Barking up the wrong tree

Because a lot of Muslims are confused about the extent in which they can handle dogs, scholars need to educate Muslims on this matter.

COMMENT

During the last few days, upon the revelation of a particular three-year-old YouTube video involving a Malay Muslim, her dogs and the takbir, it seems that every Malay Malaysian civilian had quickly become judge and executioner of the case.

The social media is rife with comments – some supporting, others chiding – the woman in question.

Mainstream media interviewed every other NGO thinkable that had lodged a report over the video for apparently ‘insulting Islam’. Police reports against the woman has also been lodged by these NGOs, including Pertubuhan Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM), Selangor State NGO Secretariat, Malay Army Veterans Association (PVTM), Badan Amal Tarbiah Sejagat Malaysia (BATAS), Pak Long Nusantara, Cahaya Haluan Amanah Insan Malaysia and Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (IRIMM).

The question is: Why is the Mufti of Selangor, or any other known muftis and revered scholars, keeping mum over the issue?

Why have they not been quick to release any statement to clear the Malay Muslim’s obvious confusion over the matter?

By keeping mum, Islam has been made into a joke. By keeping mum, the efforts of certain quarters in building religious and cultural bridges and closing the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims in the country has gone to waste.

By keeping mum, it only reaffirms what most non-Muslim Malaysians already think of Islam – that it is an overly sensitive religion that has zero tolerance or room for discussion.

A knowledgeable Muslim scholar that follows the teachings of the Quran and holds fast to the traditions and examples of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not have remained silent.

He would have been quick to defend the helpless and the oppressed, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) had done, and explained that Islam certainly encourages its followers to be kind to all animals, for everything was created by Allah.

He would have given many references to show that there is no law prohibiting the Muslim from associating themselves with dogs.

The Noble Quran mentioned Muslims befriending a dog in Chapter 18, Al-Kahfi, 18. An authentic narration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) related the story of a prostitute during his time who saw a thirsty dog and gave it water. For that one minute act of kindness, Allah forgave her sins and admitted her into Paradise (Bukhari).

Role of a good scholar

The only clear hadith on dog prohibition is that a Muslim is not permitted to keep a dog in the house.

Abu Talha, a companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.” (Bukhari)

However, Islam allows for guard dogs and shepherd dogs. In fact, the majority of the Prophets are shepherds and they all have dogs. But for one to have a guard or a shepherd dog, one needs to have it trained, and for that, one needs a dog-trainer.

Because a lot of Muslims are confused about the extent in which they can handle dogs, scholars need to educate Muslims on this matter.

And for those whose manner of handling dogs does not follow what is prescribed by the religion, it is the scholars’ duty to advice them and educate them in the best language and manner.

What a good scholar would have explained to the public, and perhaps later in private to the woman in the video, is that being a dog trainer is a halal and a most honourable job indeed.

Nevertheless, with many Malay Muslims being sadly ignorant of the rules on dogs in Islam, it is better to adopt a culturally-sensitive attitude in matters such as these.

For the record, I do not find the video at all insulting.

What we should find insulting is the harsh and non-Islamic manner in which Maznah Mohd Yusof has been prosecuted in public.

What we should find insulting is the majority of the Malay Muslims’ attitude in jumping to conclusions – being judge and executioner – without consulting the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet in dealing with the issue at hand.

What we should find insulting is how Muslims in Malaysia have abandoned the Prophet’s Sunnah and gone the way of tradition, culture, desires and personal emotions to interpret what is and what is not permissible in Islam.

So once again, why are the scholars keeping mum?

Anis Ramli is a FMT contributor.