Struggle for Justice vs Pragmatism

Without the slightest of doubt, everyone you speak to will want justice. They will extol virtues of justice and make speeches of it. But how many will fight for it? How many will fight against injustice when it does not affect them indirectly?  Allah says this:

“O you who believe! Why say you that which you do not do?   Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not do”. (Quran: 61:2-3)

We are all good people, we like to believe. We often tell ourselves that we should try to live a “non-controversial life, a safe life” and therefore we do not want to meddle with things that do not directly concern us or our family. We even turn a blind eye to the injustice suffered by others on the pretext of: “what can I alone do?”  Since everyone asks that question, nobody does anything! Some of us consider ourselves as believers and find it sufficient that we do the safe, “minimum religious requirements” while, Allah in strong terms commands the following:

“And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression”. (Quran: 2:193) 

It is a clear commandment, yet many would prefer to turn a blind eye with many excuses. Often too, we find ourselves groping in the dark to find out what is this justice all about? Some mistakenly think that it is all about law or fiqh.  Others have pragmatic excuses – I cannot risk my position, cannot risk my family’s welfare, maybe one day when I am stable, there is no freedom of speech in this society, etc,etc.. Hence, most end up as arm-chair critics (that too with absolute anonymity) and “complainers”.

I am afraid all these have been covered in the Quran such that there is no excuse that any believer can give –no place to hide from God!

Prophet Moses was adopted by Pharoah’s family. He grew up in the palace as an adopted son. His adopted brother became the new Pharoah (Quran: 28:7-9). Moses saw that the Egyptian people were oppressed by Pharoah. The most pragmatic thing for Moses to do would probably be to safeguard his position in the place – status, wealth and influence. Probably, his friends will have advised him that the “right and practical thing” to do will be to remain in the palace. But he left the palace and returned to meet the Pharoah with the message to submit to God and therefore to establish justice. Moses was prepared to fight for justice and in that process forsakes his place in the palace.

Ironically, in the quest for justice family sentiments are never an excuse. Pharoah’s wife for example was honest enough to admit and detest her husband’s wrongdoings (Quran: 66:11). Today however, some women are under a misconception that it is virtuous to support the husband and even defend him when he commits grave injustice to others. Otherwise, how do you explain, for example, the wife who is “blind” to the husband who is providing for her way beyond his means???

Luth’s and Noah’s wives are other examples of challenges from within when you are on a quest for justice (Quran: 66:10). The pragmatic thing to do, in modern terms, would be to appease your wife and turn a blind eye to injustices? I have actually heard many, many times in my life some people telling me that they cannot take part in a movement for a good cause because their wives do not like it or it takes their time away from their adoring wives! Any struggle calls for “sacrifice”.

Prophet Shuaib strikes me as an economic reformer who wanted his people to do business without cheating and profiteering (Quran: 7:85-93) He went around to meet the business community of his time passing the message. Obviously he did not sit somewhere in the ivory tower keeping “his hands clean”, so to speak. He went down to the ground where life is going on. His quest for justice appears to be in the economic domain.

Prophet Abraham’s history is another challenge to the notion of pragmatism versus adherence to the truth (Quran 26:70-104). He was turned away by his own father because he refused to worship idols made by the hands of men. He was rebuked by his own father for logically arguing with his father that the idols that his father worshipped cannot even help themselves.  What is this message of serving one God that is so powerful? Human beings cannot live in a vacuum, if they do not “serve” the Creator; they end up serving other gods including their ego and lust. You have to read the entire struggle of Abraham in the Quran to understand what he struggled for. My understanding is: his struggle was a realistic struggle for living with justice.  Allah proclaimed in the Quran that Abraham is a good role model to follow.

Unfortunately, today many Muslims insist that prophets cannot be followed as a role model because they have “mukjizat”.  It is sad that models shown by Allah in the Quran have been “alleviated” by some to a dubious “religious status” that seems beyond the reach of normal human beings.

Prophet Muhammad had to endure severe hardship, loss of wealth, positions , etc simply in his quest for a better society based on God’s teachings. He had to go against the norms and accepted culture of the Arabs of his time. Would not the most pragmatic thing be to focus on his business and family and “live happily ever after’?  But his call was greater than his love for this transient life.

He was persecuted simply because he invited people of his times to serve only one God and his causes like - to stop the despicable practice of oppressing women in cruel ways (Quran: 81: 8 -9 ), freedom of  faith ( Quran: 10:99),  quest for justice and fighting against oppression (Quran: 16:90; 2:193)), responsibility to orphans (Quran: 4:22), charity and kindness to the poor and needy (Quran 2:177),  kindness to parents and neighbours (Quran: 4:36), etc, etc. 

If anyone is sincerely looking for causes in life – there are plenty in the Quran. It is a daily struggle and a never ending one. One cannot wait for “safe circumstances” because as the circumstances of the role models show, wherever there is injustice, there is no such thing as a “safe time” other than an excuse in our mind not to lift a finger.

Every single prophet that is mentioned in the Quran “fought” for something for their society. They mingled with the society they lived in. Today’s religious people merely lecture down to you. They do not get their hands soiled trying to make society a little better. They take upon themselves “too pure” and “too exalted” to come down to the grassroots, so to speak.

You can either cook up excuses or do something useful in your lives other than serving your own selfish needs.

I have tremendous love and respect for those who make time for the “social work of sorts” – the environment,  fight against women abuse, fight for a better justice system, better education, better medical care, against corruption, helping the homeless, etc, etc.  may God give you all the strength, resources and courage and protect you from those who wish to stop your efforts. To me, you are certainly following the ways of the prophets in that sense.

Peace.

NOTE: The above views are entirely my understanding and no one is required to agree with them. Kindly check with your own copy of the Quran and make up your own minds and thoughts. If I have erred in my facts, kindly highlight to me.

Antara Taksub dan Berfikir - Boleh bincang?

Berbicara mengenai Maha Pencipta seharusnya menimbulkan pelbagai perasaan diantaranya gementar dalam jiwa (“taqwa”), cinta (“muaddah”) serta kesyukuran. Sepastinya ia juga akan menimbulkan suatu perasaan kuat untuk berkhidmat sebaik mungkin sesama manusia supaya kesejahteraan dapat dirasai bersama. Antara sikap yang dapat menimbulkan kesejahteraan sesama manusia adalah “rahmah”. Perkataan “Islam” itu pula akarnya “salam” yang bererti “kesejahteraan”.

Allah telah menurunkan Al-Quran kepada manusia supaya kesejahteraan (“Islam”) ini dapat dicapai. Di dunia hari ini, setiap mereka yang memperakui diri mereka sebagai “Muslim” mendakwa bahawa mereka beriman (“percaya”) kepada Al-Quran. Sudah tentu mereka juga beriman bahawa Al-Quran serta cara hidup yang dianjurkan oleh Maha Pencipta itu tidak merumitkan lagi kehidupan yang mencabar ini? Memang Allah telah berfirman bahawa Al-Quran itu di turunkan bukan sebagai bebanan kepada manusia tetapi sebagi satu rahmah.

“Kami tidak menurunkan Al-Qur'an kepadamu supaya engkau sengsara, (Quran: 20:2)

“melainkan sebagai peringatan bagi orang yang takut (kepada Allah)” (Quran: 20:3)

Ini seharusnya bermakna bahawa inti pati Al-Quran akan meringankan perjalanan kita didalam bumi ini sekiranya kita gunakan nya sebagai satu panduan yang konsisten. Ini pula bermakna kita akan secara aktif membaca, menafsir dan mengaplikasikan nya terhadap segala aspek kehidupan kita. Ia tidak akan tertakluk dan terpakai hanya untuk upacara-upacara agama yang sudah kita terlalu lazim. Lebih daripada itu, ajaran Al-Quran menjadi penentu utama segala tindak-tanduk kita.

Boleh kah Al-Quran menjadi penentu utama tindak tanduk kita sekiranya kita tidak memikirkan, mengupas atau membincangnya? Ramai akan terus berkata bahawa ini lah sebabnya kita memerlukan seorang guru untuk mengajar. Seorang guru memang mempunyai peranan di dalam menyampaikan maklumat. Kita semua pernah pergi ke sekolah dan ada yang pernah ke Universiti. Mari lah kita cuba untuk mengupas pertalian di antara guru dan murid.

Guru mengajar sesuatu ilmu dan murid di harapkan dapat memahami ilmu tersebut. Pemahaman suatu ilmu dengan penghafalan tidak sama. Murid yang menghafalkan kata-kata guru tanpa memahami nya masih di tahap tidak berilmu. Untuk memahami nya, murid tersebut harus memikirkan dan menilai apa yang di katakan oleh guru itu. Murid yang lebih baik akan menjalankan kajiselidik nya sendiri dan berkemungkinan juga menjadi lebih hebat daripada guru nya satu hari kelak. Adakah guru ini akan marah kepada murid nya yang pandai dan boleh memahami perkara-perkara yang guru itu ssendiri tidak mampu faham kerana pelbagai sebab?

Boleh kah kita mengatakan bahawa guru-guru kita adalah sumber muktad ilmu tertentu? Tidak pernah kita berfikir bahawa guru sains kita di sekolah menengah itu adalah sumber muktad ilmu sains. Apa beza nya dengan guru agama?

Adakah kita pernah beranggapan bahawa ilmu matematik yang ada pada guru-guru matematik kita itu sahaja lah segala ilmu matematik? Tidak pernah. Maka, apa bezanya dengan guru agama di mana kita sering berangapan bahawa ilmu agama nya adalah yang muktamad dan terakhir?

Sekiranya manusia beranggapan bahawa ilmu yang ada pada guru-guru mereka adalah yang muktamad dan yang penghabisan, maka ilmu di dunia ini tidak akan berkembang dan justeru itu, kita mezalimi diri sendiri. Mengapa di katakan menzalimi diri sendiri? Bukan kah menidakkan sesuatu yang hak itu menzalimi diri sendiri? Fitrah kehidupan ialah pengembangan ilmu, namun kita sengaja mengehadkannya. Kita sudah menidakkan “hak” fitrah.

Seorang guru yang mengajar murid nya bahawa ilmu yang ada pada nya itu muktamad dan penghabisan sebenar nya mengingkari ajaran Al-Quran.

“Sekiranya segala pohon di bumi menjadi pena-pena, dan laut menjadi tinta, - ditambah tujuh laut sesudah itu untuk mengisi semula – niscaya tidak akan habis kalimat-kalimat Allah. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Perkasa, Maha Bijaksana”. (Quran: 31:27

Ilmu Allah itu terlalu luas dan setiap ilmu yang disampaikan pada manusia itu ada masa nya yang di tentukan oleh Allah. Sebagai contoh, dalam abad ke-19 baru diturunkan kepada manusia ilmu internet dan tidak awal daripada itu. Tidak zalim ke manusia yang bernama guru kalau ia mahu menyekat “ilmu Allah”? Usaha menyekat ini adalah usaha sia-sia yang pasti tidak berjaya. Namun setan-setan akan mencuba juga. Itu kerja mereka.

“Katakanlah, "Apa, adakah kamu akan mengajar Allah mengenai agama kamu, padahal Allah mengetahui apa yang di langit, dan apa yang di bumi? Dan Allah mengetahui segala sesuatu." (Quran: 49:16)

Begitu juga murid yang taksub kepada guru memuja guru tersebut dan tidak mementingkan ilmu sebenar. Pemujaan guru sudah tentu satu bentuk syirik bukan? Murid yang mementingkan ilmu dan kebenaraan akan melihat usaha guru itu sebagai satu pembuka jalan kearah mencari dan memahami ilmu. Itu seharusnya merupakan satu permulaan pencarian yang tidak terhenti sehingga maut terutama sekiranya kita beriman kepada surah Luqman ayat 27 tadi.

Dalam kita sering memperkatakan bahawa “belajar tanpa guru akan bergurukan setan”, kita lupa bahawa guru itu sendiri mungkin setan. Cara terbaik untuk menilai guru ialah dengan membandingkan ajaran serta pemikirannya dengan Al-Quran itu sendiri. Ini lah sebab nya Allah menamakan Al-Quran juga sebagai “Al-Furqan” iaitu “pembeda” yang membolehkan kita membezakan yang palsu dan yang benar.

Sekiranya kita terima bahawa kedua-dua guru dan murid sentiasa berada didalam keadaan sebagai seorang “pelajar” berbanding dengan ilmu Allah, maka sudah tentu perbincangan dan pertukaran pandangan adalah perkara biasa. Maka, tidak kah usaha mengehadkan perbincangan dan pertukaran pandangan mengenai Maha Pencipta itu suatu tindakan yang sengaja menghalang pencarian dan pemahaman kebenaran? Walhal, Allah mempunyai keyakinan kepada orang-orang yang beriman di mana saranan mudah seperti berikut diberikan:-

“yang mendengarkan perkataan, lalu mengikuti apa yang paling baik diantara nya, mereka itulah orang-orang yang Allah memberi petunjuk; mereka itu, merekalah orang-orang yang berakal” (Quran: 39:18

Malangnya, ada pula manusia yang bersikap tuhan dimuka bumi ini yang bernekad untuk berperanan sebagai “pelindung dan penentu” kebenaran. Walaupun Allah telah memberi petunjuk yang jelas bagi mereka yang mahu, golongan ini pula takut bayang-bayang dan menuduh bahawa manusia am ini “tidak berilmu dan mudah sesat”. Maka dihujah bahawa perbincangan dan pemikiran harus disekat. Adakah kesesatan dapat di halang dengan mengharamkan pemikiran dan perbincangan? Baik kita fikir betul-betul perkara ini.

“Inilah Kitab yang Kami turunkan kepadamu yang diberkati, supaya mereka memikirkan ayat-ayatnya, dan supaya orang-orang yang mempunyai minda mendapat pelajaran”. (Quran: 38:29)

Tidak kah jelas daripada ayat-ayat diatas serta banyak lagi ayat-ayat didalam AL-Quran bahawa Allah menganjurkan orang-orang beriman untuk menggunakan akal atau minda mereka? Sudah tentu akal tidak dicipta semata-mata untuk perhiasan!

Seperkara lagi, tidak kah susah dan rumit untuk menjadi seorang Muslim sekirnya kita tidak boleh berbincang dan berkata mengenai Pencipta kita sendiri? Perkara ini tidak menjadi hal bagi mereka yang mengambil “agama” mereka sebagi satu permainan, upacara atau adat. Namun bagi mereka yang mengambil Islam sebagai keseluruhan kehidupan mereka, batasan sedemikian merupakan satu penindasan jiwa.

Disamping sebab-sebab yang lain, bagi mereka yang “take God seriously”, mereka sentiasa merasakan bahawa wujud nya satu “intense and intimate personal relationship with God” dan mereka amat insaf bahawa diri mereka lah dan bukan orang lain yang akan dipertanggungjawapkan keatas tindak-tanduk mereka di bumi ini.

“Katakanlah, "Adakah aku akan mencari satu tuhan, selain daripada Allah, padahal Dia adalah Tuhan segala sesuatu?" Tiap-tiap jiwa mengusahakan hanya untuk dirinya sendiri; dan tidak lah orang yang dibebankan memikul beban orang lain. Kemudian kepada Tuhan kamu, kamu kembali, dan Dia memberitahu kamu apa yang padanya kamu memperselisihkan”. (Quran: 6:164)


“Kami tidak membebani sesuatu jiwa melainkan menurut kesanggupannya, dan pada Kami ada sebuah Kitab yang berkata benar, dan mereka tidak akan dizalimi”. (Quran: 23:62)

Salam!

[NOTA: Sila rujuk Al-Quran masing-masing dan penulis tidak mengkehendaki sesiapa pun untuk bersetuju dengan pandangan nya di dalam artikel ini. Sebaliknya, penulis alu-alukan sebarang pandangan yang membantu.]

Buddhism's wisdom - THE FOOL

This is so beautifully true I am moved to share.

CHAPTER V.

THE FOOL.

60. Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.

61. If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; there is no companionship with a fool.

62. 'These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,' with such thoughts a fool is tormented. He himself does not belong to himself; how much less sons and wealth?

63. The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far. But a fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed.

64. If a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life, he will perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.

65. If an intelligent man be associated for one minute only with a wise man, he will soon perceive the truth, as the tongue perceives the taste of soup.

66. Fools of little understanding have themselves

[Taken from Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 10: The Dhammapada and Sutta Nipata, by Max Müller and Max Fausböll, [1881], at sacred-texts.com ]

Peace !

Next: The above verses compared with the Quran.

Religion or Ad-Deen (“Way of Life”) – Part One

I am taking a great risk by sharing this view, in a sense. But I must stress that it is my personal view based on my own reflections, research and reading and I do not expect nor need anyone to accept this view. However, I do welcome criticisms or comments so that I may learn.

I reject “religions”. By religion, I mean generally a set of belief complete with its rituals, dogmas, and symbols.

Firstly, I find that they are based largely on superstitions and conjectures that have been transmitted from generation to generation. Each generation accepts what it has inherited unthinkingly. It is difficult to validate or prove superstitions or beliefs that are founded on conjectures – hence the insistence of “belief or faith” as opposed to reason. “This is my belief” is often the concluding remark of religious people who are unable to reason out the contents of their belief.

I find that religions are man-made. Due to the fact that religion is man-made, the later inheritors of the religion usually have to refer to the experts of the religion ie those who are well versed with it. It is usually impossible to discern the teachings of a particular religion with Reality because it often departs from Reality. For example, if I was to tell you that the sun-God mithra will be furious if you do not worship it, how can you validate this claim with Reality? Thus, you need the expert or clergy of the sun-god Mithra religion to explain, what “worship”, “furious” and even who this mithra back to you. If you belong to this Mithra religion, obviously, you will be at a loss to practice it without the help of their clergy. Common sense, intelligence and knowledge of facts/Reality will be insufficient to make you a religious Mithra worshipper. You need the clergy, the ‘knowledgeable people of the mithra religion”.

On the other hand, if I was to tell you that the plant will die if you do not constantly water it, you will be able to validate this yourself with reality. You do not need the botanist to explain this to you, though he will be able to explain it clearly by referring to further realistic experiments. All you need is common sense, intelligence and knowledge of botany. You can get all this from Reality. Whether you believe or disbelieve is irrelevant to the plant – it will die if you do not water it. This is Reality. This is Ad-deen.

Secondly, Religions also appear to be cultural in nature but seem to derive its authority and “higher status” from a claim of “divine source”. It is this claim of divine source that seems to blur the fact that it is actually cultural practices. Religious culture, if I may call it, is again at variance with the demands of Reality. For instance, if you are a Mithra worshipper, you may be required to chant certain prayers to him/her/it if say you have a new born baby as way of expressing gratitude. Logic and common sense will not be able to understand how this chanting will in any way affect the well being of the baby. Like wise it may defeat reasoning to figure out how this act of chanting equals expression of gratitude to the god.

On the other hand, making the best possible efforts for the well being of the baby would appear to be the common sensical approach inline with the Reality of the baby’s needs. This is Ad-deen or the “way of life which is consistent with the general laws of nature”. For example, feeding the baby with the proper baby food will have an impact on the baby while chanting “holy words” will not. If mere words can have an effect on the laws of nature, than it will seem that all we got to do to avoid floods is to chant the rain or the water away. Obviously that will not work. The way to avoid floods is to take realistic steps to avoid them in line with nature. Taking positive actions in line with Reality is Ad-deen. Chanting is religious.

Thirdly, religions are much occupied with symbols and rituals. Form to them is important rather than substance. To a Mithra worshipper, for example, it may be important that he constantly bows to the sun in the middle of the afternoon. He may be taught that the best form of worship is when the sun is high in the sky such that there is no shadow. So, to attain this “best form of worship”, he spends his entire life trying to achieve this.. He will also spend his life talking about it, the “virtues” of so doing, the “inner peace attained” and will also try to persuade his family, especially the children to follow suit. The fact that his quest to attain this worship does not positively contribute to the betterment of the world or those around him is irrelevant. To him, it is a religious duty that must be performed.

On the other hand, in life one must forever seek to control his own base desires, emotions and ability to think. If you allow negative traits, for example like greed, to control you, you may harm yourself and others. Thinking skills are very important in life to survive. You must cultivate the habit of gaining knowledge and evaluating what you see and hear so that you can grasp Reality. A proper understanding of Reality will allow you to live as effectively as possible. For example, it is from our understanding of physics and mathematics that we are able to improve the way we live. Understanding Realistic knowledge has a real effect on life. This is Ad-Deen. To me religious knowledge actually sedates one’s understanding of reality, sort of creating a “dream world”. When you do or think about things that are contrary to nature, then you are being zalim or “unjust” to yourself.

Fourthly, since Ad-Deen is grounded in Reality, there can be no real disputes. For example, no one will dispute that one need food and water to live. There is unity in Ad-Deen. Only a fool will say, for example, that you do not need transport to move from one place to another. On the other hand, religions, since they are man-made and founded on conjectures, invariably leads to disputes and disunity. Even the clerics will dispute among themselves. This is possibly the reason why you find that sectarianism is common among religions. Since common sense has no place, it is usual that emotional stances among the diverse sects results not only in disunity but enmity between them. This is due to the need to “uphold” religious beliefs.

Would you be angry if anyone disagrees with you that water is essential for living? Of course you wouldn’t because it is a fact grounded in Reality or Ad-Deen. On the other hand, a Mithra worshipper may get angry and call you a disbeliever if you tell him that standing constantly under the sun may cause skin cancer. IN the face of pure faith, reason does not have a role. Your act of reasoning with a religious person will be taken to mean that you are challenging his belief. To him, you are trying to burst his fragile bubble that he has carefully and painstakingly build around him.

PEACE !

Part Two: Ad-Deen Approach of the Quran.

IS YOUR BELIEF A PERSONALITY DISORDER?

It easy to say that you believe in God or a Supreme Being. It is more difficult to actually try to understand what you mean when you say that. What does it mean when you say that you believe in a Supreme　Being? If you care to analyse yourself (honestly and objectively) you will find that we often go through life saying things to ourselves that we do not fully understand. These things we do not understand, we repeat to others and they in turn repeat to others.

Through this process, what was never understood becomes a "reality" held by many. Since it is held by many, it then becomes accepted as the "reality" or the "truth". It then becomes even more difficult to analyse the belief or thought objectively because subjective factors tend to block critical thinking. Example, the person who told you about "believing" is someone you love or your parents or your friends or someone you or society regard as "knowledgeable" or "good person". All these subjective factors may be formidable obstacles in the search for "truth" unless you are focused only on letting your research unfold itself - whatever the results.

The sentence 'I believe in God". Is it simply a sentence? Is it simply a "feeling"? Is it simply something that you feel "right to say" and uncomfortable if you do not say it? Do you know what it entails when you say that?

Let us say you strongly believe that drinking more than 2 pints of water will make you dizzy. Most probably, you may abstain from drinking that amount. But what does believe in God make you abstain from? And how did you come to believe that drinking that amount of water will make you dizzy? Was it a personal experience? Did you validate the experience though research, inquiry and thinking?

What if you believed that you are fat when actually you are thin and thus you abstain from food until you become bulimic? Doctors say this is a personality disorder. Such beliefs can cause damage to self and to others. Unvalidated beliefs may be dangerous.

What about your belief in a Supreme being? Does that cause personality disorder in you such that you lose all sense of rationality, and common sense? To answer this question, if you want to, you have to examine your belief - what is it founded on, what does it do to you, why you believe, how does that belief manifest in reality and so on.

Just sharing. What do you think?

PEACE .

How did you become a Muslim?

I was completely shocked when a Muslim responded to me saying: “so what if I do not read the Quran? I am already doing all the essentials of Islam. So I really cannot understand why you are going on and on about me reading the Quran?”

[I also cannot understand why he, being a Muslim, was upset when all I did was to share with him the idea that the Quran should be read to understand its content]

ME: “But if you did not read the Quran, how did you become a Muslim?”

HIM: “You think that reading the Quran means you are a good Muslim?”

ME: “But if you did not read the Quran, how did you become a Muslim?”

HIM: “You didn’t answer my question!”

ME: “ Of course not necessarily. But if you did not read the Quran, how did you become a Muslim?”

HIM: “Well I like to think that I am an okay Muslim. I do all the essentials, I do not hurt others.

ME: “But if you did not read the Quran, how did you become a Muslim?”

HIM: “You do not understand at all. Just because you know the Quran, you think you are clever. What about those who do not know about the Quran?”

ME: “but YOU know about the Quran. You have read it without understanding when you were young. So, if you did not make an effort to understand the teachings of the Quran, how did you become a Muslim?”

HIM: (looking annoyed): “Don’t be stupid lah. Of course they taught us in the mengaji and agama classes. Cant you see I am doing the same thing as every other Muslims. Tak kan tak nampak? Why? Is there anything sesat that I am doing ka?”

ME: “That’s not the point. My point is and I sincerely want to understand … why do you not want to read the Quran to understand it”

HIM: “ Bila sampai seru, of course lah I will”.

ME: “Well, at least let me share some verses with you.”

HIM: “ Tak payah lah. We can just discuss generally without referring to the Quran. You ni, discus agama pun sikit sikit nak rujuk Quran. It is very distracting tau?”

ME: “How is it possible to discuss Islam without referring to the Quran bro? be reasonable”

HIM: “You are the one being unreasonable. Kan I told you, we discuss generally okay?”

ME: “Meaning what?”

HIM: “ Don’t pretend to be stupid lah. You are a lawyer. You know what I mean”.

ME (being sincerely baffled): “ No, I really do not know what ‘discussing generally means apart from the fact that it is clear we are not supposed to refer to the Quran”.

HIM: “ Bro. You are a very nice guy and I like you. I tengok bila discuss religion, you ni serious sangat”.

ME: “But bro, isn’t discussing truth and Allah’s verses a serious matter?.

HIM: “There you go again. All I was saying was that kita kena tingkatkan pengetahuan agama among the youth. You yang lari topic saying we must read the Quran lah, we must understand it lah. Of course. Siapa tak tau?”

ME: “Bro, sorry lah…you are 45 years old and you nak tunggu seru baru nak baca. How in the world are you going to motivate the young to understand Islam? What is this tunggu seru anyway?”

HIM: “You ni tak baik lah buat buat bodoh. Don’t lah play lawyer with me. Tak kan seru pun you tak tau?

ME: “ya lah bro, if we want to motivate the young, we must know the first basis of Islam that is the Quran. That’s what I have been meaning all through our chat tonight”.

HIM: “You are being difficult. Use common sense lah brother. Don’t we have the experts huh? Tak kan kita tak ada ustad, ulamak dan orang pengetahuan. Mereka lah yang perlu buat semua tu”.

ME: “If they are going to do it, why are you telling me this?”

HIM: “Sharing lah. Since you are so interested in Islam. I also feel much more should be done. Tengok lah pemuda pemudi Melayu, teruk sangat nilai dia orang. Simple as that”.

ME: “Your concern for them is good. But why do you forget about yourself?”.

HIM: “Mana ada I forget myself pula?”

ME: “Well, you are stopping me from referring to the Quran in our chat. And you say you want to tunggu seru, whatever that means. Anyway, how do you know what the experts are going to do is in line with the Quran if you do not understand it?”

HIM: “ Bro, malas lah nak discuss this topic with you. Tukar topic lah”.

Then he discussed current politics and after about 15 minutes of patience, I excused myself and went home.

SALAM.

P.S. Brother, if you do read this posting, know that I still love you as my friend.

My Quranic Understanding: SOLIDARITY BETWEEN HUMAN BEINGS

The Creator in His infinite wisdom had created diverse cultures, languages and social groupings (peoples, nations and tribes). Why was such diversity created? The Quran gives the following reason:

“O mankind! Indeed We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of God is the one who is most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things”. (Quran: 49:13)

The purpose is for us to get to know each other. If we do that, we not only learn amazing things about life, we also see the greatness of God. There is no nobility or honor per se belonging to any single social grouping – “Malay”, “Chinese”, “Indian”, “white”, “black”, “Caucasian”, etc. The most honored is the one who is most righteous ie does good deeds and lives decently.

However, some human beings have insisted on turning this diversity into problems and sometimes into causes of immense misery. “Devils” or “Satan” is not necessarily of the Stephan Spielberg Hollywood types. They live among us in the shape of evil minded human beings. They create fears, make empty promises, they rouse people to hate each other and be suspicious of each other. DO not worship such evil people. If you allow them to influence you thoughts and your heart that means you are worshiping them.

"Did I not enjoin on you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Satan; for that he is to you a clear enemy?- (Quran 36:60)

Fortunately, many more human beings celebrate this diversity and enjoy the pleasure that comes from it. This choice of behavior makes sense – why agonize when you can enjoy? Why hate when love is healing and creates bonds of solidarity between us?

For the life of me, I cannot imagine anyone who claims to believe in a Creator to ever discriminate negatively between human beings on the basis of God’s decision to place them into a specific social grouping. If they do, maybe they should review their belief.

“Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs: For them is a dreadful penalty” (Quran 3:105)

The signs are clear – divided we fall, united we stand.

My Quranic Understanding: FACING LIFE'S CHALLENGES

(Image taken from here with thanks)

As we journey through this transient life, there certainly are moments when we are challenged by circumstances, and what seems as hindrances. We feel weak and helpless at times against what we see as problems laid in our path. We go through internal conflicts and prayers of hope. We wish the problematic situation would just dissipate into thin air, go away.

I have always believed that nothing happens in our life in vain. However trivial it may seem to us at the time, there is a purpose for the event. However painful the experience, it is either functional towards our self or preparatory for our continual journey.

Sometimes, the burden of life may seem unbearable and insurmountable. This is not true. The Creator who created us knows the endurance, stamina and capacity of us of each. He does not place on us any burden that we are unable to bear. Each of us can overcome and face the respective challenges in our life. The Creator has promised that. I have always believed in it.　

“On no soul does Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which you did lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith." (Quran 2.286)

We must have faith that we have been sufficiently equipped to undertake this journey in life. WE must not be influenced by the others who lack faith and tell us that we are incapable. We must recognize our strengths and use them to overcome our weakness.

“Allah desires that he should make light your burdens, for man was created weak (in flesh)” (Quran 4.028)

PEACE！

In the NAME OF RELIGION?

Year 2002

For the last several weeks there has been rioting and killing in India. Hundreds have been killed. Today, March 15, 2002, is the day that many fear could engulf the entire sub-continent in a civil war in which millions could die. Ever since the Hindu Nationalist Party, the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), won elections in 1992 and drove the traditional Congress Party from power, tensions have been rising. In 1992, Hindu rioters stormed the oldest Muslim mosque in India, tore it down and reduced it to rubble. This led to riots throughout the country that left 2,000 people dead. Sam Sloan wrote this years ago. Read it here

Has humanity grown since or is religion still obstructing it?

August 25, 2008

Hindu-Christian Violence Flares in India?

The remote, destitute state of Orissa, marred for years by Hindu-versus-Christian violence, erupted in a retaliatory killing on Monday after the murder of a Hindu leader led a mob to burn small Christian churches, prayer halls and an orphanage that had housed 21 children? Read here

Has humanity grown since or is religion still obstructing it?

10/07/2008

A Coptic Christian so enraged by the conversion of his sister to Islam and subsequent marriage to a Muslim man has murdered his brother-in-law? The attack which targeted the whole family to place in the Cairo apartment of Miriam Atef Khella. Police are now searching for the brother and uncle. Read it here.

12th January 2009

Dancing girl 'murdered by Taliban after refusing to give up traditional performances despite death threats'? Read it here.

Has humanity grown since or is religion still obstructing it?

10/28/2008

Tasleem Solangi (in the photo), a 17-year-old girl, was accused without any proof of "immorality": the young woman was accused of having an "extramarital" relationship, for which reason she was punished by relatives. From the initial reconstruction, it emerges instead that a land dispute was at the origin of the brutal killing. The girl was murdered solely in order to convince her father to sell. Read it here

Inspired by “Buddhism” too?

Read here“Muslims in Burma are not considered to be citizens. They have no rights and often suffer discrimination and indiscriminate killings. Many of them, in particular after 1962, had to flee the country and still today live in refugee camps in Bangladesh, which actually do not welcome them. Although Muslims have taken active part in the 1988 revolt, and paid the consequences more than the Buddhist population, the majority of monks and Buddhists in Burma have anti-Muslim sentiments, in particular based on the fear of possible intermarriages”.

Has humanity grown since or is religion still obstructing it?

Friday, May 18, 2007

First death in Dera, Sikh violence?

Activists of the Dal Khalsa and Damdami Taksal attacked Dera branches at Maur and Mastgarh near Bathinda. Read it here

Has humanity grown since or is religion still obstructing it?

OR IS IT JUST THE UGLY SIDE?

Is One God not enough?

What about compassion, kindness, mercy, acceptance, celebration as human beings and humanity?

We need to look deeply within our souls to discover if we really do believe in the Creator and “His overwhelming Mercy.

PEACE!

[NOTE: This article is not meant to insult any religion but merely to share news which shows that people act violently in the name of religion. Those who know me know that I prescribe to the Quranic view: “To you your way and to me, mine”.]

ALERT: Readers, please alert me if there are any factual errors in the news posted. Thank you.

The Violence of Hypocrisy

The minds of human beings have been trained by our current system to recognize only what is superficial and what is physically imminent. Our kindergartens, schools and universities are geared towards “physical survival studies”. Hence we may produce excellent technocrats but poor human beings. Academically brilliant but with poverty of character.

We often speak against the violence of physical wars. True, wars are destructive, cruel and irrational. But what are the real underlying causes? What is it that makes one human readily and nonchalantly murder children, women, and families in broad day light and then – celebrate the killing as a victory of some dubious cause? Have we ever addressed the roots?

To me, it is totally hypocritical to speak of the sanctity of life and yet in same breath destroy it. To a large extent it is also the hypocritical nature of human beings that has been the cause of untold miseries on earth. The refusal of human beings to recognize and manage this nature. For me, the violence of hypocrisy is far more deadly and destructive than the violence of the physical wars. It encompasses the physical violence.

No wonder then that Allah in the Quran denounces the hypocrites as being worse than the disbelievers. The Quran in chapter Al-Baqarah (2) verse 44 says:

“Do you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practice it)
yourselves, and yet you study the Scripture? Will you not understand?”

And further, Allah says it is an odious or hateful attitude to say one thing and to do another:

“O you who believe! Why do you speak of that which you do not do? Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not”. (Quran 61.2 - 3 )

There must be consistency in behavior, speech and judgment. Any consistent inconsistency in the inner world (our selves) is violent and brings forth violence in the outer world.

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (Bible: Matthew 7:2-4 (New International Version)

In religion especially, the sin of hypocrisy is rampant.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Bible: Matthew 23.27-28)

The hypocrite wishes to enjoy the approval of his peers and even the perquisites of a religious office by appearing outwardly moral or religious, while inwardly he is not. Furthermore, when hypocrites rise to high position, they set a bad example for ordinary believers and bring religion itself into disrepute. They also exhibit satanic or demonic qualities and unleash violent miseries. We will see behavior that we cannot reconcile with the merciful or the “rahmah” nature of the Divine being.

“Hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance; these are the marks of those who are born with demonic qualities, O Arjuna.” (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 16 verse 10)

The Buddha calls him a Brahman whose passion, hatred, pride, arrogance and hypocrisy has fallen like a mustard from the needle.

IF we accept that hypocrisy is an unavoidable human condition, then the problem will be the failure to manage it. We must learn to hate this hypocrisy and prevent it from externalizing itself into miseries for others and violent consequences for the world.

On the other hand, if we accept that hypocrisy is a sickness, then we must cure this deadly virus.

PEACE !

Taubat Sewaktu Tua?

Pertama kali saya mendengar perkataan “bila dah tua, boleh lah taubat adalah semasa saya dibangku sekolah menengah. Kata-kata ini diungkapkan oleh beberapa rakan sesekolah. Kemudian daripada itu, saya juga mendengar daripada beberapa dewasa dikeliling saya. Sebenarnya saya keliru apabila mendengar nya pertama kali dan bertambah keliru sehingga sekarang.

“Taubat” yang saya faham adalah satu sikap yang menyedari bahawa suatu tingkah laku, pendirian, cara hidup atau tabiat yang diamalkan oleh kita itu adalah tidak direstui oleh Allah dan lantas itu kita menggantikan nya dengan satu sikap yang baik. Sebagai contoh, mungkin kita secara tabiat suka menipu orang lain. Tiba-tiba satu hari timbul kesedaran bahawa sikap menipu itu tidak baik dan sekaligus kita menggantikan atau berusaha bersungguh-sungguh untuk menggantikan nya dengan sikap jujur.

Taubat semestinya bererti menggantikan yang jahat dengan yang baik. Ia tidak boleh sesuatu yang bercakap sahaja tanpa amalan baik yang menggantikan yang jahat atau yang buruk.

“Mereka ini diberi upah mereka dua kali ganda kerana mereka bersabar, dan menolak kejahatan dengan yang baik, serta menafkahkan daripada rezeki yang Kami berikan pada mereka”.(Quran 28:54)

Pertama, saya percaya prinsip “menggantikan yang jahat dengan yang baik” adalah sejajar dengan saikoloji manusia serta hukum alam. “Things cannot exist in a vacuum”. Maka, bagaimana kedudukan mereka yang menyedari bahawa mereka melakukan kejahatan tetapi “menunda taubat” berdasarkan pelbagai alasan? Sebagai contoh, perasuah berikrar akan “taubat” satu hari kelak atau selepas pencen. Orang yang menipu dan mencuri dalam pelbagai keadaan kehidupan dengan pelbagai kaedah kreatif berikrar akan “taubat kelak”. Begitu juga dengan yang malas menjalankan amanah yang diterima olehnya berikrar akan “taubat” kelak dan sebagainya.

“Allah hanya menerima taubat orang-orang yang membuat kejahatan dalam kejahilan, kemudian dengan segera bertaubat; Allah akan menerima taubat mereka, dan Allah adalah Mengetahui, Bijaksana”. (Quran 4:17)

Kedua, jelas bahawa taubat yang diterima oleh Allah adalah taubat oleh orang yang melakukan kejahatan tanpa disedari olehnya iaitu dalam kejahilan. Kalau ia tahu itu adalah jahat atau tidak baik, dan ia masih sengaja melakukannya adakah “taubat kelak” itu merupakan “taubat” yang dimaksudkan dalam Al-Quran? Bagaimana dengan kerosakkan yang telah dilakukan olehnya terhadap makhluk Allah dengan penuh sedar sekian lama?

Ketiga, pada saya perkara yang jelas adalah orang yang hendak taubat itu mesti mempunyai keupayaan untuk taubat iaitu keupayaan menggantikan yang jahat dengan yang baik. Sebagai contoh, seorang lelaki yang menghabiskan kehidupan sihatnya dengan membohongi wanita untuk kepuasan nafs nya. Apabila beliau menjadi tua dan tidak bermaya, beliau pun “taubat” atas perlakuan memperkosakan wanita. Adakah beliau berupaya memperkosa wanita lagi apabila sudah tua dan tidak bermaya? Kalau tidak berupaya, beliau tidak melakukan kejahatan bukan kerana beliau sengaja berhenti tetapi kerana beliau tidak berupaya melakukan kejahatan lagi. Beliau telah dihentikan oleh aliran masa.

Contoh yang lain: Orang yang bercakap bohong boleh taubat dengan bercakap benar. Bagaimana kalau ia sudah menjadi bisu kerana sesuatu penyakit dan lantas ia “bertaubat” tidak akan bercakap bohong? Bagaimana orang yang telah dihilangkan keupayaan bercakap boleh berikrar untuk bercakap yang benar.

Katakan pula ada pegawai kerajaan yang korup dan ia bertekad akan “taubat” selepas bersara. Namun, apabila ia bersara, ia sudah pun kehilangan kedudukan atau keupayaan untuk menerima rasuah. Maka bagaimana ia boleh “mengorbankan” (iaitu berhenti mengambil rasuah) sesuatu yang tidak lagi ada pada nya?

“Tetapi tidak diterima taubat orang-orang yang melakukan kejahatan sehingga, apabila salah seorang antara mereka didatangi kematian, dia berkata, "Sesungguhnya sekarang saya bertaubat", dan tidak juga bagi orang-orang yang mati dengan tidak percaya (kafir); bagi mereka, Kami menyediakan azab yang pedih” (Quran 4:18).

Berdasarkan fahaman seperti diatas, saya berpendapat konsep “taubat selepas tua” amat mengelirukan dan tidak tepat dengan hakikat alam. Konsep itu mengandaikan bahawa kita akan sampai ke peringkat tua . Gagal didalam usaha bersungguh untuk memperbaiki diri tidak sama dengan tindakan sengaja menunda usaha memperbaiki diri atas alasan “satu hari nanti”.

Salam.

DISCLAIMER: Pembaca disarankan untuk memeriksa dengan sendiri ketepatan sebarang terjemahan Al-Quran didalam tulisan saya. Tulisan ini juga merupakan fahaman saya dan saya tidak meminta mana-mana pembaca terima fahaman saya ini. Ia adalah sekadar perkongsian dan saya mempelawa sebarang komen pembetulan. Prinsip ini adalah berterusan didalam semua artikel saya yang bersangkut paut dengan Addin Allah.

Revenge, love and hatred

People say that revenge and hatred are two self destructive emotions. It can become obsessive and consume your entire life. Total love can turn to total hatred if you allow it and if you are not careful.

Anyone's first love is most beautiful while it lasts. The very first moment of holding the hand of one you love is a blessing that can never be repeated. How can one who has loved ever hate? But we see and hear of love turning to hate. It really amazes me how people who have loved each other can just forget each other once they "break up". It could not have been love in the first place then?

Breaking up is of course a painful experience. Both are hurt. When one is hurt, sometimes the wounded one wants to hurt the other - revenge. Feelings of betrayal, of being let down and of being unappreciated can wreck havoc with the mind and heart, especially if you feel that you were true to the relationship and the other wasn't.

I had an experience when I was very young. I was lucky, however. God had given me the knowledge of unconditional love through a book which I bought from the second hand book store in my teens. I did not know that it was to prepare me for my first "break up". I had known the girl for more than 4 years. When she left, I cried for a month. I did not ever want to love again if it was that painful. At the end of the month I decided that I had to have my revenge. She must pay the penalty. And this is the prayer that I wrote in the form of a poem and etched it into my heart:

THE PENALTY

I shall kiss
your very hand
that killed
my heart.
I pray for
kindness for
every cruelty
you offer me.
For every crime
your penalty
...the pearls
of this life.

-justme.

I felt free once I penned those lines in my heart and I could concentrate on my studies and did very well in the university that year!

Today, I must thank God for answering my prayers and my revenge has been obtained. She is successful, happily married with wonderful children and we are friends even to this day.

It is not difficult to love...but to hate needs much effort...:) If I truly believe my Creator is merciful, can't I show some mercy to those around me?

DEATH

The first death of someone which had a profound effect on me was when my school friend died after finishing his form 5. He was a brilliant student, very intelligent and everyone predicted a bright future for him. He was leaving for US in a few days time. He drove to KL from Penang with the view of gong to the US embassy to finalize his visa – his car got involved in a collision and he died instantly.

I was shocked when I heard this. We were only 17 then. Though I KNEW that people do die at any age, but I never really was AWARE you can die at 17. AT 17, you are not really aware of how to value life. You are also not taught about death in schools or at homes which is odd because death is a certainty. One must be “prepared” for what is certain. My friend’s death made me reflect deeply and read as much as I can on death.

I realized there is no fortress to keep out death. It is natural.

"Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!" If some good befalls them, they say, "This is from God"; but if evil, they say, "This is from you" Say: "All things are from God." But what has come to these people, that they fail to understand a single fact? (Quran 4:78)

But how does one prepare for death? The loss of loved ones may be a difficult experience for many. It may bring about feelings of loss, intense sadness, guilt even, helplessness or even anger. But death is a certainty as it is a natural trait of transience. It reminds us of our inevitable exit from earth as we know it. It reminds us that we are bound to be separated from everything that is known to our senses. It seems as if all that was life was just a dream that went by so fast. It seems that we have been deceived into accumulating things that we now have to leave behind.

“Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception” (Quran 3:185)

I know some people who fear death. I know some others who look forward to it as a return to “their maker”. Others have expressed their wish to remain long enough to ensure that those under their care are well provided for. There are many motivations why people want to live as there are for why they want to die. Many too, for a while, float in life letting life’s flow take them where it may without active participation.

But what is death? Some say that it is the ultimate termination of life, full stop. Such people do not believe in an afterlife. They say you are born, then you die.

“And they say: "What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we live, and nothing but time can destroy us." But of that they have no knowledge: they merely conjecture”. (Quran: 45.024)


I believe that death is the process of going into the next phase of life. I used to marvel at how water changes to steam, goes up, becomes clouds and falls as water again. Death is like evaporation. Water evaporates changing to steam, not dying. It is “raised again” as water – the hydrologic cycle (water cycle). Of course some do not believe this:

“The Unbelievers say: "What! when we become dust,- we and our fathers,-
shall we really be raised (from the dead)?” ( Quran 27:67)

Allow me to share this short poem I wrote in remembrance of my late friend:

The Soul

water in the mug
steaming
releasing vapour into the air,
disappearing
changing form
not dying.

-justme
1985
ukm

Politicization of Religions.

Let us consider an alternative perspective.

Politics appears to the only route that humankind seems to know to govern the nation. Political history has shown us that many wars have been waged by politicians. The excuses may be different and the people pushing for the wars may be different but it is ultimately the politicians that make the decision to wage wars. Many political observers world wide also acknowledge that politicians are prone to excesses, abuses and deceit. Given half a chance they will sell even their own mother to stay in power, as some say it rather crudely.

Politics is about power. Power is a divine trait, godly. Since it is a divine trait, in the hands of lesser mortals, it can be intoxicating and addictive. Hence, while political power is a major responsibility it can equally be a dangerous tool in the hands of the lesser mortal. It is never easy to give up neither power nor the uninformed supporters. The more extreme the supporters, the more secure the politician. The more loyal the supporters, the more the politician has to pander to their inclinations to maintain their loyalty.

This is the vicious cycle that the politician has trapped himself in for the sake of power. This is sometimes called “riding the tiger syndrome”. It is almost impossible to dismount the tiger because it might bite you.

The politician rides on a cause, a platform. People who support the cause, support the politician. They get together into a club called the “political party”. They create rituals, mantras, levels of authority and ranks. At the bottom is the ordinary member whose usefulness is not only to make up the numbers but to support their leaders unquestioningly in the name of the party. The politician cannot make drastic changes for ordinary members constantly need something that they have already identified themselves with without understanding. Change implies need to think and to alter behavior which will upset the members. Only variations of what is already believed and upheld by the party members is allowed even if it gradually strays from the original ideal.

Religion appears to be the only route humankind seems to know to relate to the supernatural, to be “good” and to make sense of the “spiritual” world. History of religions has shown us that many wars have been waged by the religious leaders. The excuses may be different and the people pushing for the wars may be different but it is ultimately the religious leaders that make the decision to wage wars. Many observers world wide also acknowledge that religionists are prone to excesses, abuses and deceit. We have heard of the inquisition, burning at the stake, killing in the name of “god” ethnic cleansing, “Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim terrorists” etc.

Religion is about influence and about instilling belief in a person’s heart. influencing a person’s heart and “instilling faith” is a divine trait, godly. Since it is a divine trait, in the hands of lesser mortals, it can be intoxicating and addictive. Hence, while religion has tremendous potential for guiding good human conduct and a major responsibility it can equally be a dangerous tool in the hands of the vested interest religionists. It is never easy to give up neither the power to influence nor the uninformed supporters. The more extreme the supporters, the more secure the religious leaders. The more loyal the supporters, the more the religious leaders has to pander to their inclinations to maintain their loyalty.

This is the vicious cycle that the religious leaders has trapped himself in for the sake of power. This is sometimes called “riding the tiger syndrome”. It is almost impossible to dismount the tiger because it might bite you.

The religious leader rides on a cause, a platform. Adherents who support the cause, support the leader. They get together into a club called the “X religion”. They create rituals, mantras, levels of authority and ranks. At the bottom is the ordinary adherent whose usefulness is not only to make up the numbers but to support their leaders unquestioningly in the name of the religion. The leader cannot make drastic changes for ordinary adherents constantly need something that they have already identified themselves with without understanding. Change implies need to think and to alter behavior which will upset the adherents. Only variations of what is already believed and upheld by the adherents is allowed even if it gradually strays from the original ideal of the “founder”.

If you agree with the above alternative analysis and if it is correct, then imagine the potency of mixing the two – politicization of religion.

When religion is politicized, it moves away from the individual and resides in a select few who bestow upon themselves the power to determine what should be believed and what should not. Political power may have control over your body but religious power attempts to control your very emotions, beliefs and soul. With this mix, the control over you is complete.

Now, just sit back and imagine the colossal catastrophe that can be unleashed by the lesser mortal with vested interest who now has the sniff of what is divinely!

Let's discuss.

Sultan of Selangor, HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Islam

HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah correctly pointed out that

"Islam is a beautiful religion. It is a practical religion. It must be known for its values and compassion. It is not about punishments or banning this or that. This has unfortunately happened. Islam is not about force. Substance is more important, let’s not forget".

(Interview with the Star on 2.12.2008)

I hope the religious authorities heed HRH's wise observation.

What is faith in God anyway?

The Quran says:

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?” (Quran 29.2)

Clearly Allah says that saying you believe in God is inconclusive. A mere ritual of declaring your faith either to yourself or to the whole of mankind is not tantamount to faith in God. There are tests. Tests that will determine whether you walk your talk. Whether your so-called faith is mere lip service, a cultural baggage, a psychological escapism, etc. Allah detests those that do not walk their talk.

“O you believers! Why say you that which you do not?” (Quran 61.2)
“Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not”. (Quran 61.3)

Hypocrites are the worst among the lot. They can feign faith and religiosity which will shame even the best Hollywood actors. It is difficult to identify the hypocrites, but not impossible. You may carefully look for the signs, the manner in which they react to the “tests” that Allah has planned for them.

“Who does greater wrong than one who invents falsehood against God, even as he is being invited to Islam? And God guides not those who do wrong”. (Quran 61:7)

For a variety of selfish reasons, hypocrites invent falsehood against Allah. Many of such people fail the test by inventing some law or some view and then ascribing that to Allah. When you check it with the Quran and the Sunnah, you find that it contradicts. The “devil” invents many things in the name of God merely to lead people astray from the path of Allah. For example, we have heard of the invitation to the killing of innocent people in the name of God, extremist or excessive behaviour in the name of God, etc.

“O you who believe! make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, but commit no excess: for Allah loves not those given to excess”. (Quran 5:87)

But Allah says that the Satan has no authority over humans beings who are His loyal servants. In other words, you must have chosen to incline yourself to evil for Satan to whisper evil ideas into your mind and heart. You have failed another test – the test of being the master of your senses as God intended you to be.

“And on them did Satan prove true his idea, and they followed him, all but a party that believed”. (Quran 34:20)

“But he had no authority over them,- except that We might test the man who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it: and your Lord does watch over all things”. (Quran 34:21)

Many people who say that they believe in God seem to behave as if they do not. Their camouflage may be the various religious rituals that they dutifully perform. Or they may be in a constant state of self-denial. Or they are just plain ignorant or inclined to evil. They do not exhibit trustworthiness, compassion, diligence, love, gratitude, care for the environment, etc – some of the attributes that Allah commanded in the Quran for believers.

They are easily duped by the illusions of the transient world. They bask in their possessions, beauty, status, family, etc. As such they fall into dubious concepts such as “survival of the fittest” not realizing that ultimately all living things will not survive. They rationalize the evil manner in which they earn an income to sustain their family and themselves – corruption, selling dangerous products/services, cheating, etc.

Are they who do these believers in God even though they faithfully perform all the rituals?

“You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs” (Quran 3:186)

“That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct”. (Quran 18:7)

Clearly Allah does not teach that once you say you accept Him, you will be “saved”. You have to go through the journey of life and pass the various tests that you encounter in reality.

“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good
by way of trial. to Us must you return” (Quran 21:35).

Peace !

CATTLE OR HUMANS?

When I look around me, I am left with intense sadness.

The human species running around trying to make sense of life. They are trying their very best to do something. They are busy. Some, have no time to think what they are busy about. They have their hands full of life’s real challenges – food, clothing, shelter. They have their children’s stomach, education, health and well being to think of. They are so poor that they only have one thing in mind - how to survive in this world.

On the other hand, we have the privileged ones. The educated, the well-off, the powerful and the soon to be educated, well-off and powerful. They too are busy.

The soon to be educated, well-off and powerful are busy trying to be educated, well-off and powerful. Society generally agrees that one should excel. Politicians, self made thinkers and the elites of the society echo this. Has anyone stopped and thought for a while; - what does it mean if I am educated? How does that benefit you if I am educated? Does this world become a better place when I am educated? What does being “educated” mean anyway - a scroll in the hand?

If “education” is merely to enrich myself, to boost my ego, to fall into that delusions that “I am clever”, to get the privileges that is dished out to such groups and such, would you be happy that I am “educated”? What if I use my “educated status” to write and speak of things that benefits me but ruins the society generally? If you oppose me, I can simply garner all the support merely on the dubious ground that “I am educated and you are not. Hence you are disqualified to oppose me”.

Does having a formal education mean that I am necessarily more intelligent than the kuay teow seller? That I must necessarily be wise in all areas of life? If I believe yes, then I have been a danger to you and society. If not, then why should I “look down” on the kuay teow seller? I may be cleverer but he may be wiser. In the face of wisdom, I believe cleverness is crushed.

Look. Look at us. We have more educated people today than in the 1960s. Listen to what they say. Look at how they behave. Look and judge if the “education” that they posses have made them into human beings – or have they become lower than the animals?

Who are the ones who are inciting to racial and religious hatred in Orissa, India? The uneducated and poor ones or the ones with education, well-off and powerful?

Look at our own country…. Try to understand with your hearts, see with your eyes, hear with your ears – who are the ones with vested interest trying to prevent people from embracing each other as the created or makhluk of the Creator? Who???

“Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts with which they understand not, eyes with which they see not, and ears with which they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning)” (Quran 7:179)

Allah says clearly that many human beings are lower than cattle. Cattle. Why cattle? Cattle is guarded, fed, and its direction and life determined by the cowherd. Cows have a heart, eyes and ears ….so do human beings. Cows cannot use them to better their lives. Cows do not think and see or hear like humans. Humans can. Humans have been given the privilege by Allah to use their hearts, their eyes and their ears. Those who do not, Allah says, surely are worse than cows.

The educated, well-off and powerful among us who follow their “animalistic instincts” for their own desires need cattle around them to make their desires a reality. They spurn lies albeit sometimes couched in intellectual, religious, nationalistic terms. Sometimes, sentiments. When this fails, they use power and fear and threats. They do all they can to wreck society and the basis of human nature as Allah created to satisfy their selfish ends.

But why must WE fall in their trap?

Are we like the cattle led by the nose by the cowherd? What? Merely for the miserable hay that is thrown in our way and the cow shack that we are allowed, we are willing to live a life lower than the cattle? Even though we know that the cowherd’s main purpose is only to milk us and to slaughter us?

If so why did Allah give us hearts, eyes and ears that are different from the cow if He intended that we should only be led by the selfish cowherd? Why do we insist on degrading ourselves so low when Allah has elevated us?

Allah has given a way out – he holds you personally accountable. He reminds you:

“And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)”. (Quran 17.36)

It is now entirely your choice. You can choose to be the human being that Allah created or you may continue to be lower than the cattle that Allah forbade you to be.

Peace and May God guide us all from this madness.

Muslim or Malay?

There is a big difference between the two. “Malay” is an anthropological and a legal definition, while a “Muslim” is one who ‘surrenders’ to Allah as defined by the Quran. The act of surrendering to Allah would require that one leaves or strives very hard to leave all that which contradicts or prevent this surrendering. For example, the pagan Arabs who embraced Islam gave up the concept and practice of Arab tribalism.

A Muslim views all human beings as the creations of the Grand Designer. He does not, therefore discriminate people based on racial lines. He is not a racist. This does not mean of course that one cannot think or talk about races. If so, it will not be possible to identify racism in all its ugly colors.

Malaysia is unique. “Malay” is constitutionally defined. Muslims become constitutional Malays once they fulfill all the requirements of Article 160 of the Federal Constitution. This means that if a Javanese was before Merdeka Day born in Malaysia or Singapore or born of parents one of whom was born in Malaysia or in Singapore and the said Javanese professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language and conforms to Malay custom, he/she is a Malay by definition under art. 160(2) of the Federal Constitution.

On the other hand, a Javanese who is a Christian is not a constitutional Malay. Similarly, an Indian Muslim or a Chinese Muslim who satisfies the conditions under Article 160 is likewise a constitutional Malay. Clearly therefore, a constitutional Malay is a legal definition. However, even this simple fact can cause confusion among many, in particular in the Government and the civil service.

In fact, with respect, even no less than a Judge appear to have been confused with this legal definition. Preconditions of being Malay have been confused with preconditions being Muslim. Justice Faiza Tamby Chik J while sitting in the High Court stated that:

“Therefore a person as long as he/she is a Malay and by definition under art. 160 cl. (2) is a Malay, the said person cannot renounce his/her religion at all. A Malay under art. 160(2) remains in the Islamic faith until his or her dying days”. LINA JOY v. MAJLIS AGAMA ISLAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN & ANOR [2004] 6 CLJ 242

NO where in the constitution do you find a requirement that a Malay SHALL profess Islam. Article 160 clearly sets out who is a Malay in law and if you do not have any one of the conditions thereat, then you are no longer a Malay in law. Going by Faiza’s logic, does it therefore mean that “a person as long as he/she is a Malay cannot stop conforming to Malay customs”? Surely, he can stop practicing Malay custom. If he does so, he ceases being a Malay under art 160 (2). This is not the same as saying that because art. 160 defines a Malay in this manner, therefore he cannot stop practicing the Malay custom. Hence with respect, there appears to be a reasoning flaw in this part of Faiza’a judgment.

A Malay and a Muslim must surely be different in fact. For example a Chinese Muslim who does not follow the Malay custom and does not habitually speak the Malay language is a Muslim but not a Malay under art. 160. Ahmad and Ah Mat Chong who both practice and profess Islam are Muslims but one is a Malay while the other is a Chinese.

What then is the commonality between Ahmad (Malay Muslim), Ah Mat (Chinese Muslim) and Hameed Sultan Basha (Indian Muslim)? The answer would be that there are all Muslims and that the common factor among them is “Islam”. What, however, is the significance of this commonality? What does it mean in real terms?

In Malaysia, being Muslims, all three will certainty be subjected to the state Syariah laws and all the fatwas by the religious authorities. The Quran says that all believers are brothers of each other and that they should assist one another. The Quran enjoins all Muslims to be united to the “rope of Allah”. Is this possible under the current laws in Malaysia?

Let’s take a very simple example for the sake of discussion. Let us say for example that Ah Mat, the Chinese Muslim is from the low income group. He wants to buy a house. Ahmad is from the middle income group. Ahmad will be eligible for the 7% discount when he buys a house but Ah Mat will not. This is perfectly legal and in line with current policies but certainly appears unjust in Islam. In this situation, would it not be correct to state that the “malayness” overrides the ‘Islamness’? I stand to be corrected.

In any event, I have never heard of any fatwa by any learned ulamak in Malaysia that it is harm to discriminate favours among Muslims while they are all subjected to the same state Syariah laws. In any event, isn’t it an Islamic principle that the poorer should be assisted more than the richer in these situations irrespective of racial considerations?

To me, there is a big difference being a Malay or a Muslim. The underlying philosophy, world outlook and motivations are totally different. A Muslim will not be unjust even to an unbeliever or even the heretic. He mindful that Allah has created the world in a balance and He has enjoined on the Muslims to uphold justice and fair play. He is ever conscious that Allah is omnipresent and hence, the Muslim will forever be wary of his commitments, behaviour, task and duties. He will strive to do his best barring human failings and weaknesses.

A Muslim’s entire life existence is for Allah. This is conscious in the mind of everyone who considers himself a Muslim. What is the basis of the Malay’s life existence? If it is the same as the Muslim’s then is there a need to be conscious that you are a Malay or Indian or Chinese or German? Why can’t Muslims just speak and be concious in “Islamic terms”? Just be Muslims?

Is God really in our lives?

Malaysia should probably be classified as the 8th wonder of the world. It certainly has many wonders in its midst.

Every Malaysian remembers that our land is a land of slogans and songs. We have plenty of slogans – ‘bersih cekap amanah”, “kepimpinan melalui teladan”, “gemilang, cemerlang, terbilang” and so on. Go to every “gomen” department and you will find a slogan.

And yet, (this where we are the 8th wonder), we hear and experience major inefficiencies in the civil service, our political leaders suffer from lack of credibility, our universities are not terbilang and neither do we have kepimpinan melalui teladan.

And religion. God, this country has a lot of religion. Every Fridays, you find the Muslims going to the mosques and the hindus going to the temples. Every Sunday, you have the Christians praying at the Church. Every other day, you have the Taoists and Buddhists either praying at their temples or at the altar in their house. And there are the other religions which we do not normally mention in public but claim to believe and worship God nevertheless.

In fact, the government has taken the initiative to adjust the Friday lunch hours to enable the civil servants to pray. One would therefore think that the civil servants must be the most God-fearing of the lot in Malaysia. One cannot be faulted in thinking that Malaysia is almost a holy land full of pious citizens.

It seems everyone wants to be saved and every one wants to praise the Lord. What a wonderful nation of ours Malaysia is? We are so God conscious it seems.

With such pious, God- fearing citizens, surely they are all mindful that this is God’s earth and that we are all here to share. Love, peace, sharing, giving and equitable distribution of wealth. Equal opportunities for all the “children of God”.

We are so God conscious that there is no corruption at all. Our leaders are impeccable. The Muslim ones never forget to praise God before they make a speech.

And look at our priests. They fight for a better environment, better housing, better governance, just laws, education system that cultivates upright and responsible citizens, elimination of poverty, etc. They want to illuminate this country of ours with God’s light of mercy.

How unjust this world will be without these religious experts. They are so relevant in our daily lives.

I wouldn’t like to think that we are encouraging a culture of hypocrisy – saying we love God and behave like satan on earth. Surely, we have the mental ability and the strength of spirit to distinguish between form and substance?

But it puzzles me. I have heard and seen people scream and shout for blood in the name of religion. I have seen deliberate negative discrimination in the name of religion. And I am not just talking of the Muslims. In fact, I have heard of an MP say that he is “muslim first”,whatever that means. Why did he become a muslim (submitter) first before becoming a mukmin (believer)? What do these words mean anyway? Deeds we can evaluate but words…..?

In fact we are so religious that “a chosen few” among us have taken the duty to ensure that it is so even if it means resorting to compulsive measures. These chosen few will “guide” you to think how they “think”. When “guidance” fails, they will compel you for your own good. It does not matter that you are an adult above the age of 40 and have been maintaining a family well and that you are in a position of responsible decision making in your career. When it comes to religion, these chosen few are the experts. What a wonderful holy land we have!

This almost holy land ours is truly the 8th wonder of the world. Don’t you think?

The Mirror

If you have no love and mercy in your heart,
how can you claim to love God?

If you have no compassion and empathy,
why do you expect God to emphatise with you?

If you have no forgiving spirit,
why would you want God to forgive you?

If you are a tyrant in your ways,
your beliefs and your actions,
why do you expect God to shower you with His kindness?

If you live a life of only taking,
why would you expect God not to take it away?

If you do not want to understand the diverse colours
and languages that God created,
why do you expect God to understand you?

If you steal in creative ways,
why do you expect God to keep the wealth in your possession?

If you live a life of deceiving others,
why you do expect not to be deceived by your own self?

If you destroy lives in creative ways,
why do you expect your loved ones to be safe?

If, as a mere transient mortal you are arrogant,
why should not God humble you?

If you are forever distinguishing yourself above others,
why should God not differentiate you below others?

Are we forever asking but never doing?
Are we forever saving other souls, never our own?
Are we forever being religious but never a human being?
Are we forever form but never substance?

Let the mirror speak,
for it is enough as a witness
against us.


-jahamy