Tommy, learn from Prophet Joseph

Tommy, learn from Prophet Joseph

From Media Indonesia

I am referring to Tommy Soeharto's Nov. 3 disappearance following the President's rejection of his request for clemency. I am asking Tommy to reflect on Prophet Joseph (known as Nabi Yusuf in Indonesian), the only prophet to go to jail, however, not because of his wrongdoings but because he wanted to be jailed in his attempt to get rid of the devil's temptation through the Egyptian King's wife, Qithfir Al-Aziz (Zulaikha) to commit adultery.

Tommy, try to imagine how the innocent prophet suffered in jail: he had no favorite foods to eat, no wife to talk with, he had to sleep in a narrow room and live under very strict prison disciplines. Why do you not learn from his sufferings? On completion of his jail term, he was given higher positions in the administration (Q.S. Yusuf 54-56). If the prophet gave economic, political and leadership lectures in prison, you can lecture your fellow prisoners on how to run a business honestly, etc.

On the other hand, Tommy, do not let your brothers and sisters suffer for what you've done. Try to feel their psychological as well as physical sufferings of being repeatedly cross-examined by the police because of your escape. Also, try to understand that people do not hate you. They hate your behavior, your wrongdoings, more so, your escape. Accordingly, prison should be for you a trigger for logic as a discipline, which will help you learn how to be patient and resolute in facing calamity and suffering, of course, with the help of Allah. It will also be for you a process of strengthening your faith and religion.

Allah will bless you provided that you keep asking for His mercy.

AHMED CHRISTOBAL

Jakarta