Tag: Islam

I Felt So Insulted.

I recently stumbled upon someone I admired for a long time and one of my favourite comedy heroes. The funny and lovable Harith Iskander. 

I have always been a big fan of him. Attended his Netflix Special show in person (see if you can spot me in the show). I once got fired back when I was 19 years old. I was working as a banquet waiter. It was a corporate event in a room full of engineers at Palace of the Golden Horses. Harith was the stand up comic for night. He nailed it so hard that I neglected to do my job. Mesmerised by his funny jokes, I just stood there and enjoyed the performance all the way to the end. By the time the whole event ended, my supervisor told me, “Don’t bother coming to work tomorrow. You are fired”. But it was worth it to see Harith live for the first time ever in my life.

Recently, he got in a bit of a spat with the general public. To be blunt, I don’t find that it’s his fault at all. He made one funny joke about coffee. He also used a pretty “on point” word that somehow involved in a controversy about nothing. 

Here’s the funny joke in question. 

There are so many layers in this joke. But the message went over the head of soo many people. 

For me, that posting have some of the funniest jabs at things we can all relate to. The jabs..

  • Subtle but pretty obvious jab about the hullabaloo that is halal ham sandwich found at my Alma Mater where a non religions and racial issue is turned into one, 
  • A not so subtle jab at the ever so fragile religious scholar (should it be scholar or something else since they are so fragile when it comes to their ‘Iman’), 
  • A pretty on point jab to the politicians and politician wannabe who’s job is more often to make police report on trivial matters than to work on the big and important stuff for nation building, 
  • Lastly, a pretty cool jab on the ever Islamic Kopi Jantan, Kopi Songkok, Kopi Angguk, Kopi Malam, Kopi Abang Yes and many more Ham Sap type Kopi lah. These are what the Malay Muslims really love to have, if not why do we have so many of them?

I’ll comment on the whole halal ham sandwich situation separately. They involved some of the rather typical stupid politician type. It’s now stuck at my Editor (read: wife). When I can convince her that I won’t be thrown in jail for posting my comment, I’ll publish it.

Coming back to the topic at hand. We have this Shahrol Shiro guy, who is a fellow funny guy himself. He should have known that the number one rule of comedy is nothing is off limits. Especially joking about those in power like our politicians or the government. Especially on those in power. Who are ever so crazy in dividing our nation. Splitting the Rakyat between the right and left rather than uniting us.

But he, likened himself to be a politician. Kununnya, working for the public. Made such a big hullabaloo of the whole thing. Why is he making this such a big hullabaloo? For the simple reason of using social media for political clout, more like a religious and personal opportunism. I mean look at this follow up video he recorded. See that songkok next to him. That’s the trick lah. Songkok must be there in plain view.

He can hide it behind “I’m protecting Islam from being insulted” statement. But we all know that is a load of bulls. 

A load of bulls Shaik? Really? So you are saying protecting Islam from insults is a load of bulls?

My dear friends, here’s what the Quran said about protecting Islam from being insulted. I’ve provided several translations from some of those I typically read through to better understand verses from the Quran.

Quran 3:186

 You ˹believers˺ will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves,1 and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Scripture before you and ˹from˺ the polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful ˹of Allah˺—surely this is a resolve to aspire to.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs.

A. Yusuf Ali

Demi sesungguhnya, kamu akan diuji pada harta benda dan diri kamu. Dan demi sesungguhnya, kamu akan mendengar dari orang-orang yang telah diberikan Kitab dahulu daripada kamu dan orang-orang yang musyrik: banyak (tuduhan-tuduhan dan cacian) yang menyakitkan hati. Dalam pada itu, jika kamu bersabar dan bertaqwa maka sesungguhnya yang demikian itu adalah dari perkara-perkara yang dikehendaki diambil berat (melakukannya).

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih

In essence, we will be tested with a loads of insults that will hurt our feelings. The word Azan in the verse means hurtful things or insults. But we must persevere patiently because that is the resolve that we must aspire to. Because that is what matters most and what Allah wanted us to do when we felt insulted. We just need to be patient and be reminded of Allah.

We aren’t supposed to go and insult others back or go make police report for the insult.

Another one…

Quran 2:262

Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow their charity with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words—they will get their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve. 

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury,-for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

A. Yusuf Ali

Orang-orang yang membelanjakan hartanya pada jalan (ugama) Allah, kemudian mereka tidak mengiringi apa yang mereka belanjakan itu dengan perkataan membangkit-bangkit (pemberiannya), dan tidak pula menyinggung atau menyakiti (pihak yang diberi), mereka beroleh pahala di sisi Tuhan mereka, dan tidak ada kebimbangan (dari berlakunya kejadian yang tidak baik) terhadap mereka, dan mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita.

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih

This is Quran telling us, don’t keep telling and reminding people about your generosity when you give them charity. And don’t go and insult (the word Azan again) the people when you give them charity. 

Example, we all probably have watched a lot of dramas where someone throw some money to the face of some poor guy. And then, he insulted the poor guy “Tu la, mati tak mahu, dah hidup ni nyusahkan orang. Amik duit ni pastu pi mampos”. We can’t do this folks. We can’t insult those we we give charity to.

What else does the Quran says about being insulted?

Quran 3:111

They can never inflict harm on you, except a little annoyance. But if they meet you in battle, they will flee and they will have no helpers.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

They will do you no harm, barring a trifling annoyance; if they come out to fight you, they will show you their backs, and no help shall they get.

A. Yusuf Ali

Mereka (kaum Yahudi dan Nasrani) tidak sekali-kali akan membahayakan kamu, kecuali menyakiti (perasaan kamu dengan ejekan dan tuduhan yang tidak berasas). Dan jika mereka memerangi kamu, mereka akan berpaling lari membelakangkan kamu (kalah dengan sehina-hinanya); sesudah itu mereka tidak akan mencapai kemenangan.

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih

Here, Quran clearly stated that an insult is nothing dangerous. It’s just a trifling or small annoyances, sakit hati hang sikit ja. Tak sakit lebih2 pun. Sikit2 ja. Takdak physical violence pun.

Quran never said that Islam is insulted when people say bad things about it. And again, Quran never said “Go make police report whenever someone is insulting you or Islam”.

I would like to stress again, an insult can never harm you if you are a mature person. A mature person understands what an insult is. They are just words with the intention to make us react the way they want us to react. You reacting immaturely, impatiently, and not persevering through the insult is the one in the wrong based on what’s in the Quran.

Grow up please.

But Shaik, what else can I do other than being patient? That can’t be all there is to it? Just be patient? There are so many things being thrown on the internet, YouTube and TikTok saying bad things about Islam. It can’t be that we just need to be patient and let it happen like that only? 

Ok lah, let’s read one more verse from the Quran. The answers are there if we read. We just need to read. Baca. Baca bagi paham. Don’t just read complete with tajwid mendayu2 but not understanding anything. Read to understand.

Quran 33:48

Do not yield to the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Overlook their annoyances, and put your trust in Allah. For Allah is sufficient as a Trustee of Affairs.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And obey not (the behests) of the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and heed not their annoyances, but put thy Trust in Allah. For enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.

A. Yusuf Ali

Dan janganlah engkau menurut kehendak orang-orang kafir dan orang-orang munafik dan janganlah engkau hiraukan usikan dan celaan mereka, serta berserahlah kepada Allah (memelihara keadaanmu); dan cukuplah Allah menjadi Pelindung (yang menyelamatkanmu).

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih

Here, again Quran telling us to just ignore the hurtful talk of the unbelievers and the munafikun. Especially the munafikun I believe. Pakai songkok kopiah semua, but did not do what the Quran says. And the munafikun just continue to divide the Rakyat with stupid race and religion division tactics.

Not enough that we need to ignore, overlook, hiraukan their hurtful words and insults. We ALSO need put the trust that Allah will be sufficient in disposing our affairs and protect us.

This is not the first time I write about Islam being insulted and we ourselves feeling insulted. I’ve written about this before way back on 13 February 2020, Almost exactly 5 years ago. There is a nice video about how to handle insult at the end of that blogpost I made 5 years ago. Still very relevant today.

History tends to repeat itself. Don’t let the bad things happens again. Especially due to our own stupidity. Where we are not mature enough to handle insult. Or when we listen to and follows what the disbelievers and the munafikun wants us to do. Especially when what they want to do is to further divide the Rakyat even further.

Have a great weekend folks. Peace be unto all.

China Eats Bat while We Muslims Do What!? Not So Different Eh?

I really need to get better at being inspired to write. Currently, I only am inspired or motivated to write whenever I find something that irks me. Things that make me anxious and frustrated. I’m now irked with this small-ish issue, hence I’m writing a little bit about it.

Since the recent outbreak of Novel Corona virus. Much have been talked about the fake news, false news, I-told-you-so-because-I’m-a-know-it-all-rich-boy news. I don’t have anything more to say on the issue except maybe on the last bit but that’s in another post. The guy needs a separate post just for him.

What I to share today is just how easy it is, we Muslims, find fault in others but not in ourselves. We then call them out to show that we are better than them. This is typical of Muslims in who live in a Muslim majority countries. Like us in Malaysia or the folks in the Middle East. Since I’m Malaysian, let’s talk about ourselves. As Malaysian Muslims it’s our duty to always look at ourselves and see how can we be better. Before looking at others and telling the how can they be better.

Let me start by sharing what Muslims in Malaysia has been saying to the Chinese regarding Corona Virus.

These are just a glance of what folks are sharing on social media. It’s typical among humans to compare between themselves and show that they are different or better than others. We like to show other people that we are indeed better. To always try to spot the differences and try to one up each other. We do it all the time, we probably just didn’t realise it.

This is a bad practice. At least, in the grand scheme of uniting the people. This practice divides us. I like to bring some balance and show to all that we Muslims aren’t any different. Once we know that we are not that different, then the magic happens. Let me share with you that we too, are similar to the Chinese in consuming stuff that cause harm to our body. But we choose to only point our fingers to non-Muslims.

Let me take you back to 2014, There was an outbreak of Mers-Cov, causing what was know at the time Middle East respiratory syndrome. It partly shares the same name with the more recent Wuhan Corona Virus outbreak. Both have the word Corona in it. I’m not a virologist, so I’m not going into the similarities and differences in detail. Suffice to say that the one from Middle East have were transmitted through contacts with camels and later through humans albeit with low possibilities. Mers-Cov have a mortality rate of about 35%. This means 35 deaths in 100 cases of MERS-Cov. In Contrast, Wuhan Corona Virus mortality rate as of 30 Jan is just under 3%. Of course this will change as time passes.

What irks me is that we Muslims have the same habit of consuming stuff that harms us. And we also believe that it’d do great for our health. Science have proven that it’s dangerous but yet we still do it.

A few friends of mine who just came back from their Umrah trip shared their experience in drinking Camel’s urine. You heard it right, Camel urine. More specifically Susu Tarik Kencing Unta. Camel urine mixed with camel milk. I’m not kidding. Here is a video about it.

Where does this come from? It came from a Hadith. It’s an authentic hadith and not a weak one. To confirm this you can find it on Federal Territory Mufti Page. Let me quote a few lines from the page.

Terdapat dua pandangan ulama’ dalam hal ini. Pendapat yang pertama, bahawa air kencing unta bukanlah najis di sisi Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad dan sebahagian salaf. Pendapat ini juga disokong sebahagian ulama mazhab al-Syafie seperti Ibn Munzir, Ibn Hibban dan lain-lain.

Pendapat yang kedua mengatakan air kencing unta adalah najis. Ini adalah pendapat Imam al-Syafie sendiri dan jumhur ulama’. Lihat Fath al-Bari (1/338).

Taken from muftiwp.gov.my

It is very interesting that ulama from Mazhab al-Syafie went against the opinion of Imam Syafie itself. This proves that one can go against or disagree with one’s Ustaz or Imam without much scientific proof.

The page above continues and I quote:

Air kencing unta ini dipercayai mempunyai kelebihan yang banyak sepertimana dibuktikan dalam kisah kumpulan arab badwi berdasarkan hadis yang dinyatakan.

Selain daripada bukti yang disebut di dalam hadith, terdapat banyak kes-kes yang membuktikan air kencing unta ini mampu merawat penyakit. Air kencing unta ini dikatakan mengandungi kalsium yang tinggi. Lihat al-sunnah al-Muthaharah (79), al-Tib al-arabi (1/278) al-I’jaz al-Ilmi fi Sunnah Nabawiyah (833)

Taken from muftiwp.gov.my

So, the Fatwa said you can drink it if it’s for treatment. We are not that much different from the Chinese in China. They believe that eating some of the weirder stuff are to treat themselves, or to make them healthier and with more vigor. You can google why are some of them eating those weird stuff like snakes, certain types of bats and whatever other weird stuff.

I am writing say that it’s not helping to point out that just how ‘kafir’ the Chinese are just because they eat those things. That is bordering gloating. Gloating is to dwell on one’s own success or another’s misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure. Nothing good can come out of this. It’s not going to help the situation. Gloating is bordering insult. Don’t insult other people belief or be ready to have them insult your own religion.

Quran 6:108

And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.

Dan janganlah kamu cerca benda-benda yang mereka sembah yang lain dari Allah, kerana mereka kelak, akan mencerca Allah secara melampaui batas dengan ketiadaan pengetahuan. Demikianlah Kami memperelokkan pada pandangan tiap-tiap umat akan amal perbuatan mereka, kemudian kepada Tuhan merekalah tempat kembali mereka, lalu Ia menerangkan kepada mereka apa yang mereka telah lakukan.

Quran 6:108

As much as the Chinese have some things we consider to be weird, we too have the weird things we do day-in and day-out. Not all of China do the stuff we find weird. So stop all these holier-than-thou acts and let’s pray for ALL to be safe and take precautions to stop this Wuhan Corona virus outbreak from spreading further.

Peace be unto all.