'Islam is for all'...

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection

The Declining Day (Al-'Asr)
1. By the declining day,
2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss,
3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort
one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
***

ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise and thanks be to Allah) last Sunday; October 18th I met an old friend who is now one of Melaka PAS leaders during our children's school function and we took the opportunity to change news and ideas about the latest development pertaining Pakatan Rakyat especially relations between PAS and DAP.

"Well, PAS-DAP relations at state level is very good; for example during Eid Adha celebration recently, DAP leaders donated RM1,000 to finance activities during our 'korban' (sacrificing of animals) functions," said the old friend cheerfully. But he admitted PAS-DAP had to buck up especially among their grass roots members and supporters as some are inclined to believe 'negative reports' filled by local mass media, both by the Malay and Chinese press.

The results of the 13th general elections in Melaka speak volumes about the importance of all parties in Pakatan Rakyat  especially PAS and DAP to tighten their already good relation.

As I live in the Kota Melaka constituency while my wife is from Bukit Katil, in this article I would 'touch' on results and events in this area especially on the Bukit Baru and Duyong state seat which both parties (PAS and DAP) won by a very slim majority respectively. 

PAS create history after it won the Bukit Baru state seat. It is it's first 'anak sulung' (first child); oh Allah SWT bless us with 'more' or 'many,many children' in the future! During the the 13th general election held on 5th May, PAS candidate, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim won the Bukit Baru state seat by defeating Karim Yaakob of BN with a very slim majority of 48 votes. Dr Khalid gathered 9,292 votes compared to Karim's 9,244. 

Melaka PAS leaders admitted that Chinese votes contributed to the party's success in winning the Bukit Baru seat and the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil by PKR. Dr Khalid won convincingly in Chinese dominated areas such as Bukit Baru Dalam (a majority of 697 votes) but lost in traditional Malay kampungs such as Kampung Bukit Katil and Bukit Pulau. 

In DUN Duyong, where the Chinese comprised 50 percent of the voters, Malays 45 percent and Indian 4 percent, it was believed that DAP candidate Goh Leong San managed to wrest the seat from the incumbent MCA strongman, Gan Tian Loo, with the help of Malay/Muslim voters. He won by only 205 votes!

The old friend whom I met said by looking at the election results of DUN Bukit Baru and Duyong, one would have a conclusion that PAS and DAP badly need each other but he pointed up that PAS does not open its arms in politics only but it is also a movement to introduce the fine aspects of Islam including to non-Muslims.

He said that it is good sign and development when more and more Chinese especially DAP members and supporters are interested in knowing more about Islam. "For example, it surprised me when DAP state leaders donated RM1,000 for us to be used during our work sacrificing animals during Aidiladha." 

He said although sometimes they had to face problems pertaining to relations between the two parties, they were solved quickly as both leaders met quite often. 

"Here I am glad to announce that we would hold a 'jamuan perpaduan' (unity get together for lunch or dinner) by the end of this month (October)," he said. Once again my friend stressed that the Chinese should be opened up to see the beauty of Islam. "Yes PAS is for all, but let the Chinese and other non-Muslims know that Islam is also for all."

Talking about 'Islam is for all' I was lucky as this subject was discussed by an 'ustaz' (religious teacher) in his 'kuliah subuh' (morning lesson) at a masjid near my house on Sunday, October 19 - a day after I met the old friend.

The 'ustaz' said in the Quran (the holy book for Muslims), there are ayahs (verses of the Holy Qur'an) which begin with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ which means ‘Oh people’ and ayahs begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ yang means ‘Oh people who believe’. 

There are a little over 90 ayahs in the Qur’an that begin with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’. Allah sent the Qur’an for all of mankind, not just for the people during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him (pbuh, s.a.w.) and only for Muslims. 

The phrase ‘ya ayyuhannas which occurs 20 times in the holy Qur’an, has a general and collective meaning that envelops all human beings of any race, tribe, or colour. Example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhannas’ is Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) with the meaning: “O’ mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you, and those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).”

And example of an ayah beginning with ‘ya ayyuhal lazina amanu’ is Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the meaning: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may ward off (evil).” 

God, out of His abundant Love and Mercy for mankind, has not left us in darkness to discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled with our intellectual capability to reason, God bestowed upon us Divine Guidance that outlines the Criterion for truth and the knowledge and reality of our existence in this world and Hereafter. 

From the beginning of mankind God sent Exemplers of Prophets to convey His revelation and to invite all mankind to the path of true peace and obedience in one true God. This is Islam. This message was conveyed to all nations and tribes in this world throughout successive generations through more than 124,000 prophets with Muhammad s.a.w. as the final Messenger – all inviting mankind to the same path. - The Light of Revelation (Islamic Outreach-ABIM) 

Thus Islam is for all, but nobody can be forced to be a Muslim. Harun Yahya in his book ‘Learning from the Qur’an', quoted many ayahs regarding this matter, an example, Qur’an, 2:256 with the meaning; “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” 

Also notice that in performing the five pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam) such ‘solat’ (praying) and ‘puasa’ (fasting), it is stated that the first ‘syarat’ (requirement) for a person to perform the ‘ibadat’ (acts of devotion to Allah SWT) is that he or she must be a Muslim. 

Why must the first ‘syarat’ for a person to do the ‘ibadat’ he or she must be a Muslim. Why must it be Muslim; isn’t the religion of Islam is for Muslim? 

As a conclusion this ‘agama’ (religion) of Islam is not only for Muslims, it is an universal religion for all. Yes Islam is for all, only Muslims were required to perform the special ‘ibadat’ such as ‘solat’ and ‘puasa’. For the non-Muslims, they were not required to perform this special ‘ibadat’.