Ahmad Azam, leader of a muslim youth movement in Malaysia lamented on the situation facing the ummah which he calls the erosion of Islamisation or what can be said to be certain setbacks and sliding back pertaining to issues and values.
It concerns the way education is approached veering away from the
holistic model of the insan towards a utilitarian modern high tech human. It
involves the challenges faced by accepted before in the establishment and hierarchy of
knowledge. The position of Islamic scholars and religious leaders are being brought into
question and there are attempts to disrepute religious norms. In fact, some go so far as
to challenge accepted teachings and practices. The methodology of Islamic learning, that
high learned tradition of referring to original sources and authenticity is being replaced
by rapid transfer and loose interoperations from secondary sources. Languages are simply
superseded and relegated by the highly regarded English and Western Languages. Overt
materialism is promoted, treasured and recognised as the sole symbol of success.
Deislamisation is creeping back or was it always there. Hence, the classic symbol of the
continuing struggle of good against evil.
That cry of women's rights in Islam issue was well circulated. The basic premise is to
attack Islam in the manner which western society views itself. Must we be defensive?
Certainly not in Malaysia, The abuse of women, is it a distinct feature in Muslim nations
due to lack of understanding and the improper practice or non practise of the religion or
the decadent society- where the weak is always the target of discrimination and oppression.
Is it a feature of illiteracy, poverty, moral degradation. No doubt, if there is injustice
we do not condone it and something must be done about it accordingly. The fundamentals of
women's position is to be stated without apology- with regards to physical and natural
differences, modesty, decency, dress, family, inheritance, rights, upbringing, law. It is
spelt out in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Surely we must not forget the Muslim women, the
activists, the martyrs, those in prisons like Aminah Qutb, Zainab al Ghazali, those in
Palestine and Israel? If Muslim women and Muslim activists were such to be left behind,
the Zionists nor the secularists will not target them. The aberrations that occur
throughout society and through the times must not hide the true and just position of Islam
in human development and endeavour.
Muslims must organise and face the issues in a wise manner and once again spread the
message of truth and understanding without fear or favour and never in the hope of seeking
material pleasure. The richness of Islam and the vastness of its outlook of life ought to
be be infused into the confused society to rejuvenate it into one of hope and peace. As
the famous encounter between a puny but courageous Muslim soldier Rabie' ibn Amir and the
great Emperor of Persia shows. He came to bring light out of the darkness, from the
narrowness unto the abundance, limitations of earth to the endless hereafter, and from the
worshipping of men and idols unto worshipping the One and Only God. This message should
henceforth be resuscitated to bring life back to the callers and leaders of the ummah - we
bring something that cannot be bought but more worth beyond that all the treasures
overflowing.
Hamdan Muhammad Hassan
9 July 1998.
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[Currently, he is a Senior Civil Engineer at the University Science of Malaysia. He is
involved in youth activities with the Muslim Youth Movement in Malaysia. He is also the
President for the Muslim Staff Association in his university.]
