Takfir

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

 

Terminologies

Takfir is a term referring to the practice of a Muslim declaring or accusing another Muslim as an unbeliever or infidel. The act which precipitates this matter is termed in Arabic as mukaffir.

A Takfiri however, is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim of apostasy. Then accusation itself is called as takfir and was derived from the word kafir or translated as infidel and is described as when, "... one who is, or claims to be, a Muslim is declared as impure".

In principle, the only group authorized to declare a Muslim a kafir is the ulama, and this is only done, once all the prescribed legal precautions have been taken. However, a growing number of splinter neo-Salafi groups, labeled by some scholars as Salafi-Takfiris, have the split from the orthodox method of establishing takfir through the processes of the law, and have reserved the right to declare apostasy themselves.

As to explain this to one who does not understand Arabic, it is more or less like the act of excommunication on the others who does not go with one's ideology, deemed as heretics or against their belief in Christian world.

Issue in Our Country

Around 1984 there was an issue which is related to a debate among political parties in our country. The coalition party challenged the opposition party to join a debate with the notion that the "opposition party was accusing the coalition as infidel". It was later cancelled and there was a treatise written by Wan Zahidi Wan Teh being endorsed by the Islamic Da'awa Foundation to the public among which my father also kept one of it and it is now in my hand while typing about this matter. I read this guy's other books too and some of them I do not agree because he is too much leaning to a certain side instead of being neutral but I still read them because I consider it as an analysis.

Tough it was cancelled but it does not mean that this issue together with its implications cease to exist among Muslim societies. There are many stupid conflicts happened related to this issue... In Iraq, in Iran, in Pakistan, in Egypt, in Syria, in Saudi Arabia and also in our country especially those who love to follow the trend in muttering out their statements. This issue is not like a seasonal issue where it is hot in one time and later sunken to the bottom when people are tired of it. In the contrary it is still in the mind of some society who are influenced with it and sometimes it is manifested in practices and execution.

History in Our Country

According to Wan Teh (1987), this issue happened in this country in the 1960's but it was later being cured through political development. A coalition government was formed. However, it rises again also due to political development and it turned out to be a big national issue. I could still feel this situation while I was in my childhood and teenage times especially my parents were loyal to nationalist party which forms the coalition party just like our maternal grandparents and some of my mother relatives at our state had turned to Islamic party. I was a victim of discrimination elsewhere though I was clueless on what were my errors?

There were many factors for schism in political view and it was also related to vengeance and dissatisfaction among families and relatives back then that also morphed into political conflicts. I began to seek refuge in Buddhism in the same time that I was schooled in Islamic system in Perlis state because I was emotionally and psychologically abused by my mother relatives at my grandparents' house besides I was also in anger to my parents for sending me to a "hell". I was 13 years old at that time and the only son at home with no brothers to refer on whatever that I need to know to be a man. I refused to leave behind Buddhist teachings and practices even until I reached 17 years old and deciding again my faith and being a Muslim. I had a tough time...

Wan Teh mentions in the treatise that a senior member in the Islamic party had made the accusation to nationalist members in the coalition party thus the issue was echoed again in national political stage.

Historically speaking, takfir is very difficult to be contained and the target is not limited to any certain people. It could also spread like an epidemic until it involves a friend with a friend. The Kharijites in the beginning had called Ali r.a and his party as infidels because their acceptance to tahkim or peace treaty with Mu'awiyah. Later, this act is extended to those who commit major sins. After that, those who are not apart of their group and movement are called the infidels. Those who refuse to wage war on non-Kharijites were called infidels although they held the view which is the same with the Kharitijites (Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari; 15:312). Among the Muslim Brotherhood, figures such as Muhammad al-Ghazali and Sayyid Sabiq were charged with infidelity by the extremists of the Muslim Brotherhood (Muhammad al-Ghazali, Min Ma'alim al-Haq: 242).    

Due to that this issue is an important issue as it deals with creed of a Muslim, his life and the unity of the nations thus there is a need for serious attention being given to the discussion in order to understand the issue in an academic way and with an objective besides leaving behind the group sentiments, political inclination and so on.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin! 

Science and Religion: If Clergy Men are Wrong, Academicians are also Wrong!

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Problems in Terminologies and Reference Consistency

I don't know how to translate or interpret those words such as religious studies experts and non-religious studies scholars. The way I understood science is different from the mainstream views. So, basically what I refer to as clergy men are those who are known as priests, monks, ministers, preachers, pastors, imams or mullas. While academicians in this post refer to scientists or scholars in the universities as what we see today. 

Pre-Conditions to be a Believer of Science

For the scholars, they religiously believe in the science, theories and opinions while they had forgotten that the condition for this science is that; theories will always evolve to another one and if it is contested by the more plausible ones, the previous one will be unreliable. Theories are bounded to time period and the changes in the space. Science and knowledge generally is a group of evidence in evaluating the truth of certain things and matters. If the study is not half-cut in the middle of the research, there are many possibilities for the previous theory to be canceled by the new-founded one till it has to be developed again in other forms.

International Theories and Approach to View World Politics and Affairs

In International Relation and Social Studies for example, the notion by this ulama about "reliability of science" in his writing is the same as what had been lectured to us in our classes for first two semesters. We have political theories such as:

1. Realism

2. Liberalism

3. Marxism

4. Constructivism

And the world is viewed as a stage where the beings in world is viewed as actors. Who are these actors? They are basically those who are involved in decision-making and the basic one that I could provide here is the state and its system. There are also classifications of those mentioned theories into classical theories, neo-theories and post-theories or approaches in viewing the action of actors. This is my personal opinion dear brothers and sisters. We as religious studies students in madrasah must be exposed to these studies. We should not only study Quran and Sunnah. Because we live in the more globalized world where there are people of many views and kind which trying to defame us, Muslims with the notion of modernism, backwardness and fanaticism.

I am talking like one of madrasah students though I am an out caste due to that I was a madrasah students myself who were kicked out of the track due to harsh environment revolving around me and rising conflicts within myself. Now I am an International Studies students majoring in European continent institutional studies without any basic in my first degree certificate. I studied different things when I was an undergraduate student. In front of people, I might be looking like a scary all-black attire hermit, poor like a beggar and "stupid" but I am listening to what people are talking around besides mentally commenting their opinions. It also includes those of Mahasiswa Islam and Tabligh Jama'at discussions and I am just avoiding them because there are gaps in discussing things with people around and I do not want any conflict.

So, there are little kids who might come closer to me in the musalla and asking me why you are so silent? Most of the Mahasiswa Islam and Tabligh Jama'at members are not of social studies background but are of diverse part of sciences in the university which actually deals with crude sciences related to job skills for human labor or human capital needs. While most of my fellow religious studies brothers in Middle East are purely studying about Quran, religious sciences and Sunnah. I don't know how many people are experiencing things like me. If you have this experience please share or just paste your blogs in the comment box down here. I am listening, pondering and reading everything. This is my part as per Tabligh notion for "Fikir Ummat" or thinking for the nations. I had already been thinking about this since I was a little kid and it was conflicting within myself besides others are looking negatively at me. I had suffered alone for this and still am suffering. The feeling of suffer is like a metal being burnt in the stove. It begins with the "heart". 

Errors of Secular Scholars

A genuine scholar must have the confidence on not being confident. Ready to accept changes and re-evaluate what has been held as his belief after receiving new explanations. This is how science that we see in modern world evolve and we are tracing its historical tracks. Firmly holding a theory or approach for example this is sour or that is stale is a biggest mistake for scholars and scientists. It is as equally wrong with what has happened to clergy men in understanding the evidence in its literal sense!

The error of scholars, academicians and scientists would be even bigger if they thought that scientific research is the only way to reach the truth and fact. It is true that scientific and fact research is a tool to achieve or to be closer to the truth. However it is only a tool among tools. Not the only tool that exist!

I am having issues with these kind of people. They believe in only one approach and hold firm with it. Thus they are creating dogma without realizing it. What is the difference between them and the bigots in other groups of man-kind if this happen?

Physics for example could investigate and provide facts for things which are moving in the universe. However it is not applicable anymore when it comes to things beyond the universe. A wider way of thinking is not only limited to physics. It is goes beyond physics. The metaphysics.

This is what we call as metaphysical matters. They could check the phenomenon such as light and provide everything related to light what about thing which is beyond the light? Their research and questions would stop when it reaches it limit. Science could not reaching the Creator of the Universe or things beyond physical eyes. That is why we could see in American movies, they are trying to make everything scientific and to show that everything could be researched they begin to create stuffs such as aliens, superman, and other imaginary characters within the universe. They might perhaps talking about myth of deities in Greek mythologies or Hindu god pantheon as totally absurd from primitive people imagination. But what is the difference between them and those ancient people that they claim as primitive? The prophets, sages and philosophers of ancient time were talking about metaphysical stuffs. Of course they have no degree nor going to school or not graduated from universities with today's academic system and curriculum.          

Tools in Search of the Truth

Science is useful to reach what is material. But science has no strength and limited only to materials. Outside of material boundaries they could not reach it. Collections of evidences, results of researches, results of experiments, contemplation and observation, analysis and mental tools are for us man-kind to reach the truth. There are also other tools and ways to reach facts and truth which is not mentioned here.

Try to see how many people could disagree that artists, poets, philosophers, musicians or singers could also provide the way for others to be closer to the truth? Who would disagree that these an artist could send others into the secret of the universe merely with "senses" and not with forced thoughts. Senses and feelings which had rise in their soul were presented into humanity in the form of art works which could touch the discreet sentiment of others deeper than any other scientific research to develop something which took scientists and the so-called scholars in universities or research centers hundred of years conducting researches and experiments. 

The real truth is beautiful and beauty is the truth. This is the fact which is agreed by everyone. It is wrong for us to think that the way to achieve the truth is merely with science. Behold that art is from divine inspiration, pure soul and an open mind. This way is also the right and clear way as clear as science.

If the role of artists as the seekers of truth could be recognized by everyone, why not the role of prophets and sages who received divine inspiration and revelation from the God? Why not the genuine religious philosophers are not recognized for their contributions in musing the secret of universe? We would certainly never forget the contributions of religion and spirituality in developing the realm of humanity. Revelation and divine inspirations are among the main ways for man-kind to reach the truth. If with science, we are climbing up above to find the truth. But with revelation and divine inspirations, the truth is descending upon man-kind. It would be marvelously beautiful if both of these are in reconciliation and the pure happiness would be achieved  by everyone.

Conclusion of the Sub-Topic

People could accuse that there are fake prophets, fake imams, fake sheikhs and there are also fake religious philosophers which is known as sufis who sold spiritual matters for worldly fame. But we could also not disagree that there are fake artists, fake poets and scholars who only looking for material benefits.

Other than that. I personally disagree with some quotes from Harun Yahya, Ahmad Deedat, Zakir Naik or other Sheikhs' books or lectures by the public. Before we read the thoughts of a person, to agree or to disagree with them. We get to know them first what is their background and how they had gone through their life to form their worldview. These figures talk about different things but still the central of their argument is to bring people toward Islam through components of science and countering theories such as Darwinism or other accusations by Christian missionaries to Islam.

I agree in term of telling people about Islam, stating our views and spreading the word of Allah across the Universe. But I disagree in attacking other religious faith and belief because that is the way those Christian missionaries in Western European colonial lands did. That is also the way of scholars who religiously believe in their theories or the theories which are in accordance to their inclination. Those who quote these figures I know that they never gone through the torturing path of questioning and getting to know their selves. Go through it, then tell everyone how it feels. Just walk in the moderate middle path and this is an advise for everyone including myself.     

Prayers

May Allah lead us with His guidance and may the ruhul qudus shine upon us. Sanctify our soul ya Allah with Your mercy, forgiveness and eternal love. May we live under Your reign and blessed with Your Great Kingdom.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!   

How Policies are Made in EU I

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

State House, Malacca

Try to compare everything with Shariah Islamiah which is our Way of Life. Compare with our own countries and look at how those politicians behave no matter at the coalition or alternative side. As an ex-religious studies student, I urge that the Qadis (Jurists), Muftis and fellow pure religious studies students to begin looking at these matters seriously! The end is very close but we are not certain when, only He knows. We are currently in Economy Crisis and check what happened in the Europe which also dragged the World into a series of world wars. His Mercy must be exercised dear beloved brothers and sisters! 

Don't just wait, act now and the initial step is to understand what are those Westerners think through their own framework! It does not mean that we abandon our Lord when we study them. It is a precaution to avoid from disasters from human faults. Establish the study for these in your institutions. I am actually begging brothers and sisters on my knees. I don't care if people are listening or not. I do this because I love my brethren, may everyone be blessed!

We also have decision-making process which is divinely and naturally revealed by the God while the ones that we are holding and practicing right now are from human being who have to think hard and boasting around (they are spiritually and morally empty). We had already learned that human could also receive inspiration from the God if not the Revelation like prophets or messengers of the God. But inspiration is not as equal as Revelation.

For Muslims, we have the Quran and Sunnah which should be the basis of our constitutions as they are natural but we refused them for man-made ideologies. We create terms which is not natural to explain certain theories and matters that happened. Choice is with us, not on others. I will be lying to say that I don't care. I am disappointed and sad with people who call themselves Muslim but they are skeptical with the Revelation which is the basis of our faith to Him. Changes does not come in a day, but it comes gradually. Its principles are the same with the principles of exercising the Guidance of the Lord which is His Mercy. I wish this benefit my beloved brothers and sisters, it's not easy to jot down all these notes from the source. I'm just performing a qurbana (sacrifice) for brethren of nations, may everyone receive His Love.

Introduction

Complexity in Policy-Making Process

Policy making process is the most complicated process in the European Union (EU). There are several reasons on why it is complicated: 

1. EU is both a supranational and intergovernmental body.

2. It has to use different ways in policy-making.

3. There are sets of factors involved in policy-making (Nugent, 2006)

    

a. those involved in EU institutions.

b. those involved in the policy-making are governments and EU member states.

c. those involved with Euro currency and national interests. 

4. Considerations on the levels of actors' motivations for participation:

    

a. circumstances and possession of legal or political power. 

b. different set of actors have different level of power.

c. these different actors at different level of power has overlapping influence and crosses between tiers.

d. level of priority given to particular issue and consequences of involvement.

e. level of power resources at disposal of actor.

5. Channels of participation also contribute to complexity in decision-making:

a. channels for decisions vary in the levels of their complexity and exhaustiveness.

b. some channels are easy and straightforward, others have multiple actors competing to determine outcomes.

c. multilevel governance - differences in relative importance of EU, member states, sub-national levels and between linkages between different levels, this could also be linked to immigration policy.

d. level of security involved, it depends on level of forums they've conducted e.g at ministerial level, heads of states, council, COREPER, committees, or working groups.

e. level of formality and structure involved whether the process takes place within the Council, European plenary sessions or joint European Parliament (EP) and European Council delegation meetings.   

Part I done... Try also read materials in Europa about Decision-Making Procedures.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

European Studies : Europeanization

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I've got to leave behind first the maqasid shariah but I wish to continue it once I am done with few assignments. Man!!! I hate assignments but that is the requirement for the course. I am going to talk about Europeanization. 

Introduction

Europeanization refers to few phenomena related to Europe and patterns of change :

I. The process in which a notionally non-European subject (be it a culture, a language, a city or a nation) adopts a number of European features.

II. Outside of the social sciences, it refers to the growth of a European continental identity or polity over and above national identities and polities of the continent.

III. It refers to the process through which EU political and economic dynamics become part of the organizational logic of national politics and policy-making.

Definitions

Europeanization has been generally referred as "being more European like." Specifically than this, it has been defined in many ways. 

Earliest conceptualization of this term was made by Ladrech (1994, 69). He defines Europeanization simply as an incremental process of reorienting the shape and direction of politics to the extent that European Community (EC) political and economic dynamics become part of organizational logic of national politics and policy making. 

It emphasizes what is known as the 'top-down approach' to Europeanization with change emanating from the impact of the Union onto the national policy. The state is viewed as reactive towards changes in the Union.

Another definition that needs to be taken into acoount is of Radaelli. He describes that Europeanization is : "A process involving a) construction b) diffusion c) institutionalization of formal and informal rules, procedures, policy paradigms, styles, 'ways of doing things' and shared beliefs and norms which are first defined and consolidated in the EU policy process. Then, they are incorporated in the logic of domestic (national or sub-national) discourse, political structures and public choices."

From a "bottom-up" approach, Europeanization occurs when states begin to affect the policy of the EU in a given area.

A more nuanced analysis posts that the institutional interaction of policy actors at the various levels of European governance leads to the redefinition of national, regional and other identities within a European context where the multiple levels of governance in Europe are not seen as necessarily in opposition to one another. 

An elected representative can, for example, see his loyalties and responsibilities as lying with Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Europe or with Amsterdam, Netherlands and Europe, for unitary states. Some scholars for example Samuel Huntington argue that citizens of European states increasingly identify themselves as such, rather than Portuguese, British, German, French, Italian and etc. 

An obvious area of change is in the institutions of Europe; the enlargement of the EU and the gradual acquisition of authority over the national member governments in numerous areas is creating a centralized European polity. The Economic and Monetary Union of the EU would be an example for this. In this case, the nations using the Euro have passed control of their monetary policy to the European Central Bank.

Another perspective of Europeanization is the "horizontal approach." This approach takes into account the transfer of politics, policies and policy making between member states of the EU. The transfer is based on a form of a "soft law" therefore is not enforceable, but is based on "best practice" and mutual recognition.

Whether Europeanization is a continuing process that will eventually lead to a full European government or whether centralization will be unable to overcome persisting national identities or increasing interests in localism is a matter of debate. 

Reference

Michelle Cini, European Union Politics 2nd Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007) p. 407.

This one is from wikipedia the source for lazy people since I have no time to dig in stuffs in European books. I have other books to read for research too like racism and multiculturalism. Maybe we could try to check them together once I am done with the presentation and exam stuffs, yah...

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

The Arabian Spring: Global Implications Part 3

continue...

 Squidoo.com

Then, a China man asked a question on how about the relationship of law and democracy? Then Mr. Chaliand elaborated that to speak bluntly about China, the state capitalism has achieved remarkable growth, and it is achieved through democracy. 

We had also listened about China from a Chinese lady which is a friend of Miss Garudamejaiya who was introduced to me by Azren. We went for Queensbay last Thursday to celebrate Azren's graduation on the behalf of Miss Garudamejaiya. Thanks to Miss Garuda and Azren. Both of you are wonderful people that I have ever known. You people introduced me to many things and apart of it, indirectly being mentors too. I learned a lot about women thoughts from you people though all of my siblings including mum are women except me.

Say if democrat won in Tiananmen, they would perhaps not be well off with what is now happening in Chinese economic development. That kind of democracy is famous among NGOs but this is totally governmental. Yeltsin was a good leader and the US had set base at home in Russia until Mr. Putin said that, enough! Don't let the country being a hunting place for the US. And there is some mention about Prestroika and Glasnaut. Who's the most unsatisfied? Caucasians, the Balkh and other minorities. Democracy describes through Russian issue. And there will always be a shift of the world. This is related to the possibility of world power declination for example Russia, the US, and others. A relative decline for a certain power does not mean collapse, so don't bury people while they are alive.

In relation to Palestinian issue, perhaps kings and dictators in Middle East are in threat. However the king of Morocco is a legitimate heir of the prophet s.a.w and is smart enough to sense any social reform in the country so for this time, they are being fine without any problem.

The king of Jordan who claims as descending from the Hashemite on the other hand had almost losing power. This is the case of the previous Jordanian king, not king Abdullah. These people came from Saudi Arabia and being put as rulers by the US. They are not the kings for the country forever.

So, we people with the God as our King, see everything as temporary. Only if we are at the peak of 'power' that make us living in anxiety because everything in this universe is limited and having its due : ) Then, other things to be considered is geographic location of those countries. They are close to Palestine territory and most of their workers are foreigners. Are these foreigners happy? However, 'power' is nothing to be joking off in Saudi, and the Shi'ites are tightly watched there.

Lecturer Background

About Mr. Chaliand, he obtained his phd in Sorbonne, France. He has been a paticipant-observer in various guerilla and war-zones such as in Guinea Bissau (1966), Peru (1985), Iraq-Kurdistan (2001-02), Iraq (2009), Iran-Kurdistan (1980), Palestine (1969-1999), Myanmar (1990-1995) and few other countries. He has conducted field studies for over three decades in Northern Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East, American continent, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia. He lectured various Strategic Institute in Washington, Beijing, London, Madrid, Canberra, and Tokyo. He has written more than 40 books and over 20 of them were translated into English. This lists includes but not limited to it such as:

- History of Terrorism from Antiquity to al-Qaida (co-written with A. Blin), University of California Press, 2007.

- Mirrors of a Disaster: The Spanish Conquest of America, Transaction, Rutgers University Press. N. J. 2005.

- Nomadic Empires: From Mongolia to Danube, Transaction, Rutgers University Press, N. J. 2003. 

I had saw Frau Myer which was my German teacher and my ex-lecturer during first degree, Dr. Rokiah was also there listening to the talk. I'm lazy to greet them, but I think they still remember me and I actually respect them both. Also glad to see Dr. Rokiah is well. Last time she was absent and sick. I just went to mosque because the time for 'Asr congregational service had already passed. I am sad : ( 

Fin......

Arabian Spring: Global Implications Part 2

continuation...

 David. E Hoffman for Foreign Policy

Now comes to questions from the ground. A person I guess a British who retired in Penang asked about the thought of Mr. Chaliand regarding the KSA. Who'll lead the Middle East or Islam? 

I don't know what did he mean by Islam is equated to Middle East and the leadership? And how he understood Islam. I guess everyone also thinks like this person, be they Muslims or not. As a Muslim of sunnah tradition, I do not perceive ourselves as having any center for our religion like the Vatican in Rome for Roman Catholics. Even, if our holy city is in Mecca, that does not mean that those who control the holy area are the central power to lead others. The central leader for a Muslim and for me is Allah 'Azza wa Jalla, our Lord, our King, not any kingdom nor government in the universe.

Dr. Chaliand said that KSA is going through change slowly and they certainly face problems because of power inheritance from a brother to a brother. Half of the population below 25 and elites among them had been abroad. A lot of them are in the US and some in the UK. When they come back, and they find out their elders are still clinging to old thinking. Looking at economic situation, they have oil sold for many years and they sold more oil this year compared to last year. They can survive but they have to quick thinking of whatever would happen in the future. Regarding the cooperation of the KSA with Turkey in leadership? The Turk may cooperate if they want so, and they could also lead it alone. There is a question mark.

Country which is badly managed would bring a catastrophic result. For example, the Saudi and the al-Qaeda with their harsh belief. 

What about the impact of Arab Spring toward Palestine-Israel issue? This question is posed by an Indian Muslim. To be a Muslim is to be a twin brothers to Palestinian although they do not care about others. Dulu masa saya bercakap dengan 'saudara' seagama Palestin, dia boleh kata dia tidak perduli dengan keadaan saudara Arab diaspora di luar mau pun peranakan Arab yang bukan Palestin cuma peduli akan tanah airnya sahaja. He thinks that only he has motherland. I am a patriotic person to our sultanate too but I would also take my brothers into account. So, I conclude that this is not religious problem but political problem. They love their motherland, Palestine and it is "a paradise in the earth." You will get your paradise in the earth, but those who inherits His Kingdom do not living a life in paradise. I am not a twin brother to Palestinians, I am a twin brother to Muslim brethren. I only care to those who love Allah and prophet Muhammad s.a.w. My holy land is in Ummul Qura, the mother of all villages. Not in Jerusalem where it is the holy land for Jews and Christian fellows. Jerusalem is not mentioned in the covenant between our Patriarch Ibrahim a.s but my dear Lord, Allah clearly  mentions about Mecca in His glorious Word together with its manasik (rituals) as roots of the life.

So, the impact for this Palestine-Israel issue are:

1. For the first time, Israel is really isolated because Egypt now has changed. The compromise between Mubarak and Israel is also gone to somewhere else.

2. The attitude of Turkey toward Israel is now changed. They had joined military cooperation in Jordan. They are having problem with Israel because of Avi Marmara issue which hurts Turkish citizen too.

3. To recognize the state of Palestine is a must, and not an option.

As to say, to be good in the view of Muslims, ones must do something for Palestinian and not only pretend to be democratic. And it should be taken into consideration too that two third of Jordan population are Palestinian. 

continue...

Mind Perception Game

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

Tuk Janggut's body hanged upside down after being exhibited around the capital of Kelantan Sultanate, Kota Bharu. Source Pic: Bodleian Library, Oxford University, UK. 

This is actually an excerpt from a lecture. Yesterday afternoon I didn't get to listen to the lecture in the radio on the first part. This lecture has three parts. For this second part too, unfortunately I didn't get to jot down nor listen almost all of the lecture but only some part at the end because I went for lunch. I missed almost all of the lecture except for few points. 

Oh, yeah... Yesterday I remembered I accompanied a junior who is five years older than me to Bukit Jambul getting a new printer for him. He fast for syawwal optional fasting yesterday and that was his last day. I just helped him to carry his printer since he only has a motorcycle. It's difficult to bring a box with a printer where we have to maintain the position of the ink tank. He didn't tell me in the beginning nor giving me some expectation that he really need somebody help to carry his new printer. I am so upset with this kind of attitude as I don't mind to help. I had learned patience during pilgrimage and furthermore he was fasting. Let everything go, just assume we please the God by helping a brother. We will feel at peace, amin!

This lecture was delivered by Ustad Ahmad Shukri at the Sultanah Bahiyah Polytechnic in Kulim district. Interestingly this lecture was integrated with national history studies for students. I think it is useful for my mini thesis too although indirectly so I better keep it here so I could review it besides reading other reminders to myself. We have to be creative and using everything that we have to carry our tasks. This is what I tried to tell some Tablighi brothers regarding their outing for da'awa. What had been proposed by their syeikh is a method, but that does not mean it could not be appropriated according to situation while retaining its context. I don't know how they understood it, perhaps they are young kids and I won't talk much if I feel that there is no necessity. Anyway I just say goodbye to everyone in this institution, I need to quickly finish my thesis. 

I don't want to be known nor remembered but only wishing for prayers to be saved and forgiven by the God through brotherhood and sisterhood spirit. If our path crossed, then we will meet again. If not, we still will meet but in the hereafter. Everybody is bound to it. Anyway, I just hope to see the God Glorious appearance. I don't think anybody care about each other in this world anymore so in the hereafter I only hope to see the God and hoping He is not angry with me but only His pleasure. 

From the portion of the ustad speech, he said that our states in Malaysia was colonized for more than 500 years. Malaysia history is quite complicated too as it was not a unified nation like today but consists of different sultanates or city-states with their own histories which could only be understood if we strand them one by one. It also applies to other new countries as well. Beginning with Portuguese conquest in 1515 in Malacca Sultanate. Malacca now is a state without any sultan but only a governor appointed by Federal government. And then the Dutch came to the Fort of Malacca replacing the Catholic Portuguese. Later, English came in from Britain into almost all of the states in Malayan Peninsula through trade company called the British East Indies Company but later getting the power to rule by subduing sultanates through their political chess. All of the states in Malaysia today getting their independence for about 53 years, it is only 10% of independence. We also have the issue about whether 'Malaysia' was colonized or not? This was raised through a statement by a professor in a higher education institution in Malaysia and polemics come too. My lecturer asked me questions too and I am lazy to answer this as I hate to be involved with this political matter, arghh.  

Ustad said, we must learn from history as we learn from mistakes of people who came before us. So, what I would like to say is that, try to reflect this... Whether we learn from what had been told to us about previous nations and people like the 'Aad, the Thamud, the Children of Israel, the Pharaoh who had tortured the children of Israel in Egypt? Or we just know how to curse people without watching our words, our attitude is no better than those people that we curse with our tongue? We must remember our tongue will be our witness in the hereafter. Everything will talk, we have no chance to lie though He knows everything. 

As for example, there is a figure who is a native in Kelantan Sultanate called Tuk Janggut. Kelantan Sultanate now is a state in eastern coast of Malaysia bordering Patani province of Southern Thailand. Tuk Janggut was brutally murdered by British administration in Kelantan. His real name is Hajji Muhammad Hassan bin Munas. He opposed British officer for the tax suddenly imposed on the land while before those officers came, people could live their simple life. 

Now, those who mumbled about Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and other immigrants in Britain as apart of immigration issue think back and don't just talk like a pile of bovine defecates. How do everyone think British behaved when they came to other people land imposing Common Law on people who practices Syariah laws? Wasn't it the same like those 'barbaric' Pakistanis and Bangladeshis who wanted to turn Britain into a Britishstan and trying to turn European women into ghosts in 'dark' hijab or burka jail?

The point is, why British and English 'suddenly' came to other people lands and later trying to seize other people lands if the concept of land is a possession of human by British and European nation-state concept? This question sounds more to Liberal thinking which is the idea that Europeans trying to impose that they are holding this idea. Before that, there was a treaty called the Anglo-Siamese Treaty, where Britain and the Kingdom of Siam had ratified in London in 9th of July 1909 where they had 'exchanged' sultanates of Malay natives without their consent for the Franco-British rivalry. Those countries were with native administrations and civilized even earlier than Europe. And another point is that, if British Isles and Europe in general were so civilized, they should just do business around Europe and Europeans do not have to roam like parasites to Asia, Africa, America, and Australasia plat. I believe if there were internet and immigration in the antiquities perhaps, we would also see many rambles about how these barbaric Europeans had come to other people place and behave so uncivilized. This is how some of European ingrates talk... So, Asia and other continents should also have their own standard of civilization. Don't just nod to people. Human proclaim themselves better than others are arrogant bunch of people. It has nothing to do with the teaching of Christ and a disgrace to the noble 'son' of the God, Jesus Christ. I hate politics but we can't run from it, especially when I have to think about Europe while I am not a European. Even if European nations offered me nationality, I would just say thanks. I don't need it, I love my beautiful state and sultanate although it has no snow, infamous nor having any pine tree.

How was Tuk Janggut being respected after being murdered? His body was hung upside down by British administration authority in 1915 after he died in a battle in a place called Kampong Pupoh. The body was exhibited for a week in order to give lessons to people who go against British. His house was burnt down. Now Britain is a country in EU. EU prohibited death sentence right and human rights. So, was that a civilized act?     

So, as to say, from the act of hanging the dead body of a person who go against imperial rule and exhibiting it to public, there lies the modus operandi of the West. They are trying to scare away people and letting them do anything they want. They would use all sort of chances and opportunities that they have. This is out of the lecture, I had read about late Hassan al-Banna, he was also suddenly being killed through leaders of his country, Egypt. He was just a plain person, he never try to gain any followers but people wanted to follow him. So, was that his fault for threatening others who were afraid their 'idols' or 'comfort' would be taken away from them? 

In 2003, the United States attacked Iraq. I did not agree with the late Saddam Hussein who also had massacred Kurdish minority brothers and sisters but last time wasn't he a puppet of the US? The US didn't actually attacked Iraq, but using Iraqi themselves. This is a global issue, I guess in International Studies many speculations would come up too. I hate to read or to listen all of this, but where should we go? This earth is only one, inhabited by human and other creatures since thousands, millions, whoever knows years ago. There are also pictures of prisoners being tied with wires, tortured, and others according to today's trend. It is to scare people not to go against imperial countries. Why need to dominate others or being so aggressive to maintain power? Only aggressive people are capable to survive? Where is the God? How does the children of Israel survived when they were oppressed by the Egyptian Pharaoh? Were they using force like the West? They don't even have any power nor force instead they had to run crossing the Red Sea to the Land of Cana'an.

In Malaysia, there are also historical events like 13th of May 1969. Last time my colleague when I worked a contract job had threatened Chinese speaker workers with this silly event just because of their jealousy regarding salary. This is what happened when people with SPM (O-Level) being appointed to hold an office and being called as 'officer.' There is MAGERAN (National Movement Council) after the 13th of May event. The five Rukun Negara had been forgotten. Today, people are playing mind perception game.

What is mind perception game? Mind perception game for example, there is a situation where it is close to an exam. Students in exam listened to rumors that there is ghost in the library so everyone do not go to the library to study or getting books for their examination. Weird too that in girl boarding school in Malaysia, we would encounter incidents like hysteria when it is near examination season... hahahahahaha, a classic example.

So, how is it teenagers? How could youngsters gain their maturity? Is it by getting girlfriend, boyfriend? Is it by losing virginity to a silly young man who thinks only with his knucklehead just to indicate that a girl is not a girl anymore? Teenagers should listen to both mainstream and alternative news. Later think and bring them into consideration. For example the constitution like the article 153. A special situation in Malaysia where we are of multiracial community. Before Malayan Peninsula ministering its path toward independence, the British had said that should any chaos or fight happened in the peninsula, they would reconsider again the independence. It shows that Britain were imposing multiculturalism on a new country which were its protectorate kingdoms. But now, we heard that British are also expressing dissatisfaction on those immigrant communities from South Asia with the notion that they are going to turn Britain into a Muslim country, lolll. You can ask people to be multicultural but you are afraid of your own policy. This is what I am trying to figure out in my mini thesis, and you know what, you people are making me dizzy with your inconsistencies. Tobat tak lapaq dah ngaji benda-benda ni semua, buat sakit kepala saja.

Ustad said, certain issue is being played according to certain perception for example by foreigners. So, children consider it. As for the constitution article 153, it states the rights of Malay natives in their states, other natives of non-Malay ethnicity and non-Malay ethnics being guaranteed protection by the Yang Dipertuan Agong. Article 3 (1) subbed under article 153 in the Malaysia constitution states that Islam is an official religion in the Federation of Malaysia but other religions could also been practiced by others in any part of the Federation. When people playing the perception game, they would only take half of the statement and playing it with their own perception. Hence, it is important for everybody to rationally think and not trapped in blind emotion.  

Students now could easily get access on these materials such as constitution and various of history books from book stores. It's not like students have to think a lot but it is enough to equip one selves with some knowledge. Take important notes for daily life. During the time of Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia, there was an urge for human capital where citizen must acquire higher education, and students must be equipped with morality. Say no to war for idols, no to enmity. Respect Allah 'Azza wa Jalla and the noble messenger of Allah, prophet Muhammad s.a.w.    

Lecture was adapted from the program produced by Hasmah Bahari, important points by Ustad Ahmad Shukri, part II. Wishing that it benefits everyone for Allah's pleasure, amin!

Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love, amin!