By Singa Terhormat
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When I went to perform my Haj more than a decade ago, one of the things that then occupied my mind was visualising and imagining the pain Prophet Abraham (Nabi Ibrahim, to the Muslims) (pbuh) would feel if he could see his descendants incessantly quarreling over the God that he worshiped with all his heart.
Amongst the rites of the Haj are the performance of acts associated with Prophet Abraham (Nabi Ibrahim) (pbuh).
He had been tested by God in the sternest way possible in that he was asked to sacrifice his only son as a test of his faith, and he was not found wanting.
No man, before or since, has been so tried and indeed he merited the title bestowed upon him of ‘Friend of God’ or ‘Khalilullah’.
Difficult as it is, it is certainly much easier for a man to give up his life for a cause, but to ask him to sacrifice the life of his only child is something else altogether.
Yet he showed the strength of his faith and his love for God and lived up to the trial he was subjected to.
Prophet Abraham (Nabi Ibrahim) (pbuh) is acknowledged as the ‘Father’ of the Abrahamic faiths, recognised as consisting of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and the spread of these religions was carried out by his descendants.
I therefore then imagined the tears in his eyes and hurt in his heart if he could but see the level of animosity harboured amongst the followers of each of those religions for the followers of the others.
Today that animosity remains as strong as ever.
There are quarrels and disputes over many matters relating to the God that Prophet Abraham (Nabi Ibrahim) (pbuh) so loved, with each group claiming that their version or understanding of God is the right one and that the God they worship is a loving, forgiving, merciful God.
How then do so many amongst them not display the loving, forgiving, merciful qualities of the God they claim to worship in the conduct of their relationship with other creatures that God Himself created and sustains?
How do they possibly despise their ‘brethren in God’s creation’ on account of different religious beliefs?
Are we not all descendants from the same pair of parents?
How do we justify showing more compassion to a pet dog or pet cat rather than to one’s own ‘brethren in creation’?
Are we, in our minds, created to love or to hate?
Why then do we ignore and deny the purpose for which we were created?
Can differences of opinion and belief, on its own, ever truly justify the removal of all sense of compassion for another?
Surah An-Nahl: Verse 125: Al Qur’an
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
Right now there are numerous religious issues that split and divide us.
Ought we not to try to rid ourselves of all manner of belligerence and instead extend compassion towards one another in resolving these issues amicably and to learn to live peacefully in the wider ocean of humanity?
Should we not ask ourselves whether we follow in the footsteps of God’s Prophets or do we instead follow the whisperings of Satan when we exhibit arrogance, aggression and threatening behaviour towards one another?
Were the Prophets not exemplary in their degree of gentleness in dealing with others?
Should we not be thankful that the tests we are now put through bears no comparison to the test of Prophet Abraham (Nabi Ibrahim) (pbuh)?
Just can't wait for GE13
January 26, 2013
It’s like a son can call his father “father” but his siblings can’t. Even worse, no one else can call their parent “father” because it might confuse this poor guy! Hey, why not copyright the whole Arabic language, so that except for Malaysian muslim, no one else can use it?
shakuntala
January 26, 2013
There are indisputable satanic voices, amongst us tearing us away from God’s amicable path, whose actions speak as loud as their hateful voices…the conditioning agents who have to justify the money they get for spewing and teaching Satanic verses and actions….chief among them Perkasa.
No right thinking Muslim, Christian or Hindu would in their right senses be swayed by two of the nastiest bundles of satanic evil called monotonously and invariably….IA and MM.
Many thanks Singha, for your thoughtful attempt, at sowing the seeds of harmony….only two weels ago there was no reason to doubt that Malaysians stood united, together in their quest for peace and goodwill….what better example than Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat.
Invictus
January 26, 2013
Singa Terhormat,
An article powerful in its heartfelt sincerity – thank you. As a Muslim myself, I continue to be disgusted by the actions and opinions of many who purport to fight for the sanctity of Islam. Threatening to burn Bibles because they may corrupt young Muslims – really? I would have far more respect for Perkasa and all those like-minded people (whatever their political affiliation) if they would only speak up against all that has gone so wrong in our country – the instant citizens who are told who to vote for; the officially-sanctioned intimidation and abuse of power; the entrenched corruption; our failed education system; and the tarnished and weak leadership, to name only a few issues. Do what is right, and not what is politically expedient – only then can you speak about defending the honour of Islam. I also want to record my extreme disappointment with leaders of other religions – have they also decided to maintain an ‘elegant silence’ in the face of all these cancers that have afflicted Malaysia ? Where is the MCCBHST? Why have you not said anything about the deaths in detention, for instance?
Invictus
January 26, 2013
Sorry – I meant the MCCBCHST !
Paul Warren
January 26, 2013
It’s about time the ordinary author such as yourself challenge the so called learned ones. The trouble with the student of Islam such as yourself, as I presume you will humbly decline to be called a learned one, is, you don’t call out a public challenge of the learned ones. Hence they assume a pedestal of their own making and hoist themselves on to it ignoring anything you might have to say. Their word is final however nonsensical it might be and even if it is insulting of Islam itself. Obviously Muslims hold them in high esteem and reverance. But the rest of us who are not obliged to or even indoctrinated to, read them for everything they pontificate, and most times, if not for the seriousness with which their wards submit to them, we find it all so silly and amusing.
As it stands, however, those who claim to be the learned ones take the high road. Today the ones who call the shot are the ones who are in power. If Pakatan Rakyat were to win I suppose PAS’ Suyra Council will assume that position. Then I suppose at least for a while we will see a battle for the pulpit in Malaysia.
In the mean time I can only hope that there will be some brave folk amongst the Muslims who will openly challenge them. No doubt there have been a lot of challenges, especially in the net. But by just ignoring them, they continue on their merry way.
May Chee Chook Ying
January 26, 2013
Agree with you, totally. We are all just of one race, the human race. God bless.