Jawapan Professor Al-Attas mengenai penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh bukan Islam

Prof Syed Muhammad Naquib al Attas

On December 13, 2009, during the Worldview of Islam Seminar organized by the Assembly of Muslim Intellectuals or Himpunan Keilmuan Muda (HAKIM), there was a question being posted to Professor Al-Attas regarding the polemical usage of the word "Allah" by the non-Muslims.

Below is the transcript of his brief-but-yet- concise enlightening remarks. As a word of caution, though, one must not only rely on this brief transcript alone to understand the whole spectrum of Prof. Al-Attas' view about this theological matter. Further thorough elucidation of his thought can be found in numerous works of this great Muslim scholar of this age, such as Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam, Islam and Secularism, Islam dalam Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu and A Commentary on Hujjat al-Siddiq of Nur al-Din al-Raniri

Question: The using of kalimah "Allah" by other people in this country Answers by Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas:


Well I have been talking about this long time ago. I remember about this in ISTAC, when we first established ourselves (late 80's and early 90's), I think the Arcbishop of Penang was asking this question. And I have answered that.

And then we had a meeting with the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and about all the representatives of Christianity, including the ministers, we had a meeting at ISTAC.
And I said, "Why you want to use the word 'Allah' for yourself?" They said "we going to pray in Bahasa Malaysia"

That's the way they put it. So my answers to them, "Why you have to change praying into Bahasa Malaysia. You have been praying in English all the time. Why suddenly change into Bahasa Malaysia?"

Ok, so they said they want to change so that it more patriotic. Then in that case I'm saying that "why don't you use Tuhan while praying in Bahasa Malaysia? Because you are talking about God isn't it?…God is not just a name…"Allah" is a name of this Being whom you called God… and in fact a Being whom even higher than what you called to be God"

And then I said, " …and "Allah" is not from Bahasa Malaysia. It is not a national language. It belongs to the language of Muslim all over the world. Therefore your argument using this for the word "Allah" does not fit into your idea of God. Because "Allah" does not have a son, It is not
one of three (Trinity), that is why out of respect to Allah we can't allow you to use this.


But when we Muslim, when we write in English we say God, or when we talk to people we say God but we mean "Allah"…but they cannot say when they speak about God it means "Allah" as they don't mean it.

So in this particular respect, we have to be clear about this, not was-was (hesitate).. .whomever responsible in our governing, they have to be clear about this and to explain to others.

We agree you want to use God, then use Tuhan as we also use that…but we understand in the Malay language that Tuhan is not a translation of Allah..that is why we say "tiada Tuhan melainkan Allah" not "tiada Tuhan melainkan Tuhan". We don't say "there is not God but God"..at least the ulama' among the Muslim Malays, we understand what is the meaning of that
(word "Allah").

So "Allah" cannot be translated as no language has translated Allah. The Arabs themselves they only use that after Islam..although the word existed (before)..the Christians Arab they also did not use Allah (in theological, epistemological and ontological sense in the same manner as the
Muslim)..if they say that it is just a language..they talking about language..because they say "Allah" like the Muslim when they (melatah)…

So it appears they want to do that in order to confuse the Muslim into thinking that all the same..that is why I say one of the problems about religion is the nature of God..about who Allah is..that is why in Arkanul Iman (The Pillars of Faith), the first thing is "amana billah".

"Who is this Allah?" and that need to be explain at higher institution in a proper way… So we have answer the question. It is not proper to allow them using this, since they asking us and there is no point bringing this to court since this is not a matter of court to decide it whether they have the freedom to use it or not. It is up to the Muslims.

But then if they used it and said "in Indonesia they have use it, why can't we?"…but it is because of the Muslims..if Muslims don't care they will go on and use it..and in Indonesia they are using not only that, other things they even call it "choir" as "selawat". Choir is not a "selawat", as "selawat" is for Prophet..it's not singing hymn..

And they also talk about...in Indonesia they are also confuse..Muslims.that is why this thing happen. Sometimes the language when you come across English words like "Prophet of Doom" in Indonesia they said "Nabi celaka". How can there be "Nabi celaka"? What is meant by the "Prophet of Doom" is…even the word Prophet in English does not mean "Nabi" only…it means "yang meramalkan malapetaka"..that what it means…so the "Prophet of Doom" means "yang meramalkan malapetaka", not "Nabi celaka".

They (the Muslims in Indonesia) seem not to bother about this. What we can say is that ultimately well they say "God is not Allah"...well if you want to use the word God, we are saying we also use the word God, we refer to Allah as we know and we are not saying that your God ultimately will not refer to Allah. You can't run away from Allah.

You can only escape Him and so in the Qur'an (surah An-Naas) says: "Qul aAAoothu birabbi annas, Maliki annas, Ilahi annas". He (Allah) is saying " I am the real Ilah (God) of naas (mankind)", although mankind (non-Muslim)does not interpret it that way.

MISCONCEPTION

Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists. This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IR guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith.
Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence. Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes.
One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'. Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world.
Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock.
NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS. The Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190) "If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61)
War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.


Source: Minda Mujahid

In search of God through His creation

None of God's creations go to waste. Everything has a reason, everything has its usefulness, everything has its purpose. Leaving up to all human beings to search for its reasons, usefulness and its wisdom

God laid down the earth and created everything in it not for simply for human beings to live, reproduce and making use of all the wealth He provides. What's important is for us to witness and observe physically His creations. These are the vital and solid proof of His existence and one of the reasons as well, why God created the universe.

Human beings are capable of looking at not only the world of syahadah or physical world but various other worlds as well. World is an indication or signs of God's existence. Everything that God creates is considered as world or alam, anything besides God is world or alam. There are only two existence either God, the Creator or His creations (alam/world). The world exists indicating there is God,the Creator.

Majority of human beings simply look but not really seeing anything. Even though they manage to look at pysical things,they are not able to relate the world with God. Their sight could access only the first level. They are not able to to see or understand the wisdom of God's creations. Their views are somehow overshadowed or restricted, like a beautiful painting, they are engrossed and overwhelmingly praising its beauty and wanting to be its owner but it did not cross their mind to find out who's the painter.

Another similar situation when one is served with good and tasty meal, one feels like eating up the whole serving and it did not cross the mind who's the person capable of cooking the delicious meal.

Human beings, in actual fact are able to see things through:

1. With the normal eye sight
2. With the 'eyes' of the mind - intellectual mind
3. With the 'eyes' of the heart or soul - spiritual mind


Seldom there exists in any individual these three 'visions'. If someone sees the deep and thick forest, what he sees with his eyes are what he would describe, a thick ,lush green forest, a beautiful scenery.
If he sees with his intelectual mind, he would be see the timber and various types of wood which could generate wealth.
If he sees with his spiritual mind, he would be able to see the Greatness and Supremacy of God and all the wisdom associated with the creations of the forest.

Deep in his heart he would sense the Greatness of God. If someone looks at the ocean, physically what he sees is the vast and wide colection of blue water together with the high waves continuously thumping the beach or coastline.
If he looks with his intellectual mind, he would see the fish inside the ocean, ready to be caught for immediate sale to the customers.
If he looks with his spiritual mind, he would see and feel the Supremacy of God and His wisdom in creating the wide and deep ocean where not a single human being would know the various secrets hidden at the base of the ocean. One would then feel how tiny/dwarf he is towards God.

Those looking at the face of the earth, what he would see would be the earth, pebbles, stones and rocks. Those looking with their intellectual minds would be able to see richness of the earth consisting of the oil, gold, diamonds and various types of minerals hidden inside and right into the center of the earth
Those looking with their spiritual minds would be able to see the actions of God the All Mighty who has laid down the earth for all the human beings to live and devote themselves to God. Deep in their heart they would feel how kind and merciful God is. Even so, most human beings are heartless and what they see are the benefits giving them the worldly pleasures, fulfilling their desires.They are inspired by the worldly values attached to each of God's creations.

They are unable to relate God behind each of His creations. The existence of the world is not bringing them to God. They are unable to see and feel with their heart as they are heartless, their soul are dead, unable to function as it should. They are not inspired towards the Hereafter and Heaven. Neither is there fear of Hell and God seems to have no role in their lives.

They could not feel the existence of God and even if they know God exists, it's simply a knowledge, not a belief or faith. Hence, God is not a priority, there is no godly feeling in their hearts and they're unable to feel they are God's servants.





Source: Minda Mujahid

Secularism

Secularism today, the popular practice of the world`s population, has also become a polemic and subject of heated debate between the educated, the academicians and especially so among politicians.
 
In fact,they accuse on another. "They are a secular group". "They have a secular mind". "Their belief is still influenced by secularism"
 
Those accused would counter accuse their accusers of also having secular minds or of being influenced by secularism. They bring forth arguments and reasons complete with lengthy theories, debating using bombastic words and terms beyond comprehension of any layman.
Those with the knowledge and understanding of secularism, especially the intellectuals, when debating the topic of secularism, still fail to explain what secularism means. Their explanations remain hazy and ambiguous even with extensive and lengthy disccussions.
 
There are instances when people who bring forth lengthy arguments and analysis on the meaning of secularism and who label other people as being secular, are themselves clearly seen to be secular, directly or indirectly, whether they realize it or not.
 
In order to understand secularism or non-secularism, it is not sufficient to rely solely on the mind or merely to revert to assumptions. To understand the meaning of secularism or non-secularism, we have to accept that it has a lot to do with how much we understand Islam itself. To confirm whether a person or a group is secular or otherwise is decided by the teachings of Islam or the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). Allah Taala Himself makes the decision.The human mind does not have the privilege to define its meaning.
 
No matter how brilliant one is, one cannot freely on one`s own accord analyze this matter without first referring to what is required by Islam or by the Quran and the Sunnah (Hadith).
 
I, as a Muslim, when faced with this complex situation, and when faced with discussions, debates and polemics on this issue, also feel responsible and called upon to discuss this topic. Although I am not an academician nor an ulama` based on the current meaning of the terms, or based on the belief of certain people that knowledge must come with qualifications or degrees, which I do not possess, whether in academic or religious disciplines, it is still not wrong for me to get involved in debating and discussing this topic or issue. Who knows, although I am an inconspicuous man, I may be able to bring forth the truth on this question of secularism.
 
Even if the intellects or ulamas cannot accept my viewpoint merely because of my standing and I too do not regard myself an expert, but it is also possible that there are people of my standing or of lesser standing than I who can accept it. And owing to the fact that I am not an intellect, surely my analysis will not contain terminologies that are too philosophical and surely the layman can easily understand me.
 
Hopefully, I am assisted and guided by Allah Taala in writing this analysis and hopefully He simplifies the explanation so that all groups of people within the society can comprehend it.
 
The Meaning of Secular or Secularism
I do not have to debate or expound on the meaning of the word "secular" from the historical point of view or who was the first personality to utter the word, or in what period and why this term came about as is not important to us.
 
But what important to us as a principle, (so that we can be guided and are not trapped by secular ideology or secularism,) is the meaning of secularism itself from the Islamic viewpoint. As such, philosophical debates and references to history and personalities are not necessary to be addressed here, for fear that this article will become too lengthy. So we take only what is necessary for us to use as a guide. Hopefully, in our lives, no matter in what field we work and strive, we will not be trapped or be involved in the path of secularism.
 
Now, let us analyze secularism from the Islamic viewpoint. Secularism, in Islam, is to carry out the activities of life in this world whether in the fields of economy, politics, education, administration, culture, communications and so on in complete separation from religion or without any connection whatsoever with the Hereafter; in other words, secularism is a concept that touches purely on worldly matters. It does not have any connection with the Hereafter.
 
Secularism means life on earth will end on earth. If there is profit made, it will only be in this world. If there is loss suffered, it will also be only in this world. If a person is poor, it will only be in this world and if a person is rich, it will also only be in this world. It will not be questioned in the Hereafter. Rewards for good and bad deeds are irrelevant for life exists only in this world and it does not go beyond that.
 
In secularism, the shariah (rule of Allah) is not taken into account. In fact, the shariah has no place in life. In secularism, God does not involve Himself in the lives of man. As such, man can do anything he likes. What is important is profit. What is required is development and progress. The important thing is to gain victory and success no matter how, even if the prohibited (haram) have to be made permissible (halal). Time should not be wasted on deciding between the permissible and the prohibited. The dos and don`ts too are not considered.
 
In secularism, the world is not a bridge to the Hereafter or a farm for the Hereafter. Whatever happens in this world will end in this world. In secularism, there is no reward for good or bad deeds. There is no life in the Hereafter or there is no concern for life in the Hereafter. If there is at all any belief in the Hereafter, it is not taken seriously as though it is not there or it needs to be forgotten. In fact, some secularists dislike the Hereafter. When we mention the "Hereafter", they make a wry face to show disgust. Whoever mentions the Hereafter is considered old-fashioned, backward and non-progressive.
 
Secular Groups
After analyzing and debating the meaning of secularism, we now know that those who are secular belong to many groups. They can be divided into many categories. Among them are as follows:
 
1. The Pure Secularists
The group who do not believe in the existence of God or the Hereafter and who believe that religion is man-made and is opiate to the masses. They believe the universe came to exist naturally and on its own accord. Those who are of this belief are communists, atheists or "free thinkers". These are the pure secularists.
 
2. The Secularists Who Have Been Led Astray
This group comprises of infidels who believe in God, the Hereafter and religion but who do not know God. Their belief of the Hereafter is not accurate. They have been led astray in religion. God is not involved in their worldly lives and their lives are totally separated from religion. These are secularists who have been led astray.
 
3. Muslim Secularists who Believe in the Existence of God.
These are Muslims who believe in the existence and unity of God and their knowledge of God is accurate. They also accurately believe in the Hereafter. Only, their religion is restricted merely to acts of devotions. Due to ignorance, all matters of life like economy, politics, education, the struggle and so on are separated from Islam. The Islamic shariah has no place in their lives except only in acts of devotions. Other than in devotions, they can accept any ideology or ism or whatever is formulated by the human mind. These are secularists because they are unbecoming (fasik).
 
4. Secularists Due to Being Tyranous (Zalim)
These are Muslims who believe as above but are also committed to the fact that Islam is a complete way of life. They believe that Islam is a religion for all aspects of life. Islam is a religion of devotion, a religion of politics, a religion of administration, a religion of economy, and a religion of education. But perhaps out of fear of a certain group of people or because they are not prepared to face any serious consequences or due to some personal interests or out of fear or shame that they will be branded as old-fashioned, they forgo the shariah except in acts of devotion. In other aspects of life, the shariah does not become the rule and discipline. These people become secularists because they are tyrants (zalim) for not placing the truth in its proper place or for misplacing the truth.
 
5. Secularists Who Inadvertently Change Their Intention
Muslims who carry out acts of devotion, the struggle, economy, politics, communications and so on according to the shariah, but not because of Allah Taala as it formally was. Instead, they do it now out of pride and self-conceit and to gain fame, glamour, rank, or money, whether they realize it or not. Because of this, the reward for their good deeds do not reach the Hereafter. These people become secularists because they inadvertently change their intentions.
 
6. Secularists Due to Secular Elements or Who Attach Too Much Importance to the World
This group is more refined than the groups above. These people do everything according to the shariah. But because they attach too much importance to life in the world compared to life in the Hereafter to the extent that they are not prepared to pay the tithes and they become miserly. They do not like to do good and they do not like to help other people. They do not like to give alms. They prefer only to accumulate their wealth and they become greedy. These people become secularists because they do things that contain secular elements or things that are secular in nature or they attach too much importance to the world.
 
That, briefly, is the meaning of secularism from the Islamic viewpoint that I understand. So, secularism gives importance to the worldly. Although some secularists believe in the Hereafter, they do not take it seriously or they purposely forget it and they do not take any heed. This is because their hearts cling and are tied to life in this world. It is even worse if they do not believe in the Hereafter at all. Their lives will only be solely for the world. It is also even worse if they are absolutely worldly oriented or they are truly pure secularists.
 
So we see at this end of time, the majority of the world population are secular, whether they believe that this life will end here on earth and there is no Hereafter or whether they still believe in the Hereafter but at heart and by attitude, they put more importance to life on earth.
 
It is here that a lot of Muslims have fallen into secularism. Even if they do not believe in pure secularism, at least the spray of secularism has attacked Muslims and this is the secret why Muslims cannot unite. The hearts of Muslims have been destroyed by this spray of secularism.
This is my view and opinion. If there is any truth in it, surely it is from Allah Taala , the All Knowing. If there are mistakes and errors, they are due solely to my own weakness and shortcomings, being one who do not have high education.


Source: Minda Mujahid

People can Criticise Rulers

The Malaysian Insider By Shannon Teoh LAMPETER (Wales), May 2 Former Perlis mufti Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin said — Regardless of the state of the monarchy in Malaysia, a society that wants to move forward should shed medieval and feudal traditions, said "Citizens should have the right to criticise the Rulers. In Islam, there is no such thing as any person who is above criticism," he told The Malaysian Insider when asked about the issue of derhaka, or betrayal, that has become a point of contention amongst Muslims in the country.

The issue of derhaka came into prominence in February after Sultan Azlan Shah refused to dissolve the Perak assembly upon the request of the then Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin.

The Sultan of Perak later appointed Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir as mentri besar after installing Barisan Nasional as the state government. Certain quarters, especially BN, have tried to convince the public, especially the Malays, that criticising or disputing the decisions of the Rulers was tantamount to treason.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh, having stated that the Sultan could be sued along with the new BN state government, is now facing a sedition trial.

The maverick Islamic scholar, who has a strong following among young Muslims in Malaysia, said that the idea of being Malay and Muslim should be decoupled and addressed separately.

Speaking at his home in Lampeter, he disagreed with the conventional understanding that Malays have been Islamised but instead that they have "meMelayukan (to influence with Malay) Islam."

Asri, who was mufti for two years before quitting the position to move to Wales last December to research on Islam, was no stranger to controversial statements in his time as mufti. He became an icon for progressive Muslim voices for his stand against the propensity of religious authorities to conduct raids on Muslim couples engaged in khalwat, or close proximity, and has stated that non-Muslims had a right to use the word "Allah".

Asri said that Malays had to stop equating Islam with the Malays.

"If Malays want to defend their rights, go ahead based on Bumiputera rights or whatever. But you cannot say Islam does not defend you because you are Chinese or Indian. Islam was not given just to the Malays.

"Do not in your efforts to defend Malay rights relate it to Islam. Islam was not sent down by God to protect Malays but all of humanity," he explained, saying that such moves in the past had caused non-Malays to be fearful of the religion as it appeared to be intent on removing their culture.

During the interview, Asri expressed his consternation over ideas that have taken root in Malaysia under the guise of Islamic principles.

"Sometimes there are terms which we cannot understand. Daulat (sovereignty) for example. What is the meaning of daulat? Does this mean that if you criticise a Ruler, then you will be cursed by God? This is not in Islam," he said.

Polygamy is the key to a long life?

Want to live a little longer? Get a second wife. New research suggests that men from polygamous cultures outlive those from monogamous ones.

After accounting for socioeconomic differences, men aged over 60 from 140 countries that practice polygamy to varying degrees lived on average 12% longer than men from 49 mostly monogamous nations, says Virpi Lummaa, an ecologist at the University of Sheffield, UK.

Lummaa presented her findings last week at the International Society for Behavioral Ecology’s annual meeting in Ithaca, New York.

Rather than a call to polygamy, the research might solve a long-standing puzzle in human biology: Why do men live so long?

This question only makes sense after asking the same for women, who - unlike nearly all other animals - live long past the menopause.

Enforced monogamy

One answer seems to be a phenomenon called the grandmother effect. For every 10 years a woman survives past the menopause, she gains two additional grandchildren, Lummaa says. It seems that doting on and spoiling grandchildren aids their survival, as well as furthering some of their grandmother’s genes.

Men, by contrast, can reproduce well into their 60s and even 70s and 80s, and most researchers assumed this explained their longevity. But Lummaa and colleague Andy Russell wondered whether other factors explained the long lifespan of men, such as a grandfather effect.

To test this possibility, the team analysed church-gathered records for 25,000 Finns from the 18th and 19th centuries. People tended to move little, no one practiced contraception and the Lutheran Church enforced monogamy.

Only widowed men could remarry, and if they had children with their new wife, they fathered more kids, on average, than men who married once.

But ultimately remarried men "don’t end up with any more grandchildren," Lummaa says. "If anything the presence of a grandfather was associated with decreased survival of grandchildren."

Perhaps, Lummaa adds, the children of the first mother lose out on food and resources that go to the second mother’s kids. "It's kind of the Cinderella effect."

Even fathers with only one wife provided no benefit to their grandchildren, a finding supported by previous research.

Biological selection

With the grandfather effect ruled out, Lummaa and Russell next wondered whether the constraints of human physiology explain male longevity. In the same way that men have nipples that evolved for women to nourish their young, male longevity might be a consequence of biological selection for long-lived women.

To answer this question, the researchers compared the lifespan of men from polygamous countries with those from monogamous nations.

Using data from the World Health Organization, Lummaa and Russell scored 189 countries on a monogamy scale of one to four - totally monogamous to mostly polygamous. They also took into account a country's gross domestic product and average income to minimise the effect of better nutrition and healthcare in monogamous Western nations.

Lummaa stressed that their monogamy score is a crude first stab, and they are working to find multiple ways to assess marriage patterns. The conclusions could evaporate under further analysis, she adds.

If female survival is the main explanation for male longevity, then monogamous and polygamous men would live for about the same length of time. Instead, it seems that fathering more kids with more wives leads to increased male longevity. Men, then, live long because they're fertile well into their grey years.

The explanation could be both social and genetic. Men who continue fathering kids into their 60s and 70s could take better care for their bodies because they have mouths to feed. But evolutionary forces acting over thousands of years could also select for longer-lived men in polygamous cultures.

"It's a valid hypothesis and good prediction," says Chris Wilson, an evolutionary anthropologist at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, who attended the talk. But the care and attention of several wives who depend on the social status of their ageing husband could explain everything. "It doesn't surprise me that men in those societies live longer than men in monogamous societies, where they become widowed and have nobody to care for them."

Source:http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14564

Why non Muslim cannot use the word Allah.

It is something to ponder. I have to admit that I may not agree with TG Nik Aziz on this matter but then again, I am not well-versed on this. I still have doubts on the real agenda of the christians in Malaysia to pursue the usage of Allah as it is the main thing about their religion. Why don't they use Allah in all the Bibles?There will be confusions as God in christian is about trinity....the god, the son and the holy ghost. Why non Muslims cannot use the word Allah. Dr Khalif Muammar 1-There is no nas qat’i (conclusive/definitive evidence) from the Qur’an and the Sunnah on this matter. All the evidences put forward by those who permit it, do not show that it is permissible for non Muslim to use the word Allah. Since there is no conclusive evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, this matter falls under zanniyyat, something which is based on human discretion. Muslim scholars need to base their argument on historical, epistemological, theological and semantic analysis. There will be right and wrong opinions depend on who has the strong argument. Definitely wisdom and in-depth analysis must be stressed, and not just literal interpretation. Although there is no conclusive evidence this does not mean that we cannot reach certainty in dealing with this issue. In this short but compact paper I will provide conclusive arguments which will demonstrate that non Muslim should not be permitted to use the word Allah in any ways to refer to their God even in their publication for their own community. As long as they live in Muslim country they have to respect their Muslim neighbors. 2-The fact is that the word Allah even though it was used before Islam, it has been Islamized, the meaning of it is no longer the same as before. By permitting non Muslim to use it we actually doing deislamization. We are reverting the course which was done by our Prophet. Hence, we will be responsible for making more Muslim become confused. Professor Wan Mohd Nor says the context of Arabs and the Malay world is different, non Muslim in our land especially did not use the word Allah before this, there is no such word in their language before, in the original work they called it Yahweh, why not they call tuhan Yahweh. Therefore, it is evident that this issue is brought to confuse the Muslims. They wanted Allah become the name of other gods as well. The fact is that our God is not the same as the god of Christianity, their god can have son, it is a humanized god. 3. We cannot equate God with Allah. Because the word God is generic and the word Allah is a proper name. Therefore when we say la ilaha illallah it is not there is no god but God, this does not make sense, rather it means there is no god but Allah. When we analyze the use of Allah in the Qur’an there are two forms: general and specific. The verse in surah al-Tawbah: 30 only tells that Christians say messiah is the son of God or Jews say that Uzayr is the son of God. Other oft-quoted verse regarding this issue is..”if indeed thou ask them who it is that created the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, “Allah.”(al-Zumar, 39:38). Here the word Allah cannot mean the true God because they don’t know who Allah is simply because no prophet was sent to them. Therefore, the use of Allah here is to mean God in general. Therefore there are two usages of Allah in the Qur’an, the general one and the specific one. The spesific use such as that “verily the religion before Allah is Islam” (innaddina indallahi al-Islam), (Ali Imran: 19). Allah here is not just god but the true God. 4-The spirit behind this issue is religious pluralism. They are saying that Muslim God is the same as God in other religion. They wanted to convey that we, Christians and Muslims, have the same God. This is against Islamic creed. Our Aqidah tells us that other god is not the true God (La ilaha ghayruh). When we renounce religious pluralism, it does not mean that we also reject religious tolerance and religious diversity. In fact Muslims are the one who introduce these concept to the world. The charter of Madinah is the conclusive evidence on this. 5-Prof. Wan Mohd Nor also said there is limit of meaning for each word we use, the word wahyu is not the same as revelation, we cannot say that I receive wahyu, but you can say that in English. “I got revelation last night”. Obviously they don’t differentiate between wahyu and ilham (intuition). Every word that has been Islamized is understood in the framework of Islamic worldview. Words such as Allah, masjid, salat, wahyu, rasul, ulama, are some words that cannot be used by other religious community and vise versa. Therefore we cannot call our ulama as paderi and masjid to become temple. In masjid you don’t just ask from God, and you don’t worship idol in it. So what we do in a masjid is substantially different from what they do in their holy place. The main reason that you came to masjid is to submit yourself, to obey Him. Therefore, sujud (prostation) is a symbol of submission, this is what sujud means of which the name masjid is derived from. 6-God before Islam is not only Allah, there is a lot of god during the jahiliyyah period. Allah was a general word. The specific names for their god are al-lata, al-uzza, al-manat etc. when Islam came it give new meaning to Allah. Islam did not introduce new word so that it will be easier to teach people about God. The word Allah before Islam is no longer the same compared to the one used after Islam has been established in the Arab country. Allah became the proper name and official name of the true God. Like the word Islam, literally it is submission but it become the official name of a religion. Non Muslim may acknowledge that God is the Creator, this is in the Rububiyyah level, but they deny the Uluhiyyah part when they commit shirk and believe in polytheism. A Muslim is the one who submit to Allah in the level of Uluhiyyah. At this level Muslims believe only Allah is the true God. They only follow His guidance. 7. If Muslims in other country permit non Muslim to use the word Allah it is a mistake. Muslims in these countries usually do not have the power to stop it. In Indonesia, liberalization of Islam and secularization of Muslim community has long been in place. We in Malaysia are lucky to have a government that takes this matter seriously. Therefore, we must strive hard to prevent the use of Allah by other religious community. And the non Muslim community must understand it is not a quarrel for the sake of a name, but it is about the protection of the Islamic Creed (Aqidah), and this has nothing to do with religious tolerance or intolerance. This is about respecting other religion. Malaysian Government and its subsidiaries are put on pressure if they do not allow the use of Allah by the Christians. The government will be accused of violating freedom of expression. Evidently, freedom of expression become the highest principle, above all considerations including religious and the interests of the people. The question is do we have to submit to the liberal values propagated by the West? As an independent and sovereign state, we should disregard what others will say if we can prove academically that what we do is the best for our community. As Muslims we should base our values on our religion, why should we let the West dictates their values on us. Certainly they are not superior in matters such as values, ethics and morality. Even if they do, we have the right to have our own values, our own identity. Posted by fudzail

Open Letter to Barack Hussein Obama President-elect of the United States - From Dr Mahathir Muhammad

Dear Mr. President, I did not vote for you in the Presidential Election because I am Malaysian. But I consider myself one of your constituents because what you do or say will affect me and my country as well. I welcome your promise to change. Certainly your country, the United States of America need a lot of changes. That is because America and Americans have become the best hated people in the world. Even Europeans dislike your arrogance. Yet you were once admired and liked because you freed a lot of countries from conquest and subjugation. It is the custom on New Year's day for people to make resolutions. You must have listed your good resolutions already. But may I politely suggest that you also resolve to do the following in pursuit of Change. 1) Stop killing people. The United States is too fond of killing people in order to achieve its objectives. You call it war, but today's wars are not about professional soldiers fighting and killing each other. It is about killing people, ordinary innocent people by the hundreds of thousands. Whole countries will be devastated. War is primitive, the cavemen's way of dealing with a problem. Stop your arms build up and your planning for future wars. 2) Stop indiscriminate support of Israeli killers with your money and your weapons. The planes and the bombs killing the people of Gaza are from you. 3) Stop applying sanctions against countries which cannot do the same against you. In Iraq your sanctions killed 500,000 children through depriving them of medicine and food. Others were born deformed. What have you achieved with this cruelty? Nothing except the hatred of the victims and right-thinking people. 4) Stop your scientists and researchers from inventing new and more diabolical weapons to kill more people more efficiently. 5) Stop your arms manufacturers from producing them. Stop your sales of arms to the world. It is blood money that you earn. It is un-Christian. 6) Stop trying to democratize all the countries of the world. Democracy may work for the United States but it does not always work for other countries. Don't kill people because they are not democratic. Your crusade to democratize countries has killed more people than the authoritarian Governments which you overthrew. And you have not succeeded anyway. 7) Stop the casinos which you call financial institutions. Stop hedge funds, derivatives and currency trading. Stop banks from lending non-existent money by the billions. Regulate and supervise your banks. Jail the miscreants who made profits from abusing the system. 8) Sign the Kyoto Protocol and other international agreements. 9) Show respect for the United Nations. I have many other resolutions for change which I think you should consider and undertake. But I think you have enough on your plate for this 2009th year of the Christian Era. If you can do only a few of what I suggest you will be remembered by the world as a great leader. Then the United States will again be the most admired nation. Your embassies will be able to take down the high fences and razor-wire coils that surround them. May I wish you a Happy New Year and a great Presidency. Yours Sincerely, Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (Former Prime Minister of Malaysia) 1st January 2009 3.59am

Truely: Most people abroad will view Bush as a war criminal

David Edwards and Muriel Kane

Published: Tuesday January 20, 2009

http://musliminsuffer.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/turley-most-people-abroad-will-view-bush-as-a-war-criminal/

Barack Obama has now been inaugurated as president, and the fear expressed by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday night that George Bush might issue last-minute pardons of administration officials involved in torture,possibly including himself, has not come to pass.However,the torture issue itself is not going to go away so easily. As Maddow
also noted, “The calls for a reckoning are growing by the day — and not
just from progressives outside the government.”

“Do you think that Obama and his team realized how hot an issue this would
become and would stay?” Maddow asked Constitutional law professor
Jonathan Turley.

“I don’t think so,” Turley replied. “I don’t think the people in that building thought
it,” he added, pointing to the Capitol. “I mean, that building is where
principles go to die. And they haven’t, because there’s been this
groundswell of people saying, ‘Look, you might be able to get away with
an electronic surveillance program and say that’s just a crime we’re
not going to allow to be prosecuted, but these are war crimes., these
are a special category.’”

“I think that the new Barack Obama, the President Obama, is going to find
it very hard to go round the world and to say that we’re now again the
nation of rules of law,” Turley suggested, “if the first act he commits
as president is to walk away from a confirmed war crime.”

“Are we literally looking at a possibility,” Maddow asked, “where
administration officials from this [previous] administration cannot
travel abroad to the other 145 countries that have signed the torture
treaty because they might get arrested?”

“Most certainly,” Turley replied. “The status of George Bush is not that
different from Augusto Pinochet. They’ve both been accused of running a
torture program. And outside this country, there’s not this ambiguity
about what to do with a war crime. … Most people abroad are going to
view you not as former President George Bush, they’re going to view you
as a current war criminal.”

“And they’re going to view us as an outlaw regime for not arresting him on our own soil,” Maddow remarked.

“I think so, unfortunately,” Turley agreed. “A lot’s at stake.”

This video is from MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, broadcast Jan. 19, 2009.

Download video via RawReplay.com

http://musliminsuffer.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/turley-most-people-abroad-will-view-bush-as-a-war-criminal/

source:
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Turley_Traveling_abroad_Bush_could_be_0120.html

THE SOCIETY LONGED BY MANKIND

What kind of society do we want? or in other words, what is the pattern of that society as required by God, that once existed in history and which we are now struggling to reestablish?

The need to re-establish Islam way of Life

In that society, surely everybody will be satisfied, feels calm and serene, peaceful and full of tranquility, safe and full of salvation, happy and contented, feel loved and cared for and are in harmony. In the society we want and that which God requires, the leaders are just, protecting and loving, gentle and of good character. The educated are humble and full of self-humiliation. Everybody who mixes with them feels at ease and satisfied. The rich and wealthy are not arrogant, not exhibitive and are not proud. They become banks for the society or the nation. Furthermore the poor and the destitute get support from them. They are loved and they give out love. There is no one who hates them except those who are spiteful and envious. In the society that we are waiting for, the pious or the scholars are like torches who light up each person’s life towards the path accepted by God. They are compassionate towards the ignorant and are always guiding and teaching them. They are gentle to other men. Their love and compassion is obvious. Just seeing their faces, reminds one of God. They are very much loved. Men turn to them for support and advice. In the society we are waiting for, the patience of the poor is clearly visible. They do not go around begging, let alone deceive. They are not in anxiety but instead, are calm and pacifying. Others do not realise the fact that they are poor and destitute, while, in fact they have nothing to their names, for they never beg or cause any inconvenience to people. In the society we are waiting for, the aged are respected because their charisma is high and preserved. The older they get, the closer they are to God. Their words are like pearls, always disseminating knowledge to people. As they get older, the more they are loved. They are not neglected, what more by their children and grandchildren. Besides that, in the society that we want, its youth are of honorable character and their shyness is plain to see especially among the girls and women. There is no useless free mixing of the sexes, they are diligent at work and they actively struggle to uphold the rule of God. They do not waste time seeking enjoyment. Their time is filled with all things good and useful. They strongly protect the good name and dignity of religion, race and nation. They are like fences and fortresses. Further than that, in the society that we long for, no disobedience and vices occur in the open. Crime does not exist. If any at all, it happens only once in a while, for all men feel the fear of God and truly love the Hereafter.

This should not happen in Muslim society

Articles left or lost will surely be found or returned.Womenfolk who walk alone, will not be harassed and molested. Her safety and dignity is guarded together, as though she is a member of the family even though she is not known by anyone. In such a society, neighbours respect each other, take care of each other, oversee each other, exchange gifts, help and assist each other and visit each other especially when one falls ill. Each is concerned with the other and when a neighbour is in difficulty, there will always be others who will assist him and care for him. It follows that in the society that we are looking for, people who commit wrongdoing readily ask for forgiveness and the wronged readily forgives although forgiveness is not solicited. Revenge and vendetta do not exist, envy and grudge do not happen and killing do not occur. Consideration for other people is a way of life. The world is not a source of strife and avenues for quarrels and disputes are non existent. The whole world is full of love and care and harmony. In this society longed by mankind, those who are in difficulty, the poor and those facing mishaps will not be left unassisted. People will rush to help and give aid to them. Those who are poor and in difficulty really feel assisted. Although outwardly they appear to be poor but the truth is that they are not troubled because everyone is concerned about them.

Road demonstration would not happen in true Muslim Society. In fact, those who are poor live better than those who are from the middle class. In the society that we want, anywhere we go and anywhere we travel to, it is easy for us to be received as guests. People rush to receive us and every form of assistance is offered all along the way. If we run out of supplies, there are always people who will give assistance and help. If we are lost, there are always people who will show us the way. In our journeys, we will never feel alone as there will always be new friends and acquaintances made.Also in the society that we want, (the signs of God ), the greatness of God and His (symbols) are seen everywhere.

Islamic Financial System to overide Western system. Wherever we go, we will see people carrying out acts of subservience, handsomely attired to cover the body in accordance to the rules and codes, giving and answering the “salam/peace greetings”, reciting the Quran, learning religion, being well mannered, with noble culture, helping one another, who are tolerant, who give priority to others, who love to treat, to entertain and to receive guests and who give and assist. Further, in the society that we desire, the scholars, leaders, teachers, parents, and the aged are respected and cherished, children are loved, husbands and wives are loving to one another, the poor are given aid and sympathy, friends are loyal, treachery does not exist, trust is upheld, responsibility is carried out, promises are kept and debility is accepted and forgiven. And still further, in the society, wherever we go, we will not see people loitering around wasting their time, no one will be out of work or are unemployed, and no one will be seen reveling without any purpose. Everyone is involved doing good and beneficial work either for his God or for his fellowmen. In the society that we want, people are busy with development, active in making advancement, but without any accompanying transgression. Demonstration is not Islamic teaching. There is no corruption, no deceit, no oppression and no neglect. There is no transgression of the (rules of God). The more the people are developed and advanced, the more humble, generous and thankful they become and the more they fear God. Hence, physical advancement and spiritual advancement goes hand in hand. There is simultaneous movement in the physical and spiritual development. The world and the Hereafter are developed together. What we then have is an advanced civilization and magnificent development that no longer symbolizes the arrogance of man but the supremacy of God, the greatness of the Creator, the power of the Creator, and the symbols of His power, and the abundance of His pleasures and blessings. The effect is that non-Muslims or if there still exist, the minority of Muslims whose hearts are still wicked, they will be ashamed to commit any evil deeds. They feel guilty to commit any wrongdoing. Although they are not necessarily ashamed to their God, but they are ashamed to other men and they feel they should not be committing wrong. This indirectly helps to maintain peace and serenity in the society. Blessed by the fact that the majority of the people are good, coupled by the fact that they love and care for their leaders, the sholars and the rich among them

Sincere Pious Scholars can help to re establish true Muslim Society

They feel there will be no more people who will cheat, steal their property, commit treachery, taking opportunity, doing things for their self-interest, who rob, kidnap, rape, sabotage and the like. There will evolve a kind of life that God pictured in the Quran, which means

“A nation that is peaceful, prosperous and blessed with the forgiveness of God.”

The society that we picture above is the society that we long for, that we are working and struggling for and that which we dream will one day materialize in the reality of our lives. We hope it will happen in this early part of the Hegira century for God has promised that in the early part of this century, Islam will return resplendent as it was in its early years. Let us together await while we struggle for this beautiful and resplendent era. Let us hope that God grants us a sufficiently long life, so that we can witness this golden age and let us also hope it happens due to our efforts and our struggle. We hope God will not let us down. Oh God grant us this hope.

Source: Abuya Sheikh Ashaari Muhammad CEO Ikhwan Global Sdn Bhd

SACRIFICING THE FEELING IS CONSIDERED JIHAD

Human beings are creatures with emotions. When we mention emotions, these are feelings that are based in the spiritual heart and are trapped in the physical heart. These emotions include love, hate, disgust, sympathy, anger, vengefulness, yearning, shame, pride, arrogance, fear, guilt and indecisiveness. Emotions are part of the natural instinct or habits of human beings, are not easy to guide, discipline or manage because there are the positive and negative. The positive have to let free, while the negative have to be reined in. Letting go of the positive is a sacrifice, as is the reining in of the negative. Sacrificing emotions is considered a type of struggle or jihad, which is spiritual jihad. In fact it is even greater than the sacrifice of physical things such as energy, wealth and even life. Sacrifice of the physical will not happen unless one starts with sacrificing the spiritual. It is from the spiritual that the physical can occur. If one cannot even sacrifice the spiritual, then they would definitely not be able to sacrifice the physical. Truth be told, sacrifice the physical is but implementation of spiritual sacrifice. In other words, sacrificing the physical is the result of the spiritual sacrifice, which is sacrificing emotions. In needs to be remembered that in order to obtain Allah Taala’s acceptance (keredhaan) sacrifices have to be made. Without sacrifice, there is no acceptance. Without sacrifice, it is all but fanciful daydreams and nonsense. Without sacrifice, there would be no success in this world or the next. Sacrificing emotions is very difficult to do. It hurts a great deal and the burden of its challenge bears heavily. Here I present a few examples: - We love our husband. We love that he would just stay at home taking care of us. Would it be easy for us to sacrifice our love so that he would be able to go out and continue on his responsibility to struggle for God, until he has to leave the home for quite some time. - We love our husband. Would it be easy to sacrifice our love so that it may be shared with others by allowing our husband to marry another. So that our husband can share his love with others. - We are angry with someone. Can we sacrifice our anger until we are able to forgive or ask for forgiveness from that person? Willing to forgive or ask for forgiveness means that we are able to sacrifice our ego or pride. - We love our wealth and property. We can sacrifice our love for what we own by using it for Allah. That feeling would definitely torment us. Sometimes we yearn to rest. We want to take it easy and just let our body rest a moment. Suddenly a guest or neighbour arrives who needs our help. Would we able to sacrifice our desire to rest by inviting our guest in respectfully or going to help out our neighbour in need? We are constantly being tested in all sorts of ways, such as being poor, as well as suffering from accidents and natural disasters. Of course our heart would be trouble, for that would be our feelings at the time. If we cannot control or sacrifice our feelings, then of course we would be overcome with worry and distress. Our thoughts will be in so much of a mess that everything else in our lives will also be duly affected. Other people will also suffer in the process. But the problem itself is not solved, but may in fact lead to the forming of other problems. But if we can sacrifice this feeling of worry, then peace will come upon us. Our thoughts will become stable. Anything else that we need to do will not be affected. Others will not suffer either. In fact, by sacrificing these feelings will gain the sympathy and kindness of others. If we are rich or knowledgeable or of a high status and powerful, naturally the feelings that we have will flourish. We will start to feel proud and arrogant. If we are unable to sacrifice these feelings, other people will get offended. Many will be suffer. Of course there will be other side effects, such as the inciting of hatred and trouble for the community. Then maybe there are those who hold grudges and cause trouble for the person. In the end both parties are become unsafe and suffer the consequences. But if the previously mentioned rich or powerful person had been able to sacrifice those negative emotions, the side effects would be good. The people would love and respect them, and give them their hearts. So everyone would benefit, gaining love and harmony. This is the advantage of sacrificing emotions. Due to this, sacrificing feelings is the secret of all good things. It is from sacrificing such emotions that love, patience, sympathy, protectiveness, helpfulness, togetherness, tolerance and acceptance will arise. So, the sacrifice of emotions is a form of jihad, for here the nafs have to be battled against. Fighting nafs is greater than jihad on a battlefield. Hence, the sacrifice of emotions is vital. If one is not willing to sacrifice their feelings, then they will never gain patience, let alone acceptance. If one is unable to sacrifice their emotions, they will be constantly angry and unwilling to compromise. It is this inability to sacrifice feelings that people are unable to help others, sympathise, unite and be harmonious. So, the sacrifice of feelings is extremely important in the community lives between people. So, constantly ask Allah for His hidayah and taufik so that we are able to sacrifice our feelings, so that all that we have will be able to be sacrificed for God.

Writer: Sheikh As Shaari Muhammad

CEO Ikhwan Global Sdn bhd

The Great Tudung Debate : A Response to Raja Petra's Article

By Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

This writing is a response to Raja Petra Kamaruddin about muslim women's aurat in his popular blog ( Malaysia today). Source

RAJA PETRA's FRIEND WROTE :

In the article there was a sentence stating: "Apparently, the tudung was 'decreed' for only the Prophet's wives and not for all women..." So I've have looked into the Quran and found some things.

1) "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." Surah Al-Ahzab (33), verse 59.

Comment : Firstly, see the words 'so that they may be recognised and not annoyed'. This means at least the face must be visible. It is wrong to say that other women at that time (non Muslim Arabs, Jews, Christians) did not wear the tudung. The truth is that the Jewish and Christian women wore far more conservative tudung than the Muslim women.

Covering the body is also required of men and women in the desert. It has nothing to do with any religion. So when the verse says 'so that they may be recognised' it actually means the women should not cover their face or head in such a way that the people cannot differentiate them from other Christian and Jewish women who also wear tudung and veils. This means there is no such thing as a tudung to cover your head and face.

The verse 33:59 says the following in Arabic:

Ya ayyuhan nabi : O you prophet

qul li-azwajika wabanaatika : tell your wives, your daughters

wa nisaa i mu'mineena : and the believing women

yudneena : to lengthen

Alayhinna : over them

min jalabeebihinna : from their garments/cloaks.

There is absolutely NO mention of head or hair or face in this verse. There is no reference to tudung. The reference is to lengthen your garments over your body.. This means women must dress decently.

UZAR'S COMMENT

Unfortunately, you have misinterpret the verse and understanding it out of its context, i assumed that's because you are not examining the whole structure of the verse.

In reality, as a servant of Allah SWT and the follower of Rasulullah SAW, we are taught to always come back to Al-Quran and Al-Hadith to obtain assurance about the permissibility of a matter. Regarding this, Allah SWT said:-

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as a free respectable MUSLIM women) so as not to be molested. "(Al-Ahzab: 59)

It is agreed unanimously by ulama that every verse that is revealed to our prophet Muhammad s.a.w is also intended to Muslim except defined otherwise by our Prophet either in his hadis or by other quranic verses. For example: our prophet has more than four wives at a time, it is called "Khususiyat anbiya" which we are not allowed to follow due to Allah's will and many other logical reasons.

Therefore, in this case, covering aurat including head, hair, neck and chest is strongly commanded not only for prophet's wives but also to all muslim women. It is not just an Arab's custom due to the sandy desert, but it is indeed a religious commandment. It is also very obvious stated in the above verse where it is mentioned :

وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Meaning : "the women of the believers"

Therefore whoever claims they are muslim, they are obliged to uphold and stick to the decree in the verse.

Jilbab is a dress (of similar width to ‘baju kurung') worn by women to cover their bodies. Syeikh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi explained that when some women during the Jahiliah period left their houses, they loved to display some parts of their beauty such as the chest, neck and hair until they were being harassed by those wicked men who like to commit zina.

Then, the above verse was revealed commanding the Muslim women to EXTEND (and not only) their jilbab so that the parts that could lead to fitnah will be covered. In this way, they would be identified as women who are protected (‘afifah) and a true MUSLIM WOMEN. As a consequence, they would not be molested.

The above verse elucidates that covering the aurat is an emblem of a Muslim. Allah SWT also said:

وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ

"And anyone who honours the symbols set up by God [shall know that] verily, these [symbols derive their value] from the God-consciousness in the [believers'] hearts " ( Al-Haj : 32 )

Therefore, the main reason (‘illah) for the above ruling is to prevent Muslim women from being molested by wicked men. Attires that display women's beauty or women walking and talking in a seducing manner could arouse a man's sexual desire. Such behavior is an indirect invitation to the male for teasing and molestation. (Adapted from kitab Al-Halal wal Haram fil Islam with slight modification)

It's also WRONG to say that "so that they may be recognised and not annoyed' mean face must be visible in order to be recognized.

Firstly : Is it acceptable to say that we can only recognised a women by looking at her face? Of course not, we can easily recognized them by many other ways, either by listening to her voice or many other things besides her face.

Secondly : Most of the Jahiliyyah womens are not wearing tudung at all and some of them wearing improper veils.( Refer Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 3/285). It is also stated clearly in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

"Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: (1) people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people (unjust rulers); (2) the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make others incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance" (Narrated by Muslim, Sohih).

The JAHILIYYAH womens are said to wear attire but is still naked because they do have cloth on their body but it does not cover the aurat because it is transparent and exposes their skin; like the wearing of many women today. (Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam, Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi)

‘Bukhtun' in the hadith is a type of camel that has a big hump. Women's hair looks like the hump of a camel when it is pulled and tangled over their head. This shows that Jahiliyyah womens are not covering their head and hair. As for Christian and jews womens who you said wore tudung also at the time of prophet Muhammad s.a.w, you have to provide evidences on that. Besides, do you sure how Christian women exact attire in Mekkah and medina at that time?, Jewish people are too small to take into account and yet we don't know what are their tudung types.

Some people trying to support their thought by presenting Jewish and christian veil's pictures which are adapted from wikipedia and other unknown sources. Show us the absolute verse in Injil and Taurat which defines the Jewish and Christian's veil, without it, your pictures are insufficient, useless and unreliable at all. Again, show me the Injil and Taurah oringinal verse.

Even if you are able to do so, whatever types of their tudung, muslim womens also has an obligatory to perform, and that is to wear veil with certain standards and conditions and it is a religious commandment.. Other than that if Christian and Jewish tudung are alike muslim women tudung, so what is the problem ?. We have to realize that the original faith of An-Nasara and Al-Yahud (before it's being modified as it is today) are also divine in the sense that it comes from The Almighty Allah via Prophet Jesus and Moses a.s. to the people of book (Al-Kitab). Therefore, similarities in some aspects can be realized.

However in reality, could you point to us how many Christian and Jews wearing veils in public? It is learnt that the Christian woman is to cover her head whenever she is praying, whether it be at the church service or just personal prayer at home. This may mean that if she is not praying at home, she is uncovered around male guests who are not related to her; or if she is praying at home, that she is covered around her own husband and family. In conclusion, if Chritian wome only wears veil while praying, so there is nothing significant to highlight this similarity issue. The original point here is that word 'to be recognized' in the verse has been translated wrongly by Raja Petra and his friends.

RAJA PETRA'S FRIEND WROTE :

2) "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed." Surah An-Nur (24), verse 31.

Raja Petra Comment : Again there is no mention of head (ru'usa) in this verse or face (wujuh/wajh). Please note the words 'draw their veils over the bosoms'. The arabic is as follows:

walyadribna : and strike / cover

bi khumurihinna : with their outer garments

Ala : over / upon

juyoobihinna : their bosoms / breasts

Women are told to cover their chests/bosoms/breasts. That is all. This tallies with the earlier verse 33:59 above where the women are told to lengthen their clothes/garments. There is absolutely no mention of head (ru'usa), face (wujuh) or hair.

UZAR'S COMMENT FOR NUMBER 1 & 2 :

Almighty Allah has said :-

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ

Meaning : And tell the believing women to lower their veil and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof..

So you look Pete or (your friend), why are you or he only focusing on some words of the verse and didn't give proper attention to the others. You have translated ‘Al-Khumur' wrongly, as that because of your harfiah (word by word)translation and harfiah understanding also, that kind of translation cannot help you in understanding the word correctly. The "al-Khumur" word will provide you the answer on your own created question and false assumption which you said : "There is absolutely NO mention of head or hair".

The true meaning of khumur (veil) is anything that is used to cover the head. Meanwhile ‘juyub' (the plural form of jaibun) is the curvature of the breast that is not covered with cloth. Therefore every woman must cover not only their head but also their chest including their neck and ears and all other parts that may lure a male.

In order to understand Quranic text correctly, he/she must comprehend and find the exact usage of terminologies and words in Arabic language. A person should also know how a term or word is being used in the Arabic community because Quran is using Arabic language. Therefore it is good to have knowledge on conservative Arab's (especially at the time of prophet s.a.w) way of life before he/she can get the true intended meaning; For this reason, we must refer to the tafseer book by great Muslim scholars to avoid ourselves from false impression.

That's also why it's better for those who wish to learn Islam in depth to pay a visit to Arabic countries in order to get some feels and get used to the usage of certain word by contemporary Arabs, it can give you some more clue in order to understand Arabic language in the Quran.

When Allah swt said "Khumurihinna" , so we must know, in a standard Arabic language what does it mean by "khumur", so the answer is veil which cover their head, hair, ear etc and then, when a person said "khumur" in front of knowledgable arab person, what he will understand?. Of course, it s a veil also. This fact has been told by many great classic Muslim scholar like Imam At-Tabarii ( died 301 H) in his famous tafseer book Jami al-Bayan and also Imam Ibn Katheer . (Tafsir At-Tabari, 18/120 ; Tafsir AL-Quran Al-'Azim, 3/285))

Besides the khumur which is a veil which covers the women head, and juyub which covers womens' neck, breast and chest, the verse also stressing on :-

وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ

Meaning : that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof"..

Do you understand what ‘beauty and ornaments' means in this verse?

According to Syeikh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi, the adornment mentioned in the above verse refers to anything that is worn to beautify oneself; either natural beauty like face, hair and body; or manmade beautification like dress, embellishment, make-up and others.

In the above verse, Allah commanded women to conceal the adornment without any exemption. However, the exemption was "what is apparent". The scholars therefore have differences in opinion about the meaning and extent of "what is apparent" but all of them agreed unanimously that hair and head are included.

That is due to the following hadith :-

Saidatina Aisyah r.a narrated that her sister Asma' binti Abu Bakar entered the house of the Prophet s.a.w wearing attire made of transparent material that showed her skin. The Prophet s.a.w turned away from her and said:

"Hai Asma'! Verily when a woman has achieved puberty, she should not reveal her body except for this and this - showing the face and the palms (hands)." (Narrated by Abu Daud)

Although there is a discussion about narrators of this hadith, it is strengthen by many other hadith that allows revealing of the face and the palms if it does not bring any harm (fitnah). (Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam)

This hadis also supporting the fact that women head and hair are ‘aurat and must be covered by muslim womens, only the face and palm or hand can be seen by the public.

Yes, there is discussion on what is the meaning of "what is apparent" which ALLOWED TO BE SEEN but it is not about hair, neck and head. Ibnu Abbas r.a, one of the great companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) interpreted "what is apparent" is eyeliner and ring. Anas Bin Malik r.a is also of the same opinion.

Therefore, the body parts where the eyeliner and the ring are worn (i.e. the face and the palms) would also be considered as apparent. This also the opinon of the Tabien like Said bin Jubair, 'Atha', Auza'i and others.

However, Ummul Mukminin Aisyah r.a, Qatadah and a few others considered bracelet as something apparent. Therefore, the wrist (place of wearing a bracelet) is also considered as apparent if it does not cause any harm (fitnah). Regarding the limit from the wrist to the elbow, it is still under discussion among the scholars; therefore it is better to cover parts between the wrist and the elbow.

RAJA PETRA'S FRIEND SAID

3) In order to interpret the Quran, we have to go to people who have knowledge about it. In what circumstance the verse was revealed, etc. But not just any scholar who says that they know.

Comment : We DO NOT interpret the Quran.. May I suggest something much simpler? Why not we just read it? If we look at the Quran in its arabic and then look at the translated words just a little carefully, we will understand it. You DONT EVEN have to know Arabic. For example the arabic word for HEAD (kepala) is NEVER mentioned in any of the verses quoted above. Neither are the arabic words for face and hair. So how do the translators include head, face and hair? Someone must explain this.

UZAR'S COMMENT

I have responded to this false statement and it's no longer concern us.

Do you think that Allah will only use ru'asa to express head and sya'run as hair?.. no you are wrong Mr Pete, for example Allah s.w.t forbids us from saying ‘Ah' to our parents. So it is permissible to say ‘uh' and bull shit to your parent only because it is not mentioned in the Quran?.

When Allah forbids ‘ah' so its include all thing that has similar effect and covering not only bad words but also bad behaviour and actions towrd your parent. It is called in Usul Fiqh as Qiyas al-Awla or also can be considered as ‘umum al-lafz that will carry all meaning under it.

So, women's head and hair falls under the words "al-khumur"in the verse. As simple as that.

As for the last part of Raja Petra's article, some of the hadith has been misquoted so i don't need to give any response.

‘DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER' MYTH

I always come across with this expression and I believe you are the same. The following are the words of those women who do not cover their aurat who always claim to posess pure and kind hearts although they are wearing indecent outfits which reveal their aurat.

"Even women who put on hijaab commit crime nowadays, indulging in adultery, free-mixing and a lot more" A woman share her thought.

"In fact, we too are well-behaved, we do not bother others, we do not backbite and we stay away from bad things" The woman added.

Is it a sound argument? Is it true that the external appearance does not matter in Islam? Some of them are even one step ahead in their arguments that they reason with the meaning of an authentic hadith of the Prophet, which is:

"Verily Allah does not look at your physical being, your outer appearance nor your wealth, but He looks at your heart and your deeds" (Narrated by Muslim).

I feel sorry and dishearten looking at those who when arguing, easily throw out hadith in supporting their whims; indeed, they only utilize Islam in the matter that bring benefits to them.

An employee was caught playing game during working hours by his employer while he has yet to prepare the document requested by him. The employer thus said, "How are you going to excel in your carreer if this is your attitude towards work."

The employee responded, "You may see me outwardly as playing games but my heart is sincere and I performed my duty excellently."

Do you think that the employer believe in what his employee had said? Does Allah consider one's heart as pure and good through disobeying His commandments?

Indeed, something is only regarded as pure and good by measuring it with the scale of Allah and His Rasul, and not merely with the scale of our minds. If we refer to the scale of Islam, the Prophet SAW had said which means:

"Beware, in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound and if it is corrupt the whole body is corrupt, and hearken it is the heart" (Narrated by Muslim)

Based on this hadith, Islamic scale necessitates that the purity of one's heart is apparent in its first stage, which is one's actions. It means that when one's actions always transgress against the commandments prescribed in Islam, it signifies the filth of one's heart. On the other hand, if the external actions submit to the commandment of Islam, thus it should be considered as good in the first stage, which is the external scale of lay people. Nevertheless, the second stage, which is whether one's intention is for seeking Allah's pleasure or for things such as showing off, we should leave the judgment only to Allah.

Therefore, we can judge a book by its cover in certain cases, such as in the case when the fundamentals of Islam are being transgressed; the cover is consequently reflecting what is inside the heart of a person.

Judging based on that which is apparent, does go along with the hadith:

إنما أنا بشر , وإنكم تختصمون إلىّ , ولعلّ بعضكم أن يكون ألحن بحجته من بعض , فأقضي بنحو ما أسمع , فمن قضيت له من حق أخيه شيئاَ فلا يأخذه , فإنما أقطع له قطعة من النار

Which means: "Verily I am only a human being, and you always presented arguments for me to solve. It may be that some of you are better in presenting argument than others. Therefore, I give out rulings based on what I have heard only. He, for whom I have made a ruling that violates the rights of the other party (due to the lack of skill of the person in presenting argument), does not take it. For verily, it will be for him a slice from the slices of hellfire" (Narrated by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidzi and others; Refer Naylul Awtar, 8/632, no 3920).

This hadith clearly shows that a judge in Islam will give a ruling based on the information and the evident proofs presented to him. Similarly, in the case of covering aurat, if one reveals the aurat, it is a sign of transgression against Allah's commands. Thus, how would it be possible for this kind of heart to be perceived as a sound heart in Islam?

Women should realize that when the aurat is not covered properly, every single man who looks at it will be held accountable for every single gaze. The woman, on the other hand, is not going to be held accountable for that one sin merely; rather she will be held accountable for all the gazes from men that fell on her aurat. Just imagine how sinful she is for revealing the aurat only in one day. This is based on the Prophet's word:

من سن في الإسلام سنة سيئة فعليه وزرها ووزر من عمل بها من غير أن ينقص شيئاً

Which means: "Whosoever initiates a wrongdoing, upon him are a sin and the sin of every single person who does it without his sin being reduced even a little..." (Narrated by Ahmad and others-Authentic)

Included in the meaning of intiating is that someone intiates the revealing of her aurat in that day causing the man who looks at her to be held accountable. In fact, the woman herself is sinful for every single eye that sets on her aurat. Would this type of heart be considered as pure? After mountains of sins had rusted it?

Verily Allah is All Just and the Most Merciful. Rush towards Allah's love and mercy by obeying Him. For those who are hardhearted, no words can be shared except; be certain that Allah is true, His Rasul is true, and Paradise and Hellfire are true. If believe in them, why are the actions speak otherwise?

Thanks for you time.