Ketua Pengarah Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (Ikim) Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan berkata dia berasa kecewa apabila isu azan telah dipolitikkan kerana pemimpin-pemimpin melihat ia dari sudut politik.
Nik Mustapha berkata isu azan telah dipolitikkan oleh pihak tertentu.
“Kenapa nak jadikan isu? Kenapa nak dipolitikkan?
“Kalau lihat dari sudut politik maka ia jadi isu politik, dulu perkara seperti ini tidak pernah berlaku pun.
“Jadi kenapa nak bincangkan perkara ini? Apa yang penting kita menghormati antara satu sama lain, menghormati adat resam. Yang penting hidup dalam keadaan harmoni, saya tidak faham kenapa ia dipolitikkan,” katanya dengan nada kecewa.
Beliau juga mencadangkan supaya semua rakyat di negara ini menghormati antara satu sama lain demi menjaga keharmonian negara.
“Azan berkumandang untuk memanggil orang Islam bersolat, jadi ia bukan masalah dan bukan isu.
“Ketika saya di Amerika dulu, ketika azan orang Islam di sana tidak menggunakan pembesar suara kerana tidak mahu mengganggu orang lain.
“Macam kita di Malaysia begitu juga, kita kena menghormati antara satu sama lain. Jangan sampai mengganggu mereka,” katanya.
Dalam satu surat bertarikh 20 Disember 2010 kepada Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Ng, meminta supaya tindakan diambil bagi memperlahankan bunyi azan di Masjid Al-Ikhlasiah di Bukit Kerinchi itu kerana didakwa mengganggu tidurnya.
Perkasa dan Pekida telah mengadakan protes di pekarangan masjid berkenaan bagi mengecam tindakan Ng yang dikatakan telah menyentuh sensitiviti umat Islam.
Mufti Perak Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria juga berkata pengurusan masjid atau surau tidak perlu menggunakan pembesar suara selain untuk tujuan azan.
Kata beliau, hanya untuk tujuan azan yang perlu menggunakan pembesar suara manakala bacaan-bacaan lain tidak perlu.
“Hanya azan sahaja yang gunakan pembesar suara, yang lain tidak perlu. Bacaan lain hanya gunakan (pembesar suara) dalam masjid sahaja.
“Tak usahlah nak ganggu orang lain, lagipun tak disuruhkan dalam Islam gunakan pembesar suara selain azan,” katanya.
“Apa-apa pun bagi saya, hanya azan sahaja yang gunakan pembesar suara. Yang lain tidak perlu,” katanya.
Sebelum ini bekas mufti Perlis, Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin berpendapat umat Islam patut menghentikan bacaan-bacaan selain azan, yang dibuat melalui pembesar suara supaya tidak mengganggu orang luar dan juga mereka dalam masjid.
Kontroversi isu azan timbul selepas seorang peguam bukan Islam mempertikaikan bunyi azan yang terlalu kuat sehingga mengganggunya.
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SOURCE: Mufti Perak: Pembesar suara selain untuk azan tak perlu
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Showing posts with label Islam Hadhari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islam Hadhari. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wasn't it spelt out clearly that Mankind is One Nation?
Sūra 109: Kāfirūn
Section 1 (Verse 1-6)
1. Qul ya ayyuha alkafiroona
1. Say: O ye that reject Faith!
2. La aAAbudu ma taAAbudoona
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. Wala ana AAabidun ma AAabadtum
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. Lakum deenukum waliya deeni
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.
Sūrah Al Baqarah
11. Wa-itha qeela lahum la tufsidoo fee al-ardi qaloo innama nahnu muslihoona
11. When it is said to them:
"Make not mischief on the earth,"
They say: "Why, we only
Want to make peace!"
12. Ala innahum humu almufsidoona walakin la yashAAuroona
12. Of a surety, they are the ones
Who make mischief,
But they realise (it) not.
14. Wa-itha laqoo allatheena amanoo qaloo amanna wa-itha khalaw ila shayateenihim qaloo inna maAAakum innama nahnu mustahzi-oona
14. When they meet those who believe,
They say: "We believe;"
But when they are alone
With their evil ones,
They say: "We are really with you:
We (were) only jesting."
16. Ola-ika allatheena ishtarawoo alddalalata bialhuda fama rabihat tijaratuhum wama kanoo muhtadeena
16. These are they who have bartered
Guidance for error:
But their traffic is profitless,
And they have lost true direction,
18. Summun bukmun AAumyun fahum la yarjiAAoona
18. Deaf, dumb, and blind,
They will not return (to the path).
21. Ya ayyuha alnnasu oAAbudoo rabbakumu allathee khalaqakum waallatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona
21. O ye people!
Adore your Guardian-Lord,
Who created you
And those who came before you,
That ye may have the chance
To learn righteousness;
23. Wa-in kuntum fee raybin mimma nazzalna AAala AAabdina fa/too bisooratin min mithlihi waodAAoo shuhadaakum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena
23. And if ye are in doubt
As to what We have revealed
From time to time to Our servant,
Then produce a Sûra
Like thereunto;
And call your witnesses or helpers
(If there are any) besides God,
If your (doubts) are true.
40. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waawfoo biAAahdee oofi biAAahdikum wa-iyyaya fairhabooni
40. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and fulfil your Covenant
With Me as I fulfil My Covenant
With you, and fear none but Me.
42. Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoo alhaqqa waantum taAAlamoona
42. And cover not Truth
With falsehood, nor conceal
The Truth when ye know (what it is).
44. Ata/muroona alnnasa bialbirri watansawna anfusakum waantum tatloona alkitaba afala taAAqiloona
44. Do ye enjoin right conduct
On the people, and forget
(To practise it) yourselves,
And yet ye study the Scripture?
Will ye not understand?
47. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waannee faddaltukum AAala alAAalameena
47. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and that I preferred you
To all other (for My Message).
53. Wa-ith atayna moosa alkitaba waalfurqana laAAallakum tahtadoona
53. And remember We gave
Moses the Scripture and the Criterion
(Between right and wrong): there was
A chance for you to be guided aright.
62. Inna allatheena amanoo waallatheena hadoo waalnnasara waalssabi-eena man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waAAamila salihan falahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
62. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,--any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
83. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqa banee isra-eela la taAAbudoona illa Allaha wabialwalidayni ihsanan wathee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waqooloo lilnnasi husnan waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata thumma tawallaytum illa qaleelan minkum waantum muAAridoona
83. And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).
87. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba waqaffayna min baAAdihi bialrrusuli waatayna AAeesa ibna maryama albayyinati waayyadnahu biroohi alqudusi afakullama jaakum rasoolun bima la tahwa anfusukumu istakbartum fafareeqan kaththabtum wafareeqan taqtuloona
87. We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?--Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!
90. Bi/sama ishtaraw bihi anfusahum an yakfuroo bima anzala Allahu baghyan an yunazzila Allahu min fadlihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi fabaoo bighadabin AAala ghadabin walilkafireena AAathabun muheenun
90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which God has sent down, in insolent envy that God of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.
106. Ma nansakh min ayatin aw nunsiha na/ti bikhayrin minha aw mithliha alam taAAlam anna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
106. None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that God Hath power over all things?
114. Waman athlamu mimman manaAAa masajida Allahi an yuthkara feeha ismuhu wasaAAa fee kharabiha ola-ika ma kana lahum an yadkhulooha illa kha-ifeena lahum fee alddunya khizyun walahum fee al-akhirati AAathabun AAatheemun
114. And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of God, God's name should be celebrated?-whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.
115. Walillahi almashriqu waalmaghribu faaynama tuwalloo fathamma wajhu Allahi inna Allaha wasiAAun AAaleemun
115. To God belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of God. For God is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.
125. Wa-ith jaAAalna albayta mathabatan lilnnasi waamnan waittakhithoo min maqami ibraheema musallan waAAahidna ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela an tahhira baytiya liltta-ifeena waalAAakifeena waalrrukkaAAi alssujoodi
125. Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).
136. Qooloo amanna biAllahi wama onzila ilayna wama onzila ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba waal-asbati wama ootiya moosa waAAeesa wama ootiya alnnabiyyoona min rabbihim la nufarriqu bayna ahadin minhum wanahnu lahu muslimoona
136. Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to God (in Islam)."
139. Qul atuhajjoonana fee Allahi wahuwa rabbuna warabbukum walana aAAmaluna walakum aAAmalukum wanahnu lahu mukhlisoona
139. Say: Will ye dispute with us about God, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
147. Alhaqqu min rabbika fala takoonanna mina almumtareena
147. The Truth is from thy Lord; so be not at all in doubt.
148. Walikullin wijhatun huwa muwalleeha faistabiqoo alkhayrati aynama takoonoo ya/ti bikumu Allahu jameeAAan inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
148. To each is a goal to which God turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, God will bring you Together. For God Hath power over all things.
177. Laysa albirra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibala almashriqi waalmaghribi walakinna albirra man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waalmala-ikati waalkitabi waalnnabiyyeena waata almala AAala hubbihi thawee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeena waibna alssabeeli waalssa-ileena wafee alrriqabi waaqama alssalata waata alzzakata waalmoofoona biAAahdihim itha AAahadoo waalssabireena fee alba/sa-i waalddarra-i waheena alba/si ola-ika allatheena sadaqoo waola-ika humu almuttaqoona
177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness--to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God.fearing.
178. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alqisasu fee alqatla alhurru bialhurri waalAAabdu bialAAabdi waalontha bialontha faman AAufiya lahu min akheehi shay-on faittibaAAun bialmaAAroofi waadaon ilayhi bi-ihsanin thalika takhfeefun min rabbikum warahmatun famani iAAtada baAAda thalika falahu AAathabun aleemun
178. O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.
179. Walakum fee alqisasi hayatun ya olee al-albabi laAAallakum tattaqoona
179. In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, o ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.
188. Wala ta/kuloo amwalakum baynakum bialbatili watudloo biha ila alhukkami lita/kuloo fareeqan min amwali alnnasi bial-ithmi waantum taAAlamoona
188. And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.
204. Wamina alnnasi man yuAAjibuka qawluhu fee alhayati alddunya wayushhidu Allaha AAala ma fee qalbihi wahuwa aladdu alkhisami
204. There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life May dazzle thee, and he calls God to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies.
205. Wa-itha tawalla saAAa fee al-ardi liyufsida feeha wayuhlika alhartha waalnnasla waAllahu la yuhibbu alfasada
205. When he turns his back, His aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But God loveth not mischief.
213. Kana alnnasu ommatan wahidatan fabaAAatha Allahu alnnabiyyeena mubashshireena wamunthireena waanzala maAAahumu alkitaba bialhaqqi liyahkuma bayna alnnasi feema ikhtalafoo feehi wama ikhtalafa feehi illa allatheena ootoohu min baAAdi ma jaat-humu albayyinatu baghyan baynahum fahada Allahu allatheena amanoo lima ikhtalafoo feehi mina alhaqqi bi-ithnihi waAllahu yahdee man yashao ila siratin mustaqeemin
213. Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.
224. Wala tajAAaloo Allaha AAurdatan li-aymanikum an tabarroo watattaqoo watuslihoo bayna alnnasi waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
224. And make not God's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
225. La yu-akhithukumu Allahu biallaghwi fee aymanikum walakin yu-akhithukum bima kasabat quloobukum waAllahu ghafoorun haleemun
225. God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.
256. La ikraha fee alddeeni qad tabayyana alrrushdu mina alghayyi faman yakfur bialttaghooti wayu/min biAllahi faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa la infisama laha waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.
263. Qawlun maAAroofun wamaghfiratun khayrun min sadaqatin yatbaAAuha athan waAllahu ghaniyyun haleemun
263. Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
285. Amana alrrasoolu bima onzila ilayhi min rabbihi waalmu/minoona kullun amana biAllahi wamala-ikatihi wakutubihi warusulihi la nufarriqu bayna ahadin min rusulihi waqaloo samiAAna waataAAna ghufranaka rabbana wa-ilayka almaseeru
285. The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
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SOURCE:
The Holy Quran translated by Yusuf Ali
Surah Al Baqarah
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The Qur'an is the primary text of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed beginning in the year 610 C.E. It was canonicalized between 644 and 656. The Qur'an is required reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam. Qur'an means "The Recital" in Arabic; according to the story, the angel Gabriel commanded Muhammed to "Recite!".
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Section 1 (Verse 1-6)
1. Qul ya ayyuha alkafiroona
1. Say: O ye that reject Faith!
2. La aAAbudu ma taAAbudoona
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. Wala ana AAabidun ma AAabadtum
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Wala antum AAabidoona ma aAAbudu
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. Lakum deenukum waliya deeni
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.
Sūrah Al Baqarah
11. Wa-itha qeela lahum la tufsidoo fee al-ardi qaloo innama nahnu muslihoona
11. When it is said to them:
"Make not mischief on the earth,"
They say: "Why, we only
Want to make peace!"
12. Ala innahum humu almufsidoona walakin la yashAAuroona
12. Of a surety, they are the ones
Who make mischief,
But they realise (it) not.
14. Wa-itha laqoo allatheena amanoo qaloo amanna wa-itha khalaw ila shayateenihim qaloo inna maAAakum innama nahnu mustahzi-oona
14. When they meet those who believe,
They say: "We believe;"
But when they are alone
With their evil ones,
They say: "We are really with you:
We (were) only jesting."
16. Ola-ika allatheena ishtarawoo alddalalata bialhuda fama rabihat tijaratuhum wama kanoo muhtadeena
16. These are they who have bartered
Guidance for error:
But their traffic is profitless,
And they have lost true direction,
18. Summun bukmun AAumyun fahum la yarjiAAoona
18. Deaf, dumb, and blind,
They will not return (to the path).
21. Ya ayyuha alnnasu oAAbudoo rabbakumu allathee khalaqakum waallatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona
21. O ye people!
Adore your Guardian-Lord,
Who created you
And those who came before you,
That ye may have the chance
To learn righteousness;
23. Wa-in kuntum fee raybin mimma nazzalna AAala AAabdina fa/too bisooratin min mithlihi waodAAoo shuhadaakum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena
23. And if ye are in doubt
As to what We have revealed
From time to time to Our servant,
Then produce a Sûra
Like thereunto;
And call your witnesses or helpers
(If there are any) besides God,
If your (doubts) are true.
40. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waawfoo biAAahdee oofi biAAahdikum wa-iyyaya fairhabooni
40. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and fulfil your Covenant
With Me as I fulfil My Covenant
With you, and fear none but Me.
42. Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoo alhaqqa waantum taAAlamoona
42. And cover not Truth
With falsehood, nor conceal
The Truth when ye know (what it is).
44. Ata/muroona alnnasa bialbirri watansawna anfusakum waantum tatloona alkitaba afala taAAqiloona
44. Do ye enjoin right conduct
On the people, and forget
(To practise it) yourselves,
And yet ye study the Scripture?
Will ye not understand?
47. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waannee faddaltukum AAala alAAalameena
47. O Children of Israel! call to mind
The (special) favour which I bestowed
Upon you, and that I preferred you
To all other (for My Message).
53. Wa-ith atayna moosa alkitaba waalfurqana laAAallakum tahtadoona
53. And remember We gave
Moses the Scripture and the Criterion
(Between right and wrong): there was
A chance for you to be guided aright.
62. Inna allatheena amanoo waallatheena hadoo waalnnasara waalssabi-eena man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waAAamila salihan falahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
62. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,--any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
83. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqa banee isra-eela la taAAbudoona illa Allaha wabialwalidayni ihsanan wathee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waqooloo lilnnasi husnan waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata thumma tawallaytum illa qaleelan minkum waantum muAAridoona
83. And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).
87. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba waqaffayna min baAAdihi bialrrusuli waatayna AAeesa ibna maryama albayyinati waayyadnahu biroohi alqudusi afakullama jaakum rasoolun bima la tahwa anfusukumu istakbartum fafareeqan kaththabtum wafareeqan taqtuloona
87. We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?--Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!
90. Bi/sama ishtaraw bihi anfusahum an yakfuroo bima anzala Allahu baghyan an yunazzila Allahu min fadlihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi fabaoo bighadabin AAala ghadabin walilkafireena AAathabun muheenun
90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which God has sent down, in insolent envy that God of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.
106. Ma nansakh min ayatin aw nunsiha na/ti bikhayrin minha aw mithliha alam taAAlam anna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
106. None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that God Hath power over all things?
114. Waman athlamu mimman manaAAa masajida Allahi an yuthkara feeha ismuhu wasaAAa fee kharabiha ola-ika ma kana lahum an yadkhulooha illa kha-ifeena lahum fee alddunya khizyun walahum fee al-akhirati AAathabun AAatheemun
114. And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of God, God's name should be celebrated?-whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.
115. Walillahi almashriqu waalmaghribu faaynama tuwalloo fathamma wajhu Allahi inna Allaha wasiAAun AAaleemun
115. To God belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of God. For God is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.
125. Wa-ith jaAAalna albayta mathabatan lilnnasi waamnan waittakhithoo min maqami ibraheema musallan waAAahidna ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela an tahhira baytiya liltta-ifeena waalAAakifeena waalrrukkaAAi alssujoodi
125. Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).
136. Qooloo amanna biAllahi wama onzila ilayna wama onzila ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba waal-asbati wama ootiya moosa waAAeesa wama ootiya alnnabiyyoona min rabbihim la nufarriqu bayna ahadin minhum wanahnu lahu muslimoona
136. Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to God (in Islam)."
139. Qul atuhajjoonana fee Allahi wahuwa rabbuna warabbukum walana aAAmaluna walakum aAAmalukum wanahnu lahu mukhlisoona
139. Say: Will ye dispute with us about God, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
147. Alhaqqu min rabbika fala takoonanna mina almumtareena
147. The Truth is from thy Lord; so be not at all in doubt.
148. Walikullin wijhatun huwa muwalleeha faistabiqoo alkhayrati aynama takoonoo ya/ti bikumu Allahu jameeAAan inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
148. To each is a goal to which God turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, God will bring you Together. For God Hath power over all things.
177. Laysa albirra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibala almashriqi waalmaghribi walakinna albirra man amana biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waalmala-ikati waalkitabi waalnnabiyyeena waata almala AAala hubbihi thawee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeena waibna alssabeeli waalssa-ileena wafee alrriqabi waaqama alssalata waata alzzakata waalmoofoona biAAahdihim itha AAahadoo waalssabireena fee alba/sa-i waalddarra-i waheena alba/si ola-ika allatheena sadaqoo waola-ika humu almuttaqoona
177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness--to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God.fearing.
178. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alqisasu fee alqatla alhurru bialhurri waalAAabdu bialAAabdi waalontha bialontha faman AAufiya lahu min akheehi shay-on faittibaAAun bialmaAAroofi waadaon ilayhi bi-ihsanin thalika takhfeefun min rabbikum warahmatun famani iAAtada baAAda thalika falahu AAathabun aleemun
178. O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.
179. Walakum fee alqisasi hayatun ya olee al-albabi laAAallakum tattaqoona
179. In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, o ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.
188. Wala ta/kuloo amwalakum baynakum bialbatili watudloo biha ila alhukkami lita/kuloo fareeqan min amwali alnnasi bial-ithmi waantum taAAlamoona
188. And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.
204. Wamina alnnasi man yuAAjibuka qawluhu fee alhayati alddunya wayushhidu Allaha AAala ma fee qalbihi wahuwa aladdu alkhisami
204. There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life May dazzle thee, and he calls God to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies.
205. Wa-itha tawalla saAAa fee al-ardi liyufsida feeha wayuhlika alhartha waalnnasla waAllahu la yuhibbu alfasada
205. When he turns his back, His aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But God loveth not mischief.
213. Kana alnnasu ommatan wahidatan fabaAAatha Allahu alnnabiyyeena mubashshireena wamunthireena waanzala maAAahumu alkitaba bialhaqqi liyahkuma bayna alnnasi feema ikhtalafoo feehi wama ikhtalafa feehi illa allatheena ootoohu min baAAdi ma jaat-humu albayyinatu baghyan baynahum fahada Allahu allatheena amanoo lima ikhtalafoo feehi mina alhaqqi bi-ithnihi waAllahu yahdee man yashao ila siratin mustaqeemin
213. Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.
224. Wala tajAAaloo Allaha AAurdatan li-aymanikum an tabarroo watattaqoo watuslihoo bayna alnnasi waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
224. And make not God's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
225. La yu-akhithukumu Allahu biallaghwi fee aymanikum walakin yu-akhithukum bima kasabat quloobukum waAllahu ghafoorun haleemun
225. God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.
256. La ikraha fee alddeeni qad tabayyana alrrushdu mina alghayyi faman yakfur bialttaghooti wayu/min biAllahi faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa la infisama laha waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.
263. Qawlun maAAroofun wamaghfiratun khayrun min sadaqatin yatbaAAuha athan waAllahu ghaniyyun haleemun
263. Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
285. Amana alrrasoolu bima onzila ilayhi min rabbihi waalmu/minoona kullun amana biAllahi wamala-ikatihi wakutubihi warusulihi la nufarriqu bayna ahadin min rusulihi waqaloo samiAAna waataAAna ghufranaka rabbana wa-ilayka almaseeru
285. The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
********************************************
SOURCE:
The Holy Quran translated by Yusuf Ali
Surah Al Baqarah
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The Qur'an is the primary text of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed beginning in the year 610 C.E. It was canonicalized between 644 and 656. The Qur'an is required reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam. Qur'an means "The Recital" in Arabic; according to the story, the angel Gabriel commanded Muhammed to "Recite!".
*********************************************
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Chinese wants to be more Malay than the Malays?
Quote for today 1
The religion of China is Confucian;
The religion of a Malaysian Chinese is confusion."
***
Quote for today 2
“Just look at the shopping malls, although Christians are only nine per cent, the Christmas and New Year 2010 celebrations are incomparable to the Hari Raya and the Islamic New Year. If you do not believe, visit the states ruled by the ultra kiasu and its allies, and the shopping malls of their allies throughout the country,” cried Dr Ridhuan Tee - Ah Yam.
Ridhuan said: the Chinese are “ultra-kiasu”
Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah is the Utusan Malaysia columnist
***
Quote for today 3
As a Muslim, we want to emphasize that Islam teaches justice. Everyone has rights. We do not accept a rule where only one race’s rights are protected simply because they are the majority. We cannot deny the minority,” said Khalid Samad who is the PAS Shah Alam MP.
“Even if there was one Buddhist in a village, he must be allowed to celebrate and practice his faith because it is his right. Just because the Malays are the majority, Islam does not say we can go around and oppress others,” stated Khalid, who sounded upset when told about the arguments made in Ridhuan’s latest article.
He added that while the original social contract of the country did provide some form of protection for Malays so that they would not be left trailing behind, that was in the past and even then that did not mean that other races were not considered as equal citizens of the country.
“It is disappointing that Ridhuan Tee is becoming more UMNO Muslim than Malay Muslim. As a Muslim convert, he should be concentrating his efforts in trying to show the truth and justice within Islam, and not trying to win acceptance from the Malay-Muslims minorities who buy into this racist sentiment.”
***
My dad used to tell of a man who bragged that he had been a Methodist and was now thinking of leaving the Baptist church to become a "Charismatic" movement and a preacher. My dad wished him luck. The man seemed puzzled. Dad explained that he didn’t see any harm in changing labels on an empty bottle.
***
A cynic once remarked that nothing is permanent except change. We live in a world of change. Everything from ladies’ shoes to legislation, from automobiles to art, from furniture to finances... and oh, religion too ... change overnight. World events seem to tumble over each other with barely enough time to happen.
In such a breath-taking age men look here and there for a point of permanence.
***
Kiasu? No, its Kiasi!!!
***
The religion of China is Confucian;
The religion of a Malaysian Chinese is confusion."
***
Quote for today 2
“Just look at the shopping malls, although Christians are only nine per cent, the Christmas and New Year 2010 celebrations are incomparable to the Hari Raya and the Islamic New Year. If you do not believe, visit the states ruled by the ultra kiasu and its allies, and the shopping malls of their allies throughout the country,” cried Dr Ridhuan Tee - Ah Yam.
Ridhuan said: the Chinese are “ultra-kiasu”
Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah is the Utusan Malaysia columnist
***
Quote for today 3
As a Muslim, we want to emphasize that Islam teaches justice. Everyone has rights. We do not accept a rule where only one race’s rights are protected simply because they are the majority. We cannot deny the minority,” said Khalid Samad who is the PAS Shah Alam MP.
“Even if there was one Buddhist in a village, he must be allowed to celebrate and practice his faith because it is his right. Just because the Malays are the majority, Islam does not say we can go around and oppress others,” stated Khalid, who sounded upset when told about the arguments made in Ridhuan’s latest article.
He added that while the original social contract of the country did provide some form of protection for Malays so that they would not be left trailing behind, that was in the past and even then that did not mean that other races were not considered as equal citizens of the country.
“It is disappointing that Ridhuan Tee is becoming more UMNO Muslim than Malay Muslim. As a Muslim convert, he should be concentrating his efforts in trying to show the truth and justice within Islam, and not trying to win acceptance from the Malay-Muslims minorities who buy into this racist sentiment.”
***
My dad used to tell of a man who bragged that he had been a Methodist and was now thinking of leaving the Baptist church to become a "Charismatic" movement and a preacher. My dad wished him luck. The man seemed puzzled. Dad explained that he didn’t see any harm in changing labels on an empty bottle.
***
A cynic once remarked that nothing is permanent except change. We live in a world of change. Everything from ladies’ shoes to legislation, from automobiles to art, from furniture to finances... and oh, religion too ... change overnight. World events seem to tumble over each other with barely enough time to happen.
In such a breath-taking age men look here and there for a point of permanence.
***
Kiasu? No, its Kiasi!!!
***
Monday, June 23, 2008
Perlis Mufti: ‘Stop Islamic state rhetoric’
"Politicians should refrain from openly proposing the Islamic state concept because it can lead to confusion," Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said.
Dr Asri said the concept was fast becoming rhetoric. He said what should be more important to Muslims was the substance, not just words or catchphrases.
Dr Mohd Asri said the concept of an Islamic state was often just associated with hudud (syariah criminal laws) when it should encompass more, including an Islamic lifestyle.
Besides that, he said the misuse of the term “Islamic state” could cause confusion, even among Muslims.
“What, we must attempt is bring meaning to the concept we proposed.
“If it is an Islamic state, the content must be there, not just in the form of hudud law but fair administration, justice for all, eradication of poverty and corruption and human rights, which are the very essence of Islamic civilisation,” Dr Asri said.
He said Islam allowed for differing viewpoints and urged the Pakatan Rakyat alliance not to be embroiled in escapism.
“They must look forward and prove they can meet the people’s aspirations. They should stop looking at the past.
“It is much easier being in the opposition than the government. Pakatan must realise this and stop the blame game. They must evolve into playing a role as the government,” he added.
Dr Asri said this during a dialogue on Pakatan Rakyat’s 100 days of administration in Balai Islam here on Saturday night.
The other two panellists were PKR strategic planning director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and International Islamic University law academician Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari.
Source: TheStar: ‘Stop Islamic state rhetoric’
Dr Asri said the concept was fast becoming rhetoric. He said what should be more important to Muslims was the substance, not just words or catchphrases.
Dr Mohd Asri said the concept of an Islamic state was often just associated with hudud (syariah criminal laws) when it should encompass more, including an Islamic lifestyle.
Besides that, he said the misuse of the term “Islamic state” could cause confusion, even among Muslims.
“What, we must attempt is bring meaning to the concept we proposed.
“If it is an Islamic state, the content must be there, not just in the form of hudud law but fair administration, justice for all, eradication of poverty and corruption and human rights, which are the very essence of Islamic civilisation,” Dr Asri said.
He said Islam allowed for differing viewpoints and urged the Pakatan Rakyat alliance not to be embroiled in escapism.
“They must look forward and prove they can meet the people’s aspirations. They should stop looking at the past.
“It is much easier being in the opposition than the government. Pakatan must realise this and stop the blame game. They must evolve into playing a role as the government,” he added.
Dr Asri said this during a dialogue on Pakatan Rakyat’s 100 days of administration in Balai Islam here on Saturday night.
The other two panellists were PKR strategic planning director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and International Islamic University law academician Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari.
Source: TheStar: ‘Stop Islamic state rhetoric’
Saturday, May 17, 2008
What is haram can become halal according to Umno.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz said the root cause for the political decay in the country could be attributed to Umno."What is haram can become halal according to Umno," Nik Aziz said.
"They have governed on the premise of evicting Islam and Umno is like a party with no brakes.
"The only salvation for Umno is to go back to Islamic roots," Nik Aziz said.
Source: TheStar: Nik Aziz: Blame Umno for political morass
I certainly cannot disagree with Tok Guru. If only Umno leaders and members follow strictly to the teachings as stated in the Quran and feared Allah, this nation will never be corrupt; the people will not suffer from poverty and discrimination; and all the Muslims and non-Muslims wouldn't need to fear of oppression, discrimination and poverty.
Serpens nisi serpentem comederit non fit draco [A serpent must have eaten another serpent before he can become a dragon].
For no man prospers so suddenly as by others' errors.
For certainly great riches have sold more men than they have bought out.
Seek not proud riches, but such as thou mayest get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and leave contently.
Qui festnat ad divitias, non erit insons [He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent]
In studio rei amplificandæ apparebat, non avritia pradam, sed instrumentum bonitati quæri [In seeking to increase his estate it was apparent that he sought not a prey for avarice to feed on, but an instrument for goodness to work with].
In Islam, honesty and integrity are the fundamental virtues; irrespective of all other good behaviors and good things done by any individual believer.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Raja Petra: A Prisoner-in-Waiting
I read with sadness and pride of the words of Raja Petra Kamarudin on his impending arrest and indictment. This is what he had to say to his readers:
[quote]
I received a phone call early this morning saying that the police have contacted YB William Leong to inform him they will be taking me in today. It was not made clear whether it would be to take my statement, which they failed to get from me last Friday, or whether I am to be detained or charged. Nevertheless, I am on standby, waiting for them to phone me to ‘surrender’ myself to Bukit Aman, or for them to come to my house to arrest me. Either way I am waiting and am quite prepared for the prospect that this may be my last article for quite some time to come.
Whatever it may be, one thing is very clear in my mind. This is God’s will and if I am to suffer a fate of long detention then this is what God has willed for me. And I will submit to God’s will for does not Islam mean submission?
Yes, Islam is not about rituals. Islam is not about ‘showing’ you are a true Muslim by performing rituals. Islam is about submission and there can be no submission unless you are able to and prepared to submit to God’s will. Not doing so would mean that you have no submission in your heart and therefore would not be a Muslim at heart.
Thus far I have only mentioned fardu ain, the rituals that a Muslim needs to perform. But Islam is more than just fardu ain. There is another fardu called fardu kifayah. And fardu kifayah is mandatory upon all Muslims. But fardu kifayah is not about rituals. It is about doing your duty to the community. And one of the most important tasks a Muslim must perform for his community is to oppose all forms of evil or kemunkaran.
And that is what I perform under the mandatory fardu kifayah. I oppose evil. But the government calls it sedition. And for my ‘crime’ of sedition they would like to send me to jail. I would not like to go to jail for grabbing the backside of a cigar girl. I would not like to go to jail for raping an underage girl. I would not like to go to jail for murdering a Mongolian woman. I would not like to go to jail for robbing the nation. But I would enjoy going to jail for fulfilling my duty as a true Muslim under the mandatory fardu kifayah. So I await jail with glee in my heart.
So I await the arrival of the police or for the phone call for me to come surrender myself to Bukit Aman. And when that happens I will do what is required of me and not question God’s wisdom. For I am not a Muslim by way of mere rituals but a Muslim at heart. It is from God we came and to God we shall return. And everything that happens in-between is part of God’s grand plan.
Yes, performing rituals is easy. A ‘show’ Muslim is not hard to emulate. But a true Muslim at heart is what Islam is all about. And I would like to be that type of Muslim who surrenders to God’s will with gratitude in my heart and faith in that whatever befalls me is always for a reason and part of God’s plan that has been determined long before I came into the world midnight of 27 September 1950 in the Year of the Tiger. [unquote]
You can read his full article here: What is Islam?
With due respect to all my friends, I would say that I learn more about Islam from PRK than from the few Ulamak friends. Truly, Islam is such a beautiful religion and how I wish all of us understands this religion and its virtue. How I wish Umno and those bigots also understands.
***
[quote]
I received a phone call early this morning saying that the police have contacted YB William Leong to inform him they will be taking me in today. It was not made clear whether it would be to take my statement, which they failed to get from me last Friday, or whether I am to be detained or charged. Nevertheless, I am on standby, waiting for them to phone me to ‘surrender’ myself to Bukit Aman, or for them to come to my house to arrest me. Either way I am waiting and am quite prepared for the prospect that this may be my last article for quite some time to come.
Whatever it may be, one thing is very clear in my mind. This is God’s will and if I am to suffer a fate of long detention then this is what God has willed for me. And I will submit to God’s will for does not Islam mean submission?
Yes, Islam is not about rituals. Islam is not about ‘showing’ you are a true Muslim by performing rituals. Islam is about submission and there can be no submission unless you are able to and prepared to submit to God’s will. Not doing so would mean that you have no submission in your heart and therefore would not be a Muslim at heart.
Thus far I have only mentioned fardu ain, the rituals that a Muslim needs to perform. But Islam is more than just fardu ain. There is another fardu called fardu kifayah. And fardu kifayah is mandatory upon all Muslims. But fardu kifayah is not about rituals. It is about doing your duty to the community. And one of the most important tasks a Muslim must perform for his community is to oppose all forms of evil or kemunkaran.
And that is what I perform under the mandatory fardu kifayah. I oppose evil. But the government calls it sedition. And for my ‘crime’ of sedition they would like to send me to jail. I would not like to go to jail for grabbing the backside of a cigar girl. I would not like to go to jail for raping an underage girl. I would not like to go to jail for murdering a Mongolian woman. I would not like to go to jail for robbing the nation. But I would enjoy going to jail for fulfilling my duty as a true Muslim under the mandatory fardu kifayah. So I await jail with glee in my heart.
So I await the arrival of the police or for the phone call for me to come surrender myself to Bukit Aman. And when that happens I will do what is required of me and not question God’s wisdom. For I am not a Muslim by way of mere rituals but a Muslim at heart. It is from God we came and to God we shall return. And everything that happens in-between is part of God’s grand plan.
Yes, performing rituals is easy. A ‘show’ Muslim is not hard to emulate. But a true Muslim at heart is what Islam is all about. And I would like to be that type of Muslim who surrenders to God’s will with gratitude in my heart and faith in that whatever befalls me is always for a reason and part of God’s plan that has been determined long before I came into the world midnight of 27 September 1950 in the Year of the Tiger. [unquote]
You can read his full article here: What is Islam?
With due respect to all my friends, I would say that I learn more about Islam from PRK than from the few Ulamak friends. Truly, Islam is such a beautiful religion and how I wish all of us understands this religion and its virtue. How I wish Umno and those bigots also understands.
***
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Is Malay mindset stable? If yes, there's harmony!
Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said:"Racial prejudice in the country can be erased if the Malay mindset is stable and comfortable of forging harmony.
He said a stable mindset among the Malays was crucial as it was a precondition to the nation's stability.
“Islam, Malay Rulers' sovereignty, Malay language and the special status of the Malays are among matters that never slipped from the attention of the Malay Rulers."
“The Malay Rulers understand very well that the country's political stability largely depends on the preparedness of the Malay mind to face changes,” he said in his address in conjunction with the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at Istana Iskandariah.
He said the Malay rulers were where the people looked to for shelter and protection when they felt that their status as the indigenous race was being undermined.
Dr Nazrin wants the people to accept the reality that Malaysia has a plural society and efforts to forge unity and to erase any form of negative racial prejudice was an important agenda and a prerequisite to the country's political stability, besides being a requirement to guarantee public peace.
“The Malaysian soil must practise fairness and equality that forbids discrimination and negative racist actions.”
Source: Stable Malay mindset vital
Also read NST: Raja Nazrin on precondition for nation's stability
Why is Raja Nazrin calling for stable mindset? He must have observed an unstable mindset within the ruling regime. Psychologically, they are all stable, but politically, they are driven to instability.
According to Umno Kelantan chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa, the Malay unity issue should be discussed in the context of a surrounding multi-ethnic society and not as unity in isolation.
“There is a perception that a united Malay front is a threat to other races. This is furthest from the truth. A united Malay front is the tonic for national unity,” Annuar said in an interview.
“There is a perception that a united Malay front is a threat to other races. This is furthest from the truth. A united Malay front is the tonic for national unity,” Annuar said in an interview.
Annuar also said that Umno must overcome a perception among non-Malays that the party has become arrogant and corrupt in its quest to govern the country effectively. (Source: Annuar: Don’t be fearful)
I tried not to be fearful; but observing how Umno is behaving now, as compared to before, the stomach suffers from nausea. Even where there is no racial issues, they can cooked up some to stir the emotions and paranoia. Even pig farming can become a problem to Selangor; but Negri Sembilan had more pig farms than any other states. Kelantan is an Islamic state and yet Tok Guru approved the existence of pig farms and the selling of pork in the wet market. What's wrong with Selangor Umno? Is it because they no more rule Selangor? Are they not stirring up a clash of civilisation?
The Quran not only say Muslims cannot eat pork; the Holy Book also say Muslims cannot eat property in vanity nor seek to gain the hearing of judges to devour property of others (Surah 2:188).
The Quran also forbid eating carrion, blood and those which have been immolated to the name of any other than Allah, unless it is driven by necessity of which it is no sin for him because Allah is forgiving and merciful (Surah 2: 173).
Dear Muslims, there are many other things which Islam forbid; please follow all of it, not just one of it.
The Quran also said: "It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Scripture and the Prophets; and giveth his wealth, for the love of Allah, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor due (Surah 2: 177).
Righteousness is clearly defined in the Quran. Righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Quran, and must include giving wealth to the poor, not stealing from the poor; and set slaves free, not enslave fellow citizens; and pay the poor, not taxed them and make them pay for your political building fund as was the case of Crystal Mosque project in Terengganu. How can a Mosque project pay political funds by creating variation orders as exposed by the contractor of the said project?
Righteousness is clearly defined in the Quran. Righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Quran, and must include giving wealth to the poor, not stealing from the poor; and set slaves free, not enslave fellow citizens; and pay the poor, not taxed them and make them pay for your political building fund as was the case of Crystal Mosque project in Terengganu. How can a Mosque project pay political funds by creating variation orders as exposed by the contractor of the said project?
Friday, April 04, 2008
IKIM: No such khalwat proposal
Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) said that Tuesday's report in the Star headlined "Proposal to prosecute non-muslims for khalwat" is entirely erroneous.
According to an Ikim statement dated April 3, the seminar it organised in collaboration with the Syariah Judiciary Department was intended to review existing syariah laws and to propose solutions to problems pertaining the syariah system in Malaysia.
Ikim said the news report was not right as no proposal to prosecute non-muslims for khalwat, be it under the syariah or civil court, was ever made.
“The article in the Star which reports that the seminar had proposed that non-Muslims caught committing khalwat with Muslims should also be sentenced accordingly but in the civil courts, is entirely erroneous,” said Ikim director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas in the statement.
“No such proposal was made, and therefore if what is reported in the Star as being comments allegedly made by Syariah Court of Appeal Judge (Mohd Asri Abdullah), are also in error,” he added.
"If indeed the learned judge made those statements, we strongly advise that it would behove the judge to be more circumspect in future," he said.
He added that Ikim held that non-Muslims cannot fundamentally be charged under any provision in Islamic law by virtue of the fact that they do not profess the religion of Islam.
“In addition, to my knowledge, there is no such provision in the civil courts to charge a person for khalwat, and therefore it would be premature to assume that non-Muslims can also be subjected to the charge of khalwat in the civil courts,” he said.
"I am disappointed with the article highlighting comments made by Mohd Asri Abdullah which emphasized the banal, when in reality the more important substantive proposals concerning laws protecting the rights of divorced women and their rights to maintenance were ignore," said Syed Ali.
Syed Ali also disagreed with the Star article on a proposal "for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre for those convicted of offences related to morals and faith such as prostitution and effeminate men".
"To my knowledge, I have never interpreted being effeminate as an offence," he said.
SIS opposes "moral policing"
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Sisters in Islam (SIS) reiterated its strong objection to the current practice of moral policing by the state, saying it contravened certain Quranic verses.
"The practice of barging into people's houses and bedrooms, in particular, clearly violates an individual's right to privacy and human dignity protected by the Quran."
SIS said that khalwat raids were never carried out during the prophet Muhammad's lifetime and it was reported that the second Caliph Sayidina Umar was rebuked for barging into a suspect's residence.
"Such practice is also not the norm in many Muslim countries," it added.
"The zealousness of religious officials in 'promoting good and preventing evil' has often led to public outrage because those arrested, especially women, were shamed and humiliated."
Source: Malaysiakini.com
P/S: Brian Fong, here is the answer to your query and the statement is made by our most respected Muslim Philosopher Professor Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas who is also the D-G of IKIM.
According to an Ikim statement dated April 3, the seminar it organised in collaboration with the Syariah Judiciary Department was intended to review existing syariah laws and to propose solutions to problems pertaining the syariah system in Malaysia.
Ikim said the news report was not right as no proposal to prosecute non-muslims for khalwat, be it under the syariah or civil court, was ever made.
“The article in the Star which reports that the seminar had proposed that non-Muslims caught committing khalwat with Muslims should also be sentenced accordingly but in the civil courts, is entirely erroneous,” said Ikim director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas in the statement.
“No such proposal was made, and therefore if what is reported in the Star as being comments allegedly made by Syariah Court of Appeal Judge (Mohd Asri Abdullah), are also in error,” he added.
"If indeed the learned judge made those statements, we strongly advise that it would behove the judge to be more circumspect in future," he said.
He added that Ikim held that non-Muslims cannot fundamentally be charged under any provision in Islamic law by virtue of the fact that they do not profess the religion of Islam.
“In addition, to my knowledge, there is no such provision in the civil courts to charge a person for khalwat, and therefore it would be premature to assume that non-Muslims can also be subjected to the charge of khalwat in the civil courts,” he said.
"I am disappointed with the article highlighting comments made by Mohd Asri Abdullah which emphasized the banal, when in reality the more important substantive proposals concerning laws protecting the rights of divorced women and their rights to maintenance were ignore," said Syed Ali.
Syed Ali also disagreed with the Star article on a proposal "for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre for those convicted of offences related to morals and faith such as prostitution and effeminate men".
"To my knowledge, I have never interpreted being effeminate as an offence," he said.
SIS opposes "moral policing"
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Sisters in Islam (SIS) reiterated its strong objection to the current practice of moral policing by the state, saying it contravened certain Quranic verses.
"The practice of barging into people's houses and bedrooms, in particular, clearly violates an individual's right to privacy and human dignity protected by the Quran."
SIS said that khalwat raids were never carried out during the prophet Muhammad's lifetime and it was reported that the second Caliph Sayidina Umar was rebuked for barging into a suspect's residence.
"Such practice is also not the norm in many Muslim countries," it added.
"The zealousness of religious officials in 'promoting good and preventing evil' has often led to public outrage because those arrested, especially women, were shamed and humiliated."
Source: Malaysiakini.com
P/S: Brian Fong, here is the answer to your query and the statement is made by our most respected Muslim Philosopher Professor Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas who is also the D-G of IKIM.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Interpreting Islam
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has given party candidates the green light to engage in character assassination of their opponents during their ceramah.
Quoting versus from the Quran, Hadi said that it was all right for the candidates to reveal the wrongdoings of their opponents in Barisan Nasional so that righteousness could prevail.
“Islam allows such an action as long as we don’t fabricate stories; the people (voters) have the right to elect a leader of high esteem and virtue, ” he said during a ceramah in Kuala Besut on Tuesday night.
“Character assassination is acceptable in Islam, especially when electing a leader, because people should make a wise decision when choosing their leaders,” he said.
I have read the Quran so many times and I have not discovered anything that says character assassination is acceptable in Islam. This must be Hadi's profound knowledge.
What about Khairy's interpretation?“Yes, religion is important, but there is no point talking about religion when you cannot develop the people and the state,” Khairy Jamaluddin said after meeting Barisan Nasional Youth operations centre at Pasir Puteh, Kelantan.
It is undisputed in Islamic teaching that Islam is a way of life and with the spirit and virtues of Islam it will develop the people and thus the state. Islam is progressive and virtuous. I'm puzzled by a Muslim who can say that it is no point talking about the Islamic religion when you (the Muslim leaders and rulers) cannot develop the people and the state. Maybe, this is Islam Hadhari's doctrine.
"It NEVER crossed my mind to apologize to those who are hurt by what I said."For me, if we truly fight for our race, one should not apologize."
- Khairy Jamaluddin.
Is that right? So if every one fight for their race, they need not be apologetic; they can go on and hurt anyone and everyone so long as they are doing it to fight for their race.
In Malaysia, there are people of so many races; Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Iban, Kadazan, Malanau, Bajau, Murut, Dayaks, Orang Asli, etc, etc; and if each race starts to fight for their own, and need not be apologetic, the nation turns into Armageddon.
Narrow views affecting unityNARROW viewpoints affect unity, confuse the public and bring about the perception that Malays are not fair, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik al-Attas told Berita Minggu.
Dr Syed Ali said the action of certain Muslims who make narrow-minded statements or enforce rules that were not taught by religion was disturbing race relations in the country.
“If this attitude persists, later someone will say that Muslims cannot live next to non-Muslims or that Muslims cannot socialise with non-Muslims.”
According to Dr Syed Ali, "Misguided ulama, whose teaching create confusion and anxiety, number among the country’s religious experts."
Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, IKIM Director-general, said that the knowledge imported by these ulama did nothing but bring about uncertainty. He said reliance on uninformed ulama had resulted in the corruption of knowledge.
“When ulama are ignorant of their own ignorance, their false knowledge will create confusion and extremism among the masses. There is a danger when those claiming to be repositors of freedom apply deficient reasoning.”
Dr Syed Ali said: “The Muslims community has far more important problems. There is more to Islam than what is halal and haram. Why do we hear of the lack of human rights and women’s rights?
“Prohibitions against injustices are in the Quran. You cannot have a law that is unjust to certain people. If there are unjust laws, the cause is not Islam but those who make the laws, from the confusion caused by the corruption of knowledge.”
This is Islam which I came to understand and loved; not those cited above and those from Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria. These are false prophets.
Dr Syed Ali said the action of certain Muslims who make narrow-minded statements or enforce rules that were not taught by religion was disturbing race relations in the country.
“If this attitude persists, later someone will say that Muslims cannot live next to non-Muslims or that Muslims cannot socialise with non-Muslims.”
According to Dr Syed Ali, "Misguided ulama, whose teaching create confusion and anxiety, number among the country’s religious experts."
Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, IKIM Director-general, said that the knowledge imported by these ulama did nothing but bring about uncertainty. He said reliance on uninformed ulama had resulted in the corruption of knowledge.
“When ulama are ignorant of their own ignorance, their false knowledge will create confusion and extremism among the masses. There is a danger when those claiming to be repositors of freedom apply deficient reasoning.”
Dr Syed Ali said: “The Muslims community has far more important problems. There is more to Islam than what is halal and haram. Why do we hear of the lack of human rights and women’s rights?
“Prohibitions against injustices are in the Quran. You cannot have a law that is unjust to certain people. If there are unjust laws, the cause is not Islam but those who make the laws, from the confusion caused by the corruption of knowledge.”
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Egypt Syariah accepts Apostasy
Egypt Recognizes Christian Converts In Historic Ruling
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
CAIRO, EGYPT (BosNewsLife)-- A dozen Christians who converted to Islam but later returned to Christianity awaited new identity papers Tuesday, February 12, following what judicial sources described as a "historic decision" by Cairo's highest civil court.
The court ruled Saturday, February 9, that the 12, who were born Christian Copts, could mark "Christian" on their compulsory identity cards, in place of the "Muslim” mention which was used after their conversion. It overturned an April 2007 ruling by a lower court forbidding them to convert to Christianity on grounds it would be "apostasy". Many Muslims see abandoning Islam as an act of apostasy, which is potentially punishable by death.
However the court cautioned Saturday, February 9, that their IDs will have to specify they had "adopted Islam for a brief period", judicial sources said.
The ruling is seen as a small victory for human rights advocates in Egypt.
"This is an historic decision, a victory for freedom of religion in Egypt and in keeping with Article 46 of the constitution which calls for freedom of religion," the plaintiff's lawyer Ramses al-Naggar told reporters.
The ruling is seen as a small victory for human rights advocates in Egypt.
"This is an historic decision, a victory for freedom of religion in Egypt and in keeping with Article 46 of the constitution which calls for freedom of religion," the plaintiff's lawyer Ramses al-Naggar told reporters.
Is Egypt less Islamic than Malaysia?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Liberating Malaysia with the values of Islam
Islam: A Blessing to Malaysians?
by Wan Saiful Wan Jan
Malaysia Think-Tank London
Abstract
by Wan Saiful Wan Jan
Malaysia Think-Tank London
This is an abstract of the edited transcript of the speech delivered by Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Director General of Malaysia Think Tank London, at the Ibn Khaldun Seminar on 18 December 2007
Abstract
Having lived in the country for many years, a group of ethnic minority wants to contribute to making the country stronger and more prosperous. They decided to speak up and contribute proactively to ongoing debates on policy matters by presenting the views of their ethnic group to policy-makers. Among the things they asked for was for the majority to treat them as equals, and to allow them to practice their religion freely.
How did the majority community respond? They responded by saying that the ethnic minority group:
- may have hostile agenda
- is ungrateful and divisive
- does not respect the majority community
- is trying to change the socio-demography country
- does not respect the feeling of the majority
One politician said that the ethnic minority group is a minority population and should not try and punch above their weight in changing the country’s culture or policy.
In the UK, the Muslim minority is demanding that they are treated as equals. That they are allowed to practice and to preach their religion. That they be allowed to pray and fast while at work or in school. That they be allowed to wear what they want to wear, where-ever and whenever they want to wear it. That they are allowed to build more places of worship in the areas where they live in. And so on and so forth.
Looking at Malaysia from abroad, I see non-Muslim non-Malays in Malaysia also asking to be treated as equals.
In short, non-Muslims in Malaysia seem to be asking for exactly the same rights as Muslims in the West are fighting for.
It saddens me when I see and hear about how the majority tries to silence the minority. Only this time, it is the reverse of the situation on the UK. Over there the majority is the non-Muslim. Over here, the majority is the Muslims.
I propose that there are actually two layers of the problem, and these two layers have been mixed into one, making the composite problem ‘thicker’.
The first layer is essentially the differences between ethnic groups.
The second layer is the differences between religious groups.
Ethnicity and religiosity are supposed to be different issues. You cannot necessarily tell one’s religion based on one’s ethnic group. One ethnic group is not necessarily adherence to one particular religion. The Prophet Muhammad and Abu Jahal were both Arabs, but one was a Muslim and the other was not. Saidina Abu Bakr and Salman al-Farisi were not from the same ethnic group, but both were Muslim. So, in that sense, Malays are not necessarily Muslims. Chinese are not necessarily Buddhists or Christians. Indians are not necessarily Hindus. Ethnicity and religion are two separate things.
Unfortunately for us Malaysians, somewhere along the line, these two layers got mixed. That is when you start seeing Malay groups like UMNO claiming to defend Islam; Indian groups like the MIC fighting for Hindu temples, but not saying much when mosques were demolished, even though there are Indians who are Muslims; and groups claiming to be the defenders of Islam like PAS and ABIM seem to focus more on Malay rights when there are Muslims who are not Malays and Malays who are not Muslims. You also see a relatively new Hindu group - HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) - claiming to act for all Indians when not all Indians are Hindus, and not all Hindus are Indians. Somehow, the two layers – ethnicity and religion - became blurred and the actions of these groups make the problem worse.
So the question is, is Islam a blessing to Malaysians? Islam is a blessing to Malaysians if practised as it should be practised. The problem is not with Islam, but with Muslims, and with those who say they speak for Islam. In reality, some Muslims, and some groups who claim to speak for Islam, are simply disastrous.
Although Islam is a blessing to mankind, many Muslims (not all), and some Muslim groups (not all) are simply a disaster to mankind. They seek to impose their beliefs on others. They want to coerce others into living the way of life that they define as acceptable. Even within the Muslim communities - and note that I am saying Muslim communities in the plural because I do not believe there is only one interpretation of Islam - they say you must follow their interpretation because they know best what Islam is.
In short, we have living amongst us, Muslims who believe in coercion and imposition, not just coercing non-Muslims into living lives the way they say, but also coercing Muslims into subscribing to their version of Islam.
These people have forgotten that Islam is a non-hierarchical religion. We do not have a central religious body that decides what is Islamic and what is not. If we go back to the golden age of Islam, you will see that Islam was practised in different ways. I believe that that age was golden because learned Muslims at different places were able to interpret Islam in different ways, and subsequently there was competition between the different schools of thought.
For example, when sufism became widespread in the Muslim world, there were various different orders of tariqah. When Islamic fiqh was being developed, there was not just one school but several. Even in the matter of aqidah, there was not just one school, but several. It was the competition among the various schools that allowed the flourishing of knowledge and wisdom among Muslim communities.
So, let me come back to the issue of Islam being a blessing to Malaysians but many Muslims are a disaster. How do we move forward?
It is funny that in the UK, where Muslims are the minority, they feel they need to be defensive about Islam, but you also see the same thing in a country like Malaysia, where Muslims are in the majority. Muslims in Malaysia also feel that they need to be defensive about Islam, even though they are the majority. And their reactions to current issues are almost very similar. They group together to create an “us” versus “them” situation, and they appeal to the emotions of followers.
For Malaysia, in order to move forward I believe we, Muslims, have to stop being defensive. Islam is a confident religion. Why is it that Muslims seem to have lost our confidence? Why is it that when others disagree with us, we show them the keris, or we insist on putting our beliefs into law, which is, just like the keris, a tool for coercion?
I believe these are all signs of defensiveness, and I believe it is high-time for Muslims, and in fact, those of any religion, to stop being defensive, and go into what Professor Tariq Ramadan calls, a “post-integration discourse”. We are not, or no longer, victims. Even though we are a minority, we are an integral part of this society.
Let us debate substantive policy issues that will improve the country as a whole.
In order to move forward, we Muslims and Islamists must go back to the liberating values of Islam and formulate and propose policy ideas that are also liberating and fair for everyone. Non-Muslims should do the same and stop intentionally stirring emotional issues that would only create more division.
Let us move away from divisive emotional debates and try to focus about the very positive and liberating aspects of Islam, and other religions.
Islam promotes choice and defends the right of individuals to choose. That is positive. Let us stop all this rubbish about “Dalam Islam memang ada pilihan tetapi pilihan itu ada hadnya”. This type of statements is turning a positive into a negative. We should go straight into the positives of choice, and find ways to introduce choice into national policies.
Did Islam not teach us to be fair? If fairness means putting things where they rightly belong, surely the most rightful thing to do is to allow Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Baha’is and so on to learn about their own religion, because after all, they have paid for those services through their taxes. Is it fair to force them to pay taxes to ensure Muslim children get Islamic education, but at the same time depriving children of other religion from learning theirs?
Let us translate the Islamic value of choice into giving true choice to parents – give them the choice to decide what religion their children will study in schools. This should not be dictated by the state, especially when the diktat is unfair to those of other religions.
Let us go to a second example. Let us look at how to ensure consumers pay the lowest prices for the best products. Surely protecting the consumers and ensuring that consumers get the best deal is a very Islamic thing to do. How do we ensure consumers get the best deal? The answer is by providing a guarantee for choice and competition in the market place, by removing government intervention in the markets, and by allowing traders to compete with others freely to give consumers the best value for money.
We have seen how government interventions only result in cronyism. State interference in the marketplace must be removed, and the role of the state in the market place must be limited. Let us open up our markets for traders, so that they have to compete to give best value for money. Who will benefit? The consumers, of course!
Let us allow the Islamic values of competing to do good (fastabikul khairat) to also operate in the market place. This 'invisible hand' will push traders, in their quest to attract consumers, to do good for the consumers, by striving to provide consumers with the best value for money, even though the traders themselves may not be intending to do so.
Let us look at a third example - the New Economic Policy. I know many Islamists try to justify this pro-Malay policy by saying that the Malays need help the most, and therefore they must be assisted. I don’t know how these Islamists sleep at night because if they truly believe Malays need special treatment because they are all poor, they are either lying or are naïve. The reality is, there are Indians, Chinese, Malays, Ibans, Kadazans, Orang Asli, and many more who are also poor and are in need of help.
Islam is a fair religion, and there is nothing more fair than abolishing the NEP that favours only one skin-colour, and introduce a scheme to assist everyone who is in need. Yes, perhaps it should be done gradually. But there should be a clear target and we should develop a timetable towards that aim.
It baffles me to see our Muslim politicians battling each other to argue how Malays are still poor and that the NEP is still needed. This is like arguing that they have failed to do what they were elected to do. And the Malay voters are even more ridiculous. They keep on electing these self-confessed, failed politicians!
What could be more Islamic than campaigning for the abolishing of the NEP, towards the creation of a policy that truly helps those in need, regardless or race and religion? If “adil” means putting things where they rightly belong, then the most rightful thing to do with the NEP is to put it into the rubbish-bin.
I can’t really go into the details of each policy area as this would require more time and space that this short occasion. But my main point is, we should move away from debates on race and religion, and start talking about really substantive policy issues.
The Muslim Malays must grow up. This is not just a Malay or Muslim country. This is our country and you can see the diversity of our population as soon as you venture outside your own house. We have to realise that when people talk about Malay rights, it is not necessarily because they want to threaten the Malays, but it is because they want to improve the country as a whole.
So, let me conclude by saying this. I am a Malaysian Muslim. I consider myself an Islamist who believe in classical liberal values. I live in England where I am a minority. I know it is not easy being in the minority. When you speak up, some (not all) of the majority says that you shouldn’t punch above your weight. When you try to make constructive proposals, some (not all) of the majority say you are trying to change their country. But, in all honesty, all that you want to do is to make the country better for everyone, not just for yourself. Somehow, because you are a minority, you are looked at with suspicion.
That is why I am urging every Muslim to make Islam truly a blessing for all Malaysians by not going too much into emotive issues. And this is equally applicable to people of all religions. We all should stop deliberately stirring up emotions, and we should move towards debating policy issues using the moral values of our religions, if you really want to use religion as the basis of your thinking.
Let us stop debating and sensationalising things. Let us walk away from debates that appeal only to the emotions. Instead, let us debate policy issues, and appeal to the intellect. Let us debate things that really make a difference to the lives of everyone in this beloved country of ours. Let us think about how to introduce policies that can liberate the people from the grip of the state. Let us together find ways to give back freedom and liberty to the people, socially, economically and politically, while at the same time holding true to the values of our religions.
And, especially to Muslims, let us go back to the values of Islam that promote fairness, freedom and liberty, not the centralising and socialistic tendencies of some Islamists factions.
How did the majority community respond? They responded by saying that the ethnic minority group:
- may have hostile agenda
- is ungrateful and divisive
- does not respect the majority community
- is trying to change the socio-demography country
- does not respect the feeling of the majority
One politician said that the ethnic minority group is a minority population and should not try and punch above their weight in changing the country’s culture or policy.
In the UK, the Muslim minority is demanding that they are treated as equals. That they are allowed to practice and to preach their religion. That they be allowed to pray and fast while at work or in school. That they be allowed to wear what they want to wear, where-ever and whenever they want to wear it. That they are allowed to build more places of worship in the areas where they live in. And so on and so forth.
Looking at Malaysia from abroad, I see non-Muslim non-Malays in Malaysia also asking to be treated as equals.
In short, non-Muslims in Malaysia seem to be asking for exactly the same rights as Muslims in the West are fighting for.
It saddens me when I see and hear about how the majority tries to silence the minority. Only this time, it is the reverse of the situation on the UK. Over there the majority is the non-Muslim. Over here, the majority is the Muslims.
I propose that there are actually two layers of the problem, and these two layers have been mixed into one, making the composite problem ‘thicker’.
The first layer is essentially the differences between ethnic groups.
The second layer is the differences between religious groups.
Ethnicity and religiosity are supposed to be different issues. You cannot necessarily tell one’s religion based on one’s ethnic group. One ethnic group is not necessarily adherence to one particular religion. The Prophet Muhammad and Abu Jahal were both Arabs, but one was a Muslim and the other was not. Saidina Abu Bakr and Salman al-Farisi were not from the same ethnic group, but both were Muslim. So, in that sense, Malays are not necessarily Muslims. Chinese are not necessarily Buddhists or Christians. Indians are not necessarily Hindus. Ethnicity and religion are two separate things.
Unfortunately for us Malaysians, somewhere along the line, these two layers got mixed. That is when you start seeing Malay groups like UMNO claiming to defend Islam; Indian groups like the MIC fighting for Hindu temples, but not saying much when mosques were demolished, even though there are Indians who are Muslims; and groups claiming to be the defenders of Islam like PAS and ABIM seem to focus more on Malay rights when there are Muslims who are not Malays and Malays who are not Muslims. You also see a relatively new Hindu group - HINDRAF (Hindu Rights Action Force) - claiming to act for all Indians when not all Indians are Hindus, and not all Hindus are Indians. Somehow, the two layers – ethnicity and religion - became blurred and the actions of these groups make the problem worse.
So the question is, is Islam a blessing to Malaysians? Islam is a blessing to Malaysians if practised as it should be practised. The problem is not with Islam, but with Muslims, and with those who say they speak for Islam. In reality, some Muslims, and some groups who claim to speak for Islam, are simply disastrous.
Although Islam is a blessing to mankind, many Muslims (not all), and some Muslim groups (not all) are simply a disaster to mankind. They seek to impose their beliefs on others. They want to coerce others into living the way of life that they define as acceptable. Even within the Muslim communities - and note that I am saying Muslim communities in the plural because I do not believe there is only one interpretation of Islam - they say you must follow their interpretation because they know best what Islam is.
In short, we have living amongst us, Muslims who believe in coercion and imposition, not just coercing non-Muslims into living lives the way they say, but also coercing Muslims into subscribing to their version of Islam.
These people have forgotten that Islam is a non-hierarchical religion. We do not have a central religious body that decides what is Islamic and what is not. If we go back to the golden age of Islam, you will see that Islam was practised in different ways. I believe that that age was golden because learned Muslims at different places were able to interpret Islam in different ways, and subsequently there was competition between the different schools of thought.
For example, when sufism became widespread in the Muslim world, there were various different orders of tariqah. When Islamic fiqh was being developed, there was not just one school but several. Even in the matter of aqidah, there was not just one school, but several. It was the competition among the various schools that allowed the flourishing of knowledge and wisdom among Muslim communities.
So, let me come back to the issue of Islam being a blessing to Malaysians but many Muslims are a disaster. How do we move forward?
It is funny that in the UK, where Muslims are the minority, they feel they need to be defensive about Islam, but you also see the same thing in a country like Malaysia, where Muslims are in the majority. Muslims in Malaysia also feel that they need to be defensive about Islam, even though they are the majority. And their reactions to current issues are almost very similar. They group together to create an “us” versus “them” situation, and they appeal to the emotions of followers.
For Malaysia, in order to move forward I believe we, Muslims, have to stop being defensive. Islam is a confident religion. Why is it that Muslims seem to have lost our confidence? Why is it that when others disagree with us, we show them the keris, or we insist on putting our beliefs into law, which is, just like the keris, a tool for coercion?
I believe these are all signs of defensiveness, and I believe it is high-time for Muslims, and in fact, those of any religion, to stop being defensive, and go into what Professor Tariq Ramadan calls, a “post-integration discourse”. We are not, or no longer, victims. Even though we are a minority, we are an integral part of this society.
Let us debate substantive policy issues that will improve the country as a whole.
In order to move forward, we Muslims and Islamists must go back to the liberating values of Islam and formulate and propose policy ideas that are also liberating and fair for everyone. Non-Muslims should do the same and stop intentionally stirring emotional issues that would only create more division.
Let us move away from divisive emotional debates and try to focus about the very positive and liberating aspects of Islam, and other religions.
Islam promotes choice and defends the right of individuals to choose. That is positive. Let us stop all this rubbish about “Dalam Islam memang ada pilihan tetapi pilihan itu ada hadnya”. This type of statements is turning a positive into a negative. We should go straight into the positives of choice, and find ways to introduce choice into national policies.
Did Islam not teach us to be fair? If fairness means putting things where they rightly belong, surely the most rightful thing to do is to allow Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Baha’is and so on to learn about their own religion, because after all, they have paid for those services through their taxes. Is it fair to force them to pay taxes to ensure Muslim children get Islamic education, but at the same time depriving children of other religion from learning theirs?
Let us translate the Islamic value of choice into giving true choice to parents – give them the choice to decide what religion their children will study in schools. This should not be dictated by the state, especially when the diktat is unfair to those of other religions.
Let us go to a second example. Let us look at how to ensure consumers pay the lowest prices for the best products. Surely protecting the consumers and ensuring that consumers get the best deal is a very Islamic thing to do. How do we ensure consumers get the best deal? The answer is by providing a guarantee for choice and competition in the market place, by removing government intervention in the markets, and by allowing traders to compete with others freely to give consumers the best value for money.
We have seen how government interventions only result in cronyism. State interference in the marketplace must be removed, and the role of the state in the market place must be limited. Let us open up our markets for traders, so that they have to compete to give best value for money. Who will benefit? The consumers, of course!
Let us allow the Islamic values of competing to do good (fastabikul khairat) to also operate in the market place. This 'invisible hand' will push traders, in their quest to attract consumers, to do good for the consumers, by striving to provide consumers with the best value for money, even though the traders themselves may not be intending to do so.
Let us look at a third example - the New Economic Policy. I know many Islamists try to justify this pro-Malay policy by saying that the Malays need help the most, and therefore they must be assisted. I don’t know how these Islamists sleep at night because if they truly believe Malays need special treatment because they are all poor, they are either lying or are naïve. The reality is, there are Indians, Chinese, Malays, Ibans, Kadazans, Orang Asli, and many more who are also poor and are in need of help.
Islam is a fair religion, and there is nothing more fair than abolishing the NEP that favours only one skin-colour, and introduce a scheme to assist everyone who is in need. Yes, perhaps it should be done gradually. But there should be a clear target and we should develop a timetable towards that aim.
It baffles me to see our Muslim politicians battling each other to argue how Malays are still poor and that the NEP is still needed. This is like arguing that they have failed to do what they were elected to do. And the Malay voters are even more ridiculous. They keep on electing these self-confessed, failed politicians!
What could be more Islamic than campaigning for the abolishing of the NEP, towards the creation of a policy that truly helps those in need, regardless or race and religion? If “adil” means putting things where they rightly belong, then the most rightful thing to do with the NEP is to put it into the rubbish-bin.
I can’t really go into the details of each policy area as this would require more time and space that this short occasion. But my main point is, we should move away from debates on race and religion, and start talking about really substantive policy issues.
The Muslim Malays must grow up. This is not just a Malay or Muslim country. This is our country and you can see the diversity of our population as soon as you venture outside your own house. We have to realise that when people talk about Malay rights, it is not necessarily because they want to threaten the Malays, but it is because they want to improve the country as a whole.
So, let me conclude by saying this. I am a Malaysian Muslim. I consider myself an Islamist who believe in classical liberal values. I live in England where I am a minority. I know it is not easy being in the minority. When you speak up, some (not all) of the majority says that you shouldn’t punch above your weight. When you try to make constructive proposals, some (not all) of the majority say you are trying to change their country. But, in all honesty, all that you want to do is to make the country better for everyone, not just for yourself. Somehow, because you are a minority, you are looked at with suspicion.
That is why I am urging every Muslim to make Islam truly a blessing for all Malaysians by not going too much into emotive issues. And this is equally applicable to people of all religions. We all should stop deliberately stirring up emotions, and we should move towards debating policy issues using the moral values of our religions, if you really want to use religion as the basis of your thinking.
Let us stop debating and sensationalising things. Let us walk away from debates that appeal only to the emotions. Instead, let us debate policy issues, and appeal to the intellect. Let us debate things that really make a difference to the lives of everyone in this beloved country of ours. Let us think about how to introduce policies that can liberate the people from the grip of the state. Let us together find ways to give back freedom and liberty to the people, socially, economically and politically, while at the same time holding true to the values of our religions.
And, especially to Muslims, let us go back to the values of Islam that promote fairness, freedom and liberty, not the centralising and socialistic tendencies of some Islamists factions.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Diversity & Accomodative Attitude towards Religion
Islam is a religion respected for its cultural and religious diversity, PM Abdullah said.
PM Abdullah also said that the teachings of Islam could not be faulted for the discord between the Muslim world and the West.
“The resulting humiliation being felt by Muslims is the main cause of their loss of trust and confidence towards the West.
“But we have to acknowledge that finding solutions to these strategic issues have now become intertwined with the problem of managing cultural and civilisational diversity. The way forward for arresting the slide in relations is to resolve these two sets of problems in tandem because they are inter-dependent,” he added.
“Accepting diversity demands an open and accommodative attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one’s own,” he added.
The Prime Minister said a Muslim who was true to his religious teachings would not separate the principle of accountability from political governance simply because he wanted to perpetuate his power.
“Neither will he subordinate justice to the creation of infinite wealth and defend it in the name of economic growth.
“He will not abdicate the principle of fairness in managing ethnic relations even if it makes him somewhat unpopular within his own ethnic community. This is the approach adopted by the government in Malaysia and we call it Islam Hadhari.”
“The resulting humiliation being felt by Muslims is the main cause of their loss of trust and confidence towards the West.
“But we have to acknowledge that finding solutions to these strategic issues have now become intertwined with the problem of managing cultural and civilisational diversity. The way forward for arresting the slide in relations is to resolve these two sets of problems in tandem because they are inter-dependent,” he added.
“Accepting diversity demands an open and accommodative attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one’s own,” he added.
The Prime Minister said a Muslim who was true to his religious teachings would not separate the principle of accountability from political governance simply because he wanted to perpetuate his power.
“Neither will he subordinate justice to the creation of infinite wealth and defend it in the name of economic growth.
“He will not abdicate the principle of fairness in managing ethnic relations even if it makes him somewhat unpopular within his own ethnic community. This is the approach adopted by the government in Malaysia and we call it Islam Hadhari.”
I must praise the Prime Minister for his fantastic speech and erudition. These are the recondite facts of our religious problems which we are encountering daily within our own society minus the discord between the Muslim world and the West.
In Malaysia, within the political and religious governance supposely ruled in accordance the Islam Hadhari system, we can observed that the government did in fact abdicated the principle of fairness in managing ethnic relations for the fear of making UMNO somewhat unpopular within his own ethnic community.
It is also clear that the system had subordinated justice to the creation of infinite wealth defending it in the name of wealth distribution and uneven and unleveled playing fields in the economy of the nation.
Pak Lah said: “Accepting diversity demands an open and accommodative attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one’s own,” he added." But did we in Malaysia have a system of government which is open and accommodative in attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one's own?
You can observed the empirical reality. Christian books were confiscated from the non-Muslims because the enforcement officers said it contains pictures depicting Jesus Christ which is a Muslim Prophet. But it's also Christian Prophet and are images acceptable to the Christians. There were also calls from the UMNO elected representatives to take down the crosses and statutes in Missionary Schools. How then could we say that we had an open and accommodative attitude towards religions other than one's own? Kudat Mazu statute projects were canceled because of the mufti's fatwa and the UMNO chief minister acted on such instruction. Co-ed schools SMK Seremban Jaya in Senawang, SMK Hillcrest in Gombak and SMK Taman Seri Gombak, located not far from SMK Hillcrest practised gender segregation. Allah cannot be used by other religion in Malaysia but Allah was used by those of other religions in Middle East and other countries. What about the cases of Subashini, Rayappan, Shamala, Wong Sau Lan, and Revathi? Was there "Diversity acceptance", "Open and accommodative attitude"? Mana ada???
Di Mana Islam Hadhari as enunciated within the context of the speech by the inventor and promoter of Islam Hadhari as was addressed to the world leaders and foreign ministers at the First Alliance of Civilisations (AoC) Forum here yesterday?
At such, what Pak Lah said must be construed to be intended for the consumption of the Western powers and do not apply in Malaysia as an Islamic country (as claimed). So, is it a set of Islamic governance and principles for others and another set for our own country? Are we saying that Islam Hadhari is made of two sets of principles, to be applied differently; one set to be applied for the Western world who is more powerful and another set for our own nation where the power is by the propagator and his cadres?
The Prime Minister said "a Muslim who was true to his religious teachings would not separate the principle of accountability from political governance simply because he wanted to perpetuate his power."
I understand each and every words and phrase. I understand the principles as preached by our PM within the context of the phrase. I believed many of us also understand. But was it practiced as such? Is Malaysia a follower of the said doctrine and did we set ourselves as a good example in accordance with the teaching and propagation as enunciated by our dear Prime Minister? If we observed what had happened with what was preached by our PM and claimed it is Islam Hadhari as proclaimed within the speech, then we are surprised and perplexed as the factual truth of what is actually happening and practiced which runs contrary to the said principles enunciated.
Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin. See for yourself!
In Malaysia, within the political and religious governance supposely ruled in accordance the Islam Hadhari system, we can observed that the government did in fact abdicated the principle of fairness in managing ethnic relations for the fear of making UMNO somewhat unpopular within his own ethnic community.
It is also clear that the system had subordinated justice to the creation of infinite wealth defending it in the name of wealth distribution and uneven and unleveled playing fields in the economy of the nation.
Pak Lah said: “Accepting diversity demands an open and accommodative attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one’s own,” he added." But did we in Malaysia have a system of government which is open and accommodative in attitude towards religion, and specifically towards religions other than one's own?
You can observed the empirical reality. Christian books were confiscated from the non-Muslims because the enforcement officers said it contains pictures depicting Jesus Christ which is a Muslim Prophet. But it's also Christian Prophet and are images acceptable to the Christians. There were also calls from the UMNO elected representatives to take down the crosses and statutes in Missionary Schools. How then could we say that we had an open and accommodative attitude towards religions other than one's own? Kudat Mazu statute projects were canceled because of the mufti's fatwa and the UMNO chief minister acted on such instruction. Co-ed schools SMK Seremban Jaya in Senawang, SMK Hillcrest in Gombak and SMK Taman Seri Gombak, located not far from SMK Hillcrest practised gender segregation. Allah cannot be used by other religion in Malaysia but Allah was used by those of other religions in Middle East and other countries. What about the cases of Subashini, Rayappan, Shamala, Wong Sau Lan, and Revathi? Was there "Diversity acceptance", "Open and accommodative attitude"? Mana ada???
Di Mana Islam Hadhari as enunciated within the context of the speech by the inventor and promoter of Islam Hadhari as was addressed to the world leaders and foreign ministers at the First Alliance of Civilisations (AoC) Forum here yesterday?
At such, what Pak Lah said must be construed to be intended for the consumption of the Western powers and do not apply in Malaysia as an Islamic country (as claimed). So, is it a set of Islamic governance and principles for others and another set for our own country? Are we saying that Islam Hadhari is made of two sets of principles, to be applied differently; one set to be applied for the Western world who is more powerful and another set for our own nation where the power is by the propagator and his cadres?
The Prime Minister said "a Muslim who was true to his religious teachings would not separate the principle of accountability from political governance simply because he wanted to perpetuate his power."
I understand each and every words and phrase. I understand the principles as preached by our PM within the context of the phrase. I believed many of us also understand. But was it practiced as such? Is Malaysia a follower of the said doctrine and did we set ourselves as a good example in accordance with the teaching and propagation as enunciated by our dear Prime Minister? If we observed what had happened with what was preached by our PM and claimed it is Islam Hadhari as proclaimed within the speech, then we are surprised and perplexed as the factual truth of what is actually happening and practiced which runs contrary to the said principles enunciated.
Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin. See for yourself!
Monday, December 31, 2007
It has nothing to do with Religion
Ikim D-G Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas sheds light on Subashini case: 'This has nothing to do with religion'ANIZA DAMIS speaks to Institute of Islamic Understanding of Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas on the impact of the ruling on Muslims and non-Muslims in the country. Read the full text here.
Abstracts:
Q: What is justice in Islam?
A: Justice means putting things in the right place. Everything has a place. In this case, if you make a contract in a civil ceremony, the right place to seek a termination of that contract would also be at that civil ceremony.
T. Saravanan @ Muhammad Shafi should have been told, by the people who furthered his interest in the religion, that Islam places a great emphasis on the making and breaking of contracts.
Here is a person who had conducted a marriage in a civil ceremony with R. Subashini, a Hindu. Therefore, in order to terminate that contract made in a civil ceremony, he should go back to that civil authority and break it.
Q: The second child is not Muslim at the moment.
A: Who said the child is not Muslim? According to Islam, all children are born with fitrah, meaning a natural inclination towards Islam.
You could be the product of a Hindu, Buddhist or Christian marriage, but for Muslims, children are not seen as Christian, Buddhist or Hindu. What we see is, "Here is Allah's majesty. Look at what He has created".
Q: So, then there would be no need for conversion?
A: Exactly. How can you convert a child? First of all, when you talk about conversion, you are talking about responsibility. In order to have responsibility, you have to comprehend what you are responsible for. Can a child of that age understand what he is being held responsible for?
Allah does not hold a child accountable. That is why in Islam, there is this thing called the age of baligh -- the age of maturity -- which is generally thought to be around 15. He is then ready to accept the responsibility entrusted to him. And he is also ready to accept accountability -- in other words, punishment. But before that, there is no punishment.
Q: So, why the need to convert?
A: There is no need. God Himself does not consider the child responsible.
Q: The thing that upsets non-Muslims is that Muslims are detained when they wish to leave the religion.
A: Does that have to do with religion or is it an administrative injustice? It has nothing to do with religion, as far as I am concerned. How they do it, that's another matter altogether. When you start talking about detention, rampas mayat (seizing the corpse) and so on, those are all administrative. I disagree with all that.
Q: Why is it happening?
A: Loss of adab (manners), ignorance, and people who are put in positions of power who really have no ilm (knowledge). They don't have any hikmah. They are just allowing these things to occur and they don't care. All in the name of religion. You can't do that.
I don't care whether your religion is Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism. You cannot use this as a tool for your political considerations. And that's what's happening.
Now, in the Subashini and Saravanan case, I feel very, very badly for these two people, and for the children. These are the victims.
As far as Islam is concerned, the Prophet abhorred divorce. He really despised it. But he did say, "If there is no other choice but to divorce, let the divorce be amicable". Let it be settled in a nice way.
Why was Shafi not advised about this? Why are Subashini's lawyers not advising her like this? Ultimately, these are the people who are suffering. You think the lawyers and the judges suffer? No. These people -- Shafi, Subashini and the children -- they suffer.
This is a family case. Why is society sticking its nose into this?
Q: Maybe they have become the standard-bearers of a bigger fight?
A: Society has become confused. What is the bigger fight? Freedom of religion? Are you not free? Nobody is forcing anybody.
Q: Perhaps not in the case of Shafi, but there have been instances where non-Muslims convert to Islam to escape responsibility.
A: They are abusing the system. You cannot simply run to the syariah court, to Islam, to escape something else. Contracts are very important in Islam.
Q: But in the instance where someone says he is Muslim, you have to take his word for it that he is Muslim. Should the syariah court be giving him shelter, where perhaps he is seeking shelter for the wrong reasons?
A: When somebody claims he is a Muslim, you can actually judge if he really is a Muslim or not, by three things:
When he makes a contract, he breaks it; when he is given a responsibility, he shirks that responsibility; when he speaks, he lies. These are the signs of an evil person.
So, if a fellow claims he is a Muslim, and yet his actions do not reflect it, then he is not a Muslim. So if a fellow is converting because he wants to escape something, you cannot shelter him for that. You have to live up to your responsibility.
If a person has recently converted to Islam, there is no question about the division of property according to Islam, because he accumulated all that when he was not a Muslim.
Whatever property he accumulates after he becomes a Muslim, that's different. That belongs to him -- his wife has no say in that.
In my opinion, in the Subashini case, the wife should have custody of the children. They are still young. They need their mother.
Q: What would you say to people who see this as a Muslim/non-Muslim argument?
A: It's not. This has got nothing to do with religion. This has to do with administrative justice.
Q: So, what do we need to do to correct this administrative injustice?
A: Remove the people who are causing the problem, and put in the ones who are qualified to deal with it. Remove the unqualified, because they are misguiding society.
A: Justice means putting things in the right place. Everything has a place. In this case, if you make a contract in a civil ceremony, the right place to seek a termination of that contract would also be at that civil ceremony.
T. Saravanan @ Muhammad Shafi should have been told, by the people who furthered his interest in the religion, that Islam places a great emphasis on the making and breaking of contracts.
Here is a person who had conducted a marriage in a civil ceremony with R. Subashini, a Hindu. Therefore, in order to terminate that contract made in a civil ceremony, he should go back to that civil authority and break it.
Q: The second child is not Muslim at the moment.
A: Who said the child is not Muslim? According to Islam, all children are born with fitrah, meaning a natural inclination towards Islam.
You could be the product of a Hindu, Buddhist or Christian marriage, but for Muslims, children are not seen as Christian, Buddhist or Hindu. What we see is, "Here is Allah's majesty. Look at what He has created".
Q: So, then there would be no need for conversion?
A: Exactly. How can you convert a child? First of all, when you talk about conversion, you are talking about responsibility. In order to have responsibility, you have to comprehend what you are responsible for. Can a child of that age understand what he is being held responsible for?
Allah does not hold a child accountable. That is why in Islam, there is this thing called the age of baligh -- the age of maturity -- which is generally thought to be around 15. He is then ready to accept the responsibility entrusted to him. And he is also ready to accept accountability -- in other words, punishment. But before that, there is no punishment.
Q: So, why the need to convert?
A: There is no need. God Himself does not consider the child responsible.
Q: The thing that upsets non-Muslims is that Muslims are detained when they wish to leave the religion.
A: Does that have to do with religion or is it an administrative injustice? It has nothing to do with religion, as far as I am concerned. How they do it, that's another matter altogether. When you start talking about detention, rampas mayat (seizing the corpse) and so on, those are all administrative. I disagree with all that.
Q: Why is it happening?
A: Loss of adab (manners), ignorance, and people who are put in positions of power who really have no ilm (knowledge). They don't have any hikmah. They are just allowing these things to occur and they don't care. All in the name of religion. You can't do that.
I don't care whether your religion is Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism. You cannot use this as a tool for your political considerations. And that's what's happening.
Now, in the Subashini and Saravanan case, I feel very, very badly for these two people, and for the children. These are the victims.
As far as Islam is concerned, the Prophet abhorred divorce. He really despised it. But he did say, "If there is no other choice but to divorce, let the divorce be amicable". Let it be settled in a nice way.
Why was Shafi not advised about this? Why are Subashini's lawyers not advising her like this? Ultimately, these are the people who are suffering. You think the lawyers and the judges suffer? No. These people -- Shafi, Subashini and the children -- they suffer.
This is a family case. Why is society sticking its nose into this?
Q: Maybe they have become the standard-bearers of a bigger fight?
A: Society has become confused. What is the bigger fight? Freedom of religion? Are you not free? Nobody is forcing anybody.
Q: Perhaps not in the case of Shafi, but there have been instances where non-Muslims convert to Islam to escape responsibility.
A: They are abusing the system. You cannot simply run to the syariah court, to Islam, to escape something else. Contracts are very important in Islam.
Q: But in the instance where someone says he is Muslim, you have to take his word for it that he is Muslim. Should the syariah court be giving him shelter, where perhaps he is seeking shelter for the wrong reasons?
A: When somebody claims he is a Muslim, you can actually judge if he really is a Muslim or not, by three things:
When he makes a contract, he breaks it; when he is given a responsibility, he shirks that responsibility; when he speaks, he lies. These are the signs of an evil person.
So, if a fellow claims he is a Muslim, and yet his actions do not reflect it, then he is not a Muslim. So if a fellow is converting because he wants to escape something, you cannot shelter him for that. You have to live up to your responsibility.
If a person has recently converted to Islam, there is no question about the division of property according to Islam, because he accumulated all that when he was not a Muslim.
Whatever property he accumulates after he becomes a Muslim, that's different. That belongs to him -- his wife has no say in that.
In my opinion, in the Subashini case, the wife should have custody of the children. They are still young. They need their mother.
Q: What would you say to people who see this as a Muslim/non-Muslim argument?
A: It's not. This has got nothing to do with religion. This has to do with administrative justice.
Q: So, what do we need to do to correct this administrative injustice?
A: Remove the people who are causing the problem, and put in the ones who are qualified to deal with it. Remove the unqualified, because they are misguiding society.
Remove the Unqualified!
They are the ones that are misguiding society!
That's the message!
But it takes an intellectual philosopher who is also the leader of a nation to grasp this message, understand the problem, how it was first created so that there is then a need for a solution. All it does to cause a rife is for someone with power to issue a directive or fatwa, in the name of an authority, often, in the name of God, to give it the power and authority, to say something he wants and preferred, and without consideration of the whole truth, without consideration of the society at large of which he belongs, but of which he wants what he preferred and preferred all others to do and act as he had preferred, all in the name of an omnipotent; sadly, he prevails because the system allowed him so, allowed him to destroy the lives of others, to glorify his thinking and preference. Syed Ali Tawfik said: This is not religion; it has nothing to do with religion and God; it's all about administrators and their administration of pseudo-justice, satisfying a particular person who commands power and influence.
They are the people who had what Syed Ali said, "Loss of adab (manners), ignorance, and people who are put in positions of power who really have no ilm (knowledge). They don't have any hikmah. They are just allowing these things to occur and they don't care. All in the name of religion. You can't do that."
But they are still doing that, everywhere, everyplace, everything, from divorce, to child conversion, to dead bodies, to temple, to statutes, to crosses, in schools, temples, churches, and in media, in licensing, and in festivities.
But they are still doing that, everywhere, everyplace, everything, from divorce, to child conversion, to dead bodies, to temple, to statutes, to crosses, in schools, temples, churches, and in media, in licensing, and in festivities.Najib said: "There must be Give-and-Take".
Give what? Take what?
The Mazu statute was approved for construction. Then someone issued a fatwa and the state government immediately ordered a stop and withdraw approval.
Now the state government agrees again, is that "Give-and-Take"? What was taken and then given back; that's the Give-and-Take?
If you steal my money, and being "gracious" give it back to me; that's Give-and-Take?
The government withheld the permits of Herald Catholic Weekly and now decides to allow it to continue. Was it Give-and-Take? And they are suppose to rejoice with this gracious decisions!!!
If you steal my money, and being "gracious" give it back to me; that's Give-and-Take?
The government withheld the permits of Herald Catholic Weekly and now decides to allow it to continue. Was it Give-and-Take? And they are suppose to rejoice with this gracious decisions!!!The traffic police did not give a summon ticket if he takes something of consideration. Isn't that give-and-take?
The police arrest people under the ISA and then later release them. is that Give-and-Take too?
They take away your rights and freedom, cause a commotion, extreme anxieties, pain and sufferings; and then they decides to give some back to you, in the name of Give-and-Take ... that's give? that's take? And yet we are suppose to rejoice for "winning-back" our partial and subordinated freedom!!!What the shit!!
So, What is Give? And what is Take?
Take away the unqualified and mischievous bigots, and we will give you our votes.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Perak Mufti drop case against Siti Noor
Perak Religious Dept drops case against nightclub singer"
The Perak Religious Department has dropped the case against singer Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin for allegedly dressing sexily and encouraging vice by performing at a nightclub.
The 22-year-old singer said the department reached the decision after a meeting on Saturday.
“At the meeting, (the Perak Religious Department) decided to drop the charge as it it did not have enough evidence to press charges," said Siti Noor Idayu.
During the meeting, she said, the department officers also advised her to dress properly in future performances.
However, the performer said she would continue to dress the way she always had.
“I don’t think the clothes that I wear are revealing or sexy. It’s not like I was wearing a two-piece (bikini). I still know what I can and cannot do,” she said.
Was this a compromise decision? Did the Mufti discover profound knowledge?
It seems clear that Siti Noor would continue with her job.
The 22-year-old singer said the department reached the decision after a meeting on Saturday.
“At the meeting, (the Perak Religious Department) decided to drop the charge as it it did not have enough evidence to press charges," said Siti Noor Idayu.
During the meeting, she said, the department officers also advised her to dress properly in future performances.
However, the performer said she would continue to dress the way she always had.
“I don’t think the clothes that I wear are revealing or sexy. It’s not like I was wearing a two-piece (bikini). I still know what I can and cannot do,” she said.
Was this a compromise decision? Did the Mufti discover profound knowledge?
It seems clear that Siti Noor would continue with her job.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Bartenders Dilemma
Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyis said "It is haram to feed wives and children from earnings associated with alcohol.He was commenting on a report yesterday of a bartender competition where the top winners were Malays.
Perak Mufti Harussani said Muslims should be barred from working as bartenders as Muslims are forbidden to serve alcohol.
Isn't it's getting very difficult for Muslims? What about Muslims working for non-Muslims? Wouldn't they be earning money from people who are associated with non-halal activities? For example, there are many Muslims who are working with Genting Highland, Resort World, Sports Toto, Maxis (who owned Usaha Tegas who in turn owned 1+3D Sweepstake). What about those companies who pay taxes from non-halal activities and the money from such taxes are used to pay civil servant wages most of whom are Muslims? What about multi-nationals corporations (MNCs) who may have earned their profits from non-halal business such as speculating in share markets, currency trading which are a sort of gambling as it is a zero -sum game? It may be observed that most non-Muslim who earned their monies from non-halal activities are joint-venture partners to Muslims such as MMC-Gamuda alliance, Khazanah-Temasek, etc, etc? Can Mohd Tamyis and Harussani explain the unholy alliance and it's association?
Deputy Prime Minister, Najib however said that Islamic religious officials must not be afraid to modernise their approach. Najib urged the Muftis and Imams to do away with archaic translations of the Quran. According to Najib, some scholars still choose to follow the way the religion was interpreted 500 years ago which is no longer relevant today.Najib said there is a lot of misinterpretation in the religion that needs to be corrected and Muslims should change their perception of wealth accumulation.
Isn't it confusing and perplexing? Is there such thing as archaic translation of Quran? I don't think so as there is only one way to interpret them, that is, literally. Is Najib advocating that the Quran can be translated in an innovative and creative way? That's what seems to be if you read his speech at NST Prime News Page 6 June 16, 2007.
Was Najib's speech directed to Tamyis and Harussani?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Balding Fire
Award-winning actress Sharifah Amani has been accused of being unIslamic for going bald."Unlike Muslim men, going bald for Muslim women is forbidden in Islam," said Selangor Mufti Datuk Tamyis.
Tamyis added that Muslim artistes should not degrade themselves and their religion for the sake of getting popular.
According to Perak Mufti Harussani Idris, he said he had observed that artistes are becoming too daring and open, either, in their actions or attire. Harussani argued that "Muslims should not sacrifice their religion for the sake of popularity.
Jakim Director-general Datuk Mustafa said it already had guidelines that serves as law to Muslim. "How are we going to compel them to follow the guidelines. We cannot force the artiste," Mustafa said.
I didn't realise that guidelines are law as enunciated by Mustafa. I had always believed that all laws must conform to the "legal norms" process of validation. For common laws, it has to get the parliament to approved it. For Islamic law, there is an authority to validate the law and then pronounced the fatwa. Guidelines are institutional conceptualization and meant to assist and guide behaviors. They are normally conforming to the requirements of the subject matter but they are and will never be law until it had been approved by the ultimate authority that are empowered by the state in conformance with it's legal order and norms.
I am trying to find out where is the verses in the Quran that said women should not be bald. Anyone can help me?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Temporary Marriage is Allah's rule?
Iran's hardline Muslim Minister, Mostafa Pourmohammadi declared his fatwa that "Temporary marriage is Allah's Rule".According to Mostafa, "we must aggressively encourage that."
"We have to find a solution to meet the sexual desire of the youth," Mostafa declared.
The phrase "temporary marriage" refers to Shia's tradition under which a man and a woman sign a contract "Sigheh" that allowed them to be "married" for any agreed period of time, sometimes less than 24hours.
So, we don't need to be married for a live time with the same wife. We can contract it for a day, a week, a month or a year. The contract can stipulate a condition to allow an "Extension of Time" clause so that any "Variation Order" will be binding. However, please be aware that in the event of delay cause by unforeseen circumstances or for any change of design, alteration of quality or modification to the work, please make sure that the contract has a clause to empower the contract to grant the necessary extension of time; otherwise the contract will become "time-at-large" and the contract completion period will be reasonable time for completion and the employer will lose his rights to any Liquidated Ascertained Damages.
For your information, Iran is aggressively advocating institutionalization of this type of contract. In fact, in Malaysia, we have thousands of these type of contract on-going involving China-dolls, Vietnamese Sour Fish Soup (Canh chua cá)and Burmese rice (htamin). We also have Bangladeshi curry chicken legs and Indonesian Ayam Bumbu Rujak.
Those who had problem to draft these contracts, please contact BayiSingh of Africa. He can find him at my commenter later.
By the way, there is also a Standard Form of Contracts for such marriages; the samples are shown below:
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Islam Hadhari Commercialised?
The government is going to spent RM250mil for Wakaf projects where the land are donated specifically for religious or charitable purposes.In the law of Charity, where the donations are specifically meant for religious and charitable purpose, would the use of such donations which will now be utilised for commercial purposes falls under the intended purpose which are meant to be charitable and must be for religious purpose.
This is a question of law and not discretionary. A law is a law and laws are not allowed to be interpreted to suit the whims and fancies of anyone.
This is a question of law and not discretionary. A law is a law and laws are not allowed to be interpreted to suit the whims and fancies of anyone.
This is the landmark building for Islam Hadhari.Would this building be occupied by those who will be dedicating their acts for religious and charitable purposes?
Religion is concerned with ‘man’s relationship with God’. Two of the essential attributes of religion are faith and worship of God. The focus is on belief in god or the promotion of spiritual teaching connected to religious activities.
The important point to note is that a charitable religious purpose requires public benefit as a whole and not towards a class of society.
Acts of wakaf are the embodiment of Islam Hadhari, sayd Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, Minister in the PM’s department.
A wakaf is property dedicated in perpetuity for religious or charitable purposes. To create and administer a wakaf is an act founded on peity.
This wakaf development project in Jalan Perak, KL will bring a shift in mindset and spur the growth of wakaf as a pillar of development, says Dr Abdullah.
Was the idea specifically meant to benefit the selected few? I don't know!
The important point to note is that a charitable religious purpose requires public benefit as a whole and not towards a class of society.
Acts of wakaf are the embodiment of Islam Hadhari, sayd Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, Minister in the PM’s department.A wakaf is property dedicated in perpetuity for religious or charitable purposes. To create and administer a wakaf is an act founded on peity.
This wakaf development project in Jalan Perak, KL will bring a shift in mindset and spur the growth of wakaf as a pillar of development, says Dr Abdullah.
Was the idea specifically meant to benefit the selected few? I don't know!
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