Why frivolous politicisation of Islam must be banned

“Do not do to others what you do not want others to do unto you," goes one universal adage.

Yet in spite of the total clarity of this saying, which can transcend all cultures and civilisations - precisely why it is imbued with bountiful wisdom - there are ultra elements living and operating in Malaysia, who are totally against this basic ethics.

Their arrogance verges on the dark forces that challenge God's very order to bow to Adam, purely because the latter was made of clay. It has been a perennial challenge of the Diabolical one ever since: to prove to God that Adam and Eve, consequently, all the progenies that come after the pair, would be constantly led astray.

Short of stopping to the level of a certain political party, PAS, that has organised a jingoistic event as mindless as Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu (Himpit), apparently - one cannot help but call a spade a spade.

Yet there is nothing contemptuous let alone heinous in calling it such as the symbol on display behind their pick-up truck, was a large double-edged sword of metallic silver, adorned with Arabic scripts, that was nothing but a wild attempt to intimidate others.

Such a practice must immediately cease and desist as it invites a tit-for-tat in a multi-ethnic society that cannot afford the extreme fringes of the society to come to the fore. Now beyond the obvious that this can trigger an orgy of ethnic racial unrest, why must one call for its total prohibition?

First and foremost, Islam is not only a religion of peace but one that encourages all believers alike to be humble. While this quality is personified by Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) throughout his life in Mecca and Medina, there were two incidents that were worth recalling to underscore the essence of Islam.

When Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) emerged triumphant in his decade-long war against the tribe of Qurasyh, the Messenger of God, rode into Mecca on a camel’s back. There was no gallant display of any martial elements at all. All his friends, family members and followers from Medina entered the gate of Mecca with total devotion to serve God: not to put on any show to demonstrate their prowess. None.

If the above recollection is not compelling enough, let us consider another. One day when Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) realised that an old woman who had been sweeping the mosque had not appeared, the Messenger of God immediately asked for her whereabouts. The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) answered: "Oh Messenger of God. The woman had passed away the night before." To which Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) lamented: "She passed away yet no one told me? Show me where has she been buried then!"

Upon arriving at her freshly garlanded grave, the Messenger of God raised his hands aloft to make a contrite prayer for her. It was exactly that moment when the companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) realised the error of their own way. That those who go about their tasks quietly and thoughtfully, without seeking any vainglorious compliments, let alone unctuous praises, were considered worthy of the attention and affection of the Messenger of God.

Secondly, boorish behaviour has always been scorned by Prophet Muhammad (SAAS). Once when the Messenger of God passed by a crowd, who were boisterous and outlandish in their behaviour, he affirmed, while walking away, with such words: Come the Day of Judgment, these are the kind of people who would cry and shed their tears of regrets. Once again, the genteel demand of Islam, indeed all its followers across any spatial temporal constraints, was perfectly amplified.

To be sure, Islam is not a religion or a systematic set of beliefs that insist on everyone being austere at all times. There is nothing to ban or prohibit any simple celebration of the end of Ramadan, the month of the fast. But Islam is definitely against any form of behaviour that reeks of the sights and sounds of Mat Rempit, consequently, Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu too.

As things stand, the vulgar nature of the dark forces has surfaced in Malaysia. If the vile and venomous display of Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu is anything to go by, the politicisation of race - a pseudo-ultra-Malay one that has nothing to do with the classic qualities of a Malay majority - has begun with sheer earnestness.

It is nevertheless thoughtful on the part of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to remind all Muslims that while Islam is not against any form of festivities that harbour the best of intentions, those that have the patina and appearance of challenging the modesty of oneself and others, are downright abjured by the tradition of the Prophets and Quran.

Meanwhile, those who are against the grotesque and distasteful nature of Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu should demand an outright apology from the organisers, without which the Sedition Act of 1948 can and should be used against the perpetrators of all forms of religious disquiet that seek to perpetually rock the boat of inter-racial harmony. - Mkini

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RAIS HUSSIN is the president and chief executive officer of EMIR Research, a think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.

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