Open Letter To Anas Zubedy - A Counter-Letter to Dr. Zakir Naik
Dear Dr Zakir,
I have to apologize for the outburst of my fellow countryman Anas Zubedy who, in his latest blog posting, has asked you to leave Malaysia. I am here to write to convince you otherwise: that not only should you not leave, but to lengthen your duration of stay, diversify your place of ceramahs, return more often and intensify your fervour in the kind of dakwah that you do: a most non-vindictive, non-antagonistic, scholarly and, unfortunately (the one that became the central raison d’etre of some people’s hatred towards you), full of indisputable truths in them. And I too will give you my reasonings.
Now I doubt though that this letter will be read by you, or even reach you, as compared to Anas’ who probably have his minions try send HIS letter to you. If as such, let’s just regard my letter as a rhetorical one---that it could/should be read by others other than you.
I apologize for Anas because you might think that his words represent the whole country in its entirety or are some kind of epitome of the general Malaysian psyche. Nothing could be further than the truth. You see, we Malaysian Muslims are a motley crew of different characters and idiosyncrasies, right from the most pious and God-conscious to the most despicably and spiritually turpitude. And you know what?
Everyone has access to the internet. Everyone can write their thoughts about Islam. Everyone can claim to be a voice of the religion and, if one is equipped with some kind of babyface- ness and some applauds from some islamophobes or liberal muslims, who knows---one might even get to be popular and well-read.
Anas does not belong to the former category. At least you can realize that much by now just via reading. And I am not saying he is spiritually corrupt either, being well-mannered and having pleasant demeanour. But you can well sense his ... lack of knowledge.
His lack of Islamic Spirit, of a Mujahid, of one who cares least if the religion is going to get some beatings or not. His concern is not that. Rather, his concern is more towards what his readers would think of him, the majority of which are made up of non-muslims and liberal islam.
For how are you expected to write if you are writing for those who would like to listen more about Islam not as one which the prophet SAW has brought, but as one which could be modified to fit in the whims and fancies of the general non-muslim populace.
He does not understand Aqidah, as you can well see his stand on Syiah. He does not conform to the idea of Islam being “ya’lu wa laa yu’la alaihi”, as promulgated by the prophet SAW. To him, all religions are the saaaaaaame. All have equal merits, and Islam is just one of the many numerators pegged on the denominator of goodness.
Contrary to his insistence of being an avid Quran reader (he even has some study group making tafsirs of Quranic verses. I am not joking!), he doesn’t understand the Qur’anic spirit. Or, at most, glance off the many diverse Qur’anic verses on faith and life in general and only pick ones which he thinks would be fodder enough for his general blog readers. I shudder to think of the kind of misinformation, of selective facts and of a general depravity of truths that his non- muslim readers have been exposed to all this while.
Now why is there a phenomenon such as Anas Zubedy? One word:
Born Again.
(OK that’s two)
You see, a 60’s, 70’s Malaysian Islam (of which Anas’ childhood was immersed in) is not the Malaysian Islam that we see now. Those were the years of Mokhtar Dahari, of Malaysian women not donning tudung, of “Guinness Stout Baik Untuk Anda” advertisements still embellishing the local malay-held Utusan newspapers.
In general, a widespread era of neo-jahiliyyah. Then in the 80’s-90s (Anas’ formative university years) there was an explosion of kesedaran, and students coming back from al-Azhar and Madinah University began to convey to their parent folks that hey! We’ve been having it wrong all these times.
There is no Bomoh Jampi. Mandi Safar is wrong. Donning the tudung is wajib. And prayers is a must, not something optional. There was an almost overnight transformation due to being exposed to the truer Islam as opposed to the malay-flavoured Islam prevailing then.
But some things steadfastly refuse to be swept along in the winds of change. City folks preoccupied with chasing the hedonistic dreams and life, and youthful folks (university ones, the kind that Anas was surrounded with) just on the verge of being exposed to newly-found breaking of religious shackles ignored this change.
Theirs was the era of Bakat TV. Of the discotheque. We don’t need no freakin’ Islam to tell us what we can do and what we can’t.
But the winds are stronger. Come the new millennium, people like Anas look around them and find that they have been left behind. Far, far behind. They feel a need to catch up, to be shoulder-to- shoulder with those who carve out a name championing a most noble cause. But what to do?
They don’t have any Islamic trainings. Some have left religion way, way back before. In universities and colleges, while the other students enjoin one another in their usrahs or khurujs or ceramahs, they were busy with dating, with Abba and Bee Gees, with discos. So apart from their primary school years of learning the Juz-‘Amma from their grandfathers or the local ustazs, they really have NOTHING by way of Islamic advancements to be put onto their spiritual resumes.
Beginning from the 2000’s, we see a proliferation of people who you SENSE come from a more liberal society and upbringing but writing about Islam. Suddenly overnight we have these Born-Again writers flooding the internet firstly to show that they THEMSELVES are also champions of Islam and secondly that hey! Read me! I have come with the kind of Islam that is both modern, progressive, accommodative which even the non-muslims love.
Seriously, don’t we wish that we have THESE kinds of people to face Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab during the prophet’s time (SAW)?
But commensurate with Anas’ path towards full righteousness is his being influenced by Quranist ideologies. He is surrounded by people like Syed Akbar Ali, Malaysia’s most vocal proponent of no-hadith, qur’an-only beliefs.
A lack of basic fiqh, fused with a rejection of the prophet’s hadith and general taqwa, and you have a most explosive case of Islamic Misinformation you can ever perceive with two brains.
So there you have it, Dr Zakir. Don’t take too much heart, now that you know certain histories and backgrounds. Onwards to the allegations that Anas have got on you.
1. YOUR PRESENCE IS CAUSING A FAMILY DISPUTE
Seriously, I don’t even feel a need to comment on this. It is self-explanatory, self-revealing. According to that other Anas, Anas bin Malik (RA), the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: " I wish that I could meet my brothers." The Sahaabah (RAA) asked: "Aren't we your brothers?" He replied: "You are my Companions, but my brothers are those who will believe in me without having seen me."
What can you say, Dr Zakir, some people regard their relationships to the multitude of non-muslims as his family much more than you and me ever are?
As for Anas, yes please be comforted by your “family” here. As for me, my brothers and family are ...err... quite different from yours. Before anyone can point a finger saying that I am against Muhibbah of the races, I am not.
I have a multiracial neighbor that I play games with, drink coffee with and argue with on whether Q could obliterate the Borgs in one fell swoop. But family? Brothers? I only follow the conjunction of the Qur’an: “Verily the believers are brothers.” (al Hujurat-10)
2. YOUR PRESENCE IN MALAYSIA HAVE MEGATIVE IMPACT ON NON-MUSLIMS TOWARDS ISLAM
Now I am scratching my head on this one. Is this a statistical study or what? A scientific poll? Which authority has the audacity to conclude something like this, and if so under what premises? And let me pose a counter questioning to Anas: Name one Islamic Dakwah personality which, if brought to Malaysia, would, in your mind, have a POSITIVE impact on the non-muslims towards Islam?
Hello... None, OK? Positive impact means what. That they nod their heads in appreciations? That they show they like it by purchasing Islamic paraphernalia?
Anas said that your presence is getting non-muslims further away from Islam. This is where Anas’ confusion reaches its peak. He equates people disliking Islam as a sign of failure.
If so, Anas lacks the knowledge of Seerah big, big time. He lacks the understanding, not to mention the spirit of Islamic Dakwah big, big time. (By the way how much does Anas know about dakwah, apart from him being able to SPELL it? Has he ever been in khuruj?)
When the prophet preached Islam in Mecca to Umaiyyah bin Khalaf, Walid bin Mughirah, Utbah bin Rabi’ah and others, what kind of response is Anas expecting to be produced by them. The same as his non-muslim and liberal muslim readers accord him now, with applauds and compliments?
Is Dakwah to be done the result of which should be praises and accolades rather than a general feeling of discomfort onto the ears of those whom the dakwah is given?
Have you, Dr Zakir, started to feel a sense of ... inadequacy in the understanding of the Islamic spirit prevailing on this person now?
3. COMPARATIVE DEBATES DO NOT WORK IN MALAYSIA
Actually Anas, they do. What you PERCEIVE as a non-level playing field as far as dakwah is concerned in Malaysia, is actually a phenomenon best described in one of the talk events of Dr Zakir Naik where after expounding the inconsistencies of some biblical texts, one christian questioner stood up and asked,
“Dr. Zakir. Why do you insult us christians? What have you got against the bible that you are saying that their passages are wrong? Why do you say that the bible is not from God?”
And Dr Zakir answers (Anas pay attention carefully). “If I tell you that 2 X 2 is 5, what do you have to say to that?” And the man answered “That you are wrong.”
To which Dr Zakir replied, “are you insulting me? I say 2 x 2 is 5 and you say I am wrong?” The man said. “I am not insulting you. I am just saying you are wrong”.
“Like wise”, said Dr Zakir. “Neither have I insulted the bible nor have I disrespected it.
What I am saying is it is just wrong. And here is why I have said so .... (proceeds to read and analyse the conflicting verses). Now how can God be the author of some conflicting facts? And if you have scientific, logical, mathematical and factual proofs that you can provide that disproves my thesis, then by all means produce it. If it is sensible enough, I am more ready to declare that I am mistaken in this.”
Anas, if it is not Zakir Naik who could highlight to the masses things like these, then who would. You? Would you like to take his place? No. Notwithstanding, with the kind of “with charity towards all, malice towards none and love for all ...” mentality permeating in you, never in a million years would you be so factual.
You would sooner hide verses such as “Innad-Deen indallah al-Islam” rather than tell your non muslim listeners what Allah says.
Then what would you say in from of Allah on the day of judgement if asked, “O Anas, on earth you played with your friends. Joked with them, socialize with them. But never once did you attract them to Islam.
Even if you think you did, it wasn’t via the way of the prophet. Never once were they attracted to the Quran because never once did you point out that whatever they read other than the Quran was wrong and not from me”.
Now I might sound I am in some level of bigotry here but upon closer scrutiny, I am not. The christians or people from other denominations have equal rights to say that “Actually you muslims are wrong according to our dogma. According to our beliefs, you all will enter hellfire.” And I am okay with that. And get this:
SO IS OUR ENTIRE GOVERNMENT, MUSLIM POPULACE AND ISLAM IN GENERAL. We do not mind you to think that WE are the unsuccessful ones in the hereafter, just like we think YOU are. But will that harm perpaduan?
Not at all. After all this, we still go to our friends’ daughter’s weddings, sit and sip Stevia-laced coffee in any kopitiam, and fight with one another whether Man U is better than Liverpool or imbibe uniappam in any banana-leaf restaurant.
What is preventing us from having our Mokhtar Dahari-Soh Chin Aun-Santokh Singh moments are NOT religion. Definitely NOT Islam. They are politics, and we have diverse ways to view THAT one. Speaking of which ...
Sorry Dr Zakir. Not much comment in here, apart from giving my two-cents view from a religious standpoint. I am neither a politician nor like politics that much, but I do NOT conform to the plan of making our top-most potential people to take over the premiership who have come from a background of homo-sexuality.
Any persons, entities and politicians who conform to this should not be agreed upon. Period. That’s my entire political thoughts wrapped in 2 sentences. Clever, Sensible and Far-looking is what I is.
Lastly Dr Zakir, do not take things too hard, as I said. Perchance if you could be visiting (on your way) to a small dilapidated coffee stall by the roadside in Keramat, maybe you can stop by and I can interest you with some home-made cheese pisang goreng and the best lemang this side of the hemisphere? No?
Sincerely,
Your brother
J Rizal
ps: check for adherence to Anas’ rules for Anonymous writers:-
4. Your presence is slowing down Malaysia’s political revitalization
1. No profanity---Checked
2. Seditious – nope.
3. Don’t play God --- Na’uzubillah.
4. Sweeping statements – Like, “You cause family disputes” kind of sweeping statements?
Nope.
5. Facts as opposed to opinions – Whaaaat? I thought I should be asking you that, especially
with that “Your presence here is causing negative impact” thing
how to spell meet 在 謙預 Qianyu.sg Facebook 的最佳貼文
【學無止境】LEARNING NEVER ENDS
(English writing below)
在我人生最黑暗的時候
都是師父在帶著光明給我
沒想到我也能有照亮師父的一天 😄
最近搬家前
好不容易請到師父
爲我看居家風水
家裡還沒裝燈
但因爲趕在清明前搬
師父答應
在我的「光明」之下
首次這樣子看風水
看了近三個小時多
坦白說
眼睛還蠻累的
#師父好敬業
我師兄問:
「妳自己會看,為什麼妳還要請師父看?」
傻的
我在進步的當兒
師父也沒閒著
一樣也在跳級式的進昇
沒有一場風水
是一模一樣的
因為每個居家格局不同
每個家庭成員的八字
面對的問題
和心中的志向
也各有不同
因此稱職的風水命理師
必須身藏萬法
不能會幾個方法
就去走江湖
會害死人~
師父在看我家的當兒
也是我
溫故知新的好時機
祇有不長進的笨蛋
才不要學
我不佔師父便宜
紅包照他本來的收費給
這是一種投資
師父給予我
及任何一個客人
的幫助
其價值和回報
永遠都遠遠超過
那紅包裡的錢
安啦,肯定賺回的啦~
有人說:
「季謙,不要在臉書提到妳師父!」
「別的師父,也沒說他們的師父是誰!」
「這樣人家才會更覺得妳厲害!」
你看我像錢和名的奴隸嗎?
別人是別人
我是我
如果人家要去找我師父
而師父又肯出山見她他
我是為他們開心的
因為他是一個大能者
我們都是來為眾生服務
不是來互相鬥爭
大家一直進步
是客人的福氣
放心
人永遠都有
解決不完的問題
我不會失業的 😄
我一個人
也不可能包到完
#會早死呀
做我們這行的
客人如流水
但師父只有一個
忘恩負義的弟子
我李季謙絕不會做
⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
In the darkest times of my life, Shifu has always been the beacon of light for me. I never thought that one day, I too can illuminate Shifu's life. 😂
Before moving home recently, I managed to invite Shifu for a Feng Shui audit of my home.
There were no lights installed yet but because we were rushing to move in before Qing Ming, Shifu agreed to do the audit in the "moonlight". It was his first time seeing Feng Shui in such circumstances. Took him almost 3 hours. Honestly speaking, it was really tiring for the eyes. #Shifuissopro
The Husband asked, "You could have done the audit yourself. Why did you still ask Shifu to do it for you?"
Silly question.
As I am improving, Shifu isn't idling either. He too is advancing by leaps and bounds.
No one Feng Shui audit is exactly identical. Because the formation of every house unit varies, every family member has different Bazi, the problems faced and the aspirations they have are also not the same.
Hence, a responsible Feng Shui practitioner must have a thousand remedies een his knowledge bank to truly help sentient beings and not just walk the world with just a few solutions. The latter will bring more trouble to people.
As Shifu audits my home Feng Shui, it is also the best one for me to revise what I know and learn new techniques. Only a fool that does not wish to progress will give up the opportunity to learn.
I do not take advantage of Shifu. The ang pow we give him is according to his prevailing rates.
This is an investment. The value and reward in the help that Shifu gave me and to any one of his client far exceed the monetary amount in the red packet. #sureearnback
Some people say,
“Ji Qian, don’t mention your Shifu in your Facebook!”
“Other masters also do not say who their Teachers are!”
“This way, people will think that you are really something.”
Do I look like a slave to riches and fame to you?
What others do is their personal choice. I have no interest to follow the herd.
If a person goes seek my Shifu, and Shifu is willing to meet him/her, I am genuinely happy for the person because I know full well how great Shifu’s abilities are.
We are here to serve the sentient beings and not to fight with each other. When we continuously improve, it is the good fortune of sentient beings.
Don’t worry. Humans will never run out of problems to solve, hence I will never be put out of job. 😄
Moreover, I can’t be taking on all the jobs by myself. That will spell a premature death for this Feng Shui practitioner.
In our line of work, clients move around like flowing water. But there is only one Shifu.
I will never be that kind of ingrate disciple.
how to spell meet 在 Roundfinger Facebook 的最佳解答
1
ผมไม่ค่อยมีรูปถ่ายกับแม่ รูปนี้ถ่ายเมื่อสองเดือนก่อนในวันที่รู้สึกว่าตัวเองผิวเนียน เพราะไปถ่ายรายการแล้วเขาแต่งหน้าทาแป้งให้ นั่งลงข้างแม่ก็เลยสะกิดว่า-มาถ่ายรูปกัน เราไม่ค่อยมีรูปถ่ายแบบตั้งอกตั้งใจด้วยกันสักเท่าไร แม่เป็นคนไม่ชอบถูกถ่ายรูป และผมอาจติดนิสัยนั้นมาด้วย บ้านเราจึงเป็นบ้านที่มีรูปของพวกเราน้อยเหลือเกิน แต่นั่นไม่ได้หมายความว่าความทรงจำที่มีต่อกันจะน้อยตามจำนวนรูป
ทุกวันแม่ เมื่อได้นั่งดูภาพแม่ๆ ของเพื่อนพ้องน้องพี่ ผมมักรู้สึกเสมอว่า ทำไมแม่ของคนอื่นเขาเยาว์ว...
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I don't have a lot of photos with my mom. This photo was taken two months ago. On the day that I felt like I had smooth skin because I went to take a show. He made up and put powder to sit down next to my mom. So mom poke me - let's take a No matter how much you don't like to be photographed and I may be addicted to that habit. So our house is a few pictures, but that doesn't mean the memories are less as many photos.
Every day, mother, when I sit and see the photos of mother of friends and sisters. I always feel why other people's mother is so young. My mother used to be young. But after many times of disease comes to say hi to many times and many diseases, mother is like being hit. Sucking my life energy but mother's eyes are always bright when listening to me tell you about this story.
Yes, I am a little jealous of my friends. In the corner that they and mom may have a long time left in this world. This is not the cuddle auspicious story when I tell new technology to dad and mom. I told you that in ten years - twenty years, the world will change like this. Dad and mom will say that time, dad will be in another star.
We are old enough to accept and know the fact that humans have limited time. Love and relationships are limited.
Even I don't think that's a concern between us. As long as breakfast, we still drink coffee, crackers, and talk to each other.
We can't stop flowers from wither, but when we spend time with flowers, the age of flowers looks longer -- yes, quality time
...
2
I need to ask mom to talk more often because my mom asked me to talk less. Your age has arrived at the age where the brain is getting tired. Some doctors may call it dementia. The way is to encourage your brain to work. Review memories both old and new. Put new stories for your brain to think, analyze, digest.
Sometimes I accidentally think that I want my mom to give birth to me when she was younger, but I think it's good because I like how my mother raised me at the age. If you were younger, I was raising me, I might be a boy. Another personality can be.
There are many details of mom's change that all of us in the house need to learn, adapt and understand. But I won't tell you about this in public. You will be shy
Compared to mothers at a younger age, we may see that these things are ' not normal ' but I think it is normal for a human being who brings his body, brain and heart to near eighty years old. It's normal -- that people around you must be. Adapt, not take him earlier as 'normal' and want him to be like that. No change.
Mom walks slower, think slower, talk less. The jealous thing is that mom sleeps more often. Sleep most often in the house. If there is an Olympic Match, you should get a medal because even if she is lifting a cup of coffee cup of coffee, mom can sleep.
I often tease my mom by snap my fingers or call mom's name and say " are you sleeping like a teacher calls a student behind the room. Mother will cringe and make a shy face - no, just close my eyes for a second.
...
3
When everyone adjusts open arms to receive ' new mother ' at this age, we all found our own ' new identity ' as well. Dad became a calmer. My sister became a caretaker of everything. I became the one. Keep stimulating my mother's brain and body. I touch my mother's body more. Squeeze massage the confusing hands to relax. Hug Mom every morning and every morning before leaving home and never abandon what we have done regularly since we were young is kiss each other. Every time before disband to do each person's duty, morning and night, I know that this is how to refuel mom back to have a full tank of oil again. and no matter how old you are, your cheeks are soft, never change.
Now mother is like a tree that everyone in the house cherish. The more fragile the more fragile the heart of the house is slowly getting softer and softer.
Like Mom teaching us the last lesson by new way, not teaching with words like you did, but teaching by using mother as a teaching media.
This lesson, mother teaches us to have a gentle heart, reduce self centered on judging others. Have an open mind, understand, take care of self-love and in others the best.
Mom taught me that humans are fragile and need a gentle touch, not only to touch the body if it includes touching the heart.
Yes, mom makes our hearts more soft through the changes in this age of my own age.
...
4
Yesterday our family went to lunch together like every day. Mom like we do often. But before mom took me and my sister to eat. Now my sister and my sister took mom to eat.
While driving home, my mom told me, " it rains often. Don't drive fast this is what mom reminds me about when I sit on the car until one day mom didn't get in the car and it rains. I might hear it. Mother's voice floats in the head
There are many things that mother taught me who to go to pick up something on his hand. or if you work with someone, don't think about anything fussy. Don't think about him. Think about what you can give him and more. Mom said the same sentence between us drinking coffee for over twenty years. If Milo Ovaltine in childhood, it's over thirty years. These things always come up in some times.
Yesterday my mom told me that mom saw Emma coming to " Emma's house. It's mom. I asked her how is Emma. She said she looks fine. I asked. Did you talk about anything? Mom said she didn't talk about anything but I'm glad that Emma is fine.
...
5
Yesterday, when I walked out of the restaurant while I was leash my mom, I suddenly lost it. I was shocked. I tried to grab my mom's arm. Luckily it didn't hit anything serious. We all held mom up. Mom said she said she would like to sit down for a while. Not long I can stand up.
I may be shocked to think that the mother who used to walk eloquent. Why did you fall so easily? I asked mom if she was shocked. Mom said she was not shocked. She fell like this often and I was surprised by the answer. Of course I was worried and funny. One thing I know. It's always good. When mother has a problem. Mom always says that she's okay because she doesn't want kids or dad to worry.
Mother is the last one who thinks of herself
When I ask mom what mother's day I want to eat, the answer is - ehhh what do you want to eat?
When I held my mom up after falling, I thought about my childhood picture. When my mom was leashed me and I stumbled. Mom was the one who pulled my arm up and made a Chinese spell "hapo" which would translate Thai "Oh, it doesn't hurt baby" the picture is so similar. We just switched roles and it's a little different that when I was young, I fell down, but my mother had no tears.
...
6
I wrote to my mom with regards. Sounds funny what I miss. I just went to eat together and I'm actually about to have coffee with my mom after writing this journal.
But I really "miss" my mom.
It must be difficult to explain what missing means. I miss you. When you were stronger. I miss you when you went anywhere with nothing to worry about. I miss you when you were talking to me. I miss you. I miss you. When Mom was more fierce and looked at me in things and... I miss you now when I thought you wouldn't have coffee with me like we did all our life.
Someone told me that my parents never left us. They are in us. I may meet mom some rainy days. I may see mom some morning that I pick up crackers out of the can because I ate this snack with Milo Ovaltine since I was a little kid. This is the one who broke this crispy snack into a cup. When it was soft, it was soft, it was delicious. I might meet my mom while working with someone and got my problem. I may meet mom on a bad day with life, which my mother always tells me, " it's like this. If you don't do anything, there is no problem. If you do, you do, there will be
And I may meet my mom on the day when I feel weak, not confident in myself. Mom may stand and smile somewhere and tell me "ehhh can do it"
That's it. It's missing something like this.
Luckily mom is still sitting there at the same coffee table today.
And this morning I still have a chance to have coffee with mom
I still kiss my mother's cheeks and I still get her cheeks.Translated
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