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Tuesday 19 January 2010

Allah: the name sacred and profane.

Allah is not a big issue. Just declare it is exclusively for Islam in Malaysia. It is a matter of principle. It isn't inferior to the principle of the rule of law or doing what is right. It reaffirms our faith in Allah. Switzerland bans minarets. France bans the headscarf. Switzerland and France do not ban Islam. They ban Islamic appurtenances. So, Malaysia, learn the lessons there.

I have been asked repeatedly to read Quran 7:180.

There in that verse, we are told we can call Allah by whatever names. These of course refer to what Muslims know as the 99 most beautiful names- which explain and describe the attributes of Allah. It is through these names the Muslim appreciate the Supreme Being.

But there is also the caveat. We are asked to shun such men as use profanity in his Names. The ones who use His name profanely use them in a manner to suggest anything derogatory to His dignity and His unity.

I have already written something about this in my previous article, Pagan God and Uslub Mujadalah. To non Muslims, Allah is just a name. To Muslims, Allah is founded on Aqeedah which incorporates the concepts of Tauheed. Allowing Allah to be used as 'just' a name means you devalue the Muslim Allah.

See what is happening already? When you allow Allah to be used fluidly, it assumes any form you fancy. For instance, I have already mentioned about the inclination of some people asking Muslims to be less excited on forms. That would imply that Allah is just a form.

If I were to be strict, then I will have to say, to suggest that the Name Allah is just a form fits the act of using the name of Allah profanely. That's why I in turn suggest- now we can worship a tree because, it's just a form.

Hence from a monotheistic position, allowing fluidity in the name of Allah, we have pantheism, a school of thought which has been debated upon by Muslim scholars a long time ago. Let me alert those who imply that Allah, a name is just a form:-

Pantheism is the philosophy that everything is God (pan=everything, theos=God) or that the universe and nature are divine. For all practical purposes, according to Islam, pantheism is atheism because it does not acknowledge the existence of God apart from the world, nor does it say that there is a God Who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, nor does it say that there is divine judgment or the hereafter. From this it is clear that pantheism cannot have any place in Islam.





To those who ask us to read 7:180;



It is true that Islam gives 99 names to God. But this does not mean that God can take 99 forms! These names signify the qualities of the One God, such as the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Forgiving. And they do not in any way mean that God takes different forms or incarnates in those forms. The polytheists or those who believe in the incarnations of God may try to misinterpret the significance of the names of God to find some justification for their false beliefs. But from the point of view of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, there is no

Chance for such misinterpretation. Most assuredly, they are wrong.

And Allah knows best.



Someone also asked why do I waste time and effort debating this issue? My answer: for the same reasons that motivate those who argue for the fluidity in the use of Allah. I am sure those who share my convictions don't see their efforts as wasting time and effort.

Until this issue comes to closure, we shall debate it civilly. Agree?

7 comments:

Chinaman,  19 January 2010 at 23:10  

Tok,

Chinaman oso agree with you. This is M'sia, 70% melayu we must accept the malay/muslim sensitivities. Same like I don't take melayu kawan for bak kut teh dinner. 99.9% of the kaum pendatang understand that or don't really care (sorrylah we not very religious type). But ur boys up there sikit confused. They don't understand that this is not a 1Malaysia moment, its a 1PM moment. Aiyo, wait for court to decide? Penang Allah, Selangor God, whose brilliant idea is that? This is like a Gila-Gila strip.

Tapi, one thing if u don't mind. U a clever dude but so angry. Maybe its the issue in question.

Let Chinaman tell u a story. My dad oso like that, this don't like that don't like, wah liao eh. U knowla, old man go chinese school type, real chinaman my way or no way. So one day, he in one of those moods, start complaining abt my sister. So I oso fed up, I ask him ooi Ah Pek, why u so angry, you got good kids all successful, independent and responsible, and in spite of all the bitching still take care of you. Apa lagi u mau? He so focused on the tiny little things he don't like (e.g. Like I change job never consult him, he still bring it up after more than 15yr) he lose sight of what's important that when the chips are down family's all you got so treasure it.

Moral here is, if you look hard enough u are sure to find fault in anyone. But in so doing we risk losing sight of all that is good in a person and around us.

Your point abt.god and form, everyone has their opinion. I choose to look at the unifying good in all religion, at its core all religion teaches us good. That is all that counts to the Chinaman.

Chinaman

Red Alfa 19 January 2010 at 23:48  

On matter of principle, France bans headscarfs and Switzerland bans minarets. No doubt many in the world do think much silliness of their banning actions on THESE matters of principle they must hold so dear!

There is something to learn from their apparent silliness. Only if we can see beyond our minds that silliness may not be so apparent.

If they preach and insist that Allah has a son, does Al-Quran-ul-Kareem tells us to ban them using Allah?

Instead, we are to say to them EXACTLY as in surah 112;
"Say: He is Allah, the One!
Allah, the eternally Besought of all! He begets not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him."

Any part or all of this Surah they say is just silliness?

So what and just don't give a care! Is it not Hidayah and Taufiq is Allah to give and take!

Anonymous,  20 January 2010 at 00:05  

Salam Datuk Sak,

You wrote a marvellous series of articles regarding this issue.

I enjoyed every line and every sentence.

Thank you and warmest regards,

JMD-

Ariff Sabri 20 January 2010 at 00:39  

JMD,

thank you kindly for yr encouragement. have to counter the daily assault on the integrity of Islam. Somethings, we do not compromise.
thanks once again

Unknown 20 January 2010 at 09:07  

Dato'

As far as the prime Minister is concerned the Matter is closed when he declared in Saudi Arabia that the matter is a minor abberation.

Ismail N 20 January 2010 at 11:09  

Salam Dato',

In my humble opinion, I am flattered that they are willing to wrestle with the rest of the Malay community for the right to use the term 'Allah'. But are they being sincere? What’s wrong with the word ‘Tuhan’? Islam came to the Tanah Melayu before Christianity. So here, Allah was firstly used by the Muslims. Why did the early missionaries used the word ‘Allah’ in their translation of the Bible? Maybe the word ‘Tuhan’ did not exist at that time? Or was there an ulterior motive?

Do not compare us with the Arab countries. Their history is longer. The word ‘Allah’ was used even before the prophethood of Nabi Muhammad saw. Maybe to them, it could sometimes be a common noun. But not to the Muslims here in Malaysia. With due respect to those who doesn’t mind the word ‘Allah’ to mean ‘Tuhan’ or ‘God’, I disagree with them. The term ‘Allah’ can never be relegated to a common noun. Should never. Not here in Malaysia where Arab is not our cultural language. Not when someone is going to say ‘Anak Allah’ .

Dgn izin Dato': http://malaysiannewsblog.com/?p=178

alfijam 20 January 2010 at 14:37  

Salute, Dato', you've been tireless in explaining the opposing view on this issue.
I have the highest respect for you in speaking out. It's so much better, healthier even, to thrash it out now or forever hold our peace.
Katakan lah sekarang kita ni "cool" saja tentang isu ni. But in time to come, sekira nya ada abuse, ada kah kita akan "cool" juga?
Saya pun Confident Muslim, tentu lah saya tak confuse mana "Allah", mana 3-in-1. Impak/Implikasi nya yang saya khuatir.

Salam Dato' dan terima kasih.

(You nom de plume is apt. In your case perhaps it's nom de guerre. ;- )

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