Genuine Muslims
Ziqad 15, 1432 A.H, Friday, October 14, 2011
A clear writing
emblazoned on a piece of cardboard held by a woman among the crowd of women
protesters that day reads, “It is not our skirts that are mini, but it's your
brains that are mini.” Another writing, carried by another woman reads, “Mini
skirts are not porno, what's porno is your brain.”
There were several other writings in similar tone carried by other women
protesters who, on that day, were mostly wearing short skirts and sexy dresses.
All of those was a form of protest addressed to an official in Jakarta. The
reason being, that official earlier remarked with sarcasm on the women who love
to dress sexily in public places, including on public transport vehicles. The
core of the message from the sarcastic remark of the official was that, mini
skirts have the potential to become one of the factors that invites the
occurrence of sexual harassment (read: rape) that happened to a number of women
which lately is rife.
Dear readers, as a Muslim, what's on your mind concerning the doings of the
'daring' women who dress sexily? The answer surely depends on the perception and
standards you use to assess.
Regarding this matter, it is interesting to reflect on the statement of Khalil
bin Ahmad al-Bisri cited by Imam al-Ghazali in one of his masterpieces, Ihya
’Ulum ad-Din (I/46), also in At-Tibr al-Masbuk fi Nasihah al-Muluk (I/44) (See
also: Ar-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghayb, I/463; as-Samarqandi, Bahr al-’Ulum, I/395). It
was mentioned by Khalil bin Ahmad al-Bisri, that there four types of people in
this world.
First: Rajul[un] la yadri wala yadri annahu la yadri (Someone who does
not know and he does not know that he does not know). This is the kind people
who are ignorant in religion, but they are not aware of their folly. As a
result, they are often being a smart ass. Due to being a smart ass (in reality
are stupid), they often refuse the truth, although it is clearly confirmed in
the Qur'an or in as-Sunnah. For example, with regards to the commands for women
to cover their awrah strictly: wear a veil (QS an-Nur [24]: 31) and be covered
when outdoors (QS al-Ahzab [33]: 59), it is explicitly expressed in the Qur'an.
However, there are still a lot of Muslim women, when told about this obligation,
reject it, in fact with a very strong rejection. The sexy women demonstrators
above can of course be categorized into this first group people. The term ’mini
brain’ is certainly more suitable to be addressed to themselves. Another example
is the rejectors of Shari'ah and Khilafah; the adorers of democracy; the
practicers of secularism, liberalism, pluralism, feminism, and other deviated
ideas.
Second: Rajul[un] la yadri wa yadri annahu la yadri (Someone who does not
know and he knows that he does not know). This is the kind of people who are a
layman in religious matters, but they are very aware of their lack of knowledge.
Due to that, they always seeks to increase their knowledge and insights. They
diligently attend majelis of 'ilm (gathering of knowledge), read a lot of books,
ask many people who know better and certainly they would never be allergic to
anyone who conveys the truth to them. People of this kind belong to the group
consisting of the seekers of knowledge, who have a thirst for knowledge where
ever it comes from. They never reject the truth even if it comes from outside
their mazhab, organizations or harakah; of course as long as the truth is
sourced from the Qur'an and as-Sunnah.
Third: Rajul[un] yadri wala yadri annahu yadri (Someone who knows but he
does not know that he knows). People of this kind are knowledgeable or having a
lot of religious knowledge. They may be the ustadzs, mubalighs, ulama's, kiyais,
etc. However, their knowledge and expertise are not reflected in their behaviors
and actions. Many of them know that implementing the Islamic Shari'ah in its
totality in life is wajib, but they are reluctant to endeavor for it (except at
the personal level). Many understand that establishing the Khilafah is wajib,
but they are lazy to struggle for it. Many are aware and agree that the living
system that has been functioning all these while is corrupt, but they are not
moved to change it in the direction of Islam.
Actually, people of this kind are not exclusively those who are faqih (wise) in
religion; it could also include people whose religious knowledge are average.
For example, every Muslim/Muslimah should understand that praying fives time a
day, fasting in Ramadhan, seeking knowledge, covering the awrah (wearing veils
and jilbab for women), doing da'wah, practicing amar makruf nahi munkar; all
those are wajib. But the fact is, there are a lot of Muslims/Muslimahs whose
solat are 'perforated' or in other words they very seldom pray; many do not fast
the Ramadhan except for a few days; many are lazy to seek knowledge; many are
reluctant to wear veils and jilbab; many do want to do da'wah and practice amar
makruf nahi munkar.
People of this type may also exist in the environment of the carriers of da'wah.
Not a few, for example, shabab (youths) who are aware that learning the Arabic
language is wajib (according to some ulama's), but they are lazy to do it.
Whereas, they already know that the mastery of the Arabic language is important
in order to be a faqih fad-din, as a provision for themselves in conducting
da'wah. Not to mention that, they also already know that one of the factors
triggering the decline of the Muslims is the forsaking of the Arabic language
mastery.
What about their da'wah? Of course, they are the ones who know the most about
the reality of the obligation to conduct da'wah in the midst of the ummah, let
alone conducting da'wah in the framework of establishing the Shari'ah and
Khilafah. However, the fact on the ground often do not always reflect how good
their understandings are; not a few who make the da'wah as the second, third,
fourth or even the twelfth affair.
Fourth: Rajul[un] yadri wa yadri annahu yadri (Someone who knows and he
knows that he knows). This is the best type of mankind. Belonging to this group
are the ulama's who truly practice their knowledge, the da'wah activists who
truly make da'wah as the axis of their lives, and anyone whose behaviors and
actions are in accordance with their understandings and speech. These are the
genuine Muslims who are suitable to be exemplified. May we belong in it.
Wama tawfiqi illa bilLah.
[Arief B. Iskandar]
Translated and submitted by a Mujahid