The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 28 Mar 2013 04:10 PM PDT
MARCH 29 ― In school, one of my teachers was an ustaz whom we fondly (and quietly) nicknamed "The Rock" for his muscular build and piercing glare. There was even a rumour going around that he was a former boxer! Despite his apparently intimidating appearance, however, we enjoyed his classes as he was an easygoing, funny and entertaining teacher. And the biggest religious lesson he impressed on me was that in Islam, we should avoid taqlid. That is, following blindly. Indeed, the Quran states: And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart ― about all those [one] will be questioned. [Al-Isra', 17:36] Sadly, this isn't fully reflected in our society today. Some, from an over-zealous pak lebai at the nearby surau to even representatives of official religious authorities, unfortunately tend to say halal or haram arbitrarily without bothering to provide accompanying explanations or reasoning in an in-depth manner. Often, we can even feel an air of superiority when they hand out these "edicts", bordering on (sometimes even crossing into) the realm of "I know best so don't question." And often we are expected to follow without questioning too much (or at all). Maybe it's a reflection of our culture where total obedience to authoritative figures, which includes our elders, is expected and to ask questions is often perceived as being disrespectful or kurang ajar. Adding to this is the perception that when one asks too many whys on religious teachings, one is seen as trying to defy it even when the actual purpose is to understand deeper. But it shouldn't be that way. People by nature don't like being told what to do, even if it's the right thing to do. Being told that something is compulsory or forbidden without providing clear reasoning as to why will make people feel like they're forced to it. Feeling forced to it is not how religion is supposed to work. Again, in Quran we hear: There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. [Al-Baqarah, 2:256] A black-and-white approach in upholding religion is not the way forward in this day and age. Indeed, has it ever been? The faith of one who understands why he subscribes to his religion should prove stronger and firmer than one who subscribes just because he is told to by his family. Through understanding, a person's faith comes from deep within and will not be shaken come what may. When one understands why a religious aspect or act is necessary or forbidden and sees the benefit or harm that would arise from it, you can put that person on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and he/she would still uphold that religious teaching because that person not only knows it is necessary or forbidden, but knows why and the consequences otherwise. Compare that to one who avoids doing a sinful action purely because he heard it was forbidden without understanding why. Without enforcement or social pressure, would that person still avoid that sin? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. This should also apply in combating corruptive elements from undermining the faith of Muslims. A heavy-handed approach in protecting Muslims from corruptive elements doesn't work — it only arouses curiosity and defeats the purpose by motivating everyone to seek these elements and find out what the fuss was all about. Instead of using authoritative force in outlawing these elements to protect the minds of believers from contamination, increased effort on educating the public on understanding the dangers of these elements would be more effective. Then let the public judge those elements — if indeed they are corruptive, truth will prevail and the public's rejection of these elements will be stronger and permanent. At the end of the day, a key aspect of Islam remains an emphasis on the importance of education — so let education and understanding, not authority and force, be the main fortification defending the faith of Muslims in this country. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist | |
| Posted: 28 Mar 2013 04:06 PM PDT
MARCH 29 ― I have a friend by the name of Marcus Lim. He is my colleague at Astro AWANI. Marcus is a devout Catholic and we have interesting conversations about our faiths whenever we feel too lazy to do some actual work in the office. The day that the new pope was decided on, I came into the office and as soon as I saw Marcus, I yelled out, "Habemus Papam!" (We have a pope!) I doubt that Marcus actually knows Latin, but he replied: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam; Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Jorge Mario Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Bergoglio, Qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum. (I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope! The most eminent and reverend lord Lord Jorge Mario Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Bergoglio, Who takes the name of Francis.) Okay. I kid! He only managed to utter the first sentence before he started uttering gibberish since he doesn't actually speak Latin. But he was excited that he had a new pope. I was excited he had a new pope, and especially so because the new guy has a reputation for promoting and building interfaith relationships. Lo and behold, as soon Pope Francis took on his role officially, he made the statement that I, as a Muslim, see as an extension of the hand offering a shake. As reported by Time, during a meeting with leaders of different faiths which included Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, Pope Francis pledged to promote "friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions." This is a breath of fresh air after the last pope, Benedict, made extremely insensitive statements about Islam throughout his eight-year tenure. Pope Benedict had suggested that coerced conversion is what Islam is all about. He has even been quoted as saying, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman." During a an interview with the press right after his installation, Pope Francis was quick to remark that "Pope Benedict's statements do not reflect my own opinions." As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires before his installation as pope, Bergoglio organised, promoted and encouraged numerous dialogues and mass prayers with leaders of different faiths. He was quoted as saying, then: "It is not possible to establish true links with God while ignoring other people. I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam." I do understand that Pope Francis has only just begun his duties. And most newly-elected leaders are very good at highlighting their plans. Executing them is another matter. But in any type of understanding and dialogue, trust has to play a very important role. And anyway, we should not have any presumptions or judge. That is not the Islamic way. Muslims in particular have to do away with the feeling that all the Christians out there have the intention of converting them (and maybe even vice versa!). In this day and age, we should look at promoting multiculturalism and peaceful religious plurality, instead of distrust and hostility. As far as I am concerned, I am a big supporter of open-mindedness and discourse. So anyone else who is open to it as well is welcome to the table. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist |
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