the Preacher Man....

To those who really know me, they'd know that i'm definitely not the most religious person around. i've done things i'm not very proud, but to be honest, not a lot of those i truly regret. i remembered it being my choice and my choice only and also happy to know that unlike those who preach without knowing, at least i know what "bad" really is.

Well, i'm not about to preach about The Book, nor am i going to really preach, as who are we kidding, my writings could actually end up as a disaster or could actually end up as a masterpiece. either way, i know it's something that most of us Malaysians have been living with since, like, forever. and to be honest, it may have been slowly ticking like a bomb waiting for it to explode into pure angry writings and raising up my hand high up in the air and adding that one finger just to place the insult high up in the sky just to make my point.

what is it that ticks me off already? Us Muslims. what? offended? let me put this correctly... Us Malay Muslim. sorry... still offending. oh well. here's the thing, i'm definitely not referring to every single malay muslim out there. definitely not. i know some others who actually do share the same view as i do and please be reminded dear readers, this is my point of view. should you want to discuss, do it professionally and nicely.

so, here's the thing. i dont understand, why the Malay Muslims in this country are so isolated, are so silo within their own religion? they are just being stuck in a bubble without trying to make others understand what the essence of Islam or what the meaning of being Islam really is. I may not be the most religious guy, but I know I am proud of my religion. Must we be so insulting and so accosting towards others who dont share the same belief as us? Is that truly the way? You say "Dont do this, Dont do that, Never do this, Never do that" and the worst thing is, most of you just take those "Dos and Donts" from what you've heard but not researched. Isn't that already something wrong?

In surah Al Isra' 17:36, excerpt by Yusuf Ali,

And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (the Day of Reckoning)

Read and understand it. No, it doesnt mean that, if you dont know something, then dont do it. No, it means, if you dont know something, then, go find out more about it, understand it, research, absorb into it spiritually, all in all, to make you a better worshipper and most of all, for you to share the knowledge with everyone eventually. and if you dont make that effort, all that ignorance, not using what God has given to you, your eyes, your ears, your brain, YOU will be questioned.

Now why must I mention something like that? Readers, i think we are repelling non-muslims who can be interested in our religion away. Must the preachers be too negative all the time? "Dont do this or you'll burn in hellfire" someone would say. Dont they realize that Islam is such a wonderful religion and the book is written so perfectly that the religion is about peace, hope, being devoted and loving your religion. Why must we talk about the "Donts" most of the time? why can't we talk about the "Dos" more? won't that give a more positive view of our religion?

I read this article once, and it was basically about how a very prominent western figure came into embracing Islam. What caught my attention the most was when she mentioned

"Each Individuals' journey to Islam is their own".

No one could've actually explained it better concisely. You make a point to explore, understand it from different aspects, some people delve into the books to understand more about religion, some people will travel the world, to whatever countries despite religion, and if they are there, and see the wonders that has been put on this earth, they will absorb and feel what has He provided to all of us.

Never find it just within our community of Islam, the Malay Islam. Come on my friends, Islam is all over the world. Never find Islam just within a general Islamic community as well, in fact, if you mingle around with other religions, with other cultures, you start understanding more about the Book and create a bigger appreciation of your own religion and feeling thankful with what you have been blessed with.

The article writer also mentioned this,

"Don't hurry, Lauren. Just take it easy. Allah is waiting for you. Ignore those who tell you: you must do this, wear that, have your hair like this. Follow your instincts, follow the Holy Qur'an- and let Allah guide you."

Everyone has their own journey. Some have gone through shit and been brought back to be a better person. I've definitely seen who's so pious back then and suddenly turned completely messed up and gone astray of the world handed over to him. Take that journey, but also be wise, learn, and be passionate about it. and always come back to what is true.

To one point, some people in this country, even start thinking Islam as part of the Malay race only. Going to the mosque, some people condemning other races, and you go "yes, let's hate that race!". Are we supposed to grow to be so hateful? Some don't even know there are actually Chinese and Indian muslims out there in this country. I've heard some people shun the Chinese muslim from coming into the mosque, because they're chinese. dude, seriously, did you realize that the Chinese people learned about Islam waaaaaay before we did?? back when we still thought paganism was super cool then?

I wonder,why must we repel others and say "let's burn churches down because they etc etc etc!". Is lynch mobbing really the answer? wont it even more strengthen the already negative vibe of unnecessary attention that we are getting from the rest of the world saying we are a religion of hatred?? NO! we are a peaceful religion. Prove it to the world, prove it to your family, prove it to your friends, most of all, prove it to yourself.

My main point here my dear readers, why must we be so negative in promoting our own religion? why? why can't it be something that's more hopeful, something that's more inspiring, and not repel those who really are interested in learning our religion. Isnt sharing and discussing about your religion with others, be it informal or formal is still a form of Dakwah? Isnt wishing someone well wishes during their holidays gives them a comfort which then eventually make them feel,

"hey, i wanna wish him too during this festive season"

isnt that already some part of dakwah despite how minuscule the effect may be?

Always remember, Al Kafirun Surah 109 at the last passage,

109:6 "To you be your way, and to me, mine".

We have our religion and we are should hold on to it, no matter what lifestyle we may be or have gone through. Religion is a choice. If you want to believe in the force and pull a Luke Skywalker on me, fine, as long as I did my part in making you understand what i believe in.

Yes my dear readers, Islam is peaceful religion. Do not get it mistaken by the media, nor other words of mouth. and please dont get mistaken by one act of a person and immediately judge the whole religion. In fact, don't even think a person's race defines his religion.

I may have been rambling because i'm super sleepy, either way, my point is simple, find out more about Islam from the so many different sources available and reliable sources. Be polite and inquisitive to others so they too take that initiave to be as inquisitive on us as we did. 

till, then, laters ya'll and have a great happy holidays.