A society needs different people holding different profession so that they can contribute their various skills to the development of their society. But if you look at Muslims they tend to obtain popular and traditional business that give an immediate reward. then, our society could not be developed as a progressive nation and can be left behind anyway. thus, we should try to train our youths of various professions and skills without further delay, so let's have a look at various types of profession including farmer.
Farmer is a person that engaged in farming (agriculture), raising living organism such as animals and plants for food or raw materials of a product. The term is usually applies to people who do some combination of raising fields crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry or other livestock. In the context of agribusiness, a farmer is defined broadly, and thus many individuals not necessarily engaged in full-time farming can nonetheless legally qualify under agricultural policy for various subsidies, incentives, and tax deductions. Farmer usually owns the farmed land, or might work as a labor at others farm. However, in advanced economies, a farmer usually the one who own the farmed land, while the employees of the farm are farmhand or farm workers. Different terms are commonly used to denote farmers who raise specific domesticated animals. For example, those who raise grazing livestock, such a cow, sheep, cattle, horse and goats, are known as ranchers in U.S, grazers in U.K and Australia, or simply stock-men. They also are referred to respectively as shepherds (sheep), goatherds (goats) and cowherds (cows). The term dairy farmer is applied to those who engaged primarily in milk production, whether from sheep, goat, cattle and other animals that can produce usable milk.
Poultry farmer are those who concentrates on raising chicken, ducks, turkeys or geese, either for their meat, eggs or for feather production, or maybe all those three production. A person who raises variety types of plant, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs, sometimes, for market may be called a truck farmer or market gardener. Dirt farmer is those who farm his own land or a practical farmer, based on American colloquial term. Meanwhile, Farming is growing the crops or keeping the animals by people for food and raw materials which is a part of agriculture. They many sector of farming. The main sectors of farming are livestock rising (e.g.: chicken for meats and eggs, cattle for meat and dairy, sheep for meat and wools), horticulture (fruit growing, vegetables crops, plant nurseries including flower and trees, vineyards specializing), grain growing (wheat, barley, oats) and services to agriculture ( sheep shearing, fruit picking, aerial spraying, fertilizer spreading, pest extermination).
Farming from the West view, has been started back as far as the Neolithic era. By the Bronze Age, the Sumerians had an agriculture specialized labor force by 5 000-4 000 B.C., and heavily depended on irrigation to grow crops. In the Middle East, the Ancient Egypt farmer farmed relied and irrigated their water from Nile River. Agriculture involving domestication of plants and animals was developed at least 10 000 years ago, although even earlier people began altering plant and animal communities for their own benefit. The Fertile Crescent of Western Asia, Egypt and India were sites of the earliest planned sowing and harvesting of plant that had previously been gathered in wild. In Islam, farming has been started back years ago since Prophet Adam A.S. period. As we know, the original abode of Prophet Adam A.S., the Great Grandfather of mankind wan a dense garden (Jannah) where he lived perfectly peace and tranquility the Jannah was a stage of passive food gathering. After His exodus from Jannah, He kept himself fed through persistent struggle, by fishing and collecting food (vegetables etc), which is al known as farming[1]. Not only Prophet Adam A.S., our beloved Prophet, Muhammmad S.A.W. also a farmer once, when He was eight, He helped his uncle and worked as a shepherd. . Even in the Quran, in can clearly been seen that the stories that been narrated mostly relate to agriculture (farming).
It is easy to become a farmer, in this country, especially. Almost twenty four percent of Malaysia’s land area is composed of land dedicated to agriculture alone and it contains 7 605 000 hectares of arable and permanent cropland. There are around 43 000 different agricultural machines and tractors. Furthermore, the climate in Malaysia is suitable to produce proper conditions of exotic produce since we’re located on a peninsula in Southeast Asia. This area is very rarely affected by hurricanes r drought. We maintain the humidity level around ninety percent because of our location close to the equator. The weather stays hot and humid all year round. In Malaysia, there are so many assistance can be given to those who are interested to be a farmer. The government, in their new visions, want the young generation, especially, to be involved in this area since agriculture (farming) is expected to become the third engine of economic growth. They will gladly provide the training, and funds to those newbie. Not only that, they also will be given farming equipment and loan as their capital, to ease them farming. Actually, farming is simply and can easily been done by anyone, the only things that make the difference is the effort to do it. Nobody has a right to live on the labor of others without performing any useful work himself. The more we try, the more the revenue that we will get. This can be conclude that, although Malaysia have so many land to be farmed, suitable climate for most crop and so many help been provided by the Government, whether financial or education, it all back to the individual effort, whether they really hardworking or just paying lip service. Imam Musa al‑Kazim (P) is reported to have said: "Allah hates the idle, sleepy man". Everything is up to us.
Everything in this world has their benefit. As for farming, the benefits are obviously on providing the people the foods. Despite of that, there are other benefits that we didn’t realize. As we can see now, most of the agriculture area which were located at rural area before, slowly help that area to develop and not only increasing their economic but also increasing the job opportunity and infrastructure in that area. As a result, that rural area becomes progressive and well-known with the immigrants who emigrant in there and it all started with the agriculture sector. There are so many organizations that can help the farmers besides the help by the government such as Felda Holdings and Sime Darby Bhd. Besides provides free infrastructure such as road, farming, according to Iqbal, also been regards agriculture (farming) profession conductive to the development of religious psyche and culture[2]. According to him, the people who nearest to the nature are nearest to Allah too. Farming help us to communicate with the society through the business transactions or during working. As mention before, farming is located in the rural area which mostly villagers, who lived like a family, by helping, respect and care for each other.
Farming allowed them to work and share the profit together without mind about the races, political understanding, culture and background. It also helps to sow good values, such as hardworking, tolerance and responsibility, and implement the leadership skills. We often say that exercising is good for health, yet we do not have time for it. Farming is an exercising, likely. We can see that old folks, who commonly work as a farmer, have a healthy body without need to go for a jog every morning or pay an expensive fee for aerobics class or go to the gym. All they need just only go out, loosen the soil, pull away dried leaves or root, watering the plant, or put the fertilizer. All this might only look simple but for those who have never try it before, for the first timer, it is actually difficult but fun and profitable. Not only providing the foods for the society, the farmer also leads to the development of an area and build a harmony society. Plus it also one kind of exercise.
Farmer main contributions are the source of foods and raw materials to the people. Man, as a deputy (khalifa) of Almighty Allah should adopt an attitude and conducts towards his fellow being. As such he must provide sustenance to his family, close relatives, orphans, widows and the poor in his neighborhood. As a farmer, however, his role in the provision of food for all mankind assumes a still more exalted status because his calling is in fact an important link in Allah’s creative processes of food production in the grand factory of nature. By doing that, not only give benefit to the society but if the intentions is for charity, it can also help to increases his share in the Hereafter. It is been testimonies by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.), “Any Muslim who plant a tree or raises a crop whereof eat a human being or a bird or an animal it will be a Sadaqa from the planter and even if the produce is stolen by a thief the planter will surely get recompense in the Hereafter (for the virtuous deed)”[3].
Not only supplies the production of food, farmer also provides raw materials of a product to the production sector such as the fur or feather for bags, clothes and decorations. Nowadays, all over the world are concern about the global warming and natural phenomenon that keep occurs lately. They are planning and now, imply the eco-friendly technologies which are safe for our earth by using green materials. They are now applying the 3R which is stands for reduce, reuse and recycle. As an example, despite using chemical flavoring or coloring in food productions, they can change by using natural color or flavor. Farmer who plant barley or pandan leaves, can sell it with a higher price since it is needed to make the flavor tastier or the color more attractive.
Are Islam encouraged their people to farming? Allah told us to serve the land in a good way. It can clearly been seen that this resources are for the benefit of all creatures of Allah and nobody has a right to monopolize them. It must be remembered that the permission of being benefited by these sources has been given to us in human interest, and hence they should not be monopolized by any particular person, persons, class or society to the deprivation of other human beings. Allah has described them as His bounty to all man. In is stated in surah Luqman, ayah 26 ‘Unto Allah belongs all that is in the Heavens and on the Earth, Verily, Allah alone is self-sufficient, the One to whom all praise is due!’[4].
It been said when the Prophet S.A.W. arrived at the Madinah, he not only arrange the administrations and united the people of Muhajirin with the people of Ansar but he also encouraged them to increase the productivity of farming (agriculture) as he can see that the land of Madinah was so fertile and need to be worked on more. And to encourage them to do that, the Prophet S.A.W. gives them some intensive. A hadith narrated from al-Bukhari said, the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said, ‘Who ever prospering the land which did not belong to anybody, he is the one who has right on it (the land),’[5] .Also to encourage man to undertake such jobs it is necessary that his right to what he produces is acknowledged and he is assured that the more he will exert himself, the more prosperous his life will be. Of course, while giving him such a right, it is essential to take all aspects of human life into consideration. His encouragement should not pave the way for his indulging in the oppression and exploitation of others and consequently result in their discouragement and disheartening. Islam deed encouraged us to farming by give the guideline of farming based on Islamic laws and regulations. Islam encouraged their people to explore anything as long it we follow the rules and guideline.
Society plays one of the most roles in farming since they are the buyer. Their perception might affect the farmer. The slogan ‘customer are always right’ are a burden actually to the farmer. Nowadays, people tend to choose food that been produce from farm, especially organic foods, since it is goods for health and they believe this food has not been corrupted with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. People have a very bad perception of pesticides and other chemical being used on the food they will be eating, therefore by producing food, organic food, can ease the fears of the customer and increase the consumptions which will lead to the increase of the farmer’s profit later. However, it needs a large land and farmer need to spend more. As for Malaysian, this field are been monopolized by Chinese in vegetable and fruits plantations, while the Malays are monopolized in raising grazing animals and fishing as well as the exploration of raw material. As for crops, Malaysia citizen trellis food is rice which means we need to plant paddy more to fulfill the needs. And, Malaysia people love meats even though there are about ten percent of the people is vegetarian (only eats vegetable and fruit). Being a farmer in this country is easy, besides gain a lot of help, the farmer can predict the society need and the society perceptions about their product. The public believe that if there is no farmer or just a few of them in a country, it will hurt the local economy. They also said that there only minimal noise, odor and other environmental issue. They also believed that the government should provide more help and intensive to the farmers. The upper hand that gives is much better than the lower hand which is receiving.
There are so many ayahs that related to farming (agriculture). It is related whether to show the punishment to those who arrogance, rewards for who believed in Him a story, reminder, a test, and ways. For example, in surah As-Syura, ayah 20 ‘To him who desires a harvest in the life to come we shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires (but) a harvest in this world, We (may) give something thereof- but he will have no share in (the blessing of) of the life to come’[6].
This ayah persistently emphasizes that while striving for the harvest of this world man must never lose sight of the harvest of the Hereafter. Another example from Quran is Surah Abasa, ayah 24 till ayah 32 means ‘ Let men, then consider (the source of) his food; (how it is) that we pour down water, pouring down it down abundantly; and then we cleave the earth (with new growth), cleaving it asunder, and thereupon we cause grain to grow out of it, and vines and edible plants and olive trees and date-palms, and gardens dense with foliage, and fruits and herbage, for you and for your animals to enjoy’.[7]
This is a basic concept as how Quran focuses the reader’s attention on the evidence of agricultural phenomenon for nurturing faith in Almighty Allah and make it a vital force in his thought pattern. There are also some hadith about agriculture (farming). Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." This hadith likely told about the charity that we made without we realize it. As an example, a bird or any animal, bring a seed and they throw it in front of our house. The seed started to grow, and by the time pass, it produces the fruit. Even though we do not plant it by ourselves, we also get the reward when other people take it. See, how simple Islam gives rewards to their people. Even though the deed was as small as a particle, it still counted and there are reward waits for them, if not in the world maybe at the Hereafter. Same as when we do something that astray from the Islamic teaches, since nowadays people said that ‘everything is paid by cash’.
For those who want to involves in this field and become farmers, here the future of this field. All scope of jobs has their future and we, who own the business, need to prepare for anything whether it is good or bad. Farmers need to be prepared physically and mentally. With the climates that inconsistent, plus with the various natural disasters which keep occurs lately, farmer need to plan how to manage their farm through this problem. Farmer needs to try new equipment and technologies to increase their productivity but in the same time can also help in effort to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide. Not only using those modern machines, farmers also need to explore and gain new knowledge has been stated in hadith and obviously, it been stated in Quran. Maulana Muhammad Hanif Nadvi, in his article show that ‘Knowledge is light which illumines man in his thoughts and actions, beliefs and attitudes and values ad mores and transforms him into enlightened being. Knowledge also provides momentum to cultures and civilization.’[8]
People are eager to see new adaptation, mitigation and resource efficiency. Plus, we can see the agricultural business changing from traditional producers of food and raw materials to a sector where the environment and production of food and energy at local level is key. We believe in ground-breaking initiatives allowing the agricultural business to continue adapting with great agility to its markets and surroundings. Being the ‘innovators in agriculture’, it is obviously considering consistent innovation to be the key for the future. Not only varieties in the production, but also varieties in methods and ideas in order to maintain the productivity consistently. To conclude, individually, we need to bring changes in knowledge, skills, attitude and motivations which are factors of vital importance and are mutually interlinked for reciprocal reinforcement. With the combinations of new technology, community support and economics incentive align, it is possible to grab a bright future.
As the conclusion, ‘Verily Allah does not change a people’s condition unless they change their inner selves.’[9] Surah Ar-R’ad, (ayah 11). Every job will be success if we work hard for it. From my point of view, farming is not only about how to meet man’s material needs for food and clothing but it also to satisfy his creative urge. And to satisfy his creative urge, he must experience the living relationship with his Creator, Allah S.W.T. Then, the profession itself become meaningful in Islamic viewpoint and for west viewpoint, it make us special in some different way, since our ultimate goal is not only to get the reward or wealth in the world but also in the Hereafter, besides to reflect the reverent and idealistic culture of Islam in all agricultural development activities. Farming might seems easy and a middle-class or lower-class job, but this job gives a great contribution in our daily life. We must sincere in doing our job, no matter if it is low or high-class job, with expensive salary, branded and exclusive uniform or office. As a Muslim, we have to done the task given honestly and fairly based on the firm or company’s rule and regulations as long it do not stray with the Islamic rules and regulations. Moreover, the teachings of the Holy Quran provide us a firm base of social cohesion when t is enjoins on its followers cooperation in acts of virtue and piety and non-cooperation in acts which is sinful, oppressive and exploitative. We, the Muslims, can compete with the Europe and America and might be better than them with our own way. Farming was originally originated by us, the Muslims, before they shows that they are much better with the help of their modern technologies, compare with us. If we try hard, and work together, there’s nothing impossible to be achieved, with the permissions of Almighty Allah, our Creator.
[1] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-14-1983
[2]Rafiuddin Hashmi- Iqbal,M.The Muslim Community: A sociological Study-IQBAL ACDEMY-71-1982
[3] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-94-1983
[4] Surah Luqman:26-Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali-The Holy Quran; Text and Translation-502-2006
[5] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu- NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-85-1983
[6] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-71-1983
[7] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu -NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-68-1983
[8] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-75-1983
[9] Surah Ar-R’ad,11-`Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali-The Holy Quran; Text and Translation-2862006
Farmer is a person that engaged in farming (agriculture), raising living organism such as animals and plants for food or raw materials of a product. The term is usually applies to people who do some combination of raising fields crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry or other livestock. In the context of agribusiness, a farmer is defined broadly, and thus many individuals not necessarily engaged in full-time farming can nonetheless legally qualify under agricultural policy for various subsidies, incentives, and tax deductions. Farmer usually owns the farmed land, or might work as a labor at others farm. However, in advanced economies, a farmer usually the one who own the farmed land, while the employees of the farm are farmhand or farm workers. Different terms are commonly used to denote farmers who raise specific domesticated animals. For example, those who raise grazing livestock, such a cow, sheep, cattle, horse and goats, are known as ranchers in U.S, grazers in U.K and Australia, or simply stock-men. They also are referred to respectively as shepherds (sheep), goatherds (goats) and cowherds (cows). The term dairy farmer is applied to those who engaged primarily in milk production, whether from sheep, goat, cattle and other animals that can produce usable milk.
Poultry farmer are those who concentrates on raising chicken, ducks, turkeys or geese, either for their meat, eggs or for feather production, or maybe all those three production. A person who raises variety types of plant, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs, sometimes, for market may be called a truck farmer or market gardener. Dirt farmer is those who farm his own land or a practical farmer, based on American colloquial term. Meanwhile, Farming is growing the crops or keeping the animals by people for food and raw materials which is a part of agriculture. They many sector of farming. The main sectors of farming are livestock rising (e.g.: chicken for meats and eggs, cattle for meat and dairy, sheep for meat and wools), horticulture (fruit growing, vegetables crops, plant nurseries including flower and trees, vineyards specializing), grain growing (wheat, barley, oats) and services to agriculture ( sheep shearing, fruit picking, aerial spraying, fertilizer spreading, pest extermination).
Farming from the West view, has been started back as far as the Neolithic era. By the Bronze Age, the Sumerians had an agriculture specialized labor force by 5 000-4 000 B.C., and heavily depended on irrigation to grow crops. In the Middle East, the Ancient Egypt farmer farmed relied and irrigated their water from Nile River. Agriculture involving domestication of plants and animals was developed at least 10 000 years ago, although even earlier people began altering plant and animal communities for their own benefit. The Fertile Crescent of Western Asia, Egypt and India were sites of the earliest planned sowing and harvesting of plant that had previously been gathered in wild. In Islam, farming has been started back years ago since Prophet Adam A.S. period. As we know, the original abode of Prophet Adam A.S., the Great Grandfather of mankind wan a dense garden (Jannah) where he lived perfectly peace and tranquility the Jannah was a stage of passive food gathering. After His exodus from Jannah, He kept himself fed through persistent struggle, by fishing and collecting food (vegetables etc), which is al known as farming[1]. Not only Prophet Adam A.S., our beloved Prophet, Muhammmad S.A.W. also a farmer once, when He was eight, He helped his uncle and worked as a shepherd. . Even in the Quran, in can clearly been seen that the stories that been narrated mostly relate to agriculture (farming).
It is easy to become a farmer, in this country, especially. Almost twenty four percent of Malaysia’s land area is composed of land dedicated to agriculture alone and it contains 7 605 000 hectares of arable and permanent cropland. There are around 43 000 different agricultural machines and tractors. Furthermore, the climate in Malaysia is suitable to produce proper conditions of exotic produce since we’re located on a peninsula in Southeast Asia. This area is very rarely affected by hurricanes r drought. We maintain the humidity level around ninety percent because of our location close to the equator. The weather stays hot and humid all year round. In Malaysia, there are so many assistance can be given to those who are interested to be a farmer. The government, in their new visions, want the young generation, especially, to be involved in this area since agriculture (farming) is expected to become the third engine of economic growth. They will gladly provide the training, and funds to those newbie. Not only that, they also will be given farming equipment and loan as their capital, to ease them farming. Actually, farming is simply and can easily been done by anyone, the only things that make the difference is the effort to do it. Nobody has a right to live on the labor of others without performing any useful work himself. The more we try, the more the revenue that we will get. This can be conclude that, although Malaysia have so many land to be farmed, suitable climate for most crop and so many help been provided by the Government, whether financial or education, it all back to the individual effort, whether they really hardworking or just paying lip service. Imam Musa al‑Kazim (P) is reported to have said: "Allah hates the idle, sleepy man". Everything is up to us.
Everything in this world has their benefit. As for farming, the benefits are obviously on providing the people the foods. Despite of that, there are other benefits that we didn’t realize. As we can see now, most of the agriculture area which were located at rural area before, slowly help that area to develop and not only increasing their economic but also increasing the job opportunity and infrastructure in that area. As a result, that rural area becomes progressive and well-known with the immigrants who emigrant in there and it all started with the agriculture sector. There are so many organizations that can help the farmers besides the help by the government such as Felda Holdings and Sime Darby Bhd. Besides provides free infrastructure such as road, farming, according to Iqbal, also been regards agriculture (farming) profession conductive to the development of religious psyche and culture[2]. According to him, the people who nearest to the nature are nearest to Allah too. Farming help us to communicate with the society through the business transactions or during working. As mention before, farming is located in the rural area which mostly villagers, who lived like a family, by helping, respect and care for each other.
Farming allowed them to work and share the profit together without mind about the races, political understanding, culture and background. It also helps to sow good values, such as hardworking, tolerance and responsibility, and implement the leadership skills. We often say that exercising is good for health, yet we do not have time for it. Farming is an exercising, likely. We can see that old folks, who commonly work as a farmer, have a healthy body without need to go for a jog every morning or pay an expensive fee for aerobics class or go to the gym. All they need just only go out, loosen the soil, pull away dried leaves or root, watering the plant, or put the fertilizer. All this might only look simple but for those who have never try it before, for the first timer, it is actually difficult but fun and profitable. Not only providing the foods for the society, the farmer also leads to the development of an area and build a harmony society. Plus it also one kind of exercise.
Farmer main contributions are the source of foods and raw materials to the people. Man, as a deputy (khalifa) of Almighty Allah should adopt an attitude and conducts towards his fellow being. As such he must provide sustenance to his family, close relatives, orphans, widows and the poor in his neighborhood. As a farmer, however, his role in the provision of food for all mankind assumes a still more exalted status because his calling is in fact an important link in Allah’s creative processes of food production in the grand factory of nature. By doing that, not only give benefit to the society but if the intentions is for charity, it can also help to increases his share in the Hereafter. It is been testimonies by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.), “Any Muslim who plant a tree or raises a crop whereof eat a human being or a bird or an animal it will be a Sadaqa from the planter and even if the produce is stolen by a thief the planter will surely get recompense in the Hereafter (for the virtuous deed)”[3].
Not only supplies the production of food, farmer also provides raw materials of a product to the production sector such as the fur or feather for bags, clothes and decorations. Nowadays, all over the world are concern about the global warming and natural phenomenon that keep occurs lately. They are planning and now, imply the eco-friendly technologies which are safe for our earth by using green materials. They are now applying the 3R which is stands for reduce, reuse and recycle. As an example, despite using chemical flavoring or coloring in food productions, they can change by using natural color or flavor. Farmer who plant barley or pandan leaves, can sell it with a higher price since it is needed to make the flavor tastier or the color more attractive.
Are Islam encouraged their people to farming? Allah told us to serve the land in a good way. It can clearly been seen that this resources are for the benefit of all creatures of Allah and nobody has a right to monopolize them. It must be remembered that the permission of being benefited by these sources has been given to us in human interest, and hence they should not be monopolized by any particular person, persons, class or society to the deprivation of other human beings. Allah has described them as His bounty to all man. In is stated in surah Luqman, ayah 26 ‘Unto Allah belongs all that is in the Heavens and on the Earth, Verily, Allah alone is self-sufficient, the One to whom all praise is due!’[4].
It been said when the Prophet S.A.W. arrived at the Madinah, he not only arrange the administrations and united the people of Muhajirin with the people of Ansar but he also encouraged them to increase the productivity of farming (agriculture) as he can see that the land of Madinah was so fertile and need to be worked on more. And to encourage them to do that, the Prophet S.A.W. gives them some intensive. A hadith narrated from al-Bukhari said, the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said, ‘Who ever prospering the land which did not belong to anybody, he is the one who has right on it (the land),’[5] .Also to encourage man to undertake such jobs it is necessary that his right to what he produces is acknowledged and he is assured that the more he will exert himself, the more prosperous his life will be. Of course, while giving him such a right, it is essential to take all aspects of human life into consideration. His encouragement should not pave the way for his indulging in the oppression and exploitation of others and consequently result in their discouragement and disheartening. Islam deed encouraged us to farming by give the guideline of farming based on Islamic laws and regulations. Islam encouraged their people to explore anything as long it we follow the rules and guideline.
Society plays one of the most roles in farming since they are the buyer. Their perception might affect the farmer. The slogan ‘customer are always right’ are a burden actually to the farmer. Nowadays, people tend to choose food that been produce from farm, especially organic foods, since it is goods for health and they believe this food has not been corrupted with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. People have a very bad perception of pesticides and other chemical being used on the food they will be eating, therefore by producing food, organic food, can ease the fears of the customer and increase the consumptions which will lead to the increase of the farmer’s profit later. However, it needs a large land and farmer need to spend more. As for Malaysian, this field are been monopolized by Chinese in vegetable and fruits plantations, while the Malays are monopolized in raising grazing animals and fishing as well as the exploration of raw material. As for crops, Malaysia citizen trellis food is rice which means we need to plant paddy more to fulfill the needs. And, Malaysia people love meats even though there are about ten percent of the people is vegetarian (only eats vegetable and fruit). Being a farmer in this country is easy, besides gain a lot of help, the farmer can predict the society need and the society perceptions about their product. The public believe that if there is no farmer or just a few of them in a country, it will hurt the local economy. They also said that there only minimal noise, odor and other environmental issue. They also believed that the government should provide more help and intensive to the farmers. The upper hand that gives is much better than the lower hand which is receiving.
There are so many ayahs that related to farming (agriculture). It is related whether to show the punishment to those who arrogance, rewards for who believed in Him a story, reminder, a test, and ways. For example, in surah As-Syura, ayah 20 ‘To him who desires a harvest in the life to come we shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires (but) a harvest in this world, We (may) give something thereof- but he will have no share in (the blessing of) of the life to come’[6].
This ayah persistently emphasizes that while striving for the harvest of this world man must never lose sight of the harvest of the Hereafter. Another example from Quran is Surah Abasa, ayah 24 till ayah 32 means ‘ Let men, then consider (the source of) his food; (how it is) that we pour down water, pouring down it down abundantly; and then we cleave the earth (with new growth), cleaving it asunder, and thereupon we cause grain to grow out of it, and vines and edible plants and olive trees and date-palms, and gardens dense with foliage, and fruits and herbage, for you and for your animals to enjoy’.[7]
This is a basic concept as how Quran focuses the reader’s attention on the evidence of agricultural phenomenon for nurturing faith in Almighty Allah and make it a vital force in his thought pattern. There are also some hadith about agriculture (farming). Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." This hadith likely told about the charity that we made without we realize it. As an example, a bird or any animal, bring a seed and they throw it in front of our house. The seed started to grow, and by the time pass, it produces the fruit. Even though we do not plant it by ourselves, we also get the reward when other people take it. See, how simple Islam gives rewards to their people. Even though the deed was as small as a particle, it still counted and there are reward waits for them, if not in the world maybe at the Hereafter. Same as when we do something that astray from the Islamic teaches, since nowadays people said that ‘everything is paid by cash’.
For those who want to involves in this field and become farmers, here the future of this field. All scope of jobs has their future and we, who own the business, need to prepare for anything whether it is good or bad. Farmers need to be prepared physically and mentally. With the climates that inconsistent, plus with the various natural disasters which keep occurs lately, farmer need to plan how to manage their farm through this problem. Farmer needs to try new equipment and technologies to increase their productivity but in the same time can also help in effort to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide. Not only using those modern machines, farmers also need to explore and gain new knowledge has been stated in hadith and obviously, it been stated in Quran. Maulana Muhammad Hanif Nadvi, in his article show that ‘Knowledge is light which illumines man in his thoughts and actions, beliefs and attitudes and values ad mores and transforms him into enlightened being. Knowledge also provides momentum to cultures and civilization.’[8]
People are eager to see new adaptation, mitigation and resource efficiency. Plus, we can see the agricultural business changing from traditional producers of food and raw materials to a sector where the environment and production of food and energy at local level is key. We believe in ground-breaking initiatives allowing the agricultural business to continue adapting with great agility to its markets and surroundings. Being the ‘innovators in agriculture’, it is obviously considering consistent innovation to be the key for the future. Not only varieties in the production, but also varieties in methods and ideas in order to maintain the productivity consistently. To conclude, individually, we need to bring changes in knowledge, skills, attitude and motivations which are factors of vital importance and are mutually interlinked for reciprocal reinforcement. With the combinations of new technology, community support and economics incentive align, it is possible to grab a bright future.
As the conclusion, ‘Verily Allah does not change a people’s condition unless they change their inner selves.’[9] Surah Ar-R’ad, (ayah 11). Every job will be success if we work hard for it. From my point of view, farming is not only about how to meet man’s material needs for food and clothing but it also to satisfy his creative urge. And to satisfy his creative urge, he must experience the living relationship with his Creator, Allah S.W.T. Then, the profession itself become meaningful in Islamic viewpoint and for west viewpoint, it make us special in some different way, since our ultimate goal is not only to get the reward or wealth in the world but also in the Hereafter, besides to reflect the reverent and idealistic culture of Islam in all agricultural development activities. Farming might seems easy and a middle-class or lower-class job, but this job gives a great contribution in our daily life. We must sincere in doing our job, no matter if it is low or high-class job, with expensive salary, branded and exclusive uniform or office. As a Muslim, we have to done the task given honestly and fairly based on the firm or company’s rule and regulations as long it do not stray with the Islamic rules and regulations. Moreover, the teachings of the Holy Quran provide us a firm base of social cohesion when t is enjoins on its followers cooperation in acts of virtue and piety and non-cooperation in acts which is sinful, oppressive and exploitative. We, the Muslims, can compete with the Europe and America and might be better than them with our own way. Farming was originally originated by us, the Muslims, before they shows that they are much better with the help of their modern technologies, compare with us. If we try hard, and work together, there’s nothing impossible to be achieved, with the permissions of Almighty Allah, our Creator.
[1] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-14-1983
[2]Rafiuddin Hashmi- Iqbal,M.The Muslim Community: A sociological Study-IQBAL ACDEMY-71-1982
[3] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-94-1983
[4] Surah Luqman:26-Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali-The Holy Quran; Text and Translation-502-2006
[5] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu- NAWEED AHMAD,SUNRISE PACKAGE-85-1983
[6] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-71-1983
[7] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu -NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-68-1983
[8] Muzaffar Hussain-Agricultural Extension in Islamic Cultural Milieu-NAWEED AHMAD, SUNRISE PACKAGE-75-1983
[9] Surah Ar-R’ad,11-`Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali-The Holy Quran; Text and Translation-2862006
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