Do what the Prophet would have done – Ravinder Singh

“Let us together make every effort to strengthen brotherhood and bring about changes and improvements in the Islamic mould as taught by Prophet Muhammad in a moderate and balanced manner.”

These are the words of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his Maulidur Rasul speech as reported by the media.

The reports went on to say that Tuanku Abdul Halim said “moderation and balance were the basis of Islamic teachings and the approach adopted by Prophet Muhammad.

“He said the Prophet himself had succeeded in ridding the community of bad habits and a culture of fanatical beliefs and substituting these with a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding of one another. 

“The Prophet had proven that diversity in society, regardless of whether it is in terms of religion, culture or language, is not a problem and obstacle to unity so long as the approach of ‘wasatiyyah’ (moderation) is adopted as a practice in life.”

Put another way, Tuanku Halim was saying that the point of reference for followers of Islam is the Prophet.  

With Tuanku Halim having reminded Muslims to take the line of “wasatiyyah” as was practised by the Prophet who had proven that “diversity in society, regardless of whether it is in terms of religion, culture or language, is not a problem and obstacle to unity so long as the approach”, it is now for the government of the day to show the way and not leave it to the fanatics to go about destroying the peace Malaysians have enjoyed for ages.

In line with the Tuanku Halim’s reminder to live and do things in the Islamic mould as taught by Prophet Muhammad, it behoves the government to take steps to check the fanaticism which is creating enmity as against the Prophet’s way which “had proven that diversity in society, regardless of whether it is in terms of religion, culture or language, is not a problem and obstacle to unity”.

Among the steps that the government should take with a firm hand are: honour the Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom, that is, freedom to practise one’s religion without persecution. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country and no other law can override it.

Return the seized bibles to the Bible Society of Malaysia – dump the idea of further investigations and possible prosecution as it is contrary to the Prophet’s teachings. Arrogance was not the way of the Prophet.

Stop the fanatics who are going about preaching that the word “Allah” is the private property of Muslims in the peninsula as the Prophet never restricted anyone from using this word.

If anyone goes about threatening to burn Bibles, holding demonstrations outside the houses of worship of others or further fanning the fires about the exclusivity of the word “Allah” to Muslims in the peninsula, or by words and actions disparage the beliefs and cultural practices of the other races, charge them under chapter 15 of the Penal Code, that is, offences relating to religion, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.

Malaysians have often been told that no one is above the law. 

Allow those who have converted, or have been converted with or without their understanding and consent, the right to choose their own faith.

If they want out, respect their wishes and right.

Adopting a faith is like taking up a club membership. One can join a club today, leave it tomorrow and join another the next day.

Any man-made law, secular or religious, that forbids this freedom is an unjust and irreligious law. This is not what the Prophet taught his followers. 

In short, Tuanku Halim’s message was that Muslims should not do what the Prophet did not do, what He would not do and what He does not want His followers to do.

Tuanku Halim has put the ball in the government’s court.

Please act accordingly and show respect to the Prophet and Tuanku Halim.