Breaking Down Mental Barriers
Breaking Down Mental Barriers
The King recently called upon Muslims to open up their minds to knowledge. As head of the faith, the King should impress this first on our ulama and religious scholars. Their demand that discourses in Islam should only be among and by them reflects their closed minds. This intellectual arrogance is also far from the image of humility and piety we expect of them.
These scholars have learned little from their illustrious predecessors. Ancient Muslim luminaries did not hesitate seeking knowledge from the Greeks, Romans and Hindus; they were not at all perturbed at learning from the infidels. Those scholars acknowledged that all knowledge begins with Allah. That He had chosen to dispense the wisdom of the concept of zero to a Hindu, the secret of the atom to a Jew, and the universality of gravity to a Christian, is not for us to question. Suffice to know that such insights are for the benefit of all mankind.
Having mastered the then known body of knowledge, those scholars went on to make their own seminal contributions that enlightened the world. They did not distinguish between “secular” and “religious” knowledge. Ibn Sinna and others made significant contributions to the sciences as well as theology.
Like the Berlin Wall, the massive mental wall today’s Islamic scholars erect around themselves will eventually crumble. Until then they are trapped, entangled in the infinite variations of the contents while missing their underlying universal concepts. While we look upon our differences and diversities as a sign of God’s Grace, these ulama would seek to impose “purity,” as they see it.
Etiquette of Disagreement
Many believe that if only we would go back to the original text and have the “right” interpretations, then all the differences and divisions amongst us would magically disappear. Such naivety! As long as we are humans, there will be differences.
Instead of bemoaning such differences and letting them divide us, we should learn to live with them. It would then be much easier for us to get along not only with each other but also with those outside our faith.
We should learn the etiquette of disagreement. Disagreements are a sign of God’s beauty, but only if they lead us to better understand ourselves, and those who disagree with us. Disagreements are God’s blessings, only if they help expand our horizon and appreciate other perspectives. This assumes a certain degree of humility on our part; we are not always right, and those whom we disagree with are not always wrong. If we let those disagreements divide us, then they would be ugly and a curse.
It is well to remember that disagreements occurred even during the prophet’s time. Once the prophet instructed his traveling parties to meet and pray Asar at a certain place. On the way, one of the parties was delayed, and disagreements immediately arose on whether they should continue and pray when the reached their destination as the per the prophet’s earlier instruction, or stop and pray right there and then as per Quranic dictates. One party decided to do this, while the other proceeded on. Later when they met the prophet s.a.w. at their final destination, they asked him which party was right. The prophet s.a.w. replied that both were!
There were also profound disagreements soon after the prophet’s death over who should lead the community. Again the companions did not let that disagreement came between them; they agreed to a satisfactory formula after discussions (shura).
Breaking Down the Mental Berlin Wall
Just as ancient scholars made no distinction between secular and religious knowledge, likewise today’s scholars are breaking down artificial barriers separating the various disciplines. My own specialized area of surgery is benefiting immensely by contributions from such fields as engineering and space research.
With Islamic studies, we are fortunate that there are emerging today scholars who have been exposed to the traditional system and then benefited from the superior Western liberal education and rigorous scholarship. In the West and freed from the censorship that had stifled them back in their homeland, their contributions are a refreshing breadth of fresh air. They are slowly but surely peeling away the layers of accretions that have fossilized Islam since the tenth century.
Theirs is still work in progress, but they have already demonstrated the universality of the principles of this great faith, giving substance to the Quranic refrain that Islam is indeed a “perfect religion for all mankind and at all times.”
In their native lands these scholars would be branded as adulterators of their faith (bida’a) or worse, apostates. In the freedom of the West, and with a supportive and nurturing intellectual environment, their scholarships blossomed.
The dean of such scholars, the late Fazlur Rahman, suggested that we should deduce from the particularities of the Quran and hadith their underlying principles, and then apply them to the challenges of today. Obviously modern society is very different from that of the prophet’s time, but the moral imperatives remain the same. Such an exercise would demand considerable intellectual effort, much more than the mindless parroting of some ancient texts.
All faiths subscribe to the golden rule, or variations thereof. No argument over the concept; at issue are the contents. A barbed wire fence can be a reassuring protective barrier to some; an intimidating intrusive barricade to others, even when viewed from the same side. A hijab may be oppressive to a Western feminist but liberating to a Muslim housewife. Exposing one’s midriff may be emancipating to a Westerner but degrading to an Easterner.
If we focus on the contents, the twain shall never meet; concentrate on the concept – personal freedom – then we are likely to find common ground.
An injured Christian in Beirut does not feel awkward in a Red Crescent ambulance, any more than a Muslim patient in Boston has qualms receiving blood from the Red Cross. If we associate the Red Cross with the Crusaders and the Red Crescent, the Saracens, and not on the universality of their mission to serve the sick and displaced, then there will be no end to the conflict.
Our ulama should seek out and welcome contributions from outside their field. If they have an appreciation of the social and physical sciences, that would only enhance their understanding of our great faith. Their fatwas (decrees) then would have far greater influence and impact. Learning from non-ulama would not in any way diminish their piety. Rest assured that when we need someone to solemnize our marriages, lead our prayers, or bless births in the family, we would still go to our trusted ulama.
Our religious scholars should heed well these words of the Egyptian intellectual Taha Hussein, “The end will begin when seekers of knowledge become satisfied with their own achievement.”
August 6th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
The study of Quraan at times get lost in translation.Much like ENT surgeon view of the nose ,his perspective is different fom a plastic surgeon and always differ from neurosurgeon who viewed it as the route to the pituitary gland.The thing is one’s background and training usually color the interpretation.The case in point is the word ”AL ALAQ” that discribe the the creation of man in the womb.I was taught since young that the word meaning is ‘’segumpal darah” …at those time it was appropriate and adequate to know that man was created from a congealed or clotted blood….But the actual meaning in arabic is more approriate and thought provoking,the “Al Alaq” word was meant to be blood clot that has a property of leech that cling….now ,that would have suddenly open the door for discussion as to how it got itself attached,how it sustained itself,where it got itself attached to the wall and so on…I suppose the way these scholars treated the Quraan is a book to be subjected to test .Although knowing Quraan as the word of Allah ,the words must be challenged to disprove it.In the process of disproving they would have realised that what was said was true thus make them more humble and amazed at the Allah creation.When Prophet Solomon spoke the leader of the ant ,the leader was adressed as a female version in Arabic…but the Queen ant as a leader was not discoverd by Muslim !! If muslim were more inquisitive by that single note ,they would have Quraan to thank to as they were informed of it 1400 years ago.
It was stated in Quraan that the exact copy of your body and soul would be created in hereafter to,now listen to this,to the exact copy of their fingertips.Why finger tip? not nose?,not ears and not hair…..the reason as we { an italian if am not mistaken} discovered 100 years ago is that everyone’s fingerprint is unique…..The inquisitive muslim mind has been tunneled to view things fr only one view
Contrary to advise by Allah to challenged Quraan ,the Ulama equate it as a challenged to Allah himself ,thats where opinion differ.I believe the methodology of scientific discovery today was developed by these early muslim scientist base on how they challenged Quraan in their quest to seek the answer to riddle of Allah creations.The scientist today work on theories and hypothesis and do their research to prove or disprove the theory. The whole Quraan is full of facts that human and muslim can dwell and learn from it or better still challenged it …When Allah challenged human to produce a single line of exact copy beauty and truth like Quraan ,it was not thrown only the poets of Arabic of old and new,which they failed to this very day,but to human kind and muslim specifically, through the ages as their scientific findings progressed in the age of atomic bomb and internet.We must take Allah challenged as through it we shall realise how great He is and bow or placed your head on the ground to show your humility and gratitude to Him to bestow upon you the intelligence to deduce……My self The Clark Gable of Pulau Duyung decided that I should stop here but before that would like to thank DBM for opportunity to meet Din Merican in cyberspace,{ the real person whom I met in Jaya} I was thoroughly impressed by him in his endovour to seek knowledge and thoughtfully voiced his condensed idea into ur collumn …TQ both
August 7th, 2006 at 2:41 am
Much of the miracle mentioned in the Quran has been debated and I can truly conclude that truth is what you want to believe.
I would like to make one comment regarding Dr. Bakri’s “All faiths subscribe to the golden rule, or variations thereof.” is true for humankind except for Islam which is applicable to Muslim only.
The closest Islam comes to this principle is the hadith, “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” It is clear that the golden rule does not extend beyond Muslim brotherhood is confirmed by verse 48:29 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other.”
The golden rule should apply universally to humankind. Or should the teaching in the Quran be above all others – no questions allowed. Such is the irony for many Muslims that would not venture beyond their faith to question and to seek the truth for themselves.
If Islam can be separated from politics and made personal then there is every possibility that Muslims mindset could be liberated further.
I declare that my comment is made in good faith and intention before some bigots suggest that I keep away from commenting without qualification.
August 7th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
“….that man was created from a congealed or clotted blood…as per Clark Gable.
We originate from Mars. As proof, all you need do is dig until you reach the bottom of the Dead Sea. You’ll find a spacecraft with a copy of Man’s DNA there. It has been preserved over thousands of years because of the salt water.
August 7th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Thanks and greeting ScarletO’Hara,
As per quoted portion it was from Quraan ,whom (Quraan is alive)we muslim hold close to our heart . It did not refer to the origin (which we believe that we derived fr Adam and Eve) but to the process of creation of man in the womb thru fertilization and subssequent ‘clinging’and growth of the foetus.
It was not my idea to involve in your discussion of the movie ‘MARS’ which u obtained the story from.
Dearest O Hara,
It has been many times u tried to drag me into playing opposite u in your movies eversince ‘Gone With the wind’ , not that you r of any less beautiful but i would prefer a movie with good content , plots and certainly not the slapstick comedies that were dear to u.If you decided to stick with comedies that would spell the of our future collaberation ..Thanks and Kisses from Great O Gable
August 8th, 2006 at 12:05 am
The concept of Zero was not dispenced to the Hindu but vice versa.
One would think that befor the coming of Islam, the rest of the world lived in darkness! Please be truthful.
August 8th, 2006 at 3:41 am
Islam believes that only Islam and the Camp of Kufr exist, and that there is no way to reach Paradise and be delivered from Hell except by walking in the path of our Prophet Muhammad and joining Islam. Any other way leads to Hell… In light of this, how can it be claimed that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all paths leading to Allah?!…
Several years ago, a sinful call arose, which unfortunately garnered support from some clerics and preachers of this religion, Islam… a call for the unification of the monotheistic religions. They flaunted an empty and false motto of ‘religious harmony,’ Christian-Islamic friendship, and uniting the three religions into a global religion…
The call for the unification of the religions is a call for the abolition of religious differences among people: No more Muslim and infidel. All will come under the unity of human harmony… This accursed call has ramifications that most certainly will shake Islam in the hearts of its people, leading them to the lowest of the levels of Hell. This call will lead… to presenting the infidels’ schools of thought as correct, and to silence regarding them; to permitting conversion to Judaism and Christianity with no shame whatsoever; to the abolition of the vast difference between the Muslims and others – a difference underpinning the conflict between truth and falsehood; to the transformation of the religion of Islam into a religion like the other, false religions, into a religion that has no advantage over the other religions…; to refraining from calling [people] to join Islam, because if the Muslim wants to do so, he must tell the truth about the infidels… This will also facilitate the conversion to Christianity in Muslim lands…
This is a call to dismantle the pact among Muslims in all the corners of the Islamic world and to replace it with an accursed alternative harmony - the ‘Harmony of the Jews and Christians.’ This is, in truth, a call to Muslims to stop accusing Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims of being infidels…
There can be neither an agreement nor a meeting point between the people of Islam and the Jewish and Christian People of the Book… How can we permit the Catholic Pope’s talk of a need to find meeting points and agreement between Islam and Christianity, so that there will be peaceful coexistence between the two religions and harmony between the two communities? Is it conceivable that there should be agreement and a meeting point with those who fabricate terrible falsehoods about Allah … claiming that Jesus, peace be upon him, is his son?!…
August 8th, 2006 at 4:18 am
I have often wondered why is it that Muslims, especially Malaysian ones, are generally defensive when discussing religious issues publicly. When they reach a dead end they would use the Qur’an and Hadith as ‘coup de grace’. Those who call themselves ulamaks need to expand their knowledge to include the arts and sciences before they are able to confront intelligent inquiries. If Islam, as I believe, is the natural religion then it must withstand any counterargument. If you are the best (in anything) then you would welcome any challenge. Our ‘fighters’ instead hide behind the skirt of holy edicts. Stand up those who can defend his faith intellectually. Knowing Qur’an and hadith by heart not essential, but need to be have read the book of life widely.
August 8th, 2006 at 10:07 am
All religions developed out of the needs of evolving human societies, and in a very segmented or regional way. It was the basis and source of educational knowledge to govern societies of its moral norms, as each saw. People were largely ignorant and any understanding of education seemed to have developed through religious discourses.
With education and economic development, the pursuit of wealth beyond their own boundaries and borders brought them into contact with people of other faiths. As each deemed theirs as superior to the others, conflicts and confrontation ensued. This has been the generally held view.
Our objective understanding about religion seems to be “objective” only within the confines our religion. Very few dare to tread beyond their very own. Reasons vary from the penchant belief that ours is far superior than the others and learning other religions could be equated to practising them, which may be taken as “sinful”. Then again there are those who believe that the other religion (s) are not compatible with his or her own belief. This anomaly is typical of ALL religions. So our understanding is premised on prejudice and probably fear. I am not assigning blame on anyone but this is the way most of us have been brought up.
It would be quite alright that we profess and practise our faith as something very personal. Following this, it would be prudent and necessary to limit our religious belief within our private domain. The moment we take it to a public domain, it becomes the subject of public discourse and while a “matured” society would be able to handle such “crossings”, a society bent on emotion could evolve into a distasteful confrontation. This could also lead to the sanctity of a religion being affected by the constant bickering of those who would want to die in staking their positions. Every religion has splintered into divisions and denominations that “rationale” have become a rare commodity.
The confluence of different cultures and religions invariably has given enough headaches. While it would now appear as mere lip-service that such a confluence should be construed as a strength rather than adversity, the present conflicts, both domestic and across borders, and most of them fought along religious lines, bear the stark reality that we face.
While all religions claim to preach universal values, it should be accepted that trying to reach a common platform through religions have been unsuccessful and at times would be a disaster. This would not mean that we all could not develop a mechanism which binds us through commonalities and the UN Charter on universal declaration of human rights would be a comfortable model to start with. Of course, there could be among us who may accuse this as deriding the importance of religion. Rather, the status of religion as sacrosanct has been affected and tainted with its advent into public domain.
The attempt to sustain religion in a public domain has affected the good name of a religion. Race, too, appears to be its sidekick, based on the segmented development religion evolved, we need courage and understanding to seperate our private and public domains. Religion is something special to most and it should be rightly left to the private domain.
It would be appropriate to quote the former US supreme court Justice Jackson’s pronouncement on a similar issue:
“The effect of the religious freedom Amendment to our Constitution was to take every form of propagation of religion out of the realm of things which could directly or indirectly be made public business, and thereby be supported in whole or in part at taxpayers’ expense. That is a difference which the Constitution sets up between religion and almost every other subject matter of legislation, a difference which goes to the very root of religious freedom[...] This freedom was first in the Bill of Rights because it was first in the forefathers’ minds; it was set forth in absolute terms, and its strength is its rigidity. It was intended not only to keep the states’ hands out of religion, but to keep religion’s hands off the state, and, above all, to keep bitter religious controversy out of public life by denying to every denomination any advantage from getting control of public policy or the public purse.”
Will we prevail as Malaysians or descend into a bickering lot and constantly have to be shown the “rotan” to be disciplined? Doing justice as a human being is too much to expect in a mad and greedy world. Krishna, Buddha, The Prophet, and many others have not been able to drive sense into us. Who else could??
August 8th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
The sight of “Red Cross” in Beirut instead of Red Crescent must be confusing to Malaysian Muslims who are used to symbolism and rituals.
Some ‘holy’ spin will say that Lebanon is in this state because of the mix and accpetance to co-habit of religions. Just like ‘holy’ accusations were made that Indonesia is straddled with calamities because they can share places of worship with other religions.
The day that Muslims stand up for humanity instead of claiming sole-Islam ownership of the tragedies in Lebanon and Palestinian, we will witness the maturity of the religion and a further progression of mankind.
The day will come.
August 9th, 2006 at 6:42 am
SEORANG DOKTOR NEUROLOGI MENEMUI KEAJAIBAN ALLAH ……..
Assalam Mu’alaikum Wbrth! Dan Salam Sejahtera! Sahabat2 semua yang Islam dan juga yang Bukan Islam… bacalah Email ini dari sahabat yg menetap di US:
“Seorang doktor di Amerika Syarikat telah memeluk Islam kerana beberapa keajaiban yang ditemuinya dalam penyelidikannya. Dia amat kagum dengan penemuan tersebut, sehingga tidak dapat diterima oleh akal fikiran.
Dia adalah seorang Doktor Neurologi .
Setelah memeluk Islam, dia amat yakin akan perubatan secara Islam dan dengan itu telah membuka sebuah klinik yang bertemakan “Perubatan Melalui Al-Qur’an” .
Kajian perubatan melalui Al-Qur’an membuatkan ubat-ubatannya berteraskan apa yang terdapat di dalam Al-Qur’an. Di antara kaedah-kaedah yang digunakan termasuklah berpuasa, madu lebah, biji hitam (black seed) dan sebagainy a.
Apabila ditanya bagaimana dia tertarik untuk memeluk Islam,
maka doktor tersebut memberitahu bahawa semasa beliau melakukan kajian urat saraf, terdapat beberapa urat saraf di dalam otak manusia yang tidak dimasuki oleh darah . Padahal setiap inci otak manusia memerlukan darah yang cukup untuk berfungsi secara normal.
Setelah membuat kajian yang memakan masa, akhirnya beliau mendapati Bahawa darah tidak akan memasuki urat saraf di dalam otak manusia melainkan pada ketika seseorang itu sedang sujud semasa mengerjakan Sembahyang!!!
Urat tersebut memerlukan darah hanya untuk Beberapa sukatan yang tertentu sahaja. Ini bermaksud bahawa darah hanya akan memasuki urat tersebut mengikut kadar sembahyang waktu yang diwajibkan oleh Islam……Begitulah keagungan ciptaan Allah!!!
tidak menunaikan sembahyang , akan otaknya tidak Akan dapat menerima darah yang secukupnya untuk berfungsi secara normal!!!
Oleh yang demikian, kejadian manusia ini sebenarnya adalah untuk menganuti agama Islam ’sepenuhnya’ kerana sifat fitrah kejadiannya memang telah dikaitkan oleh Allah dengan agama-Nya yang indah ini.”
PETUA IMAM SYAFIE
4 PERKARA UNTUK SIHAT
Empat perkara menguatkan badan
1. makan daging
2. memakai haruman
3. kerap mandi
4. berpakaian dari kapas
Empat perkara melemahkan badan
1. banyak berkelamin (bersetubuh)
2. selalu cemas
3. banyak minum air ketika makan
4. banyak makan bahan yang masam
Empat perkara menajamkan mata
1. duduk mengadap kiblat
2. bercelak sebelum tidur
3. memandang yang hijau
4. berpakaian bersih
Empat perkara merosakkan mata
1. memandang najis
2. melihat orang dibunuh
3. melihat kemaluan
4. membelakangi kiblat
Empat perkara menajamkan fikiran
1. tidak banyak berbual kosong
2. rajin bersugi (gosok gigi)
3. bercakap dengan orang soleh
4. bergaul dengan para ulama
4 CARA TIDUR
1. TIDUR PARA NABI
Tidur terlentang sambil berfikir tentang kejadian langit dan
bumi.
2. TIDUR PARA ULAMA’ & AHLI IBADAH
Miring ke sebelah kanan untuk memudahkan terjaga untuk solat
malam.
3. TIDUR PARA RAJA YANG HALOBA
Miring ke sebelah kiri untuk mencernakan makanan yang banyak
dimakan.
4. TIDUR SYAITAN
Menelungkup/tiarap seperti tidurnya ahli neraka.
* Kalau rajin .. Tolong sebarkan maklumat ini kepada saudara
Muslim - Muslimat yang lain agar menjadi amalan kepada kita semua. Ilmu
yang bermanfaat ialah salah satu amal yang berkekalan bagi orang yang
mengajarnya meskipun dia sudah mati.
August 9th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Helper:
Have you heard of Yoga and the thereaputic cures it has achieved? What about Ayurvedic and Siddtha, which have a 3,000 year history and being practised effectively. There are many others around the world who have contributed in various ways. And yes, Islamic scholars, too, have contributed immensely in this area, particulalry the Sufis.
What I am trying to say is, instead of living in a loop and believing only your world exists, start opening your eyes and mind to see that others, too, exist. How can I say something is the BEST when you have not even compared with the others, unless you still believe that BEST means just looking at only one thing. That is not what I learnt in English.
August 9th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Religion is a road that leads to spirituality, which itself transcends all religions. I have met very, very nice people who do not follow any religious faith, and many obnoxious ones who claim to be holier or truer than thou. Unfortunately religion is an easy scapegoat for man’s political or monetary greed, such as in Malaysia where religion is politicised as the goal rather than the means. Just because I believe that Man Utd are the best club ever does not mean that I should treat Arsenal of Liverpool fans any worse than how I treat another Man Utd fan, nor does it mean that I should find agreeable everything that another Man Utd fan does. There is rivalry yes, but the emotions should not cloud our mental facility or common sense or conscience, all of which are wonderful gifts that God has given us.
August 10th, 2006 at 5:14 am
Do you non-Muslims not know you are considered infidels, enemies of Allah, his Messenger, and the believers? You deny and curse Allah and his Messenger. How can we draw near to you infidels? You deny even the messengers sent to you. You do not believe in Moses, you do not believe in Jesus – because if you really believed in them, you would join Islam, because every prophet heralded to his nation the coming of the Prophet Muhammad and the need to believe in him.
Some may say: ‘How can the inventor of electricity be placed in Hell – he illuminated the world for us.’ Others may say, ‘How can we be hostile to the Jews and Christians when they invented and manufactured even the items we use in our mosques?’ Still others may say, ‘The messenger of Allah left his shield with a Jew and went to visit his sick Jewish neighbor. Why do you preach to us to do differently?’
The truth is that this is a distortion of the facts, and deception. The Jew whom the Prophet considered a citizen had accepted the agreement that the Prophet Muhammad had concluded with the Jews of Al-Madina and when his people violated that pact, and supported the polytheists instead of the Muslims, their punishment was death, captivity, and the expropriation of their assets.
If you infidels live among the Muslims, you must do so in accordance with the conditions set out by the Prophet. There is nothing wrong with it provided you pay Jizyah to the Islamic community. Other conditions set out in the hadiths are that you do not renovate a your churches, do not rebuild ones that were destroyed, that you feed for three days any Muslim who passes by your homes; that you rise when a Muslim wishes to sit, that you do not imitate Muslims in dress and speech, nor ride horses, nor own swords, nor arm yourselves with any kind of weapon; that you do not sell wine, do not show the symbols of your religion, do not ring church bells, do not raise your voices during prayer, that you shave your hair in front so as to make you easily identifiable, do not incite anyone against the Muslims, and do not strike a Muslim. If you violate these conditions, you have no protection.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:02 am
people of peace and soulful intelligence,
do not respond to so called ‘true_muslim”.
he is trying to plant discord among kind, loving and peaceful human beings.
and to disrupt this blog. may he really be a true muslim someday. and a decent human being. god bless.
for he who calls himself humble is the most arrogant.
for he to call himself holiest ………. hmmm……..
August 10th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
True Muslim
Do you believe that you can practice everything you had written? How about if the situaion is reversed? Would you be able to live in a non-muslim majority society where the rulers imposed the same rules and rstrictions you just wrote?
Grow up and open your eyes. Read more and travel the world. Don’t be a reclusive and live in a time wrap. I guess it’s best for you and your likes to find a deserted island and begin your community there. That way you can do all that you feel is right in being a True Muslim and leave the rest of us Muslim to go on living in peace with the rest of the infidels.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:43 pm
Ogre said
I guess it’s best for you and your likes to find a deserted island and begin your community there. That way you can do all that you feel is right in being a True Muslim and leave the rest of us Muslim to go on living in peace with the rest of the infidels.
———————
What a fantastic idea, Ogre. Only then the rest of us could live in peace and harmony and so do they “true muslims”. It’s a win-win situation.
August 10th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
true_muslim,
What a name you have chosen for yourself, how egoistic can you be! You have perverted the muslim faith. Your insistence that non-muslim adopt your set of rules in the name of islam shows the state of your confused mind. I feel so sorry for you.
My compassion, and hope you will please grow up, adopt a little humility and keluar dari tempurung you. You need to realise your way of doing things is not necessarily the best.
August 11th, 2006 at 3:24 am
Dear true_muslim,
Can I blame you for being a true muslim? If alQuran is capable of creating Osama Bin Ladin’s atrocity of mass murder of innocent lives and other acts of terror, I believe you are truly a muslim on the extreme.
Therefore, can I conclude, alQuran is a weapon of mass destruction?
My apologies for the many Muslims who thinks alQuran teaches peace, brotherhood and love.
A religion of peace to some, in a state of war for others. Choose your pick.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:37 am
True Muslim
The Jews accepted Moses as their prophet, the Christian accepted Jesus as their Prophet so where is your logic in them not accepting Moses and Jesus as their prophet and becoming Muslims. Allah has made people of different color, race and religion. If Allah had wanted everyone to be Muslims I am sure Allah would have willed it. Are you greater than Allah to be able to covert the Jews and Christian into Muslims if Allah has decided otherwise?
Please True_Muslim, go and perform Hajj and see the myriad of Allah’s creation, different people from all corners of the earth, people in all shades of black and white, people dressing differently, people acting differently and even praying differently. Yet they are all Muslims answering the call of Allah. May Allah shower you with his Deen 10-4
August 11th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
I don’t understand why Muslim men must circumcise. Do the girls get circumcised as well??
August 11th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
My name hijacked again! Please whoever you are don’t mess up this blog again. So you hate my guts eh?! Btw you’ll be surprised how much reading i have made on Islam.
Jong Says:
August 11th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
I don’t understand why Muslim men must circumcise. Do the girls get circumcised as well??
August 11th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
This is the real Jong telling the fake jong:
If you want to know about male/female circumcision, easiest is go to google. Don’t mess up this blog. And please grow up. It’s not very funny using someone else’s name.
Thank you.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
The circumcision was propagated for two reason in Male.
1. For health and hygienic reason ie.the smegma which quite smelly in its own righthas no place to stay . By cicumcising the gland penis started to have squamous epithelium which is tougher than the mucosal lining of gland penis of those who has not cicumcised.This tougher lining would be a better protective cover for the gland in sexual contact reducing the risk of injury to the dear organ….but circumcised or not condom still rule in this age of AIDS for the adventurous ones.
2.The second reason is to debunked Charles Darwin theory of human evolution.The Jews who claimed their history of 4000 years of ‘civilisation’ been practising circumcision on all newborns.Tried as they have been the tip or foreskin still come with every Jews male newborns.Being redundant and not in use according to Darwin would have result in atrophy(getting smaller) or being deleted fr future generation.Smart arguement this one.
For the female circumcision is not Islamic practise but more of Arabic and some African tribe tradition .The circumcision done invole minor surgery to cut the hood covering the equivalent glan penis in female ie. clitoris to extreme mutilation of vagina . Thus hopefully answer some q fr john ,jong and joe alike. tq
August 11th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Quraan as a weapon of mass destruction …an arguement
1.40 million people died in Europe WWII ,they killed each other ,they dont read Quraan
2.Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomised with 200,000 casualities when Japanese were about to surrender ,the bomber were not muslim
3.Six million Jews exterminated by Hitler who is not a muslim
4.The Jews killed ,deposses and massacred the Plastenian ,The Jews as name implied were not muslim
5.The Lebanon repeatedly colonised by Israel with precise bombing that killed civilians and infants …Israel is not a muslim state
6.European colonised Africa ,Asia and South America with un told no of deaths and years of suffering…they were not doing it in the name of Quraan..TQ
August 11th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Dear Humanist and Clark Gable,
Take it easy. I don’t think it has anything to do with religion. It’s the state of their mental faculty that drove them to kill.
I believe all religion teaches GOOD and if they claim they were driven by their gods to kill, either they are crazy or their gods must be crazy!
August 12th, 2006 at 3:47 am
Dear Clark Gable,
What is your argument here?
Quran is not involved in anyway in the mass murder is fine if it is involved in a lesser atrocity? If the extremists had their way, alQuran could be the weapon (mass destruction or not) of their choice. Notice how the good name of Islam being used for their atrocities - “Allahu Akba”.
In no way would any right thinking normal humanbeing accept the murder of another human being - Universal Declaration of Human Right.
August 12th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Now if this is not a reversed hijacking I don’t know what is!
I asked a valid question as I’m curious to know why Jews and Muslims circumcise and why when it comes to female circumcision, the United Nations has another term for it which is “genital mutilation” - viewed as a human rights issue. African Muslim women fleeing from forced circumcision in Africa can seek asylum in countries like United States.
Will the fake Jong stand up?
August 12th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Yes?
August 13th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Aiyaaah…! Not again.
August 13th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
A message to those who hijacked my name:
Since you numb skulls love my name ‘Jong’ so much, I hereby WILL it to you. If it makes you happy, you may have it. From now onwards, the name “Jong” is not going to be me.
I don’t need a name. What’s in a name? … a rose is a rose by any other name; what matters is the pride and dignity that comes with it. Obviously you have none. I hope you will grow up, come to your senses and wish you well.
Btw the following postings weren’t from me:
“Jong Says:
August 12th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Now if this is not a reversed hijacking I don’t know what is!
I asked a valid question as I’m curious to know why Jews and Muslims circumcise and why when it comes to female circumcision, the United Nations has another term for it which is “genital mutilation” - viewed as a human rights issue. African Muslim women fleeing from forced circumcision in Africa can seek asylum in countries like United States.
Will the fake Jong stand up?
Jong Says:
August 12th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Yes?
Jong Says:
August 13th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Aiyaaah…! Not again. “
August 14th, 2006 at 2:03 am
Dear Humanist
The Quraan as a weapon of mass destruction or minor atrocities as claimed by you ,my arguement ,again…
1. Everyone can hijack anything and claim their atrocities in the name of…etc
eg. The American support the Israel Bombing “In The Name Of Freeom” said Pres Bush but you cant blame American Const.which Pres Bush uphold,as the Const. which propagate mass bombing in order for the people kowtow to their version of Democracy.
2. ”We shall promote Democracy In The whole of MEast” said Pres B again…But When HAMAS ,elected Democratically ,The WEST tried to disposed the elected government as they dont look favourable to USA and ISRAEL……in the name of “Our Struggle Against Terrorism” and defending Our Freedom they justified their action ,and Israel went even to the extend of kidnapping the Speaker and Minister of New Plastenian Gov.
The point is any terrorist ( Ben Laden ,Bush, Olmet, C.Rice) can hijack anything and claim it in the label of anything that would garner popular support.
3. Why IRA (of Catholic),Tamil Tiger(Hindu ),Sadanista(Christian) Red Army (Shinto Japan) were not label terrorist to their respective religion?
I think you have followed what has been programmed by the western Media ,then U went further with your assumption ,since they were Muslim therefore Quraan must have taught them HATRED.I beg to differ in strongest sense.
4. The largest muslim population in the world is in SEAsia,if these follower of Quraan were taught hatred as per your arguement,the biggest conflict ,killings,massacre would have happen here,Islam been here for 1200 years and we have not seen ,Thank God,the scale of what European had experienced in their shorter history.
Therefore my initial listing were to show you that all the killings were not related to Quraan or any religion for that matter, its more of human nature that propagate greed,destruction selfishness etc…its in all of us and religions were the means to control this…..I stop.
August 14th, 2006 at 4:42 am
dear clarkegable,
One thing I would agree with you ie. atrocities are of human nature. My point is the fact that Islam being hijacked for the act of atrocities by the likes of Osama Bin Ladin, suicide bombings by Hamas and Hezbollah’s rockets being fired indiscriminately use Islam as their call of duty despite the fact that there are Christians and Muslims on both sides.
Apart from the historical aspect of the Christian’s atrocities, recent atrocities by IRA, Tamil Tigers and yes, even Bush and Blair are called Terrorist. One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.
Yes, I agree that Hamas was democratically elected but if HAMAS refuses to abide by the rules of democracy after its victorious election then it’s back to status quo. How can HAMAS be accepted in a democratic process if it does not accept peaceful means and to recognize the existence of its enemy?
Democracy is not perfect but at least it allows the means of checks and balances to exist. Its not foolproof but much better than being led by religious bigots where logic and peaceful means could be replaced by blind faith and dictate of the holybook (there are enough violent and incitement of killings in Quran to cause a world war in the wrong hand/preacher).
I am not saying all killings are related to Quran. In fact, current 90% conflicts in the world are related to Muslims (Quran incited or human nature?). If only Muslims act as human being without dragging the good name of Islam then no one would blame Islam just as those atrocities committed by Christians, Buddhists, Hindus etc are not blamed on their respective religion.
The main problem with conservative Muslim is the fact that most cannot seperate Islam from Politics or be part of a secular democratic society. Isnt this the crux of the problem?
August 14th, 2006 at 6:54 am
Clark Gable, Humanist
It is easy for us to make comments on the actions of the Israelis, Hamas and Hezbollah from afar. We really don’t know the true reason for such actions unless and until we have lived in either Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. Right now we are just guessing the reasons why these people go to war. We are just behaving like George Bush, Blair and Condoleeza Rice, passing judgement and making declarations without knowing the real reasons and also not being on the ground to feel the fear, uncertainity and suspicion of the designs of the opposing party.
Secondly we are not Arabs or Israelis and we cannot fathom the minds of these two groups especially to issues pertaining to land, independence and the rights to self rule and existence. As usual the culprits are Britain and the US, first by establishing the state of Israel right in the middle of Arab territory and secondly lending support to one party in its aggression and encroachment on the others. How many times have these parties come to the meeting table and how many peace declaration have been signed? Yet these parties are still at war with each other.
August 14th, 2006 at 8:46 am
Dear Ogre,
Your point taken about making comments from afar. Whilst the issue of Israelis/Hamas/Hezbollah is a complex issue, one can easily give examples of wrong doing on either party.
My issue is confined to the problem of using religion (whether religion being hijacked or not) as a mean to a political end. Again, I am sure there are some who would never accept Islam being separated from politics (many supporters of PAS will agree). In fact Muslims (conservative) will not even hesitate to use Islam (Sharia Law) to implement social and economic structure in a multi-cultural soceity.
How could we solve the problem with two incompatible idealogy?
August 14th, 2006 at 8:51 am
Dear Humanist n Ogre,
Islam preached justice ,Justice was certainly not meted out to HAMAS or Plastenian eversince the birth of Israel.Solved this(JUSTICE) in most sincerity ,the muslims would be happy .
I detest the way HUMANIST pushed aside all past atrocities as mere part of history.All problems did not just start 4 weeks ago when Hazbullah caught 2 Israel soldier within their border..
By same measure we would sanitised the killing of Aborigines in Tasmania where they were hunted like Kangaroo , the Red Indian killings by JohnWaynes and killing of Vietnamese in Vietnam War
By the same stroke of brush those killing,napalmed, depleted uranium and carpet bombing of Iraqis (under ONE BIG LIE ) is suppose to be forgiven by Muslim and turn another cheek.
They were pushed to the wall this Iraqis and we muslim emphatised with them, and they run of cheeks to give as their young were starved to death all because they were born Muslim and not yet aware that they were Iraq citizen.
All these atrocities by American ,the whites and people of advanced civilization suddenly became legitimate killing in the name of freedom ….whose freedom? FREEDOM and JUSTICE are partners ,none can survive without the other.
August 14th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Humanist and ClarkGable
The big question is why is it only Islam versus the Jews (Israelis) Gaza and Lebanon have Christians living there and they are also affected. Why wasn’t this highlighted?
In Iraq, the US have no business being there. Iraq was already an advanced nation and people were living in peace and prosperity. Now with US intervention Iraq is in a state of civil war, the Iraqi civilization that spans over 2,000 years in now in shambles. Suddenly the Shiites are fighting the Sunnis. This is a plan to destroy Islam by having muslims fight each other.
It’s good that we are engaging in positive discussions and accept the others point of view even though we may not agree to it. Let’s hope we can keep up this dialogue. 10-4
August 14th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
“In Iraq, the US have no business being there.”
You forgot there’s a lot of business for Bush over in Iraq/
August 15th, 2006 at 3:15 am
Our discussions are all over everywhere - this will not get us anywhere? Unless we focus one issue at a time and deal with the basic questions one at a time.
Its naive to claim a complex issue such as the middle-east conflict can be adequately discussed here. I am trying to break down the complexity into basic single issue. Mine was , religion should be kept out of the conflict. After all, the use of religion for political end does more harn than good. My disappointment is the fact that HAMAS and Hezbollah being a “liberating force” uses religion for their political end.
clarkegable, your bringing in all the atrocities and historical fact is not addressing the fundamental issue I raised. Your ranting is more akeen to a shouting match than a debate. I assume you have not understood my point.
I am putting aside historical atrocities here because it has nothing to do with the issue I raised. Any normal human being would accept that atrocities and murders are wrong.
August 15th, 2006 at 8:21 am
“…the use of religion for political end does more harn than good. My disappointment is the fact that HAMAS and Hezbollah being a “liberating force” uses religion for their political end”
Not if they are one and the same. Religion is both the means and the end.
August 15th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Dear Saddam Hussein,
If Islam is used as “both the means and the end” then if any of its followers violated it guideline or mis-interprete its holy scripture, or have different interpretation of the religion, can you blame non-Muslim for condemning Islam. What would you say if the “War on Terror” is now called “War on Islam”. You know, this is what some ex-Muslims such as Ali Sina are calling for! I will not provide the link here as a respect for Islam.
Read some of the ex-Muslims’ argument why conservative Islam has no place in 21st Century. Wafa Sultan describe the current conflict between Muslims and the West is a “Clash of Culture” - one from 14th Century against the 21st.
Unless Islam is reformed to exist peacefully in 21st century, there is no end in sight on further conflicts in the name of Islam. Ironically, it called the religion of peace.
August 15th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
“Unless Islam is reformed to exist peacefully in 21st century, there is no end in sight on further conflicts in the name of Islam. Ironically, it called the religion of peace.”
How do you reform a religion??
How could Islam be a religion of peace? Everybody knows Prophet Muhammad spread Islam by the sword. During the Crusades, non-Christians were put to the sword simply for not being people of the faith and there were many instances of genocide in the name of religion throughout history.
If Islam is today a religion of peace, then how do you explain the deafening silence one hears each time militant Islam strikes??
August 16th, 2006 at 3:48 am
Dear Crusader,
“How do you reform a religion??”.
If Christianity can be “reformed” why can’t any religion be reformed? In fact the various sect of Islam can be considered “reformed” in some way compared to say, Wahhabi brand of Islam.
Conservative Islam, some may argue that Wahhabis belong to, do not accept its existence in a secular society. But other sects such as Sufi and increasingly, many Muslims are calling for secularisation of Islamic society (www.secularislam.org). If this is not reforming of conversative Islam, what is?
Islam is fragmented into various sects with some claiming to represent the true Islam, is the main problem. No doubt, Sufis can claim their religion to be a religion of peace, conveniently hijacked under the name of Islam by others especially conversative Islam for its PR exercise.
Even our PM is coming up with a new brand, Islam Hadhari - a new and better improvement? Is this not a reform of sort?
Surprisingly, some sects of Islam are accussing each other as infidels for not following their “true” Islamic teaching. Could it be that they are all correct ie. they are all infidels by their own definition?
August 16th, 2006 at 10:18 am
“Even our PM is coming up with a new brand, Islam Hadhari - a new and better improvement? Is this not a reform of sort?”
You gotta be joking! Say you’re joking..
Islam Hadhari is new brand of Islam??? It has been given a new label by a politician to serve his earthly needs. Abdullah is no relgious cleric to even suggest that.
There’s a lot to be said about Satanic Verses.
August 20th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
It is worrying with the younger set our country has produced.
While the general non-Malays still see the country as comprising various races and ethinicity, the young set of Malays (not all of course but more enough) sees as just Malaysia as comprising Muslims or kafirs.
September 8th, 2006 at 1:23 am
“Surprisingly, some sects of Islam are accussing each other as infidels for not following their “true” Islamic teaching. Could it be that they are all correct ie. they are all infidels by their own definition?”
I believe that ‘Humanist’ has been spot on in arriving at his findings.
If only the fanatical followers of Islam like’ true_muslim’ can learn to accept the existence of other religions and instill in themselves the principle values to co exist peacefully with the followers of those faiths,then and only then can we see them as being reformed.