Tag: Quran

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.

Being Critical, Being Objective and Calling a Spade A Spade

I’m been busy the last few weeks, only managed to catch up on news the last few days.

This one catches my interest. I have long since wanted to write on this topic. The news was on our Education Minister, Maszlee Malik. There are several articles on this (See HERE, HERE, for video see HERE) and he said the following:

“Matriculation is just a road to university, just like a diploma, STPM and so on. But the matriculation programme gives the chance for the poor to advance their studies at the pre-university level.

“If we want to change, if we say in ‘Malaysia Baru’ there is no need for a quota system and so on, then we must also make sure job opportunities are not denied to bumiputera just because they don’t know Mandarin,” he said to a round of applause. 

“We should not look at such issues in isolation – we harp on (the quota system in) matriculation without considering that people are being denied jobs because they don’t know Mandarin, for instance. 

“If we can make do without all that, if we can give equal and business opportunities, then we can talk about being fair to all.”

Education Minister Maszlee Malik with students of SJK (T) Sungai Ara in Penang. (Photo: Bernama)

These two have nothing in common. First of all, matriculation program is a government program. Together with it comes the quota policy.

How can a quota policy by the government be linked to what the ignorance private sector (the ignorant and possibly racist employer) do? Is this particular government policy a result of what the ignorant private sector is doing? It’s like, the government decided to raise the interest rate due the the increased number of blue-coloured car on the road. These two have nothing in common.

Maszlee needs to be more objectives. Don’t mix being objective and being emotional about the situation. He was right in the beginning to state the reason why matriculation program was setup. It’s due to the imbalance in university enrolment of bumi and non-bumi students in science scream courses. He should just stop there and it’s enough to both get the non-bumi to understand and the bumi to give him a round of applause.

Secondly, he shouldn’t be doing the immature tit-for-tat move. Those are kids stuff. Is he the type of person who can’t think and only know how to react impulsively. You racist? Ok lah, I pun racist lah. You pukul eh? Ok, I pun pukul la. You kick me? Ok then I kick you la. You stab me? Ok then I stab you back lah.

These are kids stuff. People who can’t think objectively will react emotionally. We can’t have people who can’t use their head properly be our ministers. We had enough of that back in the days.

If we really want to have a New Malaysia or Malaysia Baru, we should abolish the policy favouring bumi versus non-bumi and have a new policy that favours the less able or the B40 instead.

If we really think about it, who are the B40? What is the racial distribution of B40? The answer will be the same, the majority will be the Bumis. Huge majority will be the Bumis. Don’t believe me? Check the statistics for yourselves. Let me share some, HERE and HERE. You can get more, just google and read them up.

A diagram showing breakdown of the B40, M40 and T20. Taken from http://www.dosm.gov.my

We all know which race is the poorest, we all know who are the farmers, fishermen, low level government servants, low level policemen/women, low level army/navy/airforce officers. In case you don’t know, a good 80-90 percent of them are Bumi. So it goes without saying that the policy based on income level benefits the Malays and Bumi the most. If together with the Bumis we have 10-20 percent non-Bumis, it’s all good for unity right? All of our less able Malaysian get taken care off. ALL of them, ALL of the less able be it Malay or otherwise, ALL of them Malaysian . That’s good. That’s the ideal situation. It can’t get any better than this.

Here’s another reason why we shouldn’t have a race-based education policy, take the example of MARA scholarship, or MRSM or Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) enrolment. Since the BN days, these are places reserved for majority of the Bumi. The problem is, not many of the enrolments are from B40 families. It became the places reserved for the Malay elites. These people are probably already in the higher M40 and T20 and yet still get a place in the above places. It’s been abused to no end.

The famous MCKK. One of the many Sekolah Berasrama Penuh.

Nobody stopped them because it’s not against the policy. The policy is for the Malays and Bumi right? They are Malays and Bumis, so nothing is wrong right? Wrong!

We have heard so many stories of the rich Malay elites getting MARA scholarship and getting into SBP/MRSM. It’s disheartening that nowadays we still see only 70% of MRSM enrolments and 50% of SBP enrolments are from B40 group (See HERE). We should either have more from B40 or use the surplus budget to spend on other things for B40. Not spend for non B40 or those Malay elites who can afford all manner of things already.

Now if we do it based on income levels, the Malay elites can no longer enrol in the above program. So we will end up with more budget per students or we can include more from the less able or less stellar result to be enrolled. Give them special care to better educate them and we will end up with more bright people in the country. So, let’s do away with race based education policy. Let’s do it based on income level. Let’s start to do the good things and good things will come to us. It’s what Allah have said in the Quran.

If we spend our wealth in the way of Allah, we will get more and more. Spending for the wrong Malays, who isn’t supposed to be there in the first place isn’t called spending in the Way of Allah.

We need to spend the money wisely, if it’s for the poor or B40 groups then let’s do it as such and Allah will give us more to spend.

We need to always be objective, even more so as leaders. So Maszlee as the Minister of Education has to be objective in this part. As much as I’m a supporter of PH, I need and I want to be critical. When you love something, you always want the best for it. So you tend to be critical of it. I believe Maszlee should be more objective and not make that stupid comparison. He’s wrong to make that comparison and unbecoming of a Minister. So, I am calling a spade, a spade. Nothing more, nothing less.

Peace be unto all.

Iqra’ – Any Fool Can Know. The Point Is To Understand

Had this sudden impulse to write again. Just like exercising, it’s so hard to start but once you got it going, it felt so good and you would want to do it again. Also, reading and writing is actually exercise, for the mind. Our very own Dr. Mahathir said it. It’s the very reason I started this blog.

Earlier today I read an article on PPSMI, our good Doctor is on it again.

Screenshot 2019-04-08 at 21.13.01.png

Huzzah! PPSMI is back. I was disappointed when it was withdrawn and now that it’s back perhaps my kids can savour Math and Science in English.

In the article the good Doctor made another interesting comment.

Mahathir was asked in the interview what he would have done if he were the education minister, a post he stepped back from due to Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto pledge barring the prime minister from holding other portfolios.

“We need to teach science and mathematics in English. The idea that the Malays cannot learn in English is stupid. It’s not true at all.

“I am a Malay, I can speak reasonable English. Why can’t other people?” he said.

Here’s a guy from a kampung and yet he is able to speak English so well. Add to that, my English isn’t that good but I can tell you that being able to read and speak reasonable English, have enabled me to learn from so many sources and earned me interview spots and great jobs. And I am from Kedah, among the poorest state in Malaysia. So I believe in PPSMI and really am glad it’s back.

Our good Doctor made another a MORE interesting comment.

Mahathir, who served as education minister from 1974 to 1977, also told NST that while schools should provide religious and moral education, it should not be at the expense of other subjects.

“With regard to religious education, we believe schools should provide religious education, but it should not encroach on the teaching of other subjects.

“We find that in the curriculum, so much (time) is given to religious education at the expense of other subjects – science and mathematics,” he said.

Now, let me give a little bit of a preamble, I’m a product of our national school. I believe I did okay up till now, so in that sense, I trusted our school system and decided that it’s okay to send our kids to national school. We were planning to send our kids to a private school but in the end, decided against it (my wallet was so relieved, I was told). So yeah, I trusted our school system. That is till I read the above comment by Dr. Mahathir.

I quickly called my daughter Alia, Primary 6 now, and asked her to read to me her weekly class schedule and total up the hours per week spent on each subject. Here’s the breakdown in hours:

Screenshot 2019-04-08 at 21.30.59.png

Pendidikan Islam, Tasmik and Bahasa Arab altogether take 5.5 hours a week. Let’s break it down. Pendidikan Islam 3 hours, Bahasa Arab 1.5 hours and Tasmik 1 hour. I did a bit of google and found out that Tasmik is basically reciting Al-Quran. And yeah, I was clueless what Tasmik was before this.  Here’s the objective of Tasmik as taken from the link I found above.

  • 3.1 Murid dapat membaca al Quran dengan bertajwid.
  • 3.2 Murid dapat mengkhatamkan bacaan al-Quran 30 juzuk.

It’s just that, able to recite (not read) the Quran. Recite the Quran and that’s it. 1 hour a week. Half the time allocated to learn Science.

Then, we have another 1.5 hours for Bahasa Arab, officially it’s allocated for Bahasa Tambahan but somehow my daughter’s school only have Bahasa Arab to choose from. What did she get from Bahasa Arab? You guys can probably guessed it, almost nothing. If any of you guys have a kid in primary school, talk to them, find out what have they learned and how that will help in shaping their future. Combine Bahasa Arab and Tasmik and it’s 2.5 hours. More than Science, more than Sejarah and just half an hour short to equal Math. Personally, it’s way too much time allocated for those two things.

We also send our kids for Quran recital class outside of school and that’s another 1-2 hours weekly. I know many parents send their kids to Kelas Agama outside of school for several hours a week. It’s our responsibility as parents. If we can’t or are not capable to do it, get someone to help us teach them that outside of school. It’s not the school’s responsibility. It’s ours.

It should not take the time in school, that is much better spent to learn Math, Science, Accounting, Commerce and many other subjects, a typical parent can’t teach. A typical parent can’t for the life of them teach their son complex math or science stuff. That’s why there are schools, trained teachers and a fully developed curriculum. So let’s not let these subject time taken by things that we can teach them ourselves and should not even be in school official hours.

Finally, since we are on the subject of reciting the Quran, I implore all muslim parents out there, go a step further. Don’t stop at teaching our kids to recite the Quran, go on a step further and teach them to READ the Quran. READ and UNDERSTAND it. Read it in a language that you and the kids can understand. Be it in Malay or in English. It’s so much more meaningful to READ and UNDERSTAND it.

And for us, read it like you would read a book. Read it to understand it. Learn it, study it and make sense of it.  Not just recite and sing it along and not understanding a word of it.

Quran has been forgotten by many muslims. It has been relegated to a book we singalong with. Open it up weekly, singalong the notes and later close it. That’s all it has become nowadays. It’s so true. Think about it. When was the last time we read a surah and understand it? How often we open it up and search for something to guide us? When was the last time we open it up and learn about a topic that is of interest to us? What does the Quran say about that topic?

We read the hadith in a language we understand but not the Quran? Why is that? Which one is firman Allah? Hadith or the Quran? And yet we relegate it to just a singalong book.

I leave you guys at that and end this article with the title of this article, Albert Einstein said it, “Any Fool Can Know. The Point Is To Understand”. Let’s change it up, “Any Fool Can Recite. The Point is to Understand”

Peace be unto all of you.