boulevard-ijab (IJA & ME) - one half completing the other half....

Unchain Letter (with a P/S)

I would like to refer to the XY column in your paper dated 19 January 2007, as written by Miss J. Though some of the points that she voiced out resonated well with what I had in mind, I have to say that I disagree with her other points and would like to comment them here.

Despite not being an ulama' or an alim person to actually object on her views, I still feel compelled to do so. I am free to say something as a fellow citizen and her fellow Muslim. Also please note that by sending you this feedback, I'm not trying to be the defender or a champion of Islam or Muslims or even Malays here. Therefore, pardon me IF I sound blunt and if this letter may (or may not) hurt her feelings in any way.

The tone of this letter is now directed to her as the column writer, instead of the paper's editor.

First of all, let me share you my opinions on the actions of some Muslim leaders of our religious bodies. Citing the case of Aryappan for example, I think it was a clear-cut case that the man was no longer a Muslim at the time of his death. He had all his families (and friends?) to back this story up, but not a single Muslim turned up to say he uttered the syahadah before he exhaled his final breath. Therefore, the whole fiasco of dragging the matter up to the point where his families were suing the religious body and the government to court, could have been avoided if the Muslim leaders played a little logic in their heads.

Also, I am somewhat disagree with the actions of some religious officers who use force or lack mannerism when dealing with 'sinners'. These are human beings who still have good in them. Regardless of ages, if moulded the right way, they can still be steered back to the right path.

However what I disagree with (among other things) is your method of expressing your disgruntled feelings. Instead of relaying your messages/opinions directly to the right bodies/people, you choose to bare it all out through newspapers. Instead of politely discussing the matters with them (which I'm sure you have the means to do that), you prefer the whole nation to read your cynical views and criticms on our religious leaders. Are popularity and attention what you really are seeking for, sister?

In one paragraph, you mentioned that some Muslims seem content to accept the words of any ustaz/ustazah, without questioning their sources of knowledge or opinion. You also shared about some poor inquisitive soul in your previous school who was given the line "to question too much is to flirt with apostasy and/or insanity" as the answer to him/her question.

To me, these are unfair and prejudiced statements. First of all, let me say this, there is a huge difference between asking questions and (constantly) questioning (the sources of) religious teachings. So, which type are you? Honestly, I don't need to know -only you can answer that.

Let's take an example shall we? Say, you read science articles that claim babies begin to dream by the 28th week of pregnancy or the time taken to send the pain signal from our hand to our brain, is a few miliseconds or micro seconds. Chances are, we just absorb these facts without much questioning. If we still want to dig into how reliable these facts are, we ask from the experts in the fields. If, however, these experts cannot substantiate the theories, don't just stop there. Dig further, either from own experiments or from other science journals/experts. Mind you, please maintain our manners and respect other people, in the process of asking around. Just because you have a hard time in believing something, don't expect others to share the same boat.

With regard to the good old days when our questions on Islam left unanswered, well, I just want to say - suck it up! I mean as adults, we all should realise by now that, not everything we want, we can get and this includes the answers to our questions on The Almighty and His great Religion. There are things that should be left unexplained, where we have to accept them just that! Full Stop! Only Allah knows why...

I too had the experience of not getting the answer to satisfy my curiosity. You know what, sister, I already found the answer to my question only a few weeks ago. From where? From own reading. Though I only found it after so many years, I never hold any 'grudge' on my ustaz or lost respect on him. His inability to answer at that time, proved that he was only a human being.

On flirting with apostasy and/or insanity, I think before we pop out those (sometimes ridiculous) questions to ustaz or ulama', what we should be asking ourselves first is, do we really need to know this or our question is actually just a mere excuse to justify our disbeliefs in something?

For example, say, if someone questions the rationality of Allah in forbidding liquor (and its equivalent), it does sound like he/she is flirting with apostasy, as this can be achieved whether verbally, by action or by intention.

Further, imagine if in a frantic search of The Almighty, one goes high and low wanting so much to physically meet Him (despite signs of Him are everywhere and easy to find), to the extent that he loses sleep, eat, etc. Now, anyone can imagine what will be the end of him. If he keeps doing what he is doing, he may end up in the institution soon.

You also said you would really like your religious leader to be well-versed in many areas with good communication skills, a pleasant diposition etc etc. Do you know that our new generation of ustaz/ustazah and ulama', most of them (if not all) possess such credentials and skills? They are fun to listen to, with much enthusiasm and passion in what they do, with fluency in English and all. Even for our 'older' groups of religious leaders, I still have much respect for them, despite their mistakes and what not. After all, their knowledge is beyond comparison to my own knowledge.

Sis, if you seek, you may receive. So the question is, have you been seeking from the right places and the right sources, or have you been seeking at all? Only you can answer this question.

When you say that it would be good if our leaders also study other religions with sincerity, and not with the sole purpose of finding points of condemnation. Again, this is an unfair statement. Are you really speaking on behalf of ALL Muslims (and not just the leaders) who study these matters with much sincerity, humility and for the sole purpose of seeking the truths? Please don't simply and easily categorise people based on your false impressions. Come on sis! Anyone can learn Islam and other religions. Why should we burden them all on the shoulders of our leaders?

The current trend sees that non-Muslims (and perhaps some Muslims too?) interpreting religious Books (including our Al Qur'an) the way they see fit, without giving much thought on the accuracies and relevance. Please highlight to me a single case where a fellow Muslim goes on an attacking rampage towards another religion. Chances are, you can't. But, it's common for things to happen the other way round, thus, we cannot help from getting into a situation where we find ourselves finding points of condemnation.

Do you know that there are so many websites out there that condemn Islam, Muslims, Prophet Muhammad and Al Qur'an. If I pass to you these links, I wonder what would you do? Would you be able to answer them all, OR you would be overcome by emotion and over-reacted (thus that tired old line come out from your mouth, and I quote, "Don't question Islam!") OR you would go and find your religious leaders, seeking explanation from them on what you've read OR you would do nothing?

For example, I've seen websites that say we worship the devil and Al Qur'an is a satanic book due to 6666. These websites are run by people who claim to be the expert in religions and a staunch believer of a certain religion. I know these groups of people are shallow in a lot of things but I never thought they are also a bunch of idiots in Maths.

Mind you, I don't hate any particular religion or people of other races. Heck! at this point of life, I have more non-Muslims and non-Malay friends than ever before. All I want to say is that there are groups out there whose sole purpose are to cause chaos and disunity among people in the world, and at the same time, harbour Islamophobia. It is these people that we should worry about, not our religious leaders!

Do you know what was the biggest mistake (if not more than one biggest mistakes) that IFC/Article 11 Groups did before embarking on their road shows? They have turned their back on us. They never asked our opinions on how we feel over the whole thing first.

For example, there is this group where all the religions are in it, except Islam. May I know why is that? So they say that Muslims also support them, but do these Muslims represent all other Muslims? Hey! even companies/corporations are willing to spend some money and time doing research or distributing questionaires to consumers before a certain product is launched. Why couldn't they do the same especially on something as serious/sensitive as discussing about religions?

In a particular remark, you expressed that you'd really love to have someone who's not going to judge you based on what you wear. I somehow can't shake this thought off me, that your whole article actually boils down to you seeking approval of others about what you wear (or not wear).

I don't normally judge people (in particular women) who don't cover their hair. I've known ladies without 'tudung' who are full of hearts and kind, just as kind as (if not kinder than) those with 'tudung'.

I'm not sure how people have judged you. Honestly, I don't quite care. It's between you and your Creator. After all, isn't human right, one of the things that so many of us are fighting for nowadays? But be careful when it comes to upholding your right to commit sins (whatever they may be), for we all know that, God's wrath doesn't discriminate and can affect both sinners and non-sinners alike. This is just a general advise to you. Whether you want to take it or not, it's up to you.

In your footnote, you mentioned you are constantly amazed at how a turban and beard can do wonders for someone's religious credentials. Now, please don't be a hypocrite sister. You hate it when people judge you based on your appearances, so please don't throw the same judgement towards those with a turban and beard.

In an obvious analogy, say someone with a turban and beard, who frequents the mosque and having enough credentials in his portfolio and approaches me to teach about Islam, and another who just walks out a disco, with a half empty bottle of beer in his hand, and suddenly talks about Islam to me on the street, who would I listen to? It's the first man for sure, no questions asked.

As a final point, I just want to say that, if you really find it hard in your heart to respect our religious leaders, can you please at least respect them as elderlies (as most of them are) or people of knowledge. Thank you.

P/S: Regarding the analogy, I don't necessarily refer 'the man who drinks' as another Muslim, but also non-Muslims who dare to ridicule Islam, and sometimes in doing so, they disregard the feelings of Muslims who are in the room (or outside the room, whatever..) Totally crossing the line and being rude if you ask me!

I always believe in walking the talk (well, at least nowadays I do). If someone wants to give even the slightest opinions on my religion (whether destructive/inaccurate ones or not), and he/she is not quite the kind of person who walks the talks, these people won't earn my respect for sure. For examples, a man who can quote verses and verses of Al Qurán and Hadith but at the same time having multiple sex partners other than his wife, or a woman who dares to comment about Islamic syariah when she herself doesn't really have a clue about her own religion. Haha, how silly! These people are jokers!!

posted by The Pisces Man @ 5:29 am