Islamic State: More Readers’ Responses
Hi Dr. Bakri:
I recently read your article, “The Path to A True Islamic State.” I had problems posting a respond through your website, so, I thought I would email you.
I am enthusiastic to learn that you are tackling this issue. I eagerly await your views in your new book. Until then your posting has actually raised more questions than answers with me. I find the ending in your article a bit “secular.”
“A nation mired in economic stagnation and its citizens in physical and moral degradation cannot be considered to be Islamic. Lift the yoke of poverty off our people, bring them light through superior education, and empower them by giving them their merdeka (liberty). This is the only path towards an Islamic state,” to quote you.
I am a bit raw on my knowledge of the Quran and Hadith to know what the appropriate response would be from Muslims to your article, especially to the way you have ended it. I guess I should not be ashamed to respond with what I have learned from Jesus the man, hopefully with ideas close enough to a Muslim, as I have learned Jesus too is considered a prophet in the Quran.
Two thoughts from the Gospel came to mind:
1. Luke 6:19-2120: Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
2121 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
2. Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Comparing those two verses with your ending note, I find that yours seems a bit “secular” for an Islamic state, if I may use the word, since it uplifts the superiority of education, and ignored the possible fallacy in human wisdom. My first reaction in reading your ending note is that a Nazi is not necessarily lacking in education. This applies to today’s bin Laden also. Overconfidence in education is almost exactly the reason why religion still thrives amongst today’s elites. I could imagine many Muslims would also react the same way. I know you do not mean that, but the way you have ended your essay raised this doubt in my mind.
Dr. Bakri, I really hope you can be successful in realizing the potential you see in “that Islam can play in Malaysia and the region.” I hope you will not be out-Islam in the creation of an Islamic state. May the God of Abraham shed light to you in your book! May it indeed shine light in the words you will be putting down in your next book!
Weng Lee
Milpitas, CA.
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Dear Weng Lee:
Thank you for responding to my essay. I will post your response to my website. I am still unsure whether to have free open comments on my website or have them filtered through me. I want to spare my website from trash and libelous material, so all postings come through me for now!
It is interesting that you quote the Gospel. Muslims today remind me of Christians of the Middle Ages in our attitude towards the poor, interests (or usury), and wealth. The poor shall inherit the earth as you quoted from the Gospel portrays a mindset that glorifies poverty.
Then came John Calvin with his novel interpretation. He said yes, God has predestined us. “Our fate is written in the book,” as we Muslims would say. But then, according to Calvin, He tips His hands. He would give us a preview on this earth those He favors.
Suddenly everyone worked very hard to be successful so they would be seen as being God’s chosen ones. If they were successful here on earth, they would be successful in the hereafter. Out of this new outlook emerged the famed Protestant work ethics. Poverty is no longer glorified, rather now it is seen as a sign of divine disfavor! Whether Calvin is right or wrong is immaterial but the consequences of his teaching is such that the world today is much better than before him. That is tribute enough!
Thank you for your prayers and best wishes for my next book.
Sallam,
Bakri