Should we let him play God or better still be God?

Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

I really love this press statement....

28th August 2009

While Mr. P. Gunasegaran ( No to whipping for drinking, 28 Aug 2009, Star ) and those in the similar vein are entitled to their freedom of expression, it nonetheless needs to be pointed out that his abrasive intrusion into the intoxicating whipping debate is in extreme bad taste and a blatant affront to Muslim sensitivity.

His high and mighty pronouncement ( read fatwa ) based on his secular theology and his one sentence reference to some unnamed Muslim scholar, makes him an overnight jurist ( read Mufti ) !

Despite 52 years of Merdeka, quite apparently and most unfortunately, the civilized and democratic values of mutual respect is sorely missing in our multi-religious co-existence. And as far as Muslims are concerned, there has been one too many Islamophobic sentiments snowballing by the day in the mainstream editorials, press reports and cyber portals.

Fed by deep-seated prejudice, and popular misconceptions towards Islam and the Shariah, the words "barbaric", "cruel", and "inhumane" are hurled without regard for the sensitivity of Muslims.

Barbaric, cruel, and inhumane are after all relative terms that are employed to demonize the other. This media onslaught, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, attempts to belittle and humiliate the Shariah justice system, an entire institution whose place in our nation is legitimated by history and the Constitution.

What else does one make of the following headlines “and lets do away with a slew of outmoded, archaic laws in the statute books, both syariah and civil”. He further adds “there is real danger of disarray when man purports to speak for God”. I hasten to respond by asking - should we then let him (the editor) play God or better still be God ?

Islam, meaning ‘submission’- however awkward such a notion is to secular liberal thinking – is acceptance with a free conscience both the tenets of the faith and outwardly the injunctions of the Shariah which encompasses formal ritual worship and the regulation of personal and social mores based on sacred texts.

Believers of other faiths, liberal secularists and secular atheists need to understand that Islam is the governing principle in every aspect of a Muslim's life to a degree seldom seen in the adherents and practitioners of other religions. Islam is not just a matter of rituals and worship; Islam is a complete way of life. For those who cannot or will not accept the crucial importance of this most important reality in the life of all Muslims we can only say, hopefully without insult, please stay out of our business.

As Muslims we have no difficulty accepting that non-Muslims have different beliefs and live their lives differently than we do. Please show us the same courtesy.

His editorial among others, reflect the distressing trend that non-Muslims are making ill-informed, prejudiced and unwelcome comments on the religion of the majority of people of this country. This is very unhealthy, and dangerously crossing the lines of civilized discourse.

There exists a myriad of opinions on the issue of consumption of intoxicants. But the Muslim scholars are unanimous that the offender must be punished.

If the offence is considered under the jurisdiction of hudud (limits), as is embraced by the schools of thought of Syafie, Maliki and Hanafi, caning must be meted without exception. This being the stipulate of God for the good of the bigger society.

However, Al-Qaradhawi, the celebrated contemporary scholar, in consonant with the likes of At-Tabari, Ibn Munzir, As-Syawkani and Ibn Qayyim opines that this offence is within the domain of ta’zir (discretionary penalty). Thus, the judge may choose to forgive the first time offender or he may elect to cane the offender and would stipulate the number of canings. As alluded by others, the caning is unlike the brutal and vicious whippings as prescribed by the civil courts.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Zulfakar, who lectures Islamic criminal law in the International Islamic University of Malaysia, and Datuk Abdul Munir Yaakob, SUHAKAM commissioner, concurred that the courts acted within the State Shariah Criminal Offences Act notwithstanding the seven day remand order.

The Shariah court is part of Malaysia's dual justice system which has jurisdiction over Muslims and the decision of the Kuantan Shariah High Court must be respected as such That is the rule of law enjoyed by both the Shariah and Civil courts and outside interference would tantamount to contempt of court. The due process of appeal is open to the victim if justice is not done or seen to be done.

In this media frenzy, the irony has not been lost that Kartika herself has accepted the sentence and has refused appeal despite the suggestion by no less the Prime Minister himself. This underscores one of the objectives of the Shariah, to guide Muslims to be more observant of their religious obligations through remorse and repentance.

The controversy surrounding Kartika's sentencing also exposes the sometimes uneasy co-existence of the world views of Islam and that of modern secular society. Attempts to fit Islam into the secular world view is like forcing a square peg into a round hole.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The U.S. Department of Justice Report on Alcohol and Crime found that alcohol abuse was a factor in 40 percent of violent crimes committed in the U.S. The British Home office reports a figure of 45% which rose to 58% in cases of attacks by unrecognized persons. We have not even begun to mention the primary role of alcohol in road traffic accidents, domestic violence, drug dependence, alcoholism, women and alcohol, adolescents and alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol and liver cirrhosis, alcohol and brain damage, alcohol and cancer risk, the causal link between alcohol and 60 different types of diseases etc.

God says in the Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 219 :
“They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: 'There is a great sin in both of them, and (some) profits for people; but their sin is greater than their profit …”

As Muslims, our absolute love and allegiance is to our Creator, whose infinite wisdom we do not question. Thus, it is completely unacceptable and reprehensible that any from amongst his creations, should instruct us otherwise applying their fallible human and secular opinions and standards.


Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum

Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin

3R - Remaja Raikan Ramadhan , 26-27 Ogos 09

Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

School break coincided with the first week of Ramadhan. Our boys went back Saturday morning, 1st Ramadhan after being sent home for one week due to the H1N1 outbreak. They were happy of 'cos to be back, but not too happy having to head back to school just as others head home from school for the one week break! oh well, they'll be back one week early for the raya break . that's a consolation enough.

Saturday morning I had a ladies' programme, as scheduled. We hosted for zon 1 Selangor - Ampang Jaya, Gombak, Hulu Langat, Hulu Selangor & Kelang. As hosts we had to be there early, so had to bid the boys bye bye at home instead of at the bus stand. Bye-bye boys! Safe journey, insyaAllah.

Zharif had ujian diagnostik for std 1 entrance to Al Amin, so Lan had to send him there, taking Ulfah & Filzah along. The test would start at 9, so everybody had to move early too, to send the boys to Hentian Putra & rush back to SRIAAG by 9, though the bus only leaves at 9.30!
Rush! rush! rush! as usual.. hehe. At 9,30 got a call from Lan... oh oh.. Zharif's turn is at 11.30, since mom&dad need not go thru the parents' interview session :) sowwy! Back to bed,Lan said...call me up at 11, in case I oversleep... hmmm

We normally had KRJ prog during school breaks - no news so far. Halipah is the new KRJ wanita head, she wanted to, but haven't done anything as yet.. huhu
Masjid alMardhiyyah wanted us to organise something for the remaja, so we decided to give it a go. Not much time left, but we'll manage, insyaAllah. Othman agreed to it & will consult the AJK Masjid.

Alhamdulillah Bai too agreed to handle the programme, phew! that was a great relief, otherwise it would be big trouble for us...

Monday morning went to see Bai & Nina to discuss the details.It'll be on Wednesday-Thursday, 2 days away.... "How many participants, mcik??" who knows, we haven't even announced it! haha.
Then began the mad rush of preparing the flyers & posters , though distribution pending, waiting for the masjid's approval. After maghrib we presented our working paper to the AJKs. They were quite sceptical - with one day promotion, can we get the number ?? insyaAllah.... :)
The programme was announced after isya' & the first batch of flyers were distributed immediately after tarawikh.

Tuesday was the only day left... registration was trickling...worry! worry!
Wednesday morning, went to the Masjid with a very heavy heart, worried sick that only a handful would turn up..... who knows, ajk & facies might outnumber the paricipants!boo hoo

Alhamdulillah thummalhamdulillah! by 9 we had more than 40 boys & girls eargerly waiting for the programme to start (huh??)

And so the show began, with Bai & team handling the programme superbly! ALHAMDULILLAH!

Ulfah & her new-found friend

Smart facies - job well done! alhamdulillah!

The Timbalan Nazir was happy with the programme, alhamdulillah."This is only the first week of Ramadhan, plenty time for more.." uhuks..

JZKK for 'officiating' the closing ceremony... we hope for more JVs in the future, insyaAllah

Ahlan Ramadhan

Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

Ramadhan is indeed a month full of tests & tribulations, be it in the form of musibah or ni'mat.These gauge our level of taqwa, based on the way we react - syukur for the wealth & health, & accept - redha with what comes our way. Allah's promise of jannah & all things good that come with Ramadhan doesn't come cheap! La'allakum tattaqun - attaining highest taqwa is not as simple as alif ba ta.

Preparing to welcome this holy month is never ending, no matter how much reading I did, discussions participated in nor tapes listened to. There seems to be so much to do to grab all the bounties promised.

Oh Allah, make us among those whom You bestow your rahmah - the time & will to prostrate only unto You, especially in the last 10 days of Ramadhan. Oh Allah, give us the strength....Ameen.

This Ramadhan, as during the previous 2 Ramadhans, we intended to spend our time at Masjid AsySyakiin KLCC. It would be so convenient - iftar & staying till after tarawikh - time would not be wasted & I need not do much cooking!! The kids loved it too, seeing old friends & having a ball running around in the large open area. More importantly, their presence wouldn't be a nuisance to the jemaah. I loved it here mainly because of that, not having to worry about people scorning at me for bringing kids who make lots of noise, disturbing those praying. With the kids outside under the watchful eyes of the guards, I can pray in peace Alhamdulillah

Fisrt night of tarawikh we made our way to KLCC - wahhhh! it had changed since the last time we were there... there was an additional level & the fountain was nomore there! Renovation work was still in progress. It was ok though, Alhamdulillah

1st Ramadhan, Lan had a bad flu, so bye bye KLCC! Worried about H1N1,we had iftar at home & went to surau al Aqsa for tarawikh. It was quite a let down though - the imam was good, a hafiz, alhamdulillah. He recited ok during fardhu prayers but was too fast for comprehension during tarawikh prayers. Astaghfirullah.. we looked at each other in the car & agreed that it's bye bye surau al Aqsa....

Heard about the good food at Masjid Mardhiyyah he he , so we made a beeline to al Mardhiyyah for our second day iftar. It's somewhere familiar, we saw all the familiar faces & indeed! the food was good!! Salmi's the caterer, no wonder..
Besides the good food,which is a bonus; praying in the air-cond + the kids in the playing area outside + just nearby our place, this seemed perfect! With these conveniences, al Mardhiyyah it'll be this Ramadhan! insyaAllah

MUJAHID

Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

Alhamdulillah! After a few false alarms, Sila finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! Mabruk to both Sila & Nazri for this first born!

Born @ Naluri @ 3.02 pm @ 2.7 kg

Moga menjadi anak soleh wa musleh, penyejuk hati ayah bonda

Ziarah d Naluri - with Dah, Pah & K Je

The proud, happy mom! Wait till he grows up.... hehe