OCTOBER 5 — Since the Malay Mail Online article by Boo Su-Lyn entitled ‘For some Muslims, life in Malaysia is like living under a microscope’ only reflects the views of some Muslims, please let me add another view from a personal perspective.
I believe the article is triggered by the news of Mohd Ezra Mohd Zaid failed to challenge at the Federal Court a Shariah enactment used to seize a book on Islam, or is it not? Then, this particular news led to several Muslims say that Islamic laws should not be used to regulate their personal lives in certain areas, based on a poll with 6 Malaysian-Muslims. Again, I maybe wrong but that is what a human being would.
However, I think I understand the points of the article but not the motive. Just to be clear, my understanding is guided or even misguided by my own interpretation which obviously can differ from other interpretations.
From my understanding, any Muslim or people generally may not feel comfortable when laws are used by a group or individuals to regulate their personal lives in areas like sex, what they eat, what they drink, what they read, or what they do. Of course, anyone is free to do or not do anything, albeit responsibly. Why responsibly? Because although we have free will, consequences are not free from our actions.
Yet, no one among us has the right to impose anything on anyone. The only restriction we have from doing something is within ourselves (i.e. our minds). If Allah let something happen, something definitely can happen. Let’s just hope good things happen to us and not the bad things.
As a reminder, each one of us should know the difference between Shariah in Islam and the so-called “Islamic laws”. To know what is Shariah, one must learn what Allah told us through a number of prophets including the final prophet, Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam (peace be upon him). Since the Prophet is no longer with us, al-Quran and his Sunnah are what left for us. Honestly, how many of us really study the holy book of al-Quran until finish, 114 chapters in all?
Having said that, religious authorities do hold some responsibilities but everyone (yes, everyone) also has a role to play. To be fair, “Islamic laws” which being implemented in our nation is still developing if not stagnant. Clearly, the same cannot be said for extremist organisations led by Western linked agents. Therefore, “Islamic laws” cannot be understood as Shariah if still not at all at par with Shariah.
Don’t get me wrong, anybody could claim anything they think they can but let Allah be the Judge.
Personally, I just worry that despite knowing acts like skipping prayers, not fasting during Ramadan, consuming intoxicants, committing adultery, fornicating, or raping are sins, are no longer considered as bad things. May Allah help us all. — Bernama
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
