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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Malaysia a Christian Nation?

Assalamualaikum brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, I pray to Allah, may peace be upon all of you.


The above Arabic verse means: In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.

1. Let me begin by praising Allah, He is my God and your God, He is One and Only, He is Absolute and Eternal, He has no begotten son, neither has He any parents that beget Him and He is of no equals. (Refer to Holy Quran, Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-4)

2. In less than 24 hours from now, I have an important medical academic exam to attend so I should not be blogging. In addition, I have just authored an article (on politics) merely 2 days ago. However, I feel compelled to throw this commentary about the subject above because unless I do it, I feel uncomfortable like having butterfly in my stomach (a giant one), so simply put, I must do this!

3. Malaysia a Christian Nation? What do I think? What do you think I think? I am a Muslim. So again, what do you think I think? A yes? No?

4. Stop there. Yes, right there. If I were to say no, is it because I am a Muslim? So will I say yes if I am a Christian?

5. Let me get this straight, what do you mean by Malaysia as a Christian Nation? Is this a battle of identity? As in, if it's a Christian Nation, so the Christians can be proud. If it's a Muslim Nation, then the Muslims can be proud. Either way, whether Muslims become second class citizen in the former case or Christians become the second class citizen in the latter case (Muslim Nation). Seriously is this what it's all about? A battle for identity and pride? Is this what worth fighting for? If you say yes, a big BOO for you..

6. Let me talk to you first my Muslim friends. What do you understand about Islam? If you were to back the idea of having an Islamic state (empire) of Malaysia, is it merely because you were born Muslim? Or because you are a Malay? Even funnier to me, is it because the Constitution (perlembagaan) says so (that a Malay is a Muslim)?

7. Yes I said funny. You know why? Because it is funny. Ok, no. It's because of this.

First:  Our constitution is man-made. I repeat, man-made. In terms of priority, Al-Quran is our divine guidance, coming from God, so it is the FIRST source of reference. If anything in constitution contradicts the Quran, bye-bye to that part of constitution. If anything in the Quran contradicts the constitution, the same thing, bye-bye to that part of constitution again (which the Quran contradicts).

Second: But is there any contradiction bro? Okay. Thank you for asking. A pat on your back, it's a good one. This is my answer. I don't study law, so I may not comment much. However, it is the effect of misleadingly relying on the constitution that contradicts the Quran and this is what I am fighting against.

8. Let me clarify. A Muslim is Muslim. Obviously. The question is, can a Muslim quit Islam? The answer is no. But those who fanatically digest the constitution, you know what they say? They say, you can quit Islam, but you will not deserve the special rights of Malays anymore (because only Muslims are considered Malays)

9. I know, it's a threat and a means to make a Malay Muslim stay a Muslim. But have you ever thought of how flawed that could be? How?

10. Number one. How could you compare the Malay special rights with the blazing Fire of Allah? You think people mind losing the special rights? No, they don't. Especially when they get more money after they quit Islam (you know what I mean). Simply put, losing that special rights is more than just bearable. Proof: How many non-Malays die because of no special rights can you tell? Common sense bro. More over, how do you know that a Malay is no longer a Muslim. I mean, is it obviously obvious?

11. Don't get me wrong. I am a Malay too. I thank Allah for the blessings I enjoy from the special rights. But my point is, when we entice people with materials, we won't go far. Whether you are a Malay or not a Malay, we are not talking about special rights now, we are talking about faith (imaan), and for that we are talking about the threat of the eternal Blazing Hellfire (if you quit Islam). Bro, google the meaning of the word eternal.

12. Number two. Common sense again. If today a non-Malay enters Islam, can he or she enjoys the special rights? Then we answer: No. Why? Because he is not Malay. But according to you, a Malay is a Muslim, and a Muslim is a Malay? So now, this non-Malay is a Muslim, so he too is a Malay isn't it? Huh? You: Err....

13. Do you understand now how flawed is this man-made concept?

14. To conclude, let me say to you this. Yes, the constitution says that a Malay is always a Muslim (by constitution's definition). I just don't agree when you put it the other way round i.e a Muslim is always a Malay. Dude, Rasulullah is an Arab. It is unfair if I can not become a Muslim just because I am not an Arab. Just like you, don't you think?

15. Therefore, by saying funny, I don't mean funny actually, I mean ridiculous instead!

16. Now, both of you, my Muslim and non-Muslim friends. Let me tell you, what ever these people are bickering about Christian Nation etc, they are politicking. I am afraid, they are not sincere, and they care only about their own interest. If they work to serve the people, they could have handled this in a better manner.

17. Let put religion aside just for a moment. I said, just for a moment! Now, as an individual who is aware of your rights and your value in this country, let me ask you one question. What do you want from this country? Sincerely, honestly, frankly, what all of us want is simply this- JUSTICE.

18. Justice is color-blind you know? It can't distinguish a Malay from a Chinese or an Indian or Kadazandusun or Iban bla bla bla. Justice is for everyone and it is this that we look for. The question now is, when it comes to justice, let me ask you sincerely, what religion in this world that has a complete set of guidance that leads us to peace and justice? Let me ask you again, what kind of scripture and a single book, that not only teaches us how to pray or go to mosque or church or temple, or only about good moral values, but also teaches us the way we treat other people, the way we do business, the way we practice fair judgement and every other single thing?

19. You will only be able to find the answer to this, if you are sincere looking for the truth and if you desire justice for everyone, whether you are a Muslim or not. Get away from here now if all you seek all this while is your personal interest. Yes, go away.

20. Having that said, my non-Muslim and Muslim friends, I want to stay a Muslim because I know Islam teaches me the best guidance for the whole mankind. And because of that, whether or not you are a Muslim, let me tell you that I am convinced as much as I hope you are, only the true teaching of Islam that can comprehensively spread justice around the world.

21. Islam does not say enter Islam when it gives you money. Islam does not say enter Islam because you are a Malay. Islam says, hey, here's a guidance for you, no matter who you are, and do justice to all people. Islam says, live in this world with a belief that God is watching you, and He has promised you something eternally wonderful there. Ask yourselves, what are you looking for in this life after all?

22. Dear my non-Muslim friends, Islam teaches me this, that we should come to a common term, that your God and my God is the same God, and He is One and Only, no one is equal to Him.

23. If today I want to disagree with Malaysia as a Christian Nation, it is not because of my identity (as a Muslim) alone. That's unfair because we have different identity (by name, race etc). However I only want to invite you to agree with me that the only right path to truth and justice is there taught in Islam, so why should we look for other than this?

24. My reminder to Malaysian leaders and followers. If you are backing Islam just because you are a Muslim, the non-Muslims only see injustice in you. It is unfair to them. Tell them instead, that Islam is what we should share, not because of it's name, but because of what it teaches.

25. To end this (now I feel slightly better), I want to invite you to do just this. Don't let people blind you and cause disunity in you with something you do not know. I have no problem with you so long as you don't chase me out from my house or ban me from practising my religion. I will also give you due respect even if you are not a Muslim, if you are sincere for justice, because to me, a just non-Muslim is more Muslim than an unjust Muslim. Trust me, if you understand Islam, you'll understand (and practice) justice.

It ain't about what identity you belong to!

"Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just."
Holy Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahinah, (60:8)

Wallahua'lam. I ask forgiveness from Allah, my God and your God, He knows best, really ;-)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

a very gud article...

Amirul Asyraf said...

I ask from Allah His refuge, from weaknesses and flaws I have, all praise be to Allah for any benefit you gain from this article.

Barakallahu fik. Thank u for visiting, my friend ;-)

Anonymous said...

'Dear my non-Muslim friends, Islam teaches me this, that we should come to a common term, that your God and my God is the same God, and He is One and Only, no one is equal to Him."

Aslm. I'm a bit confuse here. My God is Allah swt the One and only God and Rasullullah pbuh is the messenger of God. But in the above paragraph are you are saying that Muslims worship the same God as the God whom Christians said fathered Jesus? The same God as one of the numerous Gods & Goddesses in Hinduism? The same God with human-like weaknesses as worship by the Jews? I hope you can clarify a bit on this.

Amirul Asyraf said...

Waalaikumussalam wbt.

A very good question indeed.

There are 2 views here my friend. First, how God wants us to see Him. Second, how we see Him as God.

My statement below, is the first, which is how God wants us to know Him, that He is one and there is no other (in Surah Al-Ikhlas).

Allah is not only the God of Muslims, Allah is God of the whole mankind and universe, and this is what Allah told us. That's why, if non-Muslims make some efforts in life for example in exam, they can succeed too. Why? Because Allah is the most Generous, and He gives all mankind (not only Muslims) what they deserve, though in this case (exam), it's a worldly achievement.

The problem starts in the second view when people use solely and only their own weak mind then they create more Gods, which in that case, associating Him with partner.

It is absolutely wrong and we don't say other Gods are our Gods.

Read again the sentence carefully my friend. I use the word 'God'and 'is' in the entire sentence to refer to God.

'God' and 'is' can't refer to more than one, so from there it already suggests singularity and absolute oneness of God. Hence, it can't be trinity or many Gods in Hinduism.

Again, I'm not saying to them that we follow them, I'm saying in Islam, we are taught to come to a common term with non-Muslims, to invite them to agree, that our God is the same God, and this God is One and Only, and He is no other but Allah SWT alone.

Allahua'lam (Allah knows best).

P/S: Dear friend, again read carefully ya? I didn't say let's worship your God. That's your paraphrasing instead, not my words. My meaning is already explained above. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Asklm

Ok, forget about the Gods. Again, I'm still confuse about "your God and my God is the same God."
Erosion of aqidah begins with miniscule matters that's why must be vigilant against Satan and co. at all times. The more I think about it, the more confuse I become. The whole of Al-Quran warns Muslims against trusting and believing the non-believers namely, Jews and Christians, for they reject Allah the one and Only God.
Allah is the God for all mankind, but non-believers do not accept that fact. That is why Christians are evangelical,no?
I hope ypu can explain more to me.

Amirul Asyraf said...

Dear respected friend, let me quote your words.

"The more I think about it, the more confuse I become."

Let me ask you a sincere question, do you think others are confused just like you? I'm afraid they are not, my friend. So please do not generalise. If you are confused, then maybe you want to firstly check whether you were the one affected by the whispers of the satans.

I believe I too and everyone else are prone to these whispers, of course, but now, let us ask Allah's protection for that.

With due respect, many of your statements above are not quite right my friend. So, before I answer and correct them, (because you already asked and others can see it) I have a sincere request to you.

After this, let us have a closed discussion instead via email. My email is jako_imp@yahoo.com. I'll appreciate if you can introduce yourself too, so that this discussion is more open between us, and so that honesty and sincerity for truth will creep in.

My answer: We are not only warned against the disbelievers (kafirun) but also the hypocrites, whom are Muslims themselves but not true Muslims, they are also known as munafiq. This is in Surah Al-Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 8.

Second, I am a student of comparative religion. Do you study comparative religion? If you never heard of it, of haven't at least being exposed to it, my teacher's advice is that, it's better not to discuss with people who do not study comparative religion about this issue we are talking about, UNTIL you go and study comparative religion first. Because by Allah, I think you will not be confused, if you study comparative religion first.

Third, there are differences between non-Muslims and Kafirun as far as what I know from my little knowledge in comparative religion.

There are non-Muslims, who may be Christians or Buddhist etc, whom sincerely look for truth and maybe know less about Islam, and these people, they need our dakwah, and we have to put effort to invite them to Islam. It is incorrect to say that we should completely abandon them, even though if they are not Muslims. One more thing my friend, Christianity is religion, it can be changed but Jew refers to a nation, so it can't be changed, but a Jew can accept Islam if they want, so when you said that we should not trust Jew, I beg to disagree (if you mean all Jews).

Kafirun instead are the enemies of Islam, whereby they know Islam but they are attacking us to protect their misguided belief. These people, I agree not to believe in them. In fact we should fight against them.

Next, remember, we do not own hidayah, and Allah can take it anytime He wants from us. So we have to remember, that Allah asks us to pray everyday to Him to show us the right path. refer Surah Al-Fatihah, verse 6.

Also, we are encouraged to invite all mankind (not only Muslims) to Islam with hikmah (wisdom). Refer to Surah An-Nahl, verse 125.

Lastly, it's Allah's order that we invite the people of the book (in Christianity and Judaism) so that we agree on a common term that we should not worship anyone but Allah alone, that we do not associate Him with any partner, and we do not make anyone among us as Gods.

For that, please refer to Surah Ali-'Imran, verse 64.

To conclude, I don't mere use my mind my friend. My points above are substantiated with proofs from Quran, so that you are convinced, unless if you are not a Muslim.

Because strictly as a Muslim, we should believe in Quran and not randomly throw our own thoughts.

Again, for sake of your good names and that of my own too, we shall continue with a closed discussion. Email me please.

If not, I have to say I'm sorry, because I will kindly delete your comment from here and not respond at all, so that others are not confused by it.

May Allah bless us all and protect us from the whispers of the Satans, and make us sincere and honest in search of truth. Ameen..

Allahua'lam =) (Truly Allah knows best)

Amirul Asyraf said...

*close discussion

Anonymous said...

Dear down_driller

I've spent many years searching for the Light and I honestly believe that I found it when I started reading the Al-Quran. Hence, my questions to you to reinforce my beliefs. But I respect your wish to end this discussion. I put my hope in Allah to let me cross the path of people who will be able to answer the questions put forth by me and Heaven awaits them in carrying out their dakwah duties to people like me .

Amirul Asyraf said...

My prayers for you may He grant you the right path and ultimately His paradise to you, as you always wish ameen ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

My prayers to all Muslim friends, brothers and sisters as well, may Allah grant them jannah in the Hereafter insya Allah.

I'll be ready to receive your email at jako_imp@yahoo.com anytime you feel like doing so.

Like I said, I only intend not to continue that discussion here.

If you are sincere looking for truth insya Allah, here's my recommendation to you my dear friend.

First, never ever give up ok? It will be difficult, but it is going to be worth it. Remember Allah is always there for you.

Second, please don't just study Islam on your own. Make reference with the knowledgable, ulama' ustaz or even your teacher. There are many things we can't understand on our own, in which case we actually need a teacher to guide.

Third, pray a lot. Prayers are our weaponry to success.

Fourth, again, I am ending this discussion here, but requesting that we continue via email. But in case you don't feel like doing so, it's ok my friend. Maybe someday you will ;-)

I believe you will.

May Allah bless you and your family and guide you to the right path, now and always.

My prayers to myself and my family and the whole Muslim people around the world too.

I wholeheartedly apologize for any words that may hurt you, whether or not I realize, I only intend to present what I learn and what I was taught.

With pure love to you as a friend, I end this with the universal dua in Islam, Assalamualaikum wbt, may peace be unto you ;-)

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