While we don't have an open war between religion now, there certainly are feuds and enmity between religious groups. When the groups represent different races or nationalities, then the enmity assumes a more serious nature. But thank God, the feuds or clashes so far remain covert and do not flare up into an open war.
More difficult to understand are the clashes and enmity between groups professing the same religion in the same or different countries. In this age of keen competition for survival and progress, one would expect that people professing the same religion would stick together and help each other to establish and strengthen their religious belief (if not to do some proselytizing work). But no, we have many clashes within the same religion because of different sects within the religion. Prophet Mohamed (SAW) said that Christianity would break up into 72 sects while Islam will break up into 73. That presages the clashes that would come about ultimately.
But do all those following a certain sect in one religion know exactly where they differ from the beliefs of the other sects? Or do they just allow themselves to be dragged into a certain sect because of PARENTAL UPBRINGING AND NATIONAL or COMMUNAL IDENTITY? What's amazing is that we don't quite see these differences in everyday life, especially when one's religious belief is considered as a private matter and the rituals involved do not take a prominent aspect of everyday life. If the differences remain unobvious and unobtrusive, there is no reason why they should interfere in the daily life of the various groups following different sects in the same religion, and cause them to clash with each other.
But we do see such enmity and clashes as much as clashes between the followers of different religion. Is it really because of the different teachings or because of the RELIGIOUS PRIDE each group exhibits? Each sect or
school of thought in a religion often considers itself more righteous and sanctified than the others, leading to mutual aversion. In Malaysia the enmity is not even caused by a difference in the school of thoughts or 'mazhab" but by political affiliation. But the aversion for each other has led to various disagreement on matters of religion itself, dividing the Muslims into two different camps - not because of religion but because of politics.
There's yet another divisive factor at work which comes under the category of RELIGIOUS PRIDE. That is the "hollier than thou" attitude of the ulamaks, imams and even Hajis and Lebais in their interaction with the ordinary members of the public, be they Muslims or non Muslims. They have distinguished themselves by their dress. While that does not bother the ordinary man anymore, they often assume that the ordinary man is stupid, ungrateful to Allah, and very irreligious, especially in the Friday sermons (khutbah). They preach to others as if they are beyond any religious reproach while the religious pride they exhibit is enough to be called 'riak.' May Allah forgive them all.
What is important is to note that this RELIGIOUS PRIDE; could be more damaging to the unity of the people of the world with different religious beliefs, and the ummah although under one religion i.e. Islam, than the differences in religion and religious faiths itself. Different religion and even different sects under the same religion do no seem to divide people more than the RELIGIOUS PRIDE that people, especially religious leaders, exhibit among themselves and their followers.
4 comments:
Akhi Norzah,
Religion undisturbed left on its own is a great revelation. All it takes is for one to practise as one wishes. It is a problem when politics gets into the fray. What is accepted and acceptable is now mired by all sorts of opinions instigated by the so called experts with profound religious knowledge but now with their hidden agendas. The crowd in general depend on them as they are the informed. They are expected to lead but they mislead.
Worst when those with the religious pride who knows only within their confines but thought everyone else are dungus are best left to themselves. With whatever limited knowledge we have guided by knowing right and wrong can be a greater salvation. Instead they try to impose their narrow thinking by opposing musical gatherings or telling how to hide the aurat, biting at nitty gritty. They lose out on the big picture in the process. Let them be, basking in their own silliness for all I care!
Hank
I take the same attitude, Akhi hank, but these ulamaks and ustazs are causing our society ( mim lam alif ya wau. ) to break up and antagonize each other. We become our worst enemy while the others clap their hands with laughter - laughing at us. This applies to the muslims everywhere else. We become our worst enemy, not because of real differences in religious beliefs but because of baseless religious pride.
Akhi Norzah,
They'll come to their senses but too late. They bedevil each other shoved and push over insignificant happenings but lost out in the big picture. In their bid for crumbs in Putrajaya they lose what they already have in their laps. They are happy for what? They make out themselves as bloody heroes but never realize they are the ones rolling on the ground while the others smirked at the sidelines. Pitiful for future generations!
Hank
Akhi Hank, the PM told his men in the NST today that they cannot hold on to power for ever and that they must be ready for a change. Ir sounds pathetic and sad but it's a good reminder to his men. A change can therefor be expected but will it be a painful one?
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