My verdict on Bible for muslim schoolkids

Salam 'alayk and good evening.

So around last two weeks, there was a news on Bible being distributed to secondary schoolkids right in front of the school gates. I don't know what's the current update of the case, but there's been quite a lot of 'discussions' and arguments on twitter on whether should Bible be given to schoolkids (Muslim) or not.

*Please note that "schoolkids" onward means muslim schoolkids.
*This article/post is meant for Muslims, therefore 'we', 'our', are referred to the Muslims. However people of other beliefs are welcome to read.

IN MY OPINION

I believe that schoolkids shouldn't be given Bible, or any other religious scriptures. For reasons:

1. Current school's religious curriculum doesn't include on how to 'understand' and 'read' other religions. 

Last time I check, kids were only taught at school on respecting other religions and their religious rights as per Islam teaches. But there is not subject, or topics discussed with the kids, or at least guide the kids on how to learn other religions, what are the basic knowledge needed to do that, the skills, and so on. 

If the kids were allowed to 'study' other religious scriptures, high chances are they might get confused with that religions' doctrines/principles/stories with Islam's.

       2. Schoolkids are still learning and in the process of building their basic belief in Islam (aqidah)

The 3 sifat of Allah (uluhiyyah, rububiyyah, asma' wa sifat), the 99 names of Allah, the creation of Adam and the world, stories of the prophets (pbut) and moral values from Quran. The affirmation on the Oneness of God, that God was not begetteth (created) and God does not begotten (beget a son).

Meanwhile in Christianity there's this Oneness of God, but in Trinity. How are the schoolkids supposed to understand this? Particularly when the Bible propagates this belief in so many different sentences and forms? They might interchanged the meaning of Oneness in Islam with oneness in Christianity.

       3. Lack of guidance in understanding the other religions and in comparing that religion with Islam

Just like how we were taught to learn different cultures, the meanings behind the cultural activities, what makes our culture different with the other cultures, we (especially the kids) also need teachers to learn about other religions. 

Say the schoolkids found out about the Gods in Hinduism and stories of the gods, and they found it so alien upon hearing the stories, how would they understand the essence of the stories and the importance of it in Hinduism? They might just disregard the stories as mythical and not-important.

Plus, learning about religions other than Islam for schoolkids can cause confusion for them. For example, even though Prophet Adam and Eve in Islam is the same as Adam and Eve in Christianity, the storyline and the points shown in Islam are contradictory with that of Christianity.

Who would be responsible for the kids confusion on beliefs in Islam and knowledge on other religions?

These 3 main points meant to show my argument on why Bible shouldn't be given to schoolkids. Unless there are knowledgable adults to guide them, I don't find it necessary for the underage kids to actually READ the other religious scriptures.

However, this doesn't mean that I'm against the culture of learning and respecting other religions. We live in a multicultural and multi religious society, so we're encouraged to learn religious practices like Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali. 

Religious harmony is important, but put protecting the right beliefs as our top priority.

This is purely my opinions, I am open to civilized discussion, with agree-to-disagree policy (as it involves opinions).

References

1. Cops to interview students, principal over Bible distribution case: Mujahid 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/429180/cops-interview-students-principal-over-bible-distribution-case-mujahid

2. My brains.

Calling names and labels

Salam guys!

I've been wanting to vent out about this issue for months now, but only now I have the time and motivation.

Post GE14, I noticed a lot of unpleasant names and callings being made to some politicians, and I don't get why people would do that because that is just unethical and absolutely rude.

Even more, these brainless people have slandered some individuals with labels that I am pretty sure they themselves don't know what it means, such as liberal.

Like hello you called Dr. Maszlee as liberal but have you ever flip the dictionary or read articles about what it is all about???


I get it these people are not in the same boat with the victims of their callings, but that doesn't give them the green light to keep on insult people publicly. Have they realised that they just showed how shallow and fact-less they are? Reading comments and tweets on social media really portrayed what kind of people dominating the virtual of Malaysia.

Imagine the adults been advising kids to behave and be polite to others and their friends, and that calling names are sinful, has been doing the same thing on keyboards. How hypocrite!

Well, not only post GE14. But also towards celebrities and famous individuals! This kind of attitude has got me wonder that the doers must be a vengeful and full of negativity kind of person. THe kind of person that we should avoid.

Has they got a better thing to do? Is it so pleasant and wonderful to call names and do slanders? are their life that grande and perfect that they have the audacity to insult people?

I have no idea. Because apparently my brain cannot brain this kind of people.

Pandangan Terhadap Tarbiah Sentap

Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera!

Tarbiah Sentap di sini bukanlah sejenis cara mentarbiah orang dengan kasar dan sinis, tetapi Tarbiah Sentap yang akan diulaskan adalah penerbitan Tarbiah Sentap, buku-buku Tarbiah Sentap yang diterajui oleh Ustaz Adnin Roslan.

 Saya mula mengenali tentang Tarbiah Sentap pada awal-awal tahun pengajian asasi di PJ, status-status Tarbiah Sentap di Facebook kerap dikongsikan oleh rakan-rakan kerana isinya yang begitu jelas dan terang tanpa berdalih. Kemudian, saya juga ada baca blog Tarbiah Sentap, atas dasar ingin tahu, dan rasa ingin membaca, sebab kenapa tidak?

Tarbiah Sentap tidaklah mengutuk atau menghentam individu-individu atau organisasi secara spesifik, bagi saya mereka hanyalah menyebutkan apa yang sedang berlaku pada zaman penuh hiburan ini, dan menghuraikan hukum-hukumnya dalam Islam sama ada ianya harus, sunat, wajib, makruh ataupun haram.

Sejujurnya saya suka membaca tulisan-tulisan Tarbiah Sentap sebab ianya sangat jelas dan tidak berlapik dengan kata-kata manis. Tarbiah Sentap tidak cuba menghalalkan apa yang haram, sebaliknya teguh dengan ajaran Islam dengan setegasnya.

Untuk sebilangan orang, mungkin cara ini sedikit ekstrem. Kalau diikutkan apa yang dianjurkan oleh Tarbiah Sentap, begitu banyak sekali amalan harina kita hari ini (termasuk saya juga) yang boleh mendorong kita ke arah keburukkan, atau bahasa 'buku-agama': ke lembah kehinaan.

Saya yakin itulah sebabnya mereka namakan penerbitan dan buku-buku mereka Tarbiah Sentap. Kerana isinya begitu jujur dan telus mengenai keadaan Islam zaman kini, yang membuatkan ramai yang tersentap dan terasa sendiri kerana sedarnya betapa sasarnya mereka dari jalan yang sepatutnya.

Tiga siri buku Tarbiah Sentap, dan 2 buku lain terbitan Tarbiah Sentap saya miliki dan baca.

Dari Kiri: Tarbiah Sentap 3, Tarbiah Sentap 2, Tarbiah Sentap, Momento, Kerna Syurga Bukan Percuma

WALAUBAGAIMANAPUN betapa bagus usaha-usaha penerbitan Tarbiah Sentap ini, begitu ramai yang saya jumpa meluahkan rasa bahawa Tarbiah Sentap ini penuh dengna negativiti.

Kata mereka, Nabi saw tidak menganjurkan tarbiah atau didikan secara sentap, berdakwah haruslah berhikmah, tarbiah secara kasar hanya akan membawa umat Islam menjauh dari Islam.

Saya rasa begitu banyak persoalan tentang pandangan-pandangan mereka mengenai Tarbiah Sentap ini.

Pertama, pernahkah mereka membaca tulisan-tulisan, hasil dan buku-buku Tarbiah Sentap?
Kedua, tahukan mereka apa maksud berdakwah secara berhikmah?
Ketiga, mereka menafikan Tarbiah Sentap atau mereka menyedapkan hati sendiri?

Siri buku Tarbiah Sentap

Persoalan-persoalan ini timbul difikiran kerana tidaklah bacaan saya tulisan Tarbiah Sentap ini kasar dan sinis dalam berdakwah atau menegur. Bagi saya, Tarbiah Sentap hanyalah direct to the point dalam menyampaikan dakwah mereka, yang juga mengikut Al-Quran dan Sunnah. Segala isi kandungan Tarbiah Sentap begitu rapat kaitannya dengan masalah sosial di kalangan remaja kini, dan inilah antara usaha mereka untuk membantu masyarakat berubah ke arah yang lebih baik.

Mengenangkan hal ini, sejujurnya saya rasa mereka-mereka yang menafikan Tarbiah Sentap ini, hanyalah kerana mereka mendengar Tarbiah Sentap dan terus membayangkan dakwah-dakwah yang penuh sinis dan cercaan tanpa membaca isi-isinya, ataupun mereka dalam self-denial kerana begitu banyak isi yang dikemukakan dalam tulisan Tarbiah Sentap kena padanya.

Ini adalah tulisan di belakang setiap siri buku Tarbiah Sentap, Untuk Siapakah Buku Tarbiah Sentap Ini.

Pada pendapat saya, Tarbiah Sentap hanyalah ingin menyedarkan Umat Islam, terutamanya dalam kalangan remaja bahawa hidup ini tak selamanya, dan hidup di dunia ini adalah ujian. Sesungguhnya kita bernafas dengan izin Allah, dan kita bernafas juga untuk Allah. 

Untuk mereka-mereka yang menafikan tulisan-tulisan Tarbiah Sentap dengan alasan tarbiah yang sentap itu tidak bermanfaat, pergilah lihat akaun Twitter Iblis Terlaknat dan bagaimana akaun tersebut berdakwah secara sinis dan sentap. Dan lihat juga jumlah followers dan retweets.

Mereka-mereka yang menafikan Tarbiah Sentap tidak dapat menerima hakikat tentang kebenaran yang terdapat dalam tulisan-tulisan Tarbiah Sentap. 

Akaun Twitter Iblis Terlaknat tidaklah salah bagi saya, malah akaun tersebut sebenarnya juga berusaha untuk berdakwah dengan caranya tersendiri. Mungkin orang suka kerana bahasanya yang 'muda', jika dibandingkan 'buku-agama' Tarbiah Sentap.

Sekian, pendapat dan pandangan saya berkenaan Tarbiah Sentap.

Reminders and Reflections

Salam alayk guys.

I'm writing this in the middle of the night, and I've have this thought for quite a long time now, and I need to get it out.

First of all, maybe some of you guys have know this, that I'm majoring in Usuluddin and Comparative Religion. Bachelor of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage.

So the things I learn at college is all about Islam. I take classes on basic Science of Quran, Science of Hadiths, Islamic Jurisdiction, Arabic and so on. But I mostly focus on the philosophy of Islam, Muslim scholars, and most importantly I learn about other religions.

Since I took all those classes, people around me have the expectation that I'd be more knowledgeable than them about Islam. They expect me to be the perfect example. Some called me ustazah, although I dislike the callings but I'd just ameen them.

To be honest, I don't feel comfortable with that. With people that sees me as a person who knows hukm, fluent in Arabic, reads Quran perfectly, displays good characters like how wives of Prophet pbuh did.

Because that is not me. I know that I should know all about that, that their expectations are considered as 'normal' for an IRK student like me. But that's not me. I don't grow up in very Islamic surrounding. Non in my family went to religious school. Non of us have this religious activity where we recites Quran together. We don't have stocks of Islamic books for references.

I grew up as how other kids did. My parents were teachers, they taught me what is basic for Muslim to know. I never went to afternoon religious school when I'm sitting for UPSR.

It's just that my sisters took Arabic for PMR, so I did too. Just that the decision I made that makes me different from my sisters was to wear a longer hijab at school, which I received from my bestfriend. But even then my mom was against me.

Only that my friend was persuasive to see me in that hijab I tried to be strong to wear it. A huge step indeed. But not everyone was supportive. Only my closest friend support me. The others called me hypocrite and such due to my abrupt changes. Thanks to my friend, I've succeeded going through it.

After PMR, I only see it to be the right thing to stay in Arabic classes. Such a waste to leave it, even though it was not my strongest subject. My friends were with me.

For university entrance, I have to admit, this course is definitely not what I really wanted now. I wanted to pursue in science course, but I couldn't, and didn't. I got offered for science matriculation, but it was too far from home, so when I got offer for this course I have to take this one. The mistake I did was I didn't apply for changing course when I was in foundation.

But honestly, sometimes I think it's a blessing I'm studying this course. The reason is that I'd get constant reminder to not stray afar, to be good, then I'm surrounded by good friends. Non of my coursefriends are giving bad influence to me. If this course has done any good to me, is to keep me safe from all the bad things in this world. It is hard to stay on the straight path once you're out of your parents' sights.

Nevertheless, since I'm in my best interest for this course, I have to struggle a lot. For another matter, I'm not the best among my friends, among my batch. Sometimes I feel like I'm studying for the sake of exam, not for the knowledge. I feel so bad. Plus when outsiders ask me Islam related questions, I have to confirm with myself, "do I really know the answer?'.

I hate with such expectations. BECAUSE I'M NOT THAT PERSON!

I admit that I want to strive to be the best Muslim. I want to read more, perform more in terms of ibadah, but the things is I'm just a normal human being with a normal brought up.

Things that I like sometimes aren't align with what people see towards IRK students. I like fashion, I like makeup, I listen to songs, sometimes I dance. I also watch movies, I even go to the cinema. I wish I could do shopping, and I like pretty things. All these girly things. It's in me.

Goodness even if I transform myself to be a super-ustazah like I'm sure those around me will have hard time with me.


Now all that above is the first thing. To tell you who I am. Next I'll tell how Allah loves me.


As a muslims who learns all about Islam and how to spread it, of course it gives a lot of advantage for me, on the spiritual side. Not spiritual side as in I'm religious in my sunah prayers, and all sort of things. But, you know, somehow you're kept safe by Allah, like those huffaz. Something like that.

So, what I want to tell is I'm not a perfect Muslim. Far from it. Not even near those makciks who went tilawah classes. Or men that pray congregationally for all 5 prayers everyday. Or even muslims that are going through changes.

In fact, I feel like I'm a bad Muslim. I don't think I deserve Jannah, but I do want to be in it, desperately. I realize the sins I made, and how grave it is since I know the hukm of it.

Sometimes, I go with my heart eventhough I know it's not the best thing to do.

But you see, when I meet people, who don't have the golden opportunity to study Islam like me, mentioned to me what's considered normal to them their good deeds, I feel stabbed. Crushed. Like, these people, who never went to religious schools, or very religious background, have made efforts to show their love towards Islam more than me.

Like one time, we were talking about group tilawah, 1 day 1 page, and then this one person mentioned that he actually feel burdened on how the members rushed to finish reciting Quran, that if he filled his limited free time to recite his dedicated part rushingly, how is he going to do some tadabbur or read the tafsir?

That, really kills me. That person actually make effort to understand Quran, but I did almost nothing.

That is just one example of how I think I'm being reminded by Allah to do more.

Goodness I feel like really bad seeing I am today. Have I astray? I don't know.

I pray that Allah will keep me in Islam, and guide me to a better life. and I need to practice repentance prayer (solat taubat).


May Allah guide us to His blessings, ameen.