Islam : Veritas Vincit Omnia (Truth Conquers All)

I notice that some Muslims claim Islam as ‘rahmatan lil ‘alamin but understand and apply it in an interesting way, if I may say, differently from what it purports to mean and achieve.

Before going further, let us consider the proposition made by the Puritans. The Puritans were a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries, which sought to purify the Church of England of what they considered to be Roman Catholic practices, maintaining that the church was only partially reformed. One of the proposition is, that the State and religion should remain distinct as both, even if are ordained by God, are meant to serve different ends.

Selective separation of religion from life 

Firstly, some Muslims’ interpretation in a way falls in line with the Puritan’s claim about the institutional separation of State and religion whereby when applied together with Muslims’ alternate understanding, seems to suggest that Islam as a religion, should not dictate, govern or even guide the ways human (which may also make up the society and the State) should behave or act.

This indirectly grants some discretion or rather individual or national autonomy to decide or compromise things already prescribed (in the Quran) on their individual or national own. It is noteworthy that even some Muslims claim that ‘aqidah’ should not interfere with the politics and governance of the State and its citizens, element of which is crucial and forms the basis of Islamic social and political aspects. As the civic republicans claim, “… Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle”.

It is indeed a dangerous course to take when in reality now we face abundance of human rights claim which goes beyond even the scientific, natural and moral considerations. As Obama’s administration upholds, among others, LGBT (non-exhaustive) rights are also gifted and ordained by God for humans to respect and protect. In another instance, the Secretary of State John Kerry remarks that “Defending and promoting the human rights of LGBT persons is at the core of our commitment to advancing human rights globally – the heart and conscience of our diplomacy”.

In Malaysia, we are aware of the court case dealing with and approving the rights of purportedly claimed Muslim male sufferers of the gender identity disorder to express themselves as women, and thus ignoring the guiding and authoritative nature of Islam as a way of life over Muslims, not to mention the infringement of the right for Muslims and Islamic institutions to manage its religious affairs, and the diminishing exclusivity of Islam as the religion of the Federation.

Kindness is not exclusive to Islam?

Secondly, some Muslims claim that kindness is not exclusive to Islam and that kindness can also be found in other religions or beliefs. It means to say, Islam should not assume all kindness when other religions also promote act of kindness and good values.

It is interesting and worth noting that when we ask anyone around our circle of friends, they would mention that the first humans created were Adam and Eve. Let us Muslims ask ourselves, who created Adam and Eve?

When Adam and Eve were created, they came into existence with purpose. As written in the Quran, humans are created to serve Allah. Those humans, as ought to be understood by Muslims, are everyone on this earth.

It is the highest par of achievement in Islam, and by that vision prophet Muhammad SAW continued prophet Adam’s legacy and began his quest which lasts until today. This means to suggest, Islam begins not during the time of Muhammad SAW but ever since the creation of Adam because Islam is rahmatan lil ‘alamin, for everyone during a lifetime and across centuries.

Therefore, is it right for us to claim that Islam assumes all kindness? Yes, definitely.

Allah says in the Quran:

“It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it.” (At-Tawbah : 33)

It is also noteworthy that as other religions and believers fight for goodness and morality, they, as human beings, in the eyes of Muslims, are taken to have been inspired by the will of Allah s.w.t. as to their judgment, perception and understanding of kindness.

Allah says in the Quran:

“And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness.” (Asy-Syams : 8)

The Puritans, on another side, having claimed that State and religion should remain distinct, seem to be ignorant of the fact that God is the Creator, and that given the State is formed by the people, it is created with the will of and inspiration from the Creator, that is Allah SWT in the belief of Muslims, and definitely not with force of any other vis-à-vis with Allah SWT.

Islam is preserved, needs no reformation

It is important to consider the cause of the protest by the Puritans. It was as a result of the abuse of power and deviant teachings of the Church which the Puritans sought to reform. But Islam comes without having such cause; it is a blessing from Allah s.w.t. and chosen for Muslims as guidance and enforceable laws. Surely Allah s.w.t. does not bestow upon us Islam out of rage and grieve.

Allah says in the Quran,

“And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” (Al-Maidah : 48)

Given the state of things in our midst, in Malaysia we encounter such call for reformation or renaissance in Islam that is not even necessary. These liberalists and human rights activists among Muslims even prioritize Western values over that of Islam which in no way should be upheld to enliven the texts of Quran and Sunnah. Giving accommodative interpretations boundlessly and shifting from the fundamental principles in Islam are not the way to preserve what long has been preserved. 

Allah says in the Quran,

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Al-Hijr : 9)

WAllahu a’alam.

See also: “Islam itulah kebenaran hakiki”

Danial Ariff Bin Shaari
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
The University of Adelaide
Australia

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, and should not be attributed to, Isma or Ismaweb.

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