To my non-Muslim friends

To my Non-Muslims friends,

The concern and terror among your hearts which has been tremendously raised was unfounded. Unfortunately it’s like fearing something that doesn’t exist. With this, be assure that Hudud is mandatory for Muslims and it is most welcome for all non-Muslims with option of Syariah Court or Civil Court.

We are fairly appreciative regarding your concern about the differences of punishment between non-Muslims and Muslims. For example when convicted of a geng robbery which consist of a Muslim and a non-Muslim, the punishment will varies between a Muslim and a non-Muslim due to civil and syariah sentences.

Whichever punishment is lenient or harsher, the non-Muslim criminal is given a choice to choose either to be sentenced in a civil or syariah court. As Muslims, we are obliged by the law of our belief (Islam) whereby if we are not sentenced in this world as accordance to the Quran, we will be sentenced harsher in the hereafter. I’m pretty sure in any religion that believes there is a hereafter; they would devote themselves to strive for a better life hereafter which is blessed eternity. Hence, deep down in our hearts we really hope that other religion would respect our belief to implement hudud in our Muslim community.

*This is not from The Chukai Insider. I found it [HERE]. We should thank the authors for doing a great job!

Where are the Islamic Studies graduates?

Do you remember a top-gun Chinese politician featured on a sex video before? Well, apparently he said something that hurts the Muslim populations in Malaysia yesterday. This is where freedom of speech and democracy failed. Democracy allows freedom of speech to anyone regardless of his or her moral standard and credibility. Freedom to speak comes with responsibility. While we are supporting Malaysia to become a more matured democracy, it does not mean you have to put negative statements on issues which are close to the hearts of the Muslims. Being responsible not to hurt the other's feeling by condemning their religion's decree is something that we Malaysians really need. However, even a top politician failed to realise the concept of 1Malaysia in which acceptance of other's religion practice.

It is understandable that he does not understand the concept of how most Malaysian Muslims want the Hudud is implemented here. We do not look for models in Arab countries in doing so. There are so many things that you do not know, Mr. I-was-in-a-sex-video! 

However, a thing that baffles my mind is where are the Islamic graduates that Malaysians produce locally and abroad to answer, rebut and then make Malaysians understand the concept. It is agreed to most Malaysian Muslims (in this context, those who do not speak out via columns in newspapers or politicians) that Hudud cannot be implemented yet since there are lots of preconditions to be met. But since this I-was-in-a-sex-video man is offending ordinary Muslims (Hudud is part of Islam, therefore offending Hudud as a decree of Allah SWT is offending Muslims, although we all know you will deny it after this), I wondered where are the Muslims have gone?

Where are the Islamic Studies graduates have gone? 

I am not saying the responsibilities of dakwah fall under the Islamic Studies graduates only, but your focus of studies should enable us the rest who are not formally educated in particular subjects (hudud, nation building etc.) to understand them. I know the responsibilities fall under each of the Muslims, but we also need some education on the issues. This is where your parts are welcomed in the society. Do not make us scared by saying this and that. Make us understand and blend with the communities in the most creative ways possible. Then, there will be Muslims unity.

When Muslims are united, it should be easier for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to progress and not being stopped by non-intellectual politicians who are just so good in manipulating people.

Government sends students to Al-Azhar University, to Jordan and we even have our own international Islamic university! Where are the thousands of scholars who can speak for the ordinary Muslims. We know it is not viable to implement it yet since even our top leader is not being tarbiyah-ed enough to fill the position as a Muslim but pulling out wrong statement and facts about Islamic Law are unacceptable.

This is the time when you should produce articles, letters and discussions so that not just this video star understands about the issue, but to all Malaysians. 

Even our Muslim artists do not understand the concept- that means we cannot implement it yet. Note the 'yet'.
These are the target groups for our own Islamic Studies graduates whom I think must have better scholarly facts
to educate the ordinary Malaysians.

Why not produce simple articles or discussion without using the jargons which are hard to understand so that we all know about it. There is no point for you to put out the Islamic terms without us understanding them.

Be creative, be bold and be close to the people. Millions of ringgit Malaysia have been spent using taxpayer's money. This is the responsibilities that you owe to ordinary Malaysian Muslims.-The Chukai Insider

* I am not a pengkhianat bangsa or whatsoever, but if the Muslim scholars can produce articles, campaigns or discussions both in English and Malay would be much better so that they can reach our target groups.

A Country at the Crossroads

It seems like Malaysia has never been more open enough in terms of discussion of many things that involve principles, ideologies and beliefs. More divided than before, I would say. Or more concreted to each other as I would want to see it. And yet, while having these tonnes of issues which were considered 'sensitive' the proponents of freedom of speech still fighting for their cause. I think they like to oppose much until they forgot when to stop. Once born Opposition, you keep opposing without any judgements whether they are good or bad. All things are bad, according to you. Unless you are the ones making bad stuffs, no one can put the issues in their newspapers. Well Seputeh's, that's for you. Why did I say that? Do you remember when one of your fella 'rocket' members say our flag should be changed and you told the media to keep the thing off and move on. Oh, how dumber could you get when your leaned-towards-you media been bashing all things done by the other side.

I am not saying that I am on that side. It is just you do things so unpragmatic without credibilities and of course the right word is 'stupid'. Well, it's the rockets. I wonder what the White Moon on the Greens would say since the Rockets are their 'allies'. 

Well, the one with the big serban in Kelantan would just speak with his accent and things would be kept shut. He likes to keep others shut with his sharp and yet unconclusive words. I do respect him but never want him to become my leader.

The other side is no better. When Moderation is the key as they would say, the extreme championista are at their sides. I don't want a wife looks like having her time of life when his husband is the Project Manager (PM) of the country. More hairdo, huh? Make it bigger. 

When some people still do not understand hudud, and its application, the Project Manager straight away said 'NO' when majority of those who understood it thought he should not say that. It really shows that you don't understand the concept and yet you bring the Islamic notion to the international level. Aren't you ashamed? And while at the back, the Queen Bee still does not cover her hair. When could you say it's not yet time or so-called 'your rights', please remember that you are the slave of Allah SWT in this world, and you are not obeying His words. And yet, you tell others in the country to follow you while in my eyes, you don't even have the guts to adhere to your religion closely when it is of paramount importance.

One side is too much to the worldly matters, the other side is no better except in a different way. The opportunist rocket is watching. Still, The Chukai Insider is wondering why the Red Keris and The White Moon on the Greens cannot work together? If tarbiyah is the dogma of The White Moon on the Greens, then they should be acting like friends and not bashing the other side like you don't want to be friends. To the Red Keris, we all know most of you agreed with what The White Moon on the Greens fight for, but why the arrogance?

Everyone was brought up in different ways and so we have different opinions. However, we have always wanted the best in Malaysia. How do you define that is different again. Let's work on it. Yes, the Reds and Greens, please work on your relationship and we can move on, happily ever after.-The Chukai Insider

Again on Hudud

This is a simple article just to make my stand on Hudud issue clearer. 

1. It is a matter of choice of Muslims in today's conditions. Not in the context of today's 'world' as Al-Quran is relevant throughout the time. Today's conditions means the situations do not allow us to implement it due to many reasons- unfair institutions, elitism, separation of powers between the leader and the people, unequal distribution of wealth etc. And this matter is already agreed by neutral and unbiased Islamic scholar like Dr. Asri since we are not yet able to provide an adil situation in which all basic conditions of human be met (easy marriage is an example). To put it simple, work on to eliminate those things to implement Hudud. Yes, this goes to you too the Greens. 

On this basis, Hudud law cannot be implemented now. (The Chukai Insider's stand)

2. If you believe that Al-Quran is the Allah's sayings to the Muslims, and you yourself are in efforts to become a Muslims (the lowest level of iman) then you should be in effort to make hudud laws as a way of societies' lives. But never to the point where you implement the whole hudud law but the societies are not yet ready for it. Then, what is the purpose of hudud law if the believers don't even believe in the reasons behind the laws. It would be extremely stupid and very wrong on your side.

3. Hence, priorities should be given to educate the law to the people- not bashing each other on the basis of which one is right. For a wise Muslim, it is the ultimate goal to go with Allah's sayings (decree) and hence we must understand the reasons behind the law. We do not just publicise the law to the public and just say that we should do this and this. It is stupid to implement something in which even the people (rakyat) still do not get to understand and practice. 

4. No example could be better than this- 'some' Saudi Arabians on plane already took off their covers (tudungs/jilbab) once they are outside the country. Does this show that once they are outside the law, they can go against it? This shows lack of deep understanding (fahmuddaki') on their believes. The same thing could happen in Malaysia. Or if it is allowed in the Constitution to implement it in some states, many will fled out of them. And it is not their fault that they feel scared since they don't understand the law. Politicians on both sides argued who is better but everyone wants to be accepted in Allah's views. Perhaps. Hence work together to make sure the conditions where Hudud law can be implemented be realised. 

5. To the championista of Hudud law, it is the responsibility of the Muslims then to support the efforts of going for Hudud law. But the most important thing is education to the people. It is extremely stupid to implement without people understanding it. Even Rasulullah SAW took 13 years to educate and to the level that is far better than today's. I doubt even in Kelantan the leaders can provide the same conditions that Hudud may be implemented in the near future. 

6. This is the truth- in Kelantan or Terengganu. There is always a stark difference between those who are the religous and not. But the vocal ones are the religious person (in this context, practising Muslims) but please do educate others first before you chanting Hudud to the public.

7. I never saw an imam approaching the mat rempits (it may happened but I do not think so since I never saw one approaching the latter) and at least try to converse with them and then make them interested with the religion. When you implement Hudud, what will happen to this cluster of people? They were not educated the proper way and not even acknowledged the reasons behind the law and then get punished.- When you later on say that this group will get scared after the law is implemented, then will they do nothing and be kinder? No, you must remember that there is a possibility that they will get worse and flee away. So, you leave the states full with so-called good people and let others do their bad things somewhere else? Think!

8. Who do you think they will blame?

9. When da'wah is the branch of politics (I saw this with the Greens) then it is hard to make people understand about it. Ilmu as mentioned in the first Surah of Al-Alaq should be given the highest priority to make people understand Hudud law-even to the so called a Muslim columnist championing the human rights. How about the rights to practise my religion- in this case Islam and Hudud? Can you answer that Z Anwar?


 Educating those in power should be prioritised. However, it is so sad to see that even those wearing kopiah on top of their heads saying bad words and 'trying' to educate the less-educated the wrong way and they call themselves the 'knowing' and 'holding Allah's trust as khalifah on this earth'.

There is no point you post pictures of people under punishment of Hudud law if you want that to happen. You must go deeper to yourselves and reflect on how do you understand the law in the first place. I have lots of friends posting photos of Hudud law implementation but fail to make others to understand the law but keep their friend distancing themselves from understanding the law. Maybe your niat is good but the way you transmit the message could not be more wrong. The key word is: educate. Educate yourself first then others.

10. Hudud is a must. Education to understand it is much much more needed.-The Chukai Insider

Hudud Issue: How about you?

Have you heard the brouhaha about Hudud issue in Malaysia? Yes, for only Allah SWT knows how many times have this issue being raised to the public discussion and fall to deaf ears months after that. Like a crab in holes of the sand at the beach, it will come out to the surface of the public's mind by any means but ultimately by one of the so-called Islamist party of Malaysia- The Greens. 

If you consider yourself a Muslim, you should not take this as something brought up by a political party. Believe me, even me who are really anti of the political dinosaurs of the Greens think that we should never take this as a political games or ploy. We the Muslims either on  the Reds and the Greens must take this seriously. So are the young of this time!

Again, be grateful to Allah SWT that in His barakah and opportunities that we are able to come across with this issue when we are still in early twenties or younger. Don't you think it is a sign of a better world for Malaysians?

If they do not raise the issue in public, would you ever give a damn about Hudud? Nay.

I would not go to the details of Hudud as I am not an expert but I AM A MALAYSIAN and have the right of expressing opinion under the Constitution. 

First and foremost  I think Mr.N said one of the dumbest thing when he said 'No hudud in Malaysia' as he already put a dot on the issue. While a Malaysian Project Manager (PM) must become the mediator in most cases, and then rolled out his stand, he did the opposite thing. How dumber could it be?

When you said that, it gives the impression even you don't understand the concept of Hudud itself and you yourself say you are a Muslim and the leader of a Muslim country and yet what Allah SWT says are denied by you. Yes, we are not able to do it since the current situation will make it worst (more of that here) but in mu humble opinion, we should strive to bring the society towards there. Being a Malaysian Project Manager does not mean you have the word to go against your God. In that sense, you against the trust of the people and you took an oath before. Nay?

It is ubiquitous nowadays to see the so-called I-am-a-Muslim-too and yet they translate the religious issues on literal basis without Quranic verses and interpretations. Yes, to Non-Muslims reading this, you do not have to worry about not understanding Hudud (and) most of the time you get misled by the wrong authority since it will not bring harm to you (we do not stone you to death if you don't want the laws).You always get misled by the wrong people. Even Muslims themselves don't understand it. Even if they understand, they already set their mind that Hudud is 'uncivilised' and therefore cannot be implemented. For example- THIS ARTICLE. What do you mean  by 'No hudud please, we're Malaysians'. No offence, but I still think if you do not even care to wear enough fabrics to cover your aurat, I don't think you have the capacity to even deny about it. Furthermore, you misled others. Isn't that asking Muslims to have bad impressions on their own religion? Even worse, you play around with the issue and make it a laughing matter. One obvious stupid thing you did- referring rape as adultery while in fact it is not. You should read this.

As a humble slave of Allah SWT, I encourage you to think about this issue. It is not political, trust me. It is your life and it goes back to you and your life. I still think that Hudud cannot be implemented YET in Malaysia (and even in one of its states) but the efforts to bring the people towards the level of Hudud-ness (my own term) must be done. 

What I mean by this is mentioned in by Dr Asri in his website:

Nabi s.a.w sebelum menegaskan tentang hudud, baginda mewujudkan suasana keadilan yang menyeluruh dalam masyarakat yang diperintah oleh baginda. Pemerintah dan rakyat sama setaraf di hadapan undang-undang. Tiada diskriminasi keturunan dan latar belakang. Suanana kebajikan; bantu membantu, tolong menolong antara masyarakat yang kukuh. Jaminan hak rakyat yang diberikan. Suasana halal yang mudah; mudah berkahwin, talak, fasakh, khuluk dan selainnya. Tiada alasan untuk lelaki ataupun wanita berzina. Sementara suasana haram yang diketatkan; sukar mendapat dan menebusi perkara haram. 

And yet we still do not have that. This is what I referred to as going for Hudud-ness.

Hudud-ness refers to the conditions in which all of the environments, laws and leaders provide the base for Hudud to be implemented. 

Simple question: As good a law could be, if the implementers are as bad as today's, what will happen? 

Again, the name of Islam will be used to against it and thereby putting bad impressions on the religion.

To the columnist who wrote 'No hudud please', please understand the law carefully first and don't make yourself look 'SO DUMB' to the millions of readers of the newspaper.-The Chukai Insider

Hudud is a matter of choice for Muslims

This Opinion is taken from The Star Online. 

It is a must-read if you care about your faith even you are not a Muslim. It is an essential for every Malaysian to read this. Even the Muslims themselves don't understand this issue as I may suggest by what a columnist in The Star wrote last week. In one word-shameful. This is written by Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, Member of Parliament for Kota Raja, Selangor.

I AM writing this in response to Zainah Anwar’s article “No hudud please, we are Malaysians” (Sunday Star, Oct 2), where she presented her objections to the implementation of hudud law.

I understand that she sees herself as a “modern, democratic and progressive” person and, as such, has great difficulty in understanding why there exists to this day people who are “stuck in medieval times”.

I know that her views with respect to hudud and perhaps the Islamic legal system is shared by some Muslims and this is why I am responding to her article. First, I believe a brief explanation on what hudud law is about would be relevant.

Hudud law refers to those specific crimes and their related punishment which have been categorically mentioned in the Quran. As such, there are only a few crimes which fall under the purview of hudud law. Given that these laws are directly derived from the Quran, to the Muslim who believes that the Quran is the word of God, its implementation is a matter of faith.

The crimes which cannot be charged under hudud fall under the purview of ta’zir wherein the punishment and mode of proof is open to discussion and debate.

It has also to be understood that the implementation of hudud laws is subject to very strict and stringent requirements. Due to the stringent punishments which are to be meted out, the requirements to necessitate the implementation of these laws are also equally stringent.

The case of adultery

The question of four witnesses in the case of adultery and the subsequent qazaf punishment should the accuser fail to bring forth the four witnesses is frequently scoffed at but it is an example of the strict and stringent requirements for conviction in view of the stringent punishment to be meted out. To meet the requirement of four reputable witnesses makes conviction almost impossible.

Perhaps some may then question that if it is nearly impossible to get a conviction in the case of adultery, why then the need for such a law? The answer is to maintain the status of adultery as a heinous crime in the eyes of the public. No one will then brag of having had illicit affairs in public.

The social implications of adultery is obvious for all to see. Abandoned babies, divorces and such are clearly on the increase. We speak out against the stringent punishment for adultery but who speaks out for the dead baby found in the trash bins?

The purpose of this requirement is also to ensure that such accusations are not made irresponsibly and rumours pertaining to a person’s moral uprightness are seen as something unacceptable by the general public.

The case of rape

In relation to the issue of rape, it has also to be explained, in the event some people still do not understand, that rape and adultery are two different things. The law pertaining to adultery is not applicable to rape. An accusation of adultery is made by a third party wherein the act is done by other consenting individuals.

An accusation of rape, on the other hand, is made by the victim herself, not a third party, and it is far from being consensual.

Given the situation, the requirement for the four witnesses is not relevant to rape as it is to strengthen the accusation of the third party in the case of an accusation of adultery. In the case of rape, conventional items of proof can be used such as DNA to secure a conviction.

It is to be noted that in the case of rape, many rapists get off scot free as they allege it was consensual sex. This is more so in “date rapes” or cases when the rapist is an acquaintance of the victim.

In such cases, the victim has to prove that it was not consensual. In most cases the victim and her moral integrity is then put on trial. Under the Islamic system, consensual sex is not a defence for the rapist as in effect he would be admitting to adultery. The victim would be let off as she claims rape and her involvement in the sexual act was not consensual.

There are those who would argue that an unsuspecting male would then become the victim when a woman seduces him and she then cries rape.

To that, my response would be for the male to keep his pants on at all times. This in itself would be a deterent to the occurrence of adultery as the male would always be wary since he would have no escape route open to him should she intend to entrap him.

I do not deny that in some cases, there are those who insist that rape and adultery are the same. It has to be noted that such claims have no Quranic justification and can be taken as a misinterpretation of Islamic law by individuals who do not understand the difference between the two.

If this happens, I am sure the Sisters in Islam will be able to argue out the case for differentiating between the two cases.

Pregnancy out of wedlock

Similar is the case for women who become pregnant out of wedlock. All that needs to be done is to say that she was raped or forced to have sex and that would suffice as her defence. Anyone saying otherwise should bring forth four witnesses as they are then the ones accusing her of having committed adultery.

A case in point is an incident in the time of Umar Al-Khattab when an unmarried woman was brought to him after having given birth to a child. Umar wanted to punish her but when asked by Ali, she explained what happened some 10 months before when she was forced to have sex in exchange for a drink of milk while she was dying of thirst.

Given that explanation, Ali quickly retorted that she was a victim, forced to have sex and should not therefore be punished. She was then released.

It is to be understood that the spirit behind the implementation of the law is to find the accused innocent unless the evidence and proof are so overwhelming and all requirements have been met that it cannot be opined otherwise other than guilty.

It is not to be implemented with a blood-thirsty and overzealous attitude as what some may wish to portray.

Thieves and the cutting

off of their hands

In the case of theft and the cutting off of the hand of the thief, it has to be understood that in the first place, two righteous persons need to come forward as witnesses. They must have seen the thief stealing the item with their own eyes.

At the same time, the item stolen must be above a certain value, kept in a reasonably safe location and the reasons for stealing must be other than out of necessity.

Last but not least, the victim must insist on charging the thief or thieves in court knowing full well the punishment which will be meted out in the case of a conviction.

Should the victim choose to retract all charges, after having achieved an amicable out of court agreement, then again the conviction and thereby the punishment averted.

It must be always borne in mind that the purpose of the law is to act as a serious deterrent to all “would-be perpetrators” and in so doing, reduce crime significantly. It is not the objective to maximise the number of those punished.

Theft, especially one accompanied by violence, leaves traumatised victims in its wake. Victims of snatch thieves, dragged over a few metres, suffer serious injuries. Some have died. Pregnant women have been known to suffer miscarriage and even innocent bystanders have been known to have become victims of this crime.

While conviction is difficult, due to the requirements set by the hudud, its implementation will serve as an effective deterrent. Should, through its implementation, the occurrence of crime be significantly reduced, then we must say that it has achieved its objective.

If a single hand is in the end cut off, but through it a thousand incidents are averted, and with it also a thousand traumatised victims, would one not say that the law has been a success?

It has to be reiterated that in the event a case cannot be charged under hudud, due to it not fulfilling the explicit requirements, it can then be charged under ta’zir.

In the case of theft, this includes situations where there were no witnesses to the crime but the stolen material was found in the possession of the accused, or there was only one witness instead of two. In such cases the accused, if found guilty, will still be punished but not under the laws of hudud.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that much is not known about hudud law and how it works within the bigger overall legal system, particularly by those who wish to appear as champions opposing it. What should happen is for the proponents to present their case in detail first, before it is opposed based on the points presented.

Secondly, while the punishment for hudud crimes are quite explicit, the procedures for its implementation can be discussed and so designed so as to ensure that they will not lead to an easy conviction.

Third and last, it is up to Muslims to decide whether they wish for these laws to be implemented on them.

If that is what they wish for, understanding it to be a requirement of their faith, who then is Zainah to refuse them their choice? After all, is it not said that one man’s meat is another man’s poison?

For those who like to give the impression that when hudud is implemented there will be so many people walking around without limbs and there will be not enough stones to throw, they are admitting that there are many thieves and adulterers among us who would commit these heinous crimes unashamedly in broad daylight.

If society has come to this point, don’t you think that immorality in our society has reached uncontrollable levels and that hudud is imperative? Laws are not only to punish but to be a deterrent.

Allah SWT understands the nature of His creations better than we understand ourselves. It is our faith that Allah SWT knows best.

As Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Asri puts it precisely, as Muslim you cannot go against Allah’s decree (the Quran is the word of God) but you can question the enactments and their implementation.

Sisters, if you accept the word of Allah SWT, you would be doing a great service to Islam if you can sit down with the implementers to iron out what you may perceive would be unjust in the implementation of hudud.

DR SITI MARIAH MAHMUD,

MP Kota Raja, Selangor.

Hudud Law in Malaysia - Ainul (Original Title: bleep)

i think that hudud law should be implemented in Malaysia.

and understandably,non muslims wouldn't agree with it. it sounds too harsh to chop people's hands off for stealing, i get it. it's been talked about since ever. Islamic law is too harsh for human beings and all that crap. 

but as a muslim,naturally I agree with it cause that's what's written in the Quran. 

Any muslim leader who doesn't support it clearly doesn't have the true meaning of being a Muslim driven through his thick head yet. or he could just simply open the Quran sometimes. 

or look into a mirror. 

but like i said, i get it that non muslims in Malaysia disagree. heck, i wouldn't agree if i were them. it wouldn't be fair to them. but i did feel really pissed when i read about what the DAP/PKR (i dunno,which party are they in anyway?) said about how they would really really really hate it if hudud law is implemented here. it makes Islam sound unfair. which it isn't. and i get why the PAS leaders want this law carried out so badly. cause they know this:

Sahih International

And they will say, "Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries, and they led us astray from the [right] way.

Sahih International

Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse."

(Surah al-Ahzab, ayat 67,68)

i don't know about the law in Malaysia all that much. i don't know,is hudud EVER implemented anywhere here at all? but i think it should be to muslims at least. we deserve it. 

see, in Islam, the hudud and qisas laws are necessary so that the muslims punished won't have to go through harsher punishments from Allah for those sins in the afterlife. so it's actually a safety net for us. to deny muslims these rights is a crime to humanity.

laugh if you will,that's what we believe in. or what Muslims should believe in at least. that's why i have my doubts on Muslim leaders who don't agree with hudud and qisas.

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