Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Former Malaysian Leader on cover of Time magazine
Dr M: Religious clerics dividing Muslims
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — In a scathing post against the ulama (clergy) class, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accused its members today of disuniting Muslims in Malaysia for worldly and political gains.The nation’s longest-serving prime minister also defended himself against anti-hadith accusations, claiming that Islam and its adherents have become weak from blind faith perpetuated by the clerics.
“In Malaysia, schism also happens when those who are called ulama and are proficient in Arabic isolate themselves and break the unity of Muslims, just because they do not attain a post in the world and not chosen to be a Yang Berhormat,” Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog yesterday.
Yang Berhormat is the Malay honorific commonly used to refer to federal and state lawmakers.
“The schism is ongoing up until now. Therefore Muslims have become weak and they have to beg for support from non-Muslims … There is no neutral ulama who is urging Muslims to unite and be brothers again,” he added.
Dr Mahathir also questioned the public’s unquestioning acceptance of these ulama and their interpretation of Islam solely due to the group’s proficiency in the Arabic language, which is regarded as central to the faith.
“Is it wajib (compulsory) for us to accept whatever is taught by those religious scholars who speak Arabic although it runs counter the Islamic teaching in Quran or hadith?” the veteran statesman asked.
“It is very dangerous and confusing when anybody, just because they are proficient in Arabic and received a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies, can be labelled ulama.”
According to Dr Mahathir, the clerics are also to blame for the division among Muslims of different denominations, in addition to starting feuds against non-Muslims that is contrary to Quranic teachings.
“The weakness of Muslims and the insults against Islam is caused by their teachings that cannot be questioned, which begs for unconditional loyalty only for them,” he added.
Dr Mahathir’s comments came after he was accused of being a deviant and anti-hadith stemming from his support for outspoken scholar Dr Kassim Muhammad, who was similarly labelled.
According to the former prime minister, his critics have rejected and refused to consider his opinions on Islam simply because he is not proficient in Arabic.
Dr Mahathir insisted that one is no less a Muslim even if one does not speak the language, and pointed out that some Arabic-speaking Muslims behaved poorly and caused more harm to their fellow followers of Islam.
He also questioned Muslims who prioritised the hadith over Quranic teachings, and who consequently advocate the violent and cruel punishments prescribed in the hadith.
Hadith — the collection of Prophet Muhammad’s deeds and sayings — were collected and documented by scholars in the 9th century after they were previously passed down orally for over 200 years.
Islamic scholars have used hadith as basis for the Islamic code of law and an essential complement to the Quran, despite contradictions to Quranic teachings.
Earlier this month, Kassim, a controversial social science and Islamic academic, delivered a lecture at the Perdana Leadership Foundation where Dr Mahathir was patron, during which he lambasted, among others, the Muslim clergy class of imitating the Christian priesthood caste.
His lecture has since been derided by some clerics and members of Islamist party PAS, who subsequently used it to attack rivals Barisan Nasional and Umno as allegedly supporting an anti-hadith movement.
It is shameful for the Malaysian clerics and their supporters to attack the real educated kind hearted leaders.
His time was also not good. A staunch anti ahmadiyya leader. Now reaping the fruits what saplings he planted.
Well, during his time an Ahmadi was Member of the national Security Council. When I mentioned to him that one idea that Dr. M. mentioned in his speech was similar to what the Head of the Ahmadiyya Jamat had mentioned recently he answered ‘well, I wrote his speech’.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been one of the great political leaders who led Malaysia from the front and changed it from a poor developing country to a model developed and tolerant society.
His criticism of religious clergy, Mullahs and Imams is correct, timely and must be taken seriously by all Muslims, especially in countries like Pakistan.
Religious zealots have become too powerful and meddle in the running of the state affairs even if they have no knowledge and experience in this field.
Z Khan sahib, that is correct. In their own time, the leaders do not take necessary action. Then in later age they have to suffer. I have no knowledge of his anti-Ahmadia activity. The time had been wasted on the real religious front. It is now no use crying over spilt milk. We have to praise the person for his good works.
During his time, Dr. M was busy in worldly affairs and neglected the true religious matters. Those clerics (maulvis) have become very strong.
Dr. M is right whatever he is saying now and Malaysia is heading for some troubles due to widespread religious misguidance. Mullas are giving undue importance to Hadith over the Quran. Hadith is to serve the Quran and Sunnah. Any Hadith which goes against the Quranic teachings is to be rejected.
Present day maulvis are taking shelter behind Hadith in many wrong matters.
Once Holy Prophet(pbuh) said:
…..a time will come when Ulma (Muslim clerics) would be the worst creature on earth. ” And this would be because they would be source of division among Muslims. But this time would not be forever because Holy Prophet (pbuh) also said:
” when Promised Messiah would come (as he has been) he would end the wars between religions and will unite the whole mankind under one slogan! So there are good news for Former Prime Minister if he really concerned about divisions among Muslims!
Please do not delete my respond, if you love for all, hatred for none, you should love and respect the different idea,thought, and beliefs, even against your beliefs.Thanks.
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DR.M. quote;It is very dangerous and confusing when anybody, just because they are proficient in Arabic and received a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies, can be labelled ulama.”? ?..unquote
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If we really believe in God, we must believe His words. God already guided His people through His Books regarding how to to choose a right leaders or right scholar. As Allah said in His Book Bible
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A TREE AND ITS FRUIT.
To have a good fruit you must have a good tree.
If you have a bad tree, you will have a bad fruit.
A tree has known by the kind of fruit it bears.Matthew, 12: 33.
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Most Arab countries believe in Allah (Al Quran) and also believe in ancient Scholars like; Muslim, Bukhari, Hurrairah etc( The Book of Hadits ).
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As we know that the book of Hadits created by human, not by God. God never commanded His people to believe in Muslim, Bukhari, Hurrairah etc.
Also Prophet Muhammad never justify and clarify the book of Hadits. Why do Arab scholar teach his student to believe in Hadits? because they want to follow all Ancient Arab tradition, even not come from God.
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The result of implementation of both (al Quran and Hadits) as we see now in Arab countries are; conflict, religious war, killing innocent people( Muslim and non Muslim), Muslim kill Muslim Arab kill Arab barbarically,, and kill Shia, Ahmadiyah, blasphemy,apostasy, infidel, and gay-lesbian..and created poverty.Nauzubillah
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I urge Muslim around the world,do not believe in idols, believe in God alone.
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I urge also Muslim Ahmadiyah, and Shia,who have been victim from extremist Muslim years, to abrogate all violent Hadits from the book of Hadits Muslim and Bukhari.
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If Muslim Shia and Muslim Ahmadiyah are still afraid to do so, I believe extremist Muslim will not stop to terrorize and kill Muslim Shia and Ahmadiyah in Muslim countries.
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Please ponder God’s verse above, may God guide all Muslim around the world to find the truth of Islamic teaching. Amen
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Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) “`He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) “`Give you increase in wealth and
sons; and bestow on you Gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water). (12) QS 71;10-12,
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May Allah guide King Abdullah to treat all people fairly and kindly who live in Saudi Arabia.Ameen
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With all my love.
What ever we do, be done with love of God (Cor.16:13).
If we love each other, we can achieve a big works for mankind
but if hate each other, will be destroyed completely
so let we love each other, Allah will bless us all