Apostasy, apparently a human rights-related issue, is highly sensitive to the multi-racial and multi-religious character of Malaysia. It tends to be problematic, untenable to some, especially when it deals with conversion into and out of Islam. It is true, the whole question involves certain legal and social implications. At times, its repercussions appear to rattle the social solidarity and religious harmony of our peaceful nation. All these threatening consequences are actually caused by ignorance. This writing is not to incite further dissension. Neither is it intended to sound apologetic. On the contrary it calls for all parties directly or indirectly affected by the subject matter, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to view it with an open heart guided by wisdom.
Scholars have admitted that Islam is the most misunderstood religion of all world religions. Misrepresentations and misperceptions about it are causing many to hurriedly develop an unjustified Islamophobia. This syndrome is actually a “fear of the unknown” as these people do not really understand what Islam is all about. Many simply accept the many global misrepresentations incessantly put to them via the media.
Seen through the lens of discourse on human rights, apostasy in Islam has been notoriously brought into conflict with the doctrine of human rights in general, and with the notion of freedom of religion in particular. Among the questions raised is, if Islam can easily be embraced, by the same token, why does it not allow Muslims to leave Islam ?
It is unquestionable that Islam indeed recognizes human rights, in fact from its very inception, long before these ideas were developed and documented in its modern secular form by the West like the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. Islam, as systematically reflected by the Cairo Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights, 1981, advocates human rights via shariah. These objectives include the establishment of justice, individual education and preservation of human welfare or interests by protecting and preserving the freedom of thought, worship, rights to property and preservation of the progeny. These constitute the inviolable principles of “human rights”.
What many fail to understand is that Islam is probably the only religion that honors its followers to the utmost. Islam regards its adherents, both originally born Muslim as well as converts, as invaluable assets. Once they come to the fold of Islam, they stand equal. Therefore, the responsibilities, duties and rights of all Muslims are basically the same. Individually, they are equally entitled to achieve success in this world as well as salvation in the hereafter, guided by and within the parameters set up by shariah.
Muslims firmly believe that they are in the territory of truth, the right path. They are bathed in the brightest light. For Muslims, truth is light, falsehood is darkness. Therefore, it is a grave injustice to them if they were to deviate from that truth. Furthermore, the fact that Islam prohibits apostasy reflects the integrity and credibility of the religion. If Islam were to grant permission for Muslims to change religion at will, it would imply it has no dignity, no self-esteem. And people may then question its completeness, truthfulness and perfection.
Echoing the observations of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, “rights” or huquq in Islam refers to something that is right, true, correct and proper. “Freedom” or ikhtiyar means a choice for the good or better. So it is neither one’s right nor is it freedom to choose something evil, false, wrong, incorrect or imperfect.
Religiously, morally and legally, man has no right to do wrong. Nevertheless, there are feeble, confused Muslims around. They may be the result of improper or inadequate education or the lack of exposure to the more comprehensive teachings of Islam. And due to worldly temptations, this weakness causes their religious foundations to become shaky. Apparently, their common feature is a lack of knowledge and understanding of Islam. So if one insists on adopting the aforementioned wrong conception of “rights” and “freedom”, one is actually exposing one’s shameful ignorance !
For converts, before they become Muslims, no matter for what reason, it is only reasonable that they must have a certain degree of basic knowledge about Islam. They must take efforts to study the fundamentals of the religion first. This is actually their responsibility and duty. Take note that rights do not come out of a vacuum ; they are accompanied by certain responsibilities and duties. For example, before one can exercise one’s freedom to buy a car of his choice, one must first obtain a driving licence. Without that document, one will only endanger oneself as well as others. One cannot scream to be given the right or freedom to buy if the requirement of responsibility is not fulfilled beforehand.
Muslims must understand that once they come into the fold of Islam, there is no question of leaving the faith or reverting to their earlier beliefs even if the very reason for one to come to Islam in the first place ceases to exist. One may be a bad or a non-practising Muslim, but there is hardly any room available for one to denounce that religion.
One cannot argue that Islam does not recognize the idea of freedom of worship. First and foremost, the very doctrine of Islam, as reflected in the Quran, teaches that there is no compulsion. Freedom of worship is to be understood not only in the sense of making a choice for the better, but also in the sense of freedom to practise a particular religion. Once one accepts Islam or decides to become a Muslim, one is subjected to all the rules prescribed by the religion.
If Islam forbids apostasy, not only the Muslims must observe it, but the followers of other religions that do not have such provisions must appreciate and respect this position as well. This is actually the freedom of worship that must be perceived by all.
Ishark, kindly give me time to get back to your burning and pertinent and hard and long questions. I’m comparing religions so..let me try. I’m trying to get something back to you in 1 week’s time. But, for the time being some answers…
Q3. Nope. I dont think it is “written”. Literally Quran (not Koran) means “The Recitation”. It was revealed to Muhammad and, as he was illiterate, he would recite it to his companions, who will then have it scribed. Its form, in Arabic, amazingly, has not changed since it was revealed 1400 years ago. That’s why you have some people who are “Hafizs” (meaning to guard/preserve) that’s how it has been preserve without change from Day 1. Since it is regarded as the true Word of God, I would expect ANY true “Word of God” to be perfect, unchangeable. Also, I think, somewhere in the Quran, the Quran itself CHALLENGES humans to create something that can equal its accuracy and linguistic excellence. Quite amazing, i guess.
Q4. Circumcision. every man’s nightmare. However, yr argument…u must keep whatever God gave u.… I hope you dont believe that… pls make sure you cut yr nails and hair and brush yr teeth and etc, etc, etc… you get my drift ? Otherwise, never take the plane because if God had wanted men to fly, He would haver given them wings, huh?.
Historically, however, circumcision was Abraham’s covenant/promise to God that his “seeds” and those who follow his “way” will be circumcised. By the way, I have read somewhere that Americans do it because it seems to let them “tahan longer”… (I’ve got to try it someday…)
Q5. Actually, terrorists come in all colors and shapes. MaoTzeTung and the Shaolin monks were considered Subversives/rebels/extremists. Ever heard of Michael Collins ? VCD da… He was with the IRA… terror oo.
More recently, the Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist attack on April 19, 1995, in which the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, a U.S. government office complex in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was destroyed, killing 168 people. It is the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in the history of the United States and was the deadliest act of terrorism within U.S. borders until September 11, 2001.
Of course, the Muslim terrorists again, huh ? Nope.
Two men later convicted of the bombing, Timothy McVeigh and his friend Terry Nichols.
Also, it was never proven who actually did the 911 job.
Q6. If muslim woman wears tudung for the obvious reasons, why is it they still put on cosmetics ? Isnt tat contradicting the very reason they wear a tudung for ?
»»»»»> Right on, mate!!!
»»»»»> You said it exactly the way it should be said. I cant add anything else.
»»»»»> All of you Muslim women with “tudung” and 2.53 inch thick cosmetics, listen up!!!
Interesting.
If what Leon says is true, then Jesus lied.
Because, the NET EFFECT was, if “by the act of Jesus”, we are no longer bound by the Law , then Jesus DID, in effect, come to destroy…
hmmmmmm.…
Startacus, you fail to notice that Jesus proclaimed from the cross that all was fulfilled and then He died. The Law and all that goes with it died with Jesus. The New Creation commenced at His Resurrection. Christians are no longer bound by the Law but dead to it. Christians live as a new creation in Christ. Christians no longer observe the Jewish Sabbath but Sunday, the Day Jesus rose from the dead and the first day of the new creation.
Thank you, pvb. I appreciate your response. I will not use great words like peace, forgiveness, grace and write beautiful essays. I am still studying life so if you may bear with my shortcomings.
What you just did was you, yourself, by your OWN AUTHORITY, have single-handedly rendered the Old Testament “null and void”. I think even the normal layperson will ask, “By what/whose authority did he do that by?” …because it seems to me to it is a BIG and SERIOUS matter, ie the abrogation of the Old Testament. So. Why dont we do this…
Will you REALLY follow what “Jesus” (your God) have himself said, in your New testament even ?
Do you REALLY want to know, in your own words, “the path Jesus taught us (incl you) to FOLLOW”. Will you then REALLY FOLLOW ?
What if, “Jesus” so very solemnly affirms, that “until heavens and the earth are no more” that .… NOT ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE (not one dot, not one little stroke- “he” is VERY serious here) shall be dropped (or disappear) from the Law of the Prophets “till ALL be fullfilled”? What if all this comes from the New Testament ?
Will you then follow ? I hope you will not tell me that you will follow what other MEN tell you. Especially when, YOUR GOD (“Jesus”) said, in very CLEAR and EXPLICIT words …
In Matthew 5:17 – 18
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets ; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily, I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.”
In your own beautiful words, “for it is when we do not follow the words of Christ that we fail…”
Startucus
You quote the Old Testament. That is the history of Christianity before the light of the world came to us. The Old Testament was the LAW before GOD gave us the GIFT OF GRACE through the sacrifice of the perfect light. You must use the New Testnment to point to the failures of Christains, for it is when we do not follow the words of Christ that we fail because we are only human.
Mohamed, Mohd Shafeeque, Sister Safiyyah
Just the same Muslims believe that we can not understand your book the Koran!!!
tariq
Christainity deals with truth of what is in your heart, forgiveness and grace. What good is there if only in the outward appearance but in the heart, Islam is being cursed for forcing a person to stay committed to a religion they no longer follow ?
The strongest power in the world is forgiveness and grace, that is the path Jesus taught us to follow and that is the path what true Christains are trying to follow.
I just got a few burning questions to ask the muslim bors and sis.I meant no offence here should i offend anyone who there, pls accept my sincere apology first.
Case in point, I’m in love wif a muslim woman right now.But still being a non-muslim, things r really getting difficult for me here as there r tonnes of things i do not understand.I hope u guys do give me a pinter or two.
1) Why is it that i must convert to islam should i marry a muslim ? If so, even if i dun believe in the religion, but becoz i wanna be wif the person i love, how ? No choice right, be it like it or not i have to convert.Why is it tat religion must divide a true love ?
2) Everyone should be given a choice to choose their religion and not born wif it.Watz the point of being hard wired since birth to believe some things but end up when u grow up, armed wif education, logic and common sense, u decide to renounce or leave the religion, can ppl judge u ? ultimately, itz between u and the god if there happens to be one in the first place.What rights go others have to place judgement on u but God himself ?
3) Koran is wriiten, and humans do make mistakes, so am I correct to say the itz might not be the entirely correct ? Religion is juz a way to guide u but by controlling u juz makes things wrong.
4) U r born wif watever God has given you, why is it then tat u have to circumcise, to remove that piece of flesh tat god has given u ?
5) If terrorists have misinterpret the teachings of koran, then why is it only muslims have terrorists ? How come we dont have christian or buddhist terrorists ?
6) If muslim woman wears tudung for the obvious reasons, why is it they still put on cosmetics ? Isnt tat contradicting the very reason they wear a tudung for ?
7) If ppl can convert to islam then why muslims cannot convert out of islam ? Isnt it so selfish and unreasonable ?
8) If addiction is consider a sin then should all muslims be leading a secular life ? Everyday ppl r juz satisfying their addiction, be it tv programmes, food or other worldly desires.
Sorry once again if i offended anyone here, but i do hope to have my questions answered.Thank u
Gila & Co, please refer to the Bible which strongly states of apostacy…
Deuteronomy 13:6 – 9 “If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying : Let us go and worship other gods (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of Dthe land to the other, or gods of other religions), do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity.o not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people.”
Deuteronomy 17:3 – 5 “And he should go and worship other gods and bow down to them or to the sun or the moon or all the army of the heavens, .….and you must stone such one with stones and such one must die.”
2 Chronicles 15:13 “All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.”
I have also enjoyed being on the sidelines, but I couldnt help but to
be amazed that Gila adds 1+1=1. How about 1+1+1=1 ?
sorry, not religious, just maths crazy.