“AS a Muslim, of course I like and love selawat (reciting blessing and praises to Prophet Muhammad) but I think it is inappropriate to do so on a moving LRT (light rail transit).”
Such was the take of creative designer Zuan Ishmael in reaction to a group of Malay youths who went viral on social media for allegedly disrupting passengers and the calm ambience in the coach by beating their kompang and reciting their praises.
“Bro, we want to practice our religion but we must not make others feel uncomfortable. We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious environment,” he admonished in a Facebook post.
The LRT is a public place … respect that. Imagine if people of other faiths behave likewise in public places, you would surely jump on them.”
Comments like “This is Tanah Melayu … you can leave if you don’t like it” is most inappropriate in this instance. Are we enforcing the Islamic way on non-Muslims now?”
The poster is spot on that there is a polite or civilised way to perform the zikir (remembering Allah) and selawat.
“When you bring a kompang into the LRT and chant loudly, you’ve lost respect for the recital of praises itself,” reckoned Zuan.
“In fact, Prophet Muhammad SAW once reprimanded his companions who recited the takbir (“Allah is the Greatest”) too loudly while travelling with his words meaning: ‘O people, have mercy on yourselves (do not burden yourself), indeed you’re not calling to the deaf or the unseen. (HR Bukhari)’.”
‘Disrupting harmony’
In Zuan’s contention, Muslims are obliged to protect the good name of Islam from the bad perceptions of others.
Think before you do it. Don’t say “ahhh we’re just doing it … how do you know if Allah will open their hearts to accept Islam when they hear us praying”
“Bro, the intention is right but the method is wrong. Can’t we attract others by showing good manners and morals as a Muslim?
No need to oversell. Just being an exemplary Muslim is good enough for people will automatically say that Muslims are decent people. I agree with dakwah but let it be in its place.
Concurring with Zuan, one commenter claimed that such behaviour “is an influence from Indonesia”.
“As a Malay and a Muslim, I, too, disagree with sucg activity. There is a time and place for everything,” she chastised.
“We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. This kind of activity in the middle of public places will create discomfort among other races.”
Interestingly, one seemingly pious Muslim who defended the action of the kompang-beating youths by accusing those who “hate zikir” as munafik (hypocrite) was ticked off by his brethren for “misplaced preaching”.
“Remembering Allah is not obligatory in public, right? Can you give me a scripture that says remembering Allah or remembering Him is obligatory in public or if such behaviour ought to be pursued in a closed or open place? Is there one?” – May 29, 2026
Editor’s Note: The issue of reciting praises to the holy Prophet on public transport such as the LRT or MRT in Kuala Lumpur was also picked up by writer and preacher Syihabudin Ahmad who echoed a similar sentiment with Zuan Ishmael in his latest YouTube post.
- Focus Malaysia
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.