I feel sorry for you, Nik Abduh

 

An open letter to PAS leader Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.

Dear Nik Abduh,

I was quite disturbed by your Facebook post yesterday where you advised Muslims to raise their hands and pray to God instead of seeking help from their neighbours and community. It is truly sad that you failed to understand the importance of community in our personal well-being.

There are 7.9 billion people in this world, 4.6 billion people in Asia and 32.75 million people in Malaysia - yet somehow you have been conditioned to believe that all we need is God and nothing else.

What you have failed to understand is that God created us among different groups of people - a family unit, relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours and communities - each one teaches us something about ourselves and our place in the world. There is a deeper wisdom to why God placed us within these relationships.

At one point in our lives, every one of us will experience pain and hardship. Seeking help when we need it and offering help when we are able to, are two ways we develop our community and build strong relationships among us. This is the reason why community is the core essence of human experience - to live as part of a community fulfils the natural component of our lives.

Nik Abduh, the world exists beyond our mosques.

I am sure you agree that it is common for Muslims to seek help from our neighbourhood mosque and its congregation. In fact, we are encouraged to seek help in the name of Muslim brotherhood.

What you have failed to understand is that our world is not only designed to exist in our mosques - it also exists beyond. And just as a person is expected to seek help from the mosque, we should also seek help from the community we are a part of.

‘Your advice helps no one’

Being a Muslim, as much as I believe that going through difficult times is a test from God, I also believe that God encourages us to seek help, for every Muslim is accountable for what he himself does or fails to do.

In short, individual responsibility is a cornerstone of Islam. It shocks me that you, of all people, do not hold this belief close to your heart.

In a world where we are ever so connected, you are encouraging the people to be disconnected, to seclude themselves in their homes and leaving fate in the hands of God. Your advice helps no one and will get us nowhere. Is that your intention, O wise one?

It pains me to wonder what prompted you in making such a statement in the first place. Were you never made to feel like you belonged to any circles of community, one whom you can depend on for your own wellbeing?

Loneliness is definitely one of the biggest plagues in our world. It can affect our mind and our hearts, erode our thoughts and judgement. For what it is worth, I feel sorry for you.

I hope Malaysians who like me were disappointed with your advice, would find it in their hearts to forgive you. After all, you are part of our community and this is exactly what communities do - we take care of each other.

I wish you well, Nik Abduh. - Mkini

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FA ABDUL is a passionate storyteller, a media trainer, an aspiring playwright, a director, a struggling producer, a photographer, an expert Facebooker, a lazy blogger, a part-time queen and a full-time vainpot.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.