourselves Dai’e but at the same time we are breaking our promises?
Our beloved Prophet S.A.W once said:
“The signs of hypocrisy are 3……. When he promised, he breaks it.”
Sometimes I felt disappointed with some of my friends. I rather sacrificed my breakfast if I realized that I’m already late to meet him. Unfortunately, he came late half an hour without felt guilty. I’m not saying I’m perfect enough in punctuality, but I’ve been trained since secondary school to be punctual.
I still remembered when I was in form 5. I was late to enter the class for only 15 minutes. I have reason for that and I taught my reason is accepted. I was the school prefect, thus every morning I have to ensure all students vacant the hostel and the school compound. As a result, I’ll be late for the first session of the morning class.
I gave that reason to my EST teacher, Sir Yahya but he said that, my reason is neither accepted nor good. Try to avoid in giving excuse.
“If you think you couldn’t finished your work by 7.40am (where the first morning session starts), then you have to think the other way to enter the class on time. You can start your job earlier. You should create a new situation of a successful person. If you promise at 7.40am, you should be there before it.”
Insya Allah sir. I’ll bear it in my mind.
Try your best to be on time. If you think you couldn’t make it, inform the other person of your late. Don’t make people waiting for you.
In other words, if you keep on breaking your promise, it will turn into habit and in return, it reflects yourself.
Hopefully, we who declared ourselves as Dai’e will make a turning point to change ourselves to be a better Muslims. The communities are looking at us with their own judgment.
A Muslim scholar said:
"The beauty of Islam nowadays is covered by the ‘Muslims’ themselves."
May we are not categorize in that circle of people.
Note1: Punctuality = before time
Note2: Start first with ourselves, and then only people will trust you