Islam is a progressive religion for all times

I wish to quote excerpts from the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Hon Dr Mahathir Bin Mohammed at the opening of the tenth session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Malaysia on October 16, 2003: “The Muslim ummah is divided, and divided again and again. Over the last fourteen hundred years the interpreters of Islam, the learned ones, the ulamas, have interpreted and interpreted the single Islamic religion brought by Prophet Muhammad SAW so differently that now we have a thousand religions which are often so much at odds with one another that we often fight and kill each other. From being a single ummah we have allowed ourselves to be divided into numerous sects, mazhabs, and tarikats, each more concerned with claiming the true Islam than our oneness as the Islamic ummah.”

Mahathir went on to say: “Some believe that poverty is Islamic, sufferings and being oppressed are Islamic. This world is not for us. Ours are the joys of heaven in the after life. All that we have to do is to perform certain rituals, wear certain garments, and put up a certain appearance. Our weakness, our backwardness and our inability to help our brothers and sisters who are being oppressed are part of the Will of Allah, the sufferings we must endure before enjoying heaven in the hereafter. We must accept this fate that befalls us. We need not do anything. We can do nothing against the Will of Allah. But is it the Will of Allah that we can and should do nothing? Allah has said in Surah Ar-Ra verse 11 that: “He will not change a community until the community has tried to change its fate itself.”

Later in his speech, I quote his feelings on oppression, he says: “This is what comes from the superficial interpretations of the Quran, stressing not the substance of the Prophet’s Sunnah and the Quran’s injunctions but rather the form, the manner and the means used in the first century of the Hijrah. And it is the same with the other teachings of Islam; we are more concerned with the forms rather than the substance of the words of Islam and adhering only to the literal interpretation of the traditions of the Prophet. We may want to recreate the first century of the Hijrah, the way of life in those times, in order to practise what we think to be the true Islamic way of life. Our detractors and enemies will take advantage of the resulting backwardness and weakness in order to dominate us. Islam is not just for the 7th Century Ad, Islam is for all times. And times have changed. Whether we like it or not we have to change, not by changing our religion but by applying our teachings in the context of a world that is radically different from the first century of the Hijrah. Islam is not wrong but the interpretations by our scholars, who are not prophets even though they may be very learned, can be wrong.”

Finally, I have found a person who has some views like myself, and I am convinced that my simple interpretation of the Quran is to live a decent life, do good deeds, give love, be charitable, be kind, caring, sharing and thinking well of all, regardless of colour, creed or race.  I think that these are the attributes Allah wants from us. It is time we Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago stop making waves about little things.  Our priorities are to adhere to the principles of Islam, to accept the five pillars of Islam. Our aim should be to build our brotherhood and sisterhood based on our similarities and ignore the things that threaten to pull us apart — like what we wear, wudhu in the mosque rather than bathing at home, how many rakats we should read in the month of Ramadan, Qaseedas with music or without music, women speaking in public with mixed audiences, and the hundreds of little things which do not add to our going to heaven.

I am of the firm belief that Muslims in Trinidad and elsewhere mistake culture for religion. Although Muslims belong to the same family, a universal family, peoples have different cultures, which ought to be respected, for example: Garments worn in different countries vary according to climate and taste, and these fashions could be followed by anyone, based on choice. In India, where our forefathers originated, Muslims wear salwars and orhnis while in Africa the dress and headwear are completely different. They wear bold patterns and very bright colours. Having visited Mecca and Medina, I am convinced that the clothes the women and men wear are purely their habit. It is hot, it is dusty, it is cold at nights and therefore good cotton clothes covering them from head to toe are appropriate. In Trinidad, our dress will be more in keeping with Western styles since we are actually part of the Western region. Once one is decently clad, dress is acceptable.

With regard to worship, Muslims in Trinidad, both men and women take pride and joy to attend mosque, particularly at our congregational prayers — Jumma on Fridays. In Pakistan, an Islamic State, no women attend Friday Jumma and right here in Guyana, the Caribbean, the same applies in some instances.In Saudi Arabia, an Islamic State, women attend prayers at the Haram mosque in Mecca, praying side by side with their male counterparts while in Medina separate sections are provided. In Turkey, the famous and outstanding Blue Mosque was literally empty on the Friday that we were there. Where were the Muslims? Even our extreme attitudes and approaches to life are different. Who will be a suicidal bomber? The idea is just impossible for Trinidadians who do not have that mindset. Imam Sulimani, a Pakistani and a learned person and traveller, said at a recent function in Palmiste, South Trinidad: “Trinidadian Muslims are among the best in the world.” It is time therefore, we Trinidadian Muslims appreciate what we have. Let us not dwell on the negatives and differences that we face and which ultimately split our jamaats but let us try and reinforce the positives and our oneness in Allah. By doing this, it would bring us closer to each other, to each mosque and so strengthen our ummah, hence making our contributions more effective in a country that is truly ours. If we take the attitude “Ye to your religion and I to mine,” life will be great, there will be respect among all Islamic sects as well as non Muslims.

We are not in the Middle East fourteen hundred years ago. We are citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in the new world, in the Americas, with Western ways. As Dr Mahathir Bin Mohammed said, we have to interpret Islam for Trinidad and Tobago, here and now. Let us carry it further as the Quran requires, and extend our good will to all our fellowmen. We must change with the times, following the good ways and ignoring the bad practices. Islam is for the world over and we should be content to live our lives here in our way, in our culture, for this is where our allegiance lies.

The first word of God uttered to Prophet Muhammad was “Read” ch.96: verses 1-5. All across the universe, God’s word in the Quran is meant to be read and implemented by each person, in each time. During this month of Ramadan while we fast, read the Quran and apply the deep rooted principles and teachings. Let us be Muslims in action, not in words. Let us overlook the small things which create confusion and let us look at the big picture that can create peace, love and harmony among all peoples of Trinidad and Tobago. We should be thankful that we are in a place that is free from crisis and understand that we are truly a blessed nation. We must live up to the ideals of our Quran. As we commit ourselves to progress, let us join our lives and discover life’s best together, now and for always. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims and non Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago. May the peace and blessings of Allah always be with you and your families.