Poco-Poco: A Knee-jerk Reaction (Updated)

Assalamualaikum wbt

1. After I wrote extensively about my personal opinion regarding the prohibition of poco-poco dance in the state of Perak, I have received quite a number of positive responses (alhamdulillah), be it in the form of support or even suggestion of clarification. If you haven't read the article, you can do so here.

2. This post is therefore only an additional clarification with regard to the phrase 'The end does not justify the means (Matlamat tidak menghalalkan cara)' that I used in the article. In the following section, I will comment on the use of this phrase, in reference to an article written by Ustaz Zaharuddin Abd Rahman in his blog here.

3. Have you read the article? In case you haven't let me briefly summarize it for you (but for a substantiated explanation, please read the article yourself first). Quite basically, he stresses the importance of not making generalization to the phrase we mentioned above. That means, the end does not justify the means in certain circumstances, but there are other circumstances whereby it could be the opposite- the end justifies the means instead.

4. In my article, I give an example of the Robin Hood, who robbed the rich to help the poor. In this case, he committed crime to achieve a noble objective. However, to accept this is tantamount to allowing snatch thieves in our place to commit crimes just because they are poor. No, it is not permissible, so in this particular circumstance, the end does not justify the means.

5. In comparison, Ustaz quotes an example of how alcohol can be used as medicine in a situation called dharurat (necessity). Let me explain. By convention, Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol because it makes us drunk and therefore affects our brain. However, in a situation whereby a life needs to be saved and there is NO OTHER alternative but alcohol, it is no longer haram (prohibited). 

6. This is a beautiful methology that Islam uses, whereby it puts things in priority order i.e between life and brain, we should save life first, though the brain may be slightly affected (because brain can recover but life lost can not be reclaimed!). This basically explains the term dharurat (necessity)- because there is no other option. So, in this case, the end (to save life) justifies the means (use of alcohol) instead.

7. Secondly, it has to be clarified here that the use of the phrase the end does not justify the means in my article should not be taken out of context and therefore insya Allah, correct.

8. In my article, the phrase refers mostly (if not specifically) to poco-poco dance. Therefore, according to my personal observation in this issue, there is not such thing as dharurat i.e the absolute necessity for poco-poco dance.

9. For instance, poco-poco dance is a form of exercise and can help promote a healthy lifestyle. However, in a condition whereby it is proven to contain prohibited elements and declared haram in Islam, one can not say that the prohibition can be withdrawn because it is dharurat (again, it is recommendable to look up for precise definition and concept of dharurat as it will be too long for me to explain it in details here).

10. In achieving a healthy lifestyle, there are certainly many other alternatives such as gardening, brisk walking and taking stairs (instead of elevators) to name a few. Many of these are suitable and doable by people of all ages. So, in presence of this alternative aplenty, I think it is unwise to allow poco-poco dance by using dharurat as an argument (in the case where it is prohibited, such as in the state of Perak).  

Note: On April 24 this year, the National Fatwa Council Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin announced that they will not ban poco-poco dance in other states but will respect the decision of its banning by Perak Fatwa Council on the basis of the presence of elements of Christianity and soul worshipping (sigh, so many 'of's).

11. So, that's about it. All praise be to Allah. He knows best and what matters now is that a consensus has been made and we should respect the decision  agreed upon by the authorities. Let us pray that He grants us guidance and success in life now, also eternal success in life in the Hereafter insya Allah.

Allahua'lam. Happy Labour Day. ;-)

Wassalamualaikum wbt

"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loves not those who trespass beyond bounds." Surah Al-A'raf, (7:55)