It is a fact that except in Malaysia, people all over the world – both Muslims and non-Muslims – are never confused about their God, when the Almighty is referred to as Allah. They seem to know who their God is! They don’t get confused when the Sikhs, the Jews, the Arabs refer to their God as Allah.
Why then does it become an issue only here in Malaysia? Why do the Muslim-Malays get confused when the non-Muslims use the word Allah in their daily conversation, as claimed by some Malay-Muslim leaders?
It is difficult to understand why when they hear non-Muslims using the word Allah, they get confused? In what way do they get confused? We don’t know! We are not told. Do they really get confused, as claimed by some religious zealots? Or is it a mere political gimmick by certain ethnic Malay political leaders to garner support for their party?
What comes to their mind the moment they hear the word Allah spoken by the non-Muslims? Wouldn’t it be natural for them to recall the Quran and the Holy Prophet under the circumstance? What other thoughts come to their mind when the non-Muslims use the word, pray tell us? Is there really a problem?
Ordinary, decent and caring Malay-Muslims, those friendly neighbours and friends, to the best of our knowledge, remain unaffected. In their daily dealings and interactions with the non-Muslims, they don’t get upset or agitated when their non-Muslim colleagues say, “Hanya, Allah sahaja tahu” (Only God knows) or when the non-Muslims say, “Tuan Allah tahu” (The Almighty God knows).
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It is accepted as a statement of fact! They agree and accept that only the Almighty knows. They don’t go into an argument as to what or which God was referred to. “Allah” is God as defined in their faith and tradition.
At this level, there is no confusion at all! There is no objection to the usage of the word Allah by the non-Muslims. They don’t get agitated or upset! They simply don’t care if non-Muslims use this word.
So far, we haven’t heard or seen ordinary Malay-Muslims protesting against the use of the word Allah by others. They are not agitated or upset. It is only certain Malay-Muslim political leaders who are alleging that the Muslims are confused when the non-Muslims say the word Allah.
This is the position of Pas and its leaders who are the cause for this agitation in certain sections of the Muslim society. It is the political leaders who are whipping up and agitating the ordinary Malay-Muslims to object to the use of the word Allah by others. If these political leaders leave the ordinary Malays alone, there will be no clamouring for the prohibition of the word by non-Muslims.
Pas and its leaders are the ones who are beating the war drums to rally support for objecting to the non-Muslims’ use of this word.
It is an established fact that the word Allah had existed for hundreds of years, even during the time of Helen of Troy, before the advent of Islam, which came about 500 years after Christianity. No one in the Muslim world – except for Malaysia – has claimed ownership of this word and insisted on the exclusive right to the use of the word. Muslims elsewhere understand they don’t have the right to impose this claim for their exclusive use. They appreciate that this is a universal word and everyone has a right to use this word without any hindrance. Even the Arabs don’t claim ownership of this word, which was in use for centuries in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam.
The Quran does not prohibit non-Malays from using this word. Neither does the Quran claim exclusive usage or ownership of the word Allah. For Muslim-Malays in Malaysia to lay claim to this word for their exclusive use is without justification. There is no basis to claim ownership of this word. It is tantamount to being ridiculous!
Strangely, the word is allowed to be uttered and used in Sabah and Sarawak. Going by the unfounded claim of the Muslim-Malays of West Malaysia, wouldn’t it be natural for the Muslim-Malays in Sabah and Sarawak to be confused as well? Or is it a case that the Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak belong to a different species?
Should Muslim-Malays travel to Saudi Arabia, where both the Muslims and non-Muslims use the word Allah commonly and freely? How come no one who has been to Saudi Arabia has been inflicted with this confusion? After all, thousands upon thousands of Muslim-Malays have been to Saudi Arabia and continue to go every year.
Let’s conduct a simple test among the Muslim-Malay leaders of standing in Malaysia to verify the validity of this absurd claim that Muslim-Malays become confused when the word Allah is used by the non-Muslims. We hope they will be brave and honest enough to answer truthfully. Their answers will either confirm or demolish this claim as having no basis.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, are you confused?
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, are you confused?
Pas president Hadi Awang, are you confused?
Pas secretary general Takiyuddin Hassan, are you confused?
Former two-time Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, are you confused?
Former Prime Minister Mahiaddin Yasin, are you confused?
Former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, are you confused?
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, are you confused?
Let’s hope that all these Muslim-Malay leaders of prominence will have the courage to answer this simple question addressed individually to them. Their response will help allay the fears of others who are disturbed that the word Allah would cause so much confusion.
They have an obligation to our society to be transparent and accountable, and we hope that they will live up to the expectation of all Malaysians.
Let’s remember and be guided by this pearl of wisdom from Abu Dawood that “the biggest breach of trust is that you tell a thing to your brother who believes it to be true, whereas you have lied to him”.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
I can’t believe it. Politics up this point. Muslim Ambassadors especially the Middle Eastern ones may be quietly laughing at Malaysian Muslim leaders.
Actually as a non Muslim, I get VERY CONFUSED when I come across Muslim politicians come up with stupid idea to prove that they are more pious than others, but turn totally blind to corruption, stealing, lying, giving bad name to Islam. How come none “protector” of Islam gets vocal and share the same sentiment? I’m really confused!
YTris W., your confusion will somewhat be clarified if you think deeply enough of
the concept of “ke-kita-an” that prevails among many in the Malay community.
There is some vicarious gratification within this group whenever they see a Malay
among them making their wealth, never mind the less-than-honourable methods
used. Therein lies our problems – whether or not it has anything to do with Revolusi
Mental promoted by Umno so many years back!
I pray for Malaysia and its future.
Will there be any answer from the named and unnamed political (religious academic leaders) may be asking from those some of whom may not want to answer or may not want to commit to any answer.
Anyway WAIT AND SEE but
WAIT MAYBE IN VAIN.
Bless all
Confucious said,” Never confuse furthur those who are easily confused.Ala mak!”
Indeed if at all Malaysia is ever going to be transformed into a powerhouse of economics, social progress and political stability then it has to begin right here in the usage of the word Allah without discrimination, exclusivity, fear or confusion. Otherwise even if we had a 100 MADANI versions belted out we will still not be ready to embrace the new world order but sink ever deeper into the gorges of a dark age civilization.