Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu today criticised a PAS MP who questioned whether minister Nga Kor Ming was a Muslim, after the latter used several Islamic phrases of gratitude in Parliament yesterday.
Taking to Facebook late last night, Aiman (above) explained that expressions such as “Alhamdulillah” (all praise be to Allah) and “InsyaAllah” (if Allah wills) are phrases of praise and acknowledgement of God’s power and that the use of such words does not automatically make someone a Muslim.
“Islam is only valid through the recitation of the two declarations of faith (syahadah) with conviction.
“Therefore, the criticism by the Rantau Panjang MP (Siti Zailah Yusoff) against the housing and local government minister, brother Nga, this afternoon (yesterday) whilst he was winding up the debate on the royal address was rather emotional and embarrassing,” Aiman said.
She lamented that Siti Zailah’s statement also gave the impression that only Muslims may use Islamic terms.
“Just because we are Muslim and believe we have faith does not give us licence to humiliate other members of the House in this manner. It tarnishes the face of Islam, and frightens people, sending the wrong message about what Islamic character truly is,” Aiman added.
Nga’s use of Islamic phrases in his ministry’s winding-up speech yesterday afternoon sparked a reminder from Siti Zailah, who warned that it could “mislead” Muslims.
‘Are you a believer?’
The Perikatan Nasional lawmaker had stood up to interject Nga’s speech and directly asked the Teluk Intan MP if he “is a believer”.
“I congratulate you on the efforts you’ve made, YB. I just want some clarification - during your winding-up speech, you used many Islamic phrases. Saying you want to perform a prostration of gratitude, Alhamdulillah, giving thanks.
“Are you a believer? Do you believe in Allah? We do not want these phrases to be toyed with.
“I worry it may confuse Muslims. If these matters are toyed with, this question touches on the 3R issues we have been reminded to be careful about.
“So, I do not want Islamic phrases to be used in a way that confuses non-Muslims. If YB is a Muslim, I have no issue. But do not use such phrases to mislead the public,” Siti Zailah added.
Nga had used the terms to express his thankfulness over the ministry’s success in reviving 40,000 units of “sick projects” under the PR1MA housing scheme in Bukit Katil, Malacca - the last out of 34 such abandoned projects nationwide.
Nga, in response, urged the former PAS women’s chief not to be “emotional” and quipped that he, too, is a Kelantanese and is familiar with such terms commonly used by Muslims.
‘Nga always sought to unite Malaysians’
In her statement today, Aiman explained that in the context of language and social interaction, there is no clear rule prohibiting non-Muslims from using such expressions as long as they do not intend to insult, mock, or confuse matters of faith.
“If used with good intentions and respect for the concept of the Almighty God, then it returns to the original ruling, which is permissible.
“Throughout my time assisting the honourable minister in leading the Housing and Local Government Ministry, these terms have been common phrases synonymous with him.
“There is nothing that could be interpreted as the honourable minister mocking, let alone insulting, the Islamic religion. In many situations, he is consistently seen seeking ways to reduce differences and unite everyone through ‘Malaysian culture’ despite our diversity,” she added.
Aiman said that via the approach of Fiqh Awlawiyyah (priorities), the aim of da’wah (preaching) and uniting hearts takes precedence over unnecessary rigidity in matters of everyday language.
She said that in fact, when such Islamic terms are used by non-Muslims, it can also open avenues for da’wah and demonstrate their respect towards Islam.
“As a friend to the Rantau Panjang MP, I am honestly saddened by this afternoon’s situation, speechless! I pray that we can all return to the purity of heart in fulfilling the trust of da’wah and hold fast to Surah Al-Maidah, verse 8.
“Let us not, because we hate someone or a particular people, fail to act justly towards them,” Aiman added. - Mkini
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