The ABCs of Life

Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle said, “help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” (al-Bukhari: Book #43, Hadith #624)

If anybody would remember what nurinmz.com once talked about, they would definitely remember amongst the issues raised and discussed were of politics and social needs. But after a while I felt like I’m just a mediocre in things and sincerely I have very little time to do research and write on such critical subject though they are some of my main interests.

I’m not about to write a controversial entry now, but since I’m a Malaysian, I do feel the urge to mention one of the most important event in the country’s history where thousands of ‘rakyat’ (people) walked down the streets with an appeal to the Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to support the demand for electoral reforms from the Malaysian government. The government declared that the BERSIH demonstration was illegal as having a different view about the country usually means being ‘anti-government’ and ‘anti-peace’ in Malaysia. Nevertheless, thousands of courageous Malaysians who love freedom and justice as much as they love unity and peace, gathered together to voice out their utmost concern in support of their common demand for a fair and just election. They painted Kuala Lumpur yellow that day and the talk about BERSIH was in the media everywhere around the globe.

Watching some of the videos and reading entries about it, I’ve found two pictures illustrating an interesting story. One of Irene Fernandez, participating in the rally on her wheelchair and the other of a guy named Amri, walking down the streets during the demonstration with crutches and a leg-less. I was touched seeing those two and also a number of video scenes showing old people - ‘pakcik makcik warga emas Malaysia’ - doing the same.

The moment I saw these pictures, I lamented on the fact that many people like me, myself and hundreds others whom are physically well and intellectually trained and educated - university students and graduates, professionals - had very little interest in such things. Too little interest in knowing, understanding…enough said about acting!

Some people felt that ignorance is bliss, therefore “let me not know for I won’t have to bear any responsibility by knowing”. Some people knew, but are too selfish and emotionally weak to contribute; and fighting for truth and justice would simply be too absurd to deal with. “Let others do it, I have other things to do…there are more important things for ME, MYSELF!”

Leave alone the fact that many Malaysians are still in the dark about politics or even think that politics is a no-no in the religion, many of us the so called intellectual, graduates or professionals whom profess our knowledge in written certificates and degrees are not helping the community to grow, to mature or to progress accordingly by knowing each other’s rights and responsibilities and putting them in place. We avoid inhaling the wind of change and rather live as we have in the past, feeling always complacent though some of our rights are being ripped off everyday!

Just like in conveying the message of peace - al-Islam - how many of us profess faith but rarely put it into practice? And how many of us whom God has chosen by opening the door of knowledge has really make good of what we know? And how many of us have enough bravery in our hearts that we are able to spread the call and become the agents of change or tajdid? Many Muslims complain about the current situation in the Muslim world yet they even avoid being 24 hours Muslim and Islamic. People talk about Palestine, Iraq, Chechen, Kashmir and many other unfortunate Muslims everyday who actually become less fortunate each day because people like us procrastinated time and effort in saving them by busying ourselves with ignorance and selfishness or even feeling inferior and always incapable of doing something! What despised me most is some of us could even tolerate injustice done to them because they don’t want to deal with anything! Islam protects your faith, honour and wealth but I feel sorry, so sorry if us, ourselves has the least interest in giving Islam it’s place to fulfil such duty.

Lamenting…sejak tahun lalu, saya ada 15-16 orang pelajar Tafsir dan kini saya mempunyai lebih 20 anak murid di SMS. Daripada jumlah itu, saya sendiri tidak pasti berapa ramai yang dapat memahami, berapa pula yang dapat mengamalkan dan berapa pula yang dapat menyampaikan apa yang dapat mereka pelajari pada yang lain. Dan berapa pula dalam jumlah yang kecil ini akan tahu perjuangan Islam itu bukan bermula dengan figur-figur hebat yang dinanti, tetapi bermula dengan diri-diri mereka sendiri …

Back to BERSIH, everyone whom participated has done their part for Malaysia. What about us?

If anyone thinks that demonstrating is not a Malaysian way, I say they should re-read history, re-learn the constituent and democracy and re-define yourself as a citizen of a democratic country. It doesn’t mean you need to walk down the street and demonstrate everyday but you should fulfil your duties to your country wisely, sincerely and maturely and one of it is by participating in the process of democracy; be a registered voter at least! Peaceful demonstrations to me are just a natural democratic act by the mass. You can’t expect thousands of people to join parliamentary debate nor participate in elections would you? Let’s revisit history made easy by reading and watching this - 10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka - a short documentary film and the worthy winner of the Freedom Film Festival 2007.

*Berani Hidup Tak Takut Mati
Takut Mati Jangan Hidup
Takut Hidup Mati Saja.
Sekali Hidup…Hidup Berarti …

I love my country and upholding justice would be the best remedy in ensuring its stability. I’m not worried or ashamed to quote real events like BERSIH, and I hope nobody would. There’s still along way to go for a better Malaysia and let’s be a part of it. BERSIH: Agar Tanah Airku Terus Bermaruah!

* this is the motto of Pondok Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia.
NEWS: My brother succeeded in it’s placement test but he chose to stay and learn in Malaysia.