VISION OF A LIBERATED WORLD
By: Kassim Ahmad
7th September, 2017
As I waved my hand bidding goodby to my
parents, uncles and aunties very many years ago on the train platform in Alor
Setar, I distinctly saw on my venerable mother’s face (who did not understand
why I had to go so far) as if she was saying I would do something great. For
the most part of my adult life, I am conscious of a mission, although at times
I was mad enough to want to be poor!
In the Malayan University in Singapore, I
joined the leftist socialist club and
later joined the people’ party of Ahmad Boestamam, and quickly became its
leader for 18 years! Somehow or other I did not feel real about the power and
success of socialism. It was simply to identify myself with the poor to whom I
belong.
I was therefore critical of things I
inherited from my ancestors. The first scholar I critisied was Imam Shafi’e for
his TWO PRINCIPAL SOURCES (Quran and Hadis). The book Hadis -
Satu Peniliai Semula in 1986 became
the topic of discussion for two months, half opposed and half supporting me.
After two months it was banned.
The book was soon translated into English and
Arabic, resulting in several Muslim authorities (Turkey, Saudi’s Fahd and Indian
Muslim scholar in UIA) following suit.
I did not look back after this, strictly
following the Quran and all other teachings must go to the criticism of the Quran.
My critical view of the Hadis brought people from all over Malaysia to visit me
and hear from my own lips in 2014. Truth to tell, all of them without exception agreed
with me.
However, the religious authorities did not
like it. They arrested me for “dishonoring Islam” (Malay: “Menghina Islam”). I
was cleared in both civil and syari'ah courts at the highest levels. God be praised!
Coming to my vision of a liberated world, I am sure
that it can be realized. Firstly, it is in accord with the teachings of the
Quran, God’s final scripture, the only scripture that is protected by God. A
vision based on this scripture must of necessity be realized.
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