What Is Wrong About Them Sitting At The Same Table?
Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)
Several mass media published my appeal to the four prominent figures in the country for them to sit together and discuss with each other the future of the Muslims in this country specifically and the future of the nation generally in the name of ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic Brotherhood). They are Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
I do not appeal for them to dismiss their political ideas or dissolve their political parties but instead, for them to talk to each other as commanded by Allah in the al-Quran (translated as): “In most of their secret talks there is no good: but if one exhorts to a deed of charity or justice or conciliation between men, (secrecy is permissible): to him who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, we shall soon give a reward of the highest (value).” (Surah al-Nisa’: verse 114)
Secret talks are in many instances pleasing to the ear, appealing to converse about and can be a good appetizer for a banquet. People can spend hours making comments and various speculations on rumors. However, I still believe that there is a terminal point where it all becomes saturated.
It can be even more deadening when the political rivalry is starting to erode the interest of the ummah and form a pattern of a gloomy future. When it gets to that level, the ears will start to get tired of listening, emotions will become jaded and hatred directed at the conflicting parties will surface. The action commanded by al-Quran to overcome the various gossips and stories being circulated around in an Islamic community is by nurturing the honorable and harmonious elements capable to overcome the obscure elements that are harmful to the community.
If the condition is left unchecked, the Muslim community will lose their focus and drown in secret talks that usually do not have a definite ending. It is even worse when other people take advantage of it by eating away at the interest and strength of this ummah.
As we have witnessed, the election has passed by. The rights of the people have been realized on the ballot paper. The people’s desire to punish those who were being very conceited, arrogant and were burdening the people had been met. The need for those in power to respect the rights and feelings of the people has started to be valued and feared by everyone who holds political power in his hands.
However, I believe that in the last election, the Muslims’ prediction of the result – if compared with ‘the others’ – were less prophetic. Because of that, the decisions they made were not very structured causing the Muslims, in some cases, to be trapped in a desperate situation whereas ‘the others’ incessantly demanded for various kinds of benefit.
More than that, they started to unite in demanding for many things and this worries the Muslims community and menaces the Islamic identity of this country. That is actually not strange. It is normal for any group to demand for their needs to be fulfilled whenever they feel there is an opportunity or because there is a dire need for the other side to fulfill the demands. They probably think that this is a good season for harvesting.
In this kind of situation, can’t our leaders sit together to have a healthy discussion in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood? It is not to melt their respective identities but there are possibly some issues that they are in agreement silently, or noticeably, for the benefit of the ummah. Even if they cannot agree with each other in every issue, it is good enough if the fundamental issues involving the future of the ummah are not forfeited in the political clashes these days.
Allah relates our attitude towards the believers when they are at war against each other. Allah says (translated as): “If two parties among the believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). The believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy.” (Surah al-Hujurat: verse 9-10)
These verses command us to conciliate two parties who are at war against each other. The same applies to political conflict or other of similar nature. It has to be conciliated for the sake of Islamic brotherhood. It is even more pressing if it involves the interest of the ummah. We are also commanded to fight the one that transgresses the limits in the disagreement or war.
Al-Imam al-Tabari said (deceased 310H): “if one of the parties engaged in the war refuses to accept the call to judge using the Book of Allah – either in matters that are in favor of them or are against them – and transgresses justice that Allah has stipulated to His servants whereas the other party agrees to surrender then fight the transgressors.” ((Al-Tabari, Tafsir al-Tabari, 22/292, Beirut: Muassasah al-Risalah). The round-table conference will also enable the people to make a clear decision on which side is more appropriate to be judged as the transgressor!
If the last election’s result is considered as a punishment, is this life then only to be occupied with a period of punishment without any period of rehabilitation? By having a round-table discussion, is it not possible that advices can be properly conveyed and demands can be properly asserted on many issues? Moreover, in this life, sometimes the story we hear from someone else about a certain individual does not represent his true character that we see once we get to know him or talk to him.
Stories from the enemies are always damaging and stories from the supporters are always encouraging. We commonly prefer to hear stories about our enemies from the mouths of their enemies and we do not always want to hear stories about our enemies from those who are being fair to them whereas the fair-minded ones are very few. By sitting together, it can probably soften the hearts and bring them to better understand each other’s situation.
I am pleading for them to sit at the same table not to fulfill their own interests but for the future of the ummah. Furthermore, in Islam, this falls under the method called “General interest comes before individual interest”. Individual comes and goes, political party lives and dies. However, the future of the ummah must live on full with honor and harmony.
I am not concerned over who ought to withdraw. However, what worries me more is who will be replacing him. If the replacement is able to bring blessedness into the country, Alhamdulillah! It’s just that we hope the replacement will not be a lot worse. If we wish to change the leadership, it is not just by changing the individual but at the same time, the level or quality of leadership also needs to be changed.
Quality is not only related to the leader’s charisma but it is also related to the condition that the state or the country is in when he is the leader. Therefore, a leader is valued by looking at what kind of an individual he is and who are the people surrounding him. This matter ought to be discussed amicably in the spirit of devotion to the ummah.
What is more important is the sincerity towards Allah S.W.T to gain His Blessing and not only the blessing of one’s party or followers. Allah commands us to make peace with each other. By sitting at the same table among Muslims, it will not cause any shortfall to one’s credibility but more than that, it is much closer to gaining the Blessing of Allah.
Put up front the al-Quran and al-Sunnah as the guideline signifying that we are all Muslims and have faith in Allah and His Messenger. If it is obvious that some things contradict with the requirement of Allah and His Messenger, we must revert to the true teaching before it comes to a point that no amount of regrets can remedy the situation.
Allah says (translated as): “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe In Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination.” (Surah al-Nisa: verse 59)
The Prophet s.a.w said, “Do you want me to tell you about an act of worship that holds a much higher position than fasting and praying?” The companions answered, “Of course.” He said, “Patch up a relationship since a ruined relationship is like a shaver (that shaves the religion).” (Reported by Abu Daud, ranked as sahih by al-Albani.) For that reason, Allah and His Messenger advocate reconciliations in all conditions.
Allah says (translated as): “O ye who believe! Give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to whom ye shall (all) be gathered. And fear tumult or oppression, which affecteth not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict In punishment.” (Surah al-Anfal: verse 24-25)
We can see that all the political parties headed by Muslims in this country can sit at the same table with those of different belief or different religion. In that case, is it not possible for them to sit at the same table with those of the same religion? Is the interest of the party bigger than the interest of the religion? If some are able to bleach the color of their struggle because of their non-Muslim associates who are in the same camp as they are, why is it then not possible for them to sit together at the same table with Muslims who are of the same faith as they are? Due to similar interests in politics, we are able to talk to other people and recognize their sentiments, even granting some of their demands, why can’t we then sit at the same table for the sake of the ummah?
If after we have the round-table discussion, all of a sudden some participants transgress the limit, at that time we are allowed to take a stand and confront the transgressors. This is consistent with the commands of al-Quran in Surah al-Hujurat stated above. We shall not sit at the same table with the transgressors for fear that we will contradict the commands of Allah and His Messenger. Besides, if undesirable events occur in this country due to their refusal to conciliate, history will record the refusal as a wicked attitude. The future generation will ask, “What was the conflict about that caused them to forfeit our future?”
This brings to my mind the battle of Jamal. It was an event that dismayed the ummah and spurred by the issues surrounding the murder of Saidina ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan r.a. A battle occurred among the Muslims. A prominent companion of the Prophet s.a.w named Talhah bin ‘Ubaidah deliberated the issues before the battle occurred. It happened because of the wicked hands of the enemies whose intention was to incite conflicts among the Muslims.
Talhah said, “In the past, we were united like one huge hand in confronting other people. Today, we are like two mounds moving towards each other. However, in this issue concerning the murder of ‘Uthman r.a, my opinion is that I do not see any approach to address it other than to shed my blood to avenge the shedding of his blood.” (Reported by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak, ranked as sahih by al-Zahabi)
Even though his intention was noble, the resolute decision brought about the shedding of blood and tears among the Muslims. He himself was killed. When Saidina ‘Ali bin Abi Talib r.a who was with the group opposing Talhah’s group saw the body of Talhah, he said, “May Allah cast His Blessing upon you O Abu Muhammad (Talhah)! So grave my sorrow is to witness the attack on you under the starry sky. Only to Allah I lament my weakness and grief. By Allah! I like it more if I had been dead since twenty years ago.” (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, 7/257). However, the regret felt at that point in time was not able to change the historical record.
We beseech Allah for a harmonious future of the Muslim community and the nation as a whole. We still have the time to discuss things through. Probably we will not succeed in conciliating all issues but we may be able to reconcile some of them. Even if we fail to achieve any agreement, at least we try to abide by the teachings of Allah and His Messenger that command us to conciliate. At least, there is an effort to obey the al-Quran and al-Sunnah. Therefore, what is wrong about them sitting at the same table?
kzso - what is wrong for them to sit down and talk for the sake of islam, moeslem, malays and the country?
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