THE TIME BOM THAT IS
RELIGION
By: Kassim Ahmad
29 January, 2016
The title of this essay is not mine.
I borrow it from Perak Sultan Dr Nazrin Shah’s warning in a speech to a three-day
religious dialogue held in Ipoh recently. His exact word were, “When religion
is used for reasons other than to spread spirituality, what more when it is sensationalized
politically, it becomes an explosive time-bom that could cause chaos and
disaster.” He added that Muslims should not be judging each other’s level of
faith, as the authority to do so lies solely with Allah.
He could not have said it better.
The warning is timely, as religious (read “Islamic”) institutions in this country, like Jawi and
Jakim, are usurping the fuction of God in their overzealous performance of
their duties. Tawfik Ismail’s view that they should be closed down has merit, as Islam is, constitutionally,
under the jurisdiction of the Malay rulers and the Agong.
It is pertinent to ask, “Which Islam?”
On the one hand, there is the Islam of
the prophet-messengers, ending with Prophet Muhammad, when God completed and
perfected the religion of monotheism (Submission, Islam) for mankind. On the
other, the inherited deviated religions of Judaism, Christianity and Sunnism.
Some Muslims are unaware that their “ulama”’s brand of Ahli-Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah (Sunnism) is as
deviationary, as Jadaism and Christianity are. A deep study of history would reveal
the matter.
The effect of Sunnism is two-fold. Doctrinally, to deify
Muhammad against his will, which these deviationists would vehemently deny. Ask
them why they would not be satisfied with mentioning God alone without
mentioning Muhammad, as witness their syahadah.
Also ask them what does God mean when He
says, “Do not worship two gods. There is only one god. Therefore, you shall
reverence Me.” (Quran, 16: 51)
Muhammad also prohibits his followers from breaking into
sects. Sectarian “Islam” is not part of his teachings.
Another bigger effect is that their societies are universally
blighted will material, moral and spiritual problems. The Muslims are currently
at the bottom of the ladder of nations, when they were once at the top. Do
their leaders ask these critical questions? Tariq Ramadan, Abdullahi Ahmed
An-Na’im and the rest of the reformers – what have they achieved? The answer is sadly, “Nothing.” Why?
They have not tackled the basic question. The basic question
is to go back to the Quran and to understand it anew. Remember the Prophet’s
one complaint to God is, “My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran.” (25:
30)
We have to explain why the Judeo-Christian West has overtaken
the Muslims since the 16th Century on. There is no other answer
except that in the main they have recovered their once-lost monotheistic world-view.
The Muslims must wake up. Realize
where you have deviated from God’s teachings, as delivered by the last Prophet
Muhammad. Stop deifying Muhammad against his will. Stop blindly following your “ulama”
priesthood class. Go back to holding fast on to God and follow Muhammad ( read,
follow the teachings of the Quran), and you will rise again.
KASSIM AHMAD
is a Malaysian author. His website is www.kassimahmad.blogspot.com
3 comments:
Muslims are indoctrinated not to question anything..
well said, you are one of the believers..
There are two Calculus books. Authored by the same person. One of them gave birth to modern sciences, the other one is full of contradiction!
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