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There’s been yet another political controversy about Islam, featuring the usual suspects, with the same playlist of greatest hits on religion and politics.
Is this what people mean when they say some of the favourite old hits are evergreen?
Colour aside, it appears that one lot said their members must put politics first (meaning voting in an election), even if that means cancelling a religious pilgrimage.
Apparently this is what God would have wanted.
The opposing lot obviously disagrees, and invoked the need to trust and rely on the authority and counsel of the learned and the experts to understand the meaning and contexts of such important matters.
The message, if I may simplify it, is this: leave the thinking and pronouncing to us experts.
Don’t be too smart
In other words, as the Malays say it, “jangan pandai pandai”, or be too smart for your own good. Okaaaayyy, but here goes anyway!
Perhaps those lucky enough to have gone on pilgrimage to Mecca might not be too worried about missing yet another pilgrimage if it clashes with an election at home.
But for many others, the haj is a lifelong cherished dream, often difficult to achieve because of strict quotas imposed by Saudi Arabia, as well as the costs which may be prohibitive for many people.
For such people, this is a big deal indeed, whereas for those who’ve done it before – or can afford to do it again because of wealth or connection – this may not be a big deal. They can stay back, and presumably vote for their favourite, evergreen party.
Such an evergreen party, playing their usual greatest hits, regularly invokes the belief that they are God’s representatives on earth, and hence an authority on worldly matters too.
On God’s behalf
Their words interpreting the holy texts are apparently spoken on God’s behalf.
Don’t ask them to point out where in the holy texts such commands are mentioned. The texts don’t mention elections, so you would instead hear some arguments quoting some commands that they will tell you are tantamount to what they are saying on this matter.
No surprise here. This is all about worldly politics, with many humans happily interpreting God’s commands to their political advantage.
All this has happened before, and will happen again. These are indeed evergreen hits that will be played any time it’s convenient.
More oldtime favourites
The other lot, those on the other side of the argument, have their own evergreen hits, too, also old-time crowd favourites – the gist of which is that we ordinary people shouldn’t make any decisions or pronouncements without the guidance of those more learned than us.
So basically, this means (you’ve guessed it) that we ignorant folk shouldn’t “pandai pandai” about things beyond our humble station!
Those who are really “pandai” are of course those making the pronouncements.
In their eyes, they are making life easier for you because: first, if you’re given the chance to go to Mecca, just go; and second, you don’t need to burden your own tiny head and soul by thinking about big important things. Instead, let those more learned and gifted than you do it for you.
Let others do the thinking
The basis of both arguments are of course the same – if you’re not one of those learneds, then just sit back and don’t meddle with stuff beyond your understanding, and just listen to the people who’ve designated themselves to handle things for you, including any thinking required.
You would either accept that things are white and do or don’t do things one way, or that things are black and thus do or don’t do things another way.
In the meantime, just keep listening to your favourite versions of those red hot evergreen hits.
What a colourful world we live in today. And what a simple world it is, too.
Whichever music genre we choose, there are people much smarter, not to mention much holier, than us playing songs we’d find relevant and comforting.
Three options
Of course, nobody has asked for my opinion, but being the generous person that I am, I can’t help but offer a suggestion that may bridge the two sides, even if whatever I suggest won’t quite elevate me to the level of the learneds.
One: for many, if not most, the haj is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfil Islam’s fifth pillar. It would be most cruel to deny them this opportunity just because you want them at the voting booth to choose your candidates.
Two: elections are a relatively modern phenomena, so don’t expect to find any direct guidance in the holy texts. But any Muslim of good heart and pure intention can figure out many things for themselves, as God certainly didn’t send his messages to confuse and confound the ummah.
And three: have you considered postal voting?
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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