There’s still hope for Malaysia’s Muslims
The fact is that Malaysian Muslims have had their minds ingrained with petty rituals and rules so much so that they don’t know any other way to live their lives. There don’t know how to adapt or even interpret the religion. They just do as they are told.
Zan Azlee, The Malaysian Insider
I remember when my youngest brother was still in kindergarten.
He came home and he said “Bismillahirahmanirahim Pak” when he was done said “Alhamdulillah Pak.” And so my father corrected him by saying that the “Pak” isn’t necessary.
Of course my brother, being four years old at that time, insisted he needed to say “Pak” almost to the point of wanting to cry. I hope you can deduce that “Pak” is really his ustaz who taught him to recite those words.
Being the smart and great parents they are, my brother was taken out of that kindergarten and enrolled in another one run by more intelligent people. And here lies the problem with most Malaysian Muslims (not my parents, but the situation!).
Malaysian Muslims have a problem with being gullible and easily fooled when it comes to religion. A slight deviation from what they are used to (whether right or wrong according to the faith) and their whole belief system gets turned topsy turvy.
And that is why the authorities have to work over time banning books and also constantly having to remind the rakyat not to believe this ustaz or that ulama. The rakyat is even reminded how to vote so they can go to heaven.
The fact is that Malaysian Muslims have had their minds ingrained with petty rituals and rules so much so that they don’t know any other way to live their lives. There don’t know how to adapt or even interpret the religion. They just do as they are told.
That’s how I remember religious class was like when I was growing up. We were told to memorise all kinds of doas and remember how many times water washed over our body parts so that our prayers won’t be rejected by God.
