Introduce comparative religious studies.

It is obvious that the protests of the Taman Medan church are unacceptable. Instead of protecting the sanctity of Islam, the protesters have tarnished the image of this religion. However, I believe the majority of Muslims and even non-Muslims in this country already know that their act is not representing the Islamic teaching.

However, this incident is not the first of its kind in this country. In fact, we have experienced many unreasonable actions that have tried to be justified in the name of protection of religion. Failing to cope with this problem not only threatens our unity, but also ruins our vision to achieve the status of a developed nation by 2020. The higher-income or physical development that we enjoy means nothing if citizens fail to show their respect for each other.

While some people ask for action to be taken, especially under the sedition act, against those who want to create disharmony between different followers, I believe our religious education approach should be upgraded. Having said that, I do not mean that the current system either formal or informal is unsuccessful since many prominent Muslim scholars has been born, but we need to adapt to the current reality.

For example, every Muslim should know how to treat non-Muslims in our multiracial and multi-religious country. Apart from knowing how to socialize them in daily activities based on Islamic teaching, it is necessary to understand their beliefs particularly the sensitive issue from their religious perspective. Hence, the best solution is to introduce the subject of comparative religion in schools.

During my school day, I was not interested in religious study since the system was based on memorizing which I was not good at. However, when I continued my matriculation at International Islamic university of Malaysia, we were introduced to the religion in Malaysia subject. Honestly, it inspired me and most of my classmates to study hard in the Islamic field as we understood the real function of religion in human life. Moreover, the subject also made us more moderate in dealing with non-Muslim.

After graduated from Jordan in Islamic studies, I got a chance to be a temporary teacher in government school. Usually, when the period of the Islamic education subject come around, the non-Muslim students will leave the class. However, since I changed my approach by sharing the issue based on various religious teaching, it attracted most of the students to take part in discussion. Surprisingly, the non-Muslim students asked to join my class as they wanted to share their opinion as well.

Currently, TV Al-Hijrah airs dialog harmony in which concept is sharing ideas about current issues by different religious scholars ; Islam, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist. Without provocation or pushing one the truth, the program is, to me the best step to create and promote the harmonic relationship between multi-faith people.

World without petroleum?

How long petroleum will last?

The question that people do not want to hear, even they are concerned about it. In fact, it could not be imagined our modern life without crude oil. How can we move from a place to another place easily, cheaply and quickly without fossil fuel. Going to work, sending our children to school, coming back to hometown illustrate this point very well.

On the other side, there are conservative groups who wish the ending of the petroleum using since they believe our life is much better without this resources. Face the fact, the earth already suffered with green house gasses that emitted from petroleum using. 

Even the current price of petroleum has decreased and then fluctuating, but it's just a temporary phenomenon. The unstopped demands, coupled with the increase number of vehicle production lead to the end of petroleum quickly. The popular estimate is around 50 years more. Even though, there are a few people optimistic that there are many oil well still undiscovered. However, as far as petroleum is not renewable resource, it will run out soon.

Thus, it is not rare nowadays, when many governments spend much money for any research in order to find alternative energy. Solar, wind, electric, seems to be the choice but still not the best choice for vehicles.

We have to face the fact that the crude oil will be end, but this kind of resource has already given the negative impact to our environment. Before thinking about the world without petrol, having said that did humans use the petrol prudently?

How many cars for one person?

How many barrels are spent for war in this era?

How many people play the price of petrol for their own interest?

So the main issue does human use the petrol prudently and is they are willing to share this petrol responsibly

Be prudent

It is clear that humans activities have caused the negative impact to environment. Allah says:-

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. ( Rome : 42 )

Thus, in order to reduce the pollution effect to our earth, humans have to use the burning fossil resources prudently. They have to concerned about environment seriously.

In Islam, prudence is the main teaching of Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him )
 

It was reported that the Prophet once saw Sa'd performing Wudu and said to him: "Why are you wasting all this water?" Sa'd asked, "Is there wastefulness even in performing Wudu?" The Prophet replied, "Yes, even if you were at a flowing river."

Based on this Hadith, the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) taught us the importance of being prudent even for worship purpose like using the water for wudu’ and even we use the flowing water which is the renewable resource.

Thus, I believe without waste and monopoly, humans will enjoy it at least double time than expected.

It is not about the fig, but the human ( part 2 )

It is really rare when Allah has sworn that he wants to return back his best creatures into the hell. In fact, there are many versus mention that Allah declares himself as the entirely merciful, compassionate and give the countless graces to humans. Thus, human need to reflect themselves why or how can they make their creator become angry.

Nevertheless, not all will be punished as Allah says in the next versus:-

“Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted”.

Based on this versus, Allah shows that only those who believe in him and do the righteous deeds will be exempted from his punishment. Moreover, he promises to award the never ending reward.

So, the question is why being a believer and do the good deeds will save humans?

To answer it, we have to look back why we are created and the answer already mentioned in the Quran in surah Az-zariyat,

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” ( Az-zariyat : 56 )

And another versus, before be born in the world, humans already made the deal with his creator.

“And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying to them], "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] - lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware." ( Al-A’rof : 172 )

Be a believer not only means that we comply our agreement with God, but at the same time it is the only way to show our grateful. At the same time, as humans, iman will protect them from doing any disallowed matter in their life. Meanwhile, iman is not enough in the heart but must be shown through action and attitude as known as amalun soleh ( good servants ). In fact, iman and amalun soleh not only about the relationship between god and his servant but between humans. Those who believe in god, do the good deeds will not harm others creations. 

Then, the next versus Allah says

“So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?”

So human, why you still refuse to aware about the hereafter day? The day that you will be asked by God what were you did in your life in the world.

Finally Allah says.

“Is not Allah the most just of judges?

This versus is not ask humans to find the answer, but to reflect..

Allah has created them as the good creature with eyes, ears and brain. Then, he never force human to follow his guidance. Instead, he ask them to look, listen and think which way is the best in their life. 

Then, Allah sent his messenger coupled with his reveal book to humans to deliver his reminder, guidance and grace. Moreover he has preserved his last book from any alteration to make sure all of human no matter where they come from or which period they live, they still can read this book.

At the same time, there are clear evidences of god punishment to ancient people who refused to accept the truth and at the same time, did the corrupted activities in this world.

Thus, when Allah ask

“Is not Allah the most just of judges?”

Say “bala..”