DEC 20 — God, please forgive me for calling some of your disciples stupid.

I really don’t mean to, but they truly are... stupid.

They call you The All Knowing, The Wise and the Merciful, but they act as though you are easily confused, and a vengeful idiot. They go to great lengths to make sure you know who is pious and who is not, never mind that what matters most is one’s intention.

Isn’t that what counts, one’s intent?

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I mean, one can cover oneself from head to toe, frequent the mosque, hold prayer beads, go around giving talks on religion, and also be a hypocrite with corrupt intentions, no? 

The values are not incompatible. Not for creatures called humans anyway.

Unlike you who taught us that only your judgement matters, some of your disciples are role playing as You. They are not concerned about intent as much as what they see on the surface. 

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They scrutinise what we wear, read, admire, who we listen to, when it has nothing to do with them. Those who do not toe their line are openly condemned, humiliated and accused of being a deviant without proof.

They spy, snoop,and will soon be equipped with guns to carry out work, in Your name. 

They have also taken unto them the task of copyrighting symbols, names, and fashions that they consider “Islamic.” It doesn’t matter if these are not theirs to copyright in the first place. If only they travel abroad and broaden their horizon, they will realise for instance that the “hijab”, “salam” are donned and used by Muslims and non-Muslims in the Middle East. 

Their arrogance has reached a level where they even dare dictate to other people what to call their Gods. 

Though they swore that their action was done with the best interest of Islam in mind, but there is nothing “Islamic” about these acts of intolerance and self righteousness.

So would you blame me for thinking that this is state-sponsored blasphemy?

I have vowed to not be cowed by bullies. Unfortunately I am just one person against the government who represents the will, the aspiration and hope of the country, hence my plea to You.

If only they read the Quran, where you have clearly said in 2:225, “He does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths; He holds you responsible for your innermost intentions. He is Forgiving, Forbearing” they would have leaned about intent.

And if they venture further to Quran 33:58, “And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear the crime of slander and plain sin”, they would have left us all alone.

Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, so perhaps you can help us by making them realise just how stupid, idiotic they are all behaving.

There is already so much for us to work on, without such distractions. 

Please, tell them that we only need Your guidance, not theirs.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.