Malay Muslim - The Disillusioned and the Murtad

Islam stands pure as the only religion with the blessing of ALLAH S.W.T that was brought to us by our Prophet MUHAMAD (PBUH) through the miracle of AL QURAN and the HADIS. Here lies the fountain of wisdom for all sciences and arts, and source of inspiration for every aspect of our lives.

Islam is a religion, and all Muslim are followers of Islam. ISLAM IS BEAUTIFUL RELIGION. IT IS THE CONDUCT OF MUSLIM THAT TEND TO TARNISH THE IMAGE OF ISLAM.

There is no limit in the wisdom of Islam and the Quran. The limitation lies in our capacity to tap them and our unwillingness to apply the values and wisdom in all aspect of our daily lives…... beyond just the Islamic TEXTS (for example reading of YASIN, AL QURAN, etc. and RITUALS (for example pray 5 times a day, etc) .

We were borne with very little abilities but endowed with the capacity to develop many of our abilities, including our ability to learn. Learning becomes effective when one begins to ask QUESTIONS. Other important learning enablers are HOME and the ENVIRONMENT where one is exposed to LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. Learning opportunities differ from home to home and from one environment to another. Thus the quality of the ANSWERS to the questions will also differ. Let’s use this scenario to analyze the issue of the disillusioned and the MURTAD.

We were borne as Muslim with the status of "Islam" being our religion. That status was formalized at the age of 12 when we received our identity cards. No formal "conversion" takes place. We are Muslim simply because our parents were also borne with the same identity. We embraced Islam as soon we learn to read the Quran, recited the DUA KALIMAH SHAHADAH and as we learned and started to pray. The quality of Islam among us differs according to the varying learning factors and exposures mentioned earlier. We were taught to read the Quran and pray five times a day. We learned the RUKUN ISLAM and RUKUN IMAN. We went through basically the texts and rituals of Islam.

I believe most Malays lack the awareness and understanding in the value and practice of Islam beyond the texts and rituals. Islamic teachings encompass guidelines that relates to FAMILY, COMMUNITY, ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, LAW and ORDER, HEALTH, etc. We tend to apply very little ‘Islamic’ in those areas. Which explain why we hear the insinuation that "There are places with many Muslim like Malaysia and Indonesia, but not much Islam", or "Places with not many Muslim like Japan, Germany, Denmark, but so much Islam".

At this point I am tempted to illustrate two interesting examples, one being our Muslim leaders who are dedicated to the text and ritual of Islam, but their responsibility to eradicate the ever increasing corrupt practices in our country become apparently difficult when they are seen to be implicated as well, like money politics, etc.

Another example relates to our religious front. Our mosques are very popular venues especially for Friday prayers and for learning the texts and other rituals. It is not a sanctuary where individuals seek consultation or guidance on Islam. Where do we go to seek guidance when we get disillusioned? If you read those case 'stories' from the MURTAD website, you would want to ‘puke’ at the questions and problems they were facing. The QUESTIONS they have and how they find the ANSWERS. But can those individuals find the answers and the support they needed at our mosque?? I very much doubt it.

Mosque is the most accessible and convenient place for any Muslim to visit. It requires no formality and opens to all, but for years that we had been in and out of the Mosque, we never had any moment when an Imam greet and welcome us. No matter how regular we were, we were just another statistic who comes in and out to perform our prayers. Not that it matters, but the point I am making is the 'impersonal attitude’ of our religious culture. In fact we may even be expected to be ‘reprimanded’ at times when Friday KHUTBAH directed 'scolding' and 'sarcasm' at those in attendance, which were actually meant for the absent 'truants'.

Mosques CAN become natural venues to establish helpdesks for our disillusioned. We have sufficient quantities that we only need to add qualities. There won’t be any need for the government to come up with another bonanza budget to put this helpdesk notion to work. The religious authority need only to provide the major mosques in all states with a network of experts both in coaching skills and the knowledge of Islamic fundamentals to champion each local helpdesk. The next layer will be another network which consist of support groups given the task of any follow up works that may be deemed necessary. The support groups may ideally be volunteers coming from local intellectuals. We are never in short supply of retired local professionals who patronize the mosques within their community. They will make ideal and willing candidates for such voluntary deeds. We need to educate the officials of the mosques regarding the current issues and problems faced by the local Muslim, especially the disillusioned. They need to be trained to be customer friendly in order to assume the role of first contact person to arrange further help that may be required.

We need to draw up the mission, effective strategy, clear objectives and communication in place to drive and guide the members of local helpdesks. When we have young and fragile brothers and sisters needing help, they can call or go to any dedicated local mosque and request for help. The official will arrange the coaching session in an effort to resolve their disillusionment about life....... and ultimately about Islam?

Our religious department officials need to reinvent themselves in the way they project their role and image of Islam to the public.

• They should not be seen as only interested at catching people doing wrong. Instead of projecting their punitive image, a more caring and educating programs would be more welcomed. They should not be too hung up about issue of cosmetics (for example head scarf, dressing, etc.) but engage more in educating the values. It will require more time and patient, but the effect will be lasting and secure.

• Not to be obsessed on the use of deterrents such as the issuance of summon since it was a method adopted from the colonial, and caning is a way of the pagan era. We need to move with time. Education takes time but effective since it will make the person to be self driven.

• Need to formulate strategy to make Islam attractive both to Muslim and the Malaysian public. That Islam is not just about HARAM. It is not about marrying four wives or allows the beating of ‘errant’ wives.

• Muslim scholars need to do less with one way CERAMAH on television or other media. More customized and personalized programs need to be initiated to suit the prevailing problems faced by the disillusioned Muslim. They should stop thinking that one solution fits all. They need to be relevant. They need to walk their talk.

• They should not just react to problem when problem arise. They need to establish the intelligence network on MURTAD cases and tackle the situation early.

Muslim need to work together in spirit and value of Islam, and develop the culture of practice that is educative, sharing, caring and always relevant with time.

Wasalam.

What say you ?