I think the habit of ‘haram-ing’ organizations or bodies just because we disagree with them needs to be looked at very carefully by golongan ulama’. It is treacherous ground. This is because if they are not careful, there will come one day when the ‘haram-ing’ will be inflicted upon them because there is disagreement from a particular group of people. People from this party will say that party is haram and people from that party will say this party is haram. In the end, everybody ceases to exist.
What we need instead is ‘kaedah yang betul’ to reach the conclusion of ‘this society is haram and that society is haram’. For instance, if we disagree with certain issues raised by SIS, we need to list them down and invite them to defend themselves against these issues that we think are wrong. If they clearly failed to do so and are proven ‘wrong’ based on facts and structured debate, then it’s justified to ban them. Otherwise, people would just freely ban others on the basis of disagreement which I think is not reflective of Islam’s approach to things; which has always been based on facts. We need to demonstrate justice and do things systematically, as is always proposed by Islam.
The reason being, eventhough some issues being brought up by SIS is at loggerheads with Islam’s recommendations (eg: issue of polygamy), they have also done some good things like fighting for rights of women while religious authorities at times fail to defend women’s rights. Kes mahkamah syariah bertimbun-timbun unsettled for instance. Kadang-kadang religous authorities sendiri menjadi instrument for oppresion of women and tarnish the name of our religion. They talk about religion so much but fail to ‘membela wanita’. This we have to admit.
Let’s clear our heads and give SIS a chance to defend themselves and discuss openly with our ulamas. It not only demonstrates the compassion and wisdom of the Muslims but also a good chance for us to do da’wah as well.
Just a thought.
Wassalam.
6 Comments
June 16, 2009 at 10:55 am
Salam wbt
I agree.
One point to note, PAS does not have the power (i.e. ruling/official power) to ban any organisation. And rigtly so… But to be fair to PAS, they did not simply ask SIS to be banned, but to be investigated first.
Talking about right method to reach conclusion before banning someone I agree. Although I cannot comment on this since I do not know what kind of effort that has been or has not been done to engage with such organisation. Will reserve that for those who know.
Anyway, nice double entry after long ‘holiday’.
June 16, 2009 at 11:16 am
Salam wbt Cherap,
Wah lama tidak mendengar khabar. I am not sure myself about what methods that have been done to reach this conclusion of ‘haram’ but one thing for certain it surely hasn’t been made public. Even if they have done it, it should be publicized as we cannot just claim we are just, we must be seen to be just.
Anyway, peciter Aberdeen?
June 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Sangat agree. Being a feminist I often visited the website to understand what women in Malaysia is going through. Studying here, I am more aware of the practices in the western world. Being a true Muslim myself I totally understand the need to look back at our cultural and religious upbringing and correct the oppression that has been going on.
I believe that SIS has done so much in standing up for women in Malaysia. They believe in equality in the partnership of family lives. Islam is a beautiful religion, it is not oppressive by nature. But understanding its concepts and embedding it into cultural believes is what has made it oppressive all this while.
We need a new wave of thinkers and practitioner to pick out and separate the actual Islamic laws and Cultural Beliefs in order to make headway into understanding and embracing this beautiful religion that is far from oppressive or discriminative.
Banning SIS would do no good what so ever, a proper continuous discussions on all aspects of gender relationship should be promoted to achieve a much needed outcome.
June 16, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Eh Kak Ayu pon ade. Terime kasih!
June 16, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Salam,
Interesting point of view
A couple of days ago, an article came out in the NST I think (or was it The Star?) that reported the head of PAS for the Shah Alam division admitted the proposal to ban SIS was a mistake. Apparently that was the older version. The revised version should have been “PAS suggests that there should be a dialougue with this controversial party so as to ‘right’ some of its stand”. Just thought you’d like to know that
Having said that, I do agree with you that Pas’s proposition is a tad bit extreme. However, I can’t help but think that so are some of SIS’s stand on certain issues relating to women’s rights pertaining to Islam. Yes, they have done a lot in standing up for oppressed and unfairly treated women, but that is beside the point. At the end of the day, what they preach will be embedded in what the society believes in, especially since they stand up for a lot of women. And are we quite sure what they are fighting for really does represent Islam? ( some, not all)
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against them, but what i’m trying to point out is that, when you think about it carefully, you kinda understand where Pas is coming from.
June 20, 2009 at 11:44 am
salam wbt zaid
(If you haven’t read this)
Penjelasan MP Shah Alam, YB Khalid Samad tentang Persoalan Usul Sisters in Islam : boleh dibaca di sini — http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=112109498377&ref=mf