Islam is beyond rituals, scholar tells forum on liberalism

Muslims pay more attention to form rather than substance, resulting in them failing to understand the Quranic message to humanity.

Isham Pawan Ahmad (right) says liberalism helps towards understanding the Quranic message.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims are becoming obsessed with matters concerning rituals and trivial matters on do’s and dont’s at the expense of Islam’s emphasis on humanity, said a professor of psychology from the International Islamic University.

Isham Pawan Ahmad.

Isham Pawan Ahmad told a forum on the theme of “liberal Islam” that it was this attitude behind the indifference of Muslim groups to the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, although they were easily riled up by issues such as the mixing of males and females in public and the correct way to perform a certain ritual.

“Today we are talking about how to pray, whether women can drive, while issues like the Zakat are not talked about,” he said, referring to the alms-giving, one of the five most important religious obligations in Islam.

Speaking at the forum “Is it time to look beyond the idea of liberal Islam?” organised by Islamic Renaissance Front and G25, Isham said the debate among Muslims today was far from the Quran’s emphasis on social justice.

He said many Muslims who undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca are worried if their haj or umrah would be accepted by God.

Giving an extreme example, he said one pilgrim had hired a religious man for RM50,000 to coach him throughout the haj pilgrimage.

“He was told on the right slippers or belt to use,” he said.

“It should be about being more compassionate. But people talk about rituals, not about behavioural change after performing the haj,” he said.

Isham said the concept of liberalism would help Muslims contextualise verses of the Quran and their meanings, so that Muslims do not just follow out of “fear of hell”, but because they give meaning to life.

He said every week during Friday prayers, Muslims were warned about the punishment of hell, adding that one outcome of this is the failure to understand the role of religion in one’s life.

“Religion is about making transformation,” he said.

He added that religion should not be used to repress others, saying this was the gist of the Quran’s message provided its verses are understood in their true context. -FMT