Saturday, September 04, 2010

I have refused to comment on the recent issue of a non Muslim entering a Mosque and later she gave a small speech which has been politicized. As far as I know there is no nas to support to forbid non Muslim to enter a Mosque be it a woman or a man. Whether she is covered or not.

In the states Condoleza Rice then Secretary of State under Bush has entered the Mosque without Jilbab and wearing a skirt. Hillary too has done that. A Mosque is a Mosque whether in the States or here. We cannot have 2 set of law that one can and one cannot. But we can impose regulation to that effect but it is not law. Requirement that they be decently dress with their hair covered is one of those regulation but it is not law!

The Malay must understand what is forbidden and what is politics. What is haram and what is halal. They have to be truthful to themselves before insinuating something which is wrong.

Here is the explaination by the former Mufti of Perlis Dr Asri Muda

BUKAN MUSLIM, MASJID DAN MAINAN POLITIK
Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Saya amat bimbang apabila isu-isu agama dipolitikkan. Islam cuba ditafsirkan menurut kepentingan politik masing-masing. Hukum-hakam syarak menjadi mangsa. Permainan politik sanggup menggadaikan segalanya. Amat berbeza antara penilaian berteraskan politik kepartian dengan penilaian yang berasaskan metodologi ilmu dalam Islam.

Politik kepartian sering menilai isu atau sesuatu berasaskan kepentingan (political interest), persepsi dan prejudis. Sementara ilmu Islam yang sahih menilai sesuatu berdasarkan dalil dan fakta. Kebenaran dalam Islam itu buta warna parti atau kumpulan. Kebenaran itu kebenaran, tanpa mengira dari mana dan kepada siapa ia berpihak. Firman Allah: (maksudnya):

“Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, hendaklah kamu semua sentiasa menjadi orang-orang yang menegakkan keadilan kerana Allah, lagi menerangkan kebenaran; dan jangan sekali-kali kebencian kamu terhadap sesuatu kaum itu mendorong kamu kepada tidak melakukan keadilan. Hendaklah kamu berlaku adil (kepada sesiapa jua) kerana sikap adil itu lebih hampir kepada taqwa. Dan bertaqwalah kepada Allah, sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui dengan mendalam akan apa yang kamu lakukan.” (Surah al-Maidah, ayat 8).

Orang politik datang dan pergi. Parti politik juga demikian. Namun, Islam kekal abadi. Ia menjadi cahaya yang menyinari kehidupan manusia. Orang politik boleh musnah, parti juga boleh hancur. Manusia tidak semestinya bergantung kepada seseorang tokoh atau sesebuah parti. Namun, manusia sentiasa perlukan hidayah Islam yang membimbing ke jalan yang benar. Islam mesti kekal bersih, membimbing semua manusia. Malanglah jika orang politik sanggup mempertaruhkan Islam untuk survival mereka!

Tambah Keliru

Bukan muslim bertambah keliru dengan hukam-hakam berkaitan mereka yang dikeluarkan kebelakangan ini. Fatwa-fatwa ‘ala-Taliban’ yang menggambarkan sikap keras Islam terhadap pihak lain dicadang dan didendangkan oleh sesetengah media. ‘Juru-juru fatwa’ yang boleh ditekan suisnya oleh pihak politik bersedia menunggu. Islam dikaburkan oleh permainan yang seperti ini. Dalam Islam, hubungan dengan bukan muslim bermula dengan terang dahulu, setelah diperjelaskan dan masih ada permusuhan barulah tindakan ‘peperangan’ boleh diambil jika ada keperluan. Ini dalam masyarakat kita ‘perang dahulu’ tanpa sebarang penerangan awal yang jelas.

Saya telah ulas dalam banyak media tentang isu doa kebaikan kepada bukan muslim. Kini timbul pula isu bukan muslim masuk masjid. Ya, isu ini bermula dengan orang politik. Namun janganlah dalam keghairahan hendak menghentam musuh politik, fakta Islam pula yang dimangsakan. Jika kita enggan menerima mereka masuk, itu persoalan lain. Tetapi menggambarkan kepada mereka bahawa Islam melarang mereka sama sekali memasuki masjid, itu boleh menimbulkan salah faham. Islam ala melayu atau Islam yang ada dalam sejarahnya yang gemilang? Rasulullah menerima perwakilan dalam masjid, bagaimana tiba-tiba hari ini masjid diharamkan untuk mereka?!

Masuk Masjid

Ya, para fuqaha (ahli fekah) berbeza pendapat tentang hukum bukan muslim masuk ke dalam masjid. Namun, majoriti fuqaha termasuk dalam Mazhab al-Syafi’i berpendapat bahawa bukan muslim boleh masuk ke dalam masjid jika ada keperluan untuk itu. Pendapat ini disokong oleh beberapa dalil yang kuat. Di samping, ia juga membantu memahamkan masyarakat bukan Islam mengenai Islam. Dalam negara yang berbilang agama seperti negara kita, pandangan ini bukan sahaja kuat dari segi dalilnya, ia juga memberikan kebaikan kepada dakwah Islam itu sendiri.

Dalam hadis al-Bukhari dan Muslim meriwayatkan bahawa:

Nabi s.a.w telah menghantar pasukan (skuad) tentera berkuda dan menawan Thumamah bin Uthal yang merupakan kepimpinan Bani Hanifah dari Yamamah. Beliau dibawa ke Madinah dan diikat di tiang masjid Nabi s.a.w. Apabila Nabi s.a.w datang ke masjid dan melihatnya, baginda bertanya: “Apa yang ada engkau dapati wahai Thumamah?”

Jawabnya: “Bersamaku kebaikan, wahai Muhammad! Jika engkau membunuhku, engkau membunuh orang yang punyai darah (berhak dibunuh atau mungkin beliau meminta simpati), jika engkau memberi kurnia, engkau memberikan kurnia kepada orang yang berterima kasih. Jika engkau mahu harta, engkau boleh minta seberapa banyak yang engkau mahu”.

Lalu Nabi s.a.w meninggalkannya. Keesokannya Nabi s.a.w bertanya lagi: “Apa yang engkau dapati Wahai Thumamah?”.

Jawabnya: “Seperti yang aku katakan, jika engkau memberi kurnia, engkau memberi kurnia kepada orang yang berterima kasih”.

Nabi meninggalkannya. Keesokannya lagi Nabi s.a.w bertanya lagi: “Apa yang engkau dapati wahai Thumamah?”.

Jawabnya: “Seperti yang aku katakan kepadamu”.

Lalu Nabi s.a.w memerintahkan: “Bebaskan Thumamah”.

Lalu Thumamah pun keluar pergi ke mata air berdekatan masjid, beliau mandi, kemudian masuk semula ke masjid dan mengucapkan: “Aku bersaksi bahawa tiada ilah (yang diabdikan diri) melainkan Allah dan Muhammad itu Rasulullah”.

Beliau juga berkata: “Wahai Muhammad! Demi Allah, duhulu tiada atas muka bumi yang lebih aku benci daripada engkau, sekarang berubah engkau telah menjadi orang yang paling aku sayangi. Demi Allah, dahulu tiada agama yang lebih aku benci dari agamamu, sekarang berubah agamamu menjadi agama yang paling aku sayangi. Demi Allah, tiada dahulu negara yang lebih aku benci dari negaramu, sekarang berubah negaramu menjadi negara yang paling aku sayangi..”.

Hadis di atas menunjukkan bagaimana Thumamah bin Uthal seorang tawanan perang yang menentang kerajaan Nabi s.a.w dibawa masuk ke dalam masjid. Antara tujuannya, agar dia dapat melihat kehebatan ibadah dalam Islam. Sekalipun dia musuh dan tawanan perang, Nabi s.a.w menggunakan pendekatan yang menarik jiwanya sehingga dia akhirnya menganut Islam. Ini dengan cara menempatkannya dalam masjid dan baginda bertanya soalan selama tiga hari lalu memaafkannya. Kesan berada di masjid dan kemaafan Nabi s.a.w, akhirnya kepimpinan musuh tersebut menganut Islam. Hadis ini menjadi bukti bahawa orang bukan Islam boleh masuk ke dalam masjid. Inilah pegangan kebanyakan ulama termasuk dalam Mazhab al-Syafi’i. Kata al-Imam al-Nawawi (meninggal 676H):

“Hadis ini menunjukkan harus membawa orang kafir masuk ke dalam masjid. Mazhab Syafi’i mengharuskannya dengan izin muslim. Ini merangkumi kafir ahli kitab atau selain mereka”. (al-Nawawi, Syarah Sahih Muslim, 12/435, Beirut: Dar al-Khair).

Majlis Fatwa Tetap Arab Saudi mengeluarkan hukum tentang bukan muslim masuk ke masjid seperti berikut:

“Pendapat yang tepat bukan muslim boleh masuk ke dalam masjid untuk sesuatu kemaslahatan syariah atau sesuatu keperluan tertentu seperti mendengar sesuatu yang membawa masuk ke dalam Islam, atau keperluannya untuk minum air yang berada dalam masjid atau selainnya. Ini kerana Nabi s.a.w mengikat Thumamah bin Uthal al-Hanafi dalam masjid sebelum dia menganut Islam, baginda juga menempatkan perwakilan Thaqif dan perwakilan Kristian Najran di masjid sebelum mereka menganut Islam. Ini kerana ada banyak faedah mereka memasuki masjid, antaranya; mendengar ucapan dan nasihat Nabi s.a.w, melihat orang bersolat dan membaca al-Quran dan berbagai faedah besar yang lain bagi sesiapa yang melazimi masjid”. (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah 6/276. Riyadh: Idarah al-Buhuth)

Luaskan Fungsi Masjid

Kita sepatutnya meluaskan fungsi masjid agar dapat menjadi ‘centre for Islamic Information’ yang mesra pelanggan. Masjid sepatutnya berfungsi menyampaikan Islam kepada setiap pihak; muslim dan bukan muslim. Di negara seperti Malaysia yang berbilang agama dan budaya, kaum muslimin perlulah aktif dan intraktif dalam menyampaikan mesej Islam. Jika masjid dijadikan zon larangan bagi orang bukan muslim sehingga tidak dapat mendekatinya, bilakah Islam akan dapat difahami oleh mereka. Sudahlah dalam negara ini banyak fatwa ala-taliban yang cuba menggambarkan seakan tiada rahmah antara muslim dan non-muslim, ditambah lagi dengan ditutup ruang untuk mereka mendengar ajaran Islam. Masjid digambarkan musuh mereka dan mereka dilarang menghampirinya. Sementara dalam masa yang sama ada pihak bukan Islam yang menjemput muslim dengan hormat ke tempat ibadah mereka serta menghulurkan berbagai bantuan. Akhirnya, kita terus bermusuhan tanpa mencari titik dakwah, atau sekurang-kurang noktah yang mengurangkan sangkaan salah terhadap agama hidayah ini. Ke manakah hala tuju Islam yang hendak kita bawa dalam negara ini?!

Before I go I wish my Muslim readers Happy Eid Maaf Dzahir Batin. I am taking a one week break starting tomorrow






From Nut Graph


Can non-Muslims enter Muslim houses of worship?


The “incident”: 22 Aug 2010

“Orang bukan Islam adalah dilarang memasuki ruang solat kerana mereka ini dalam berkeadaan hadas besar apatah lagi berada di bahagian imam dan menyampaikan ucapan kepada umat Islam di dalamnya.

“Oleh itu, kita akan mendapatkan laporan dan penjelasan daripada nazir serta jawatankuasa surau berkenaan mengenai perkara ini. Jika dakwaan ini benar, kita akan memaklumkan kepada pihak Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) dan tindakan tegas akan diambil.”

(pic source: jais.gov.my)

Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi (pic source: jais.gov.my)

Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) director Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi. He said JAIS would take stern action against the Surau Al-Huda committee in Kajang Sentral for inviting Serdang member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching to speak in the prayer area of the surau.

Teo, a DAP politician, said she had gone to the surau to hand over a Selangor government donation for repairs to the surau’s fence and to join the breaking of fast. She said she had been invited by the surau committee to say a few words to the congregation, which she did. The committee has reportedly since been suspended by the Selangor Islamic Council (MAIS) over the incident. (Source: Tindakan tegas jemput bukan Islam — JAIS, Utusan Malaysia, 26 Aug 2010)

Teo’s explanation:

“As I was invited to give a brief speech, I made a sincere effort to explain the state’s education programme for the benefit of the people.

“I regret that the matter has caused restlessness among Muslims nationwide and this issue has been further heated up by certain quarters due to political reasons.”

Teo, explaining her reasons for entering the surau. She said she would clarify the matter and apologise to the Sultan of Selangor over the incident. (Source: Serdang MP to apologise over surau gaffe, The Star, 29 Aug 2010)

“Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) clarified to me that from the viewpoint of Islam, it is not an issue for a non-Muslim to enter a surau or mosque.

“He said that in fact, during the time of Muhammad, non-Muslims entered the mosque (of Medina) to meet with the Prophet.”

Teo, after she met with Nik Aziz. She said he encouraged her to visit Muslim houses of worship, saying there was nothing wrong with non-Muslims visiting and entering suraus and mosques. Teo visited a Bukit Mahkota surau on 29 Aug 2010 and said she would continue to visit mosques and suraus when invited. (Source: Teo: Nik Aziz encourages me to visit more suraus, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

Umno’s & Perkasa’s response:

“Teo had no business to be inside Surau Al-Huda as she was deemed dirty but Nik Aziz said its alright, we are modern now. What disaster can we expect next?”

Hishammuddin Hussein (pic courtesy of theSun)

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein saying he was shocked Teo had the support of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. He said it was clear DAP was adopting an extreme approach by questioning the rights and privileges defended by Malay leaders and rulers. (Source: Mosque visit: Teo was “deemed dirty”, says Hisham, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

“We don’t want excuses or justification. The issue is about the sensitivity of other religions.”

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin saying DAP was “insensitive” for attempting to justify Teo’s visit to the surau. He also called Teo “naïve” and said her explanation on her visit was an afterthought after coming under fire. He said the DAP must understand that the majority of Muslims were upset by Teo’s conduct. (Source: Khairy calls DAP insensitive, Teo naïve over surau visit, The Malaysian Insider, 28 Aug 2010)

”Nie Ching sepatutnya tahu bahawa menjadi ahli politik bukanlah lesen untuk memecah-belahkan perpaduan rakyat berbilang bangsa dan keharmonian negara.”

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, condemning Teo’s visit. Shahrizat said Teo was disrespectful to Islam and the sanctity of mosques and suraus. She said Teo should not have entered the surau without covering her “aurat”. Teo had entered the surau without covering her hair. (Source: Tindakan biadab DAP terhadap umat Islam, Utusan Malaysia, 27 Aug 2010)

“The Selangor Islamic Religious Council must charge the Serdang MP for desecrating the Al-Huda Surau.”

“In America, Islamic preacher Malcom X, who preached to Christians and entered their churches was shot dead but in Selangor an ‘unclean DAP politician’ was dragged into the surau’s prayer room.”

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, calling for strong action to be taken against Teo for desecrating the surau with her visit. (Source: Ibrahim Ali demands action against Teo over surau visit, The Malaysian Insider, 29 Aug 2010)

“Orang bukan Islam hanya boleh melawat kawasan masjid atau surau tetapi tidak boleh memasuki ruang solat rumah ibadat berkenaan apatah lagi memberi ceramah kepada jemaah surau berkenaan.

“Perkara ini disifatkan serius dan ia perlu disiasat secara menyeluruh dan jika benar ia berlaku ia seakan-akan satu bentuk penghinaan terhadap orang Islam.”

Mashitah Ibrahim (© parlimen.gov.my)

Mashitah Ibrahim (© parlimen.gov.my)

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim saying Teo should not have been allowed into the surau’s prayer area. (Source: Tindakan YB Serdang cemar imej Islam, Berita Harian, 28 Aug 2010)

“We cannot accept Malaysians who are unfamiliar with Islamic traditions, especially those who are leaders. If they are still ignorant after 53 years of independence, we urge them to leave the country.”

“I would like to remind DAP not to use Islam to gain political support. Don’t use Islam as a tool to fish for votes from Muslims.”

“An apology would not suffice because we Muslims [...] feel that we are gravely insulted.”

Seputeh Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii saying that Teo’s act was seditious and could cause religious conflict. He urged the Home Ministry to take action against Teo as an apology did not suffice. (Source: Umno, PAS Youth wings clash over Teo, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

PAS and PKR’s response:

“Tidak salah orang bukan Islam termasuk wanita masuk dalam masjid sama ada untuk berucap atau apa sahaja asalkan berpakaian sopan bagi bukan Islam dan menutup aurat bagi orang Islam.”

Nik Aziz, defending Teo’s surau visit. He said her visit did not go against Islamic laws and was a way of bringing Muslim and non-Muslim communities closer together. (Source: Isu takzirah dalam surau: Nik Aziz pertahan Teo, Utusan Malaysia, 28 Aug 2010)

“The attacks on YB Teo for giving aid to the surau’s fence deviates very much from the teachings of Islam and is an embarrassment to Muslims.”

Press statement from Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim‘s office. (Source: Selangor MB says attack on Teo shames Islam and Muslims, The Malaysian Insider, 30 Aug 2010)

“Does Umno Youth know that the prophet had often received non-Muslim guests at the Nabawi Mosque? [Are] the mosques and surau in Malaysia holier than the Nabawi Mosque to the point where non-Muslims cannot enter?”

Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Ridzwan, challenging Umno Youth to a debate on whether it was acceptable for non-Muslims to enter mosques and suraus. He advised Umno to consult experts on religion first before issuing statements. (Source: Umno, PAS Youth wings clash over Teo, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

“It is usual for BN parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sabah and Sarawak (sic) to come to mosques and give speeches.”

“When BN does it, there is no issue. But when Pakatan Rakyat does it, there is an issue. This is a cheap issue.”

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub accusing BN of double standards for criticising Teo’s visit, saying members of BN component parties also do the same. (Source: PAS veep says BN attack on Teo “a cheap issue”, The Malaysian Insider, 28 Aug 2010)

What does Islam say?

“Non-Muslims can enter into a mosque or surau with the right intent, like to get to know Islam, understand and study it. They are also allowed to enter the houses of worships to conduct dealings with Muslims.”

Former Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin. He said to his knowledge, nothing bars a non-Muslim from entering a Muslim house of worship. He said non-Muslims were allowed to enter the mosque during the time of the prophet Muhammad. (Source: Scholars: Islam doesn’t bar non-Muslims from mosques, Malaysiakini, 29 Aug 2010)

“According to history, the Prophet (while he lived) in Medina did not repulse any visits by Jews or Christians who wanted to meet him even when he was in the mosque of Medina.”

“They would come with a request, seeking justice (in a dispute) or for an administrative or other matter.

“It is understood from such incidents that there is no prohibition in Islam for meetings to be held within mosques other than the Masjid Al-Haram in blessed Makkah so long as they are held with good intentions.”

Selangor mufti Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid in a 9 Nov 2009 letter to the Jais’s chief assistant director in charge of mosques. (Source: Islam doesn’t bar non-Muslims from mosques, Malaysiakini, 29 Aug 2010)

“We strongly feel that disallowing non-Muslims from entering mosques only portrays a negative image of Islam and is not in line with the examples set by the Prophet. It is well known from the tradition that the Prophet allowed Christians from Najran to pray in his mosque in Madinah.

“It is in the interest of maslahah or common good of Islam that non-Muslims should feel welcomed and not intimidated from visiting mosques. Calls to ban non-Muslims from entering mosques or any knee-jerk reaction by the Islamic authorities to bow to certain political pressure in preventing the commendable attitude of cooperation and mutual respect is regrettable and uncalled for.”

Muhammad Adli Musa and Wan Norhaziki Wan Abd Halim, analysts with the think-tank Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) on the controversy over Teo’s surau visit. IRF holds that banning non-Muslims from entering Muslim places of worship goes against the universalism of Islam. (Source: IRF stand on the Issue of Non-Muslims Entering Mosques, press statement, Islamic Renaissance Front, 2 Sept 2010)

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