There is a claim spreading around that Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise in Malaysia. The claim goes further by indicating that this can be seen as a factor to push the Malays to quit the country as over the years Islamic authorities are becoming more rigid in their definition of Islam. Examples given are the recent reaction towards Octoberfest, Halloween, touching the dog campaign etc.
While I do agree that there is a small portion of Muslims seems to over react, what the above point somehow neglect to consider is the examples given were never originally part of any Malaysian culture or Islamic practice in the first place. All the examples given were never an issue because it was never part of Malaysia’s diverse custom and culture. These events were only organized and publicized recently. Out of a sudden, the so-called “moderates Muslim” claimed that “Islamic Fundamentalists” are on the rise.
This terminology has been misused, misinterpreted and coined by the western media as a malicious propaganda against Islam. This reminds us of George Orwell essay “Politics and the English Language” and one particular sentence I’d like to quote, “In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible”. His points in the essay is clear, thought corrupts language as the use of language can also corrupt thoughts. Modern political life uses words to shape the way the public perceives reality. In this case, the keyword or term being used is Islamic fundamentalism to denote a negative connotation. But is it true? Is Islamic fundamentalism really a bad thing?
The word fundamentalists were created in the 1920s’ and were used in between 1920s’ to 1970s’ to categorize Protestant Christians. The American uses fundamentalism term then to associate the movement with anti-intellectualism and obscurantism. There was no such reference to fundamentalist Muslims during those years. In fact, anybody who understands Islam knows that Islam is never hostile towards intellectual pursuit or withhold true knowledge from the general public. Associating Islam to anti-intellectualism and obscurantism is as absurd as blaming Muslims for Ebola virus.
In truth, Islamic fundamentalism should be a phrase applied to Muslims who adhere to the Al-Quran, As-Sunnah that is the Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and on the corpus of the transmitted theological and legal learning of Islam. Islamic fundamentalists submit themselves only to Allah, follow the demands of Allah and His final Prophet to all mankind. The term is used for Muslims who aspires to use the tradition of Islam as a blueprint to build a just society. Islamic fundamentalism is the application of Islamic laws irrespective of caste, color or tribe.
Muslims are aware that the fundamentals of Islam are against extremism, exaggeration and forbidden actions as prescribed in the Holy Quran and As-Sunnah. Thus, true Muslims are fundamentalist in the true sense. That is to say, true Muslims follow the instruction of the Quran and the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faithfully.
Using this definition, Malay Muslims historically are Islamic fundamentalists since the day Islam arrived at the shore of Malay Peninsular. Malay Muslims have demonstrated that for hundreds of years, Muslims and non Muslims can co-exist in this country peacefully and in harmony. Muslims do not celebrate Halloween because they know it is not part of any Islamic belief. Muslim fundamentalist do not drink alcohol or allow alcohols being promoted publicly, which is the reason why many Malaysian Muslims do not want to see alcohol being served in our national carrier, Malaysian Airlines. Muslims do not need a campaign to touch a dog because Muslim fundamentalist know that if a dog needs to see a vet, the person will have no second thought or regret of carrying the dog with his or her bare hand. Nevertheless, Muslims will not impose these sanctions to non-Muslims as it is their right to do whatever they want as long as it is within their own private quarters.
Muslims fundamentalists respect their parents and shower them with unconditional love. Muslim fundamentalists respect their neighbours privacy. Muslims do not interfere with the private practice of non-Muslims in the country and expect the non-Muslims to respect the Islamic teachings application as well. Muslim fundamentalists abhor any acts of terror. Muslim fundamentalists are never racists yet they do not deny the natural feeling to love ones own relative or people. Muslims should be kind but at the same time does not flinch when it comes to matters related to the Islamic creed. Muslims strive for the best of the Muslim ummah and benefit mankind as a whole. True Muslims believe there is no divinity that can be attributed to any human being. There is no place of fanaticism in Islam, and Islam is against those who are fanatics. Islam is against to any form of exploitation especially for the purpose of commercialism. Tell me then, what is so wrong with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in this country if these principles are the basic fundamentals of Islam?
The truth is, there is no rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Malaysia. It has always been there. In the words of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad as quoted by CNN in 2002, “Malaysia is an Islamic fundamentalist state as its policy is to abide by the fundamental teachings of Islam”.
What is increasing in trend however is the presence of “RAND Muslims” in Malaysia who interprets Islam according to their own whims and desires. They quote the verses of the Holy Quran freely without taking into account the context and frame the verses were revealed. These “RAND Muslims” are the individuals and organizations from the Muslim world that is considered qualified as “moderate” before the eyes of the RAND Corporation. These “RAND Muslims” have the characteristics that meet the independent criteria for “moderation” that stems from an attempt to redesign and reformulate Islam to suit the West’s agenda.
The rise in trend of the “RAND Muslims” is in actual fact, the greater tragedy and travesty to this beautiful nation.
Abu Ameen
