Looking for guidance?

DEC 12 ― It is indeed an interesting time to be a Muslim, or even a non-Muslim, observing Muslim matters in Malaysia.

And to revisit and discover the changes, the phenomenon of an “educated”, “enlightened” Islam that has been happening over the last five years, is eye-opening. Islam in Malaysia has become evangelical, inclusive and exclusive. To the observer writing this, there is a marked demarcation of Muslim-Malaysians. The difference is more pronounced among the moneyed, educated locally and abroad, urban and rural. This religious algebra is partly due to the power of social media, especially Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook’s pages has encouraged many personalities to go online and interact with their fans. Muslim “celebrities” such as Suhail Webb, Yasmin Mogahed, Mufti Ismail Menk, and our very own Wardinnah Sufiyah post their thoughts, links they find inspiring on their Facebook pages, supported by Twitter. Their followings are legendary, but no less different from other believers of other faiths. The Christians and Buddhists also have their own celebrities.

This begs the question, for which I will be accused of being jaded and cynical: Where does the line of admiration appear before the idolization becomes syirk?

More about the explosion of 21st century Muslim evangelists later.

“Why,” S, one of my oldest and best friends from school asks, “won’t you attend the Sheikh’s class?”

Heee. The Sheikh this, the sheikh that.

“It’s nothing to do with liberalism or secularism. It’s instinct. I am wary of organized usrahs, especially when there is a class (economics) issue. Remember, you yourself told me that donations are nothing less than RM500. I have no issues funding my faith but I have issues when you put a price tag to it.”

“He’s a direct descendant of the Prophet SAW!”

“How you know?”

“He said so.”

“Anyone can claim that.”

“Eeeeee you ni degil!”

The Sheikh (Who I Shall Meet One Fine Day – WISMOFD)’s name has cropped up many times over the last three years. Friends living near where he conducts his classes have complained of cars parked haphazardly and of some of his students’ arrogance. Complaints by residents of indiscriminate parking have been met with boorish remarks and behaviour.

“Oh,” said a newly-made acquaintance. “The Sheikh. He’s not highly qualified. He’ll do for those who seek a certain level, but not for the genuine seekers of an intellectual Islam. You’re better off following the teachings of proper Muslim thinkers.”

Funny how a man I have yet to meet elicits such extreme views. His followers adore him, while the scholars and academics view him with some amusement. The only similarity I can see is the need and desire for Muslims to have a leader. We seem to need a leader for almost everything. We can’t read the Quran on our own; we should not read texts even by Muslim thinkers like Qardawi, because we may be led astray by the Devil. Even if we cannot grasp the Arabic language! We must be guided. But what if the leader is weak? And who are we to say that he or she is? Who is a saint?

My friend tried another tack.

“The group is made up of people like us. Professionals. Muslims who are educated.”

Oh dear. That rang a bell.

No, no, no.

“Did I ever tell you of the Habib of Pekalongan?” I offered.

“Who? What?”

I explained.

“Is he a real Muslim? Is his aqidah right? You know how Indonesian Islam is like – it’s not the real Islam.”

Here we go again – it’s always Malaysia’s (idea of Islam) that is the best.

“I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll go to your Sheikh if you follow me to Hussein Yee’s classes. Loads of Chinese Muslim eye candy there,” I suggested.

“And when I go to Pekalongan again, you can follow and be my research assistant. You’re going to meet the Habib,” I continued.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.