Ways For Muslims To Counter Insults.

It's hard to understand, but muslims often encountered insults and lots of mistreatment. More than people from other religion. It's actually a psychological matter. When people knows that muslims are being over-protective, they tend to provoke them more.

Indeed, this is provocative. Often, in youtube or other blog sites, muslims uses curse word and obscene languages to stop the writer or poster from posting their idea. Of course, this type of person is not limited to only muslims. Even Buddhists would curse. It's human temptation to curse or to boycott.

"whorehouse, there is no difference between Christians, Catholics, or Hindus, all of you worship the creation instead of the Creator."

"joe, asshole, if you say anything about Islam or prophet Muhammad pbuh without posting evidence from the Quran or Sunnah, I will block you, I already deleted one of your comments, next time I block you."

"Fuck off"

"wat are u a hindu ? You still follow the caste system. are u an untouchable ? Call your dad a moron for not teaching you morals. "

"You are just a spectator like others. Pussy you dont have guts to go into gaza because Hammas will smoke you like a cheap cigarette. Air strikes will kill innocent people. Woe to the disbelievers, the day is drawing ever closer. take heed ! you will see death will come upon you from every side. if that is what Allah wills. Your own children will kill you inshallah. There will be no escape inshallah you will fall head first in the bottom of the burning pit (Hell)"

I believe the Quran did not ask its followers to say things above. If those 'disbelievers' should talk crap of Islam, answer them in an appropriate manner. Don't say things that a terrorist said. Because a true muslim is not a terrorist. Quran is infallible, and you can answer every query they have posted without name-calling and cursing. Personally, the last red sentence pissed me off because the guy even used God's name to curse.

So, to counter insults:

1) Answer without name-calling.

2) Back yourself up with evidences and scriptures.

3) Do not try to find fault in their religion, this leads to prejudism.

4) Boycott is condemned in every religion, especially in Islam, the religion of peace. Don't boycott.

5) One insult could lead to ten more of them coming back at you. Don't insult, explain.

6) Strip away personal judgements when trying to compare religion. This leads to misintrepetation.

The reason I include this one in my blog because I think the morality of most muslims is descending since Islam teaches them morality and peacefulness in almost every page of Quran. You may add more points or suggestion if you want and stay peaceful.

"Islam and Buddhism", Answering Harun Yahya

I've read about Harun Yahya's book entitled 'Islam and Buddhism'. In this book, I find many incorrect things he mentioned about Buddhism in his way to preach the truth of Islam. I decided to answer his claims about Buddhism Chapter by Chapter. It is best if you own the book too. So that you can refer and make sure I'm not taking anything out of context.

Buddhism: An Idolatrous Religion?

Idolatrous. From the topic that I've read in Harun Yahya's book 'Islam & Buddhism', I have already know that he haven't know about Buddhism yet. Idolatrous. He included Buddha's history in this book, why don't he list out every actions Buddha made? I look upon this as unfair. This is untrue of Buddhism. Buddha lived in an age where hierachical Hindu ruled India. Buddha denied idol worshipping. He was born a Hindu, but he denied the way that people in India worshipped idols. If Buddha denied idol worshipping, why would Harun Yahya say Buddhism is an 'idolatrous' and 'superstitious' religion? By the way, in which basis does he said Buddhism was superstitous? Buddhism is an agnostic religion, which focused more on self and not worship. How superstitious is that?

Those 'idols' Harun shown in his book aren't actually idols. They are not prayed at. Putting hands together and kneeling in front of the statues is simply a form of respect. To clarify this, Buddha once said that he is not a supreme being and does not deserve worship. Right before he died. You may search that up on Yahoo. For further clarification, if we can put flowers and ornaments on the statue of a politician or on the floor when we mourn the death of our loved ones (like in the aftermath of WTC bombing), why not kneeling in front of a statue of person whose opinion brought benefit to the world? Maybe people from other religion say that kneeling in front of something means worshipping, but different cultures mean different things. In India, citizens used to kneel in front of the king. That doesn't mean worship in India. On the other hand, citizens kneel in front of Pharaoh and call him God. This is why religion from that region of area forbids people kneeling in front other beings. Cultural differences could bring forth religion misunderstandings too.

Buddhism's Erroneous Belief?

Harun Yahya had said in his book that Buddha preaches orally and do not write texts. In Buddhism, whether if the text or word passed down on generation, it doesn't matter. Because it is not a word of God. Buddha himself clarified that. So he can't call Buddha a liar. Because Buddha did not claim himself as God or whatsoever.

Later in this chapter, Harun Yahya contradicts himself with an article saying Buddhism is an atheistic religion. Even though it's an atheistic religion, he said, Buddhism believes in life after death without intellect or scientific support. Well, this is funny, I saw a research on a group of psychiatric performing a research on hypnotising a patient to know their previous life. Their result was astounding. I do not dare to say that it was true because it might be the Devil's work.... I don't know.

Harun Yahya said that Karma applies on Buddhists only. I reject that opinion because Karma is not about a human reincarnates as rat. It's simply about 'what you sow is what you reap'. This is a concept. So people can expand this 'Wheel of Karma' as big as they wanted. Just as how people portray their Heaven to be, whether it is symbolic or not. (To clarify, whether 'the flow of honey river' is really in heaven or just a symbolic portrayal of Heaven, which Muslim scholars are still debating about)

An Oppresive, Enslaving Religion?

Harun said in this article that a Buddhist attempt to nullify all human desires is another aspect of its narrow philosophy. Checkmate, you might think? Nope, Castling. Because I believe Islam urges its followers to eliminate nafsu (desires) as a way to get closer to God too. Narrow philosophy? I'd be careful to use that word, especially if it might insult a religion I loved very much. Harun said that Buddha restricted his followers from wondering about how life came into being. However, he has not proven why Buddhists keep themselves from asking questions like where they're from, how the universe and living things came to be. Can he be so sure that Buddha RESTRICTED his follower from wondering? If so, what is he doing under the Bodhi tree if not finding the Cause of All Things? Then why does Buddha said that it is okay for a Buddhist to convert to other religion? There is usually only one Castling is allowed in a Chess game, but in this case, it's already two. He compared Buddhism with Islam, saying that Islam does not suppress its follower's desires or to endure pain and suffering. Inversely, he meant that Buddhism teaches its followers to hunger themselves and make themselves suffer. Is that true? In Buddhism, it is free for its followers to choose to be a monk or a nun. Buddhists can have families, have sex, and child as long as it is not abusive. Being a monk or a nun that begs for food and money have its own morality too. It provokes charity and kindness. It is quite the same as paying Zakat, only it is by choice. Monks and nun used a part of the charity to share with the orphans and open up a cheap vegetarian food outlet (in Malaysia, with RM 2, you get a big bowl of rice and vegetables, I've been there once). And the profit of their sale on vegetarian food will be donated to the Buddhist Temple or orphanage. This is the Buddhist society. And those charities is not limited to only Buddhists, it is applied to every person from every religion. In Malaysia, there are also such society. I've been to their society no less than a month ago.

Buddhists even open up a free clinic to treat everyone who can't afford medical treatments without charging money. And from who do you think those money came from? I've been to the clinic. There are Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists doing their medical checkup over there. Buddhism does not promote suffering as a way of truth, but telling his followers the truth that desires can bring forth suffering. I believe my muslim friends agree with this too. Buddhist monks are jobless, you might say... But Buddhist monks do have a job that is very righteous which is to bring life to other poor beings. This practises has already been portrayed by Buddha himself.

It amused me though, when Harun once again contradicts himself by saying Buddhism is a Pagan religion which worships idol later in the chapter. I'll stay silent on this matter because I believe I have already mentioned it.

Creation of idols in Japan such as Avalokiteshvara, is practised by only a few Chinese and Japanese people. The idol is clearly the portrayal of their culture. Bear in mind that Japanese religion is called Shintoisme, not Buddhism. Personally, I think Harun Yahya himself laid an 'attack' on Buddhism because he watched the comedy series 'Journey To The West'. Its all fiction. Even the directors mentioned that. They are no monkey god or a pig god. Besides, they portrayed Buddha with Chinese cultures. Buddha is from India.

End word.

I would like to apologize to my muslim brothers and sister if I offended you. If you think there is a phrase which offended you, please do tell me so that I could rephrase that sentence. By writing this blog, I am not trying to say which religion is false or right. What I am trying to point out here is the injustice and unjust way Mr. Harun Yahya used to preach Islam. Islam and Buddhism has been both my favourite religion that I most enjoyed studying. Harun Yahya have so much to contradict in this book. There's one muslim scholar named Zakir Naik mentioned about Buddha in his preaching, and I find it most harmony and a true way to bring forth the religion of Islam towards the non-muslims. You should search for Zakir Naik in youtube if you have never heard of him. He is one of my most respectable person after Prophet Muhammad, Buddha, and Jesus Christ. However,Harun Yahya had really done a good job in answering atheists' query on the Theory of Evolution. Kudos. He succeeded in putting many people back in the path of faith.

Meaning of Life. (Concluded)

One night when I was alone, I was lying in my bed. I had been thinking of my bed for a long time when I was in my university hostel. At last, I got my hard-earned nap. But then, I started thinking of nonsense things-matters that I have never think of before- and began asking myself questions. Why do I draw breath? What is life? Does our meaningfulness of life determined by religion?

I just couldn't sleep that night, thinking about life. Pretty silly, you might say. But yeah, I started to wonder whether I appreciated my life or not. I have few friends that said that I never appreciated my life (I understand, because they are trying to preach their religion), and so I started to wonder. After I have started my religion studies, I begin to think critically and started to concern about life. In fact, every religion tell its followers to appreciate life. Buddha often teaches his followers that desires can destroy the happiness and joy of life. I agree with this very much, and I admit that I have many worldly things that I wished to possess. Remembering my family's past, it makes me wonder how can they be very happy with their lives when they were struck by poverty. They ate tree bark for lunch and sometimes, if they are lucky enough, have potatoes for dinner. Yet they do not complain. Now, if I gave my aunt potatoes for her birthday, she will cry out of joy. She really provoked my thoughts. Personally, I would only accept birthday presents that costs more than RM 10. But my aunt is content with just a bag of potatoes.

Somehow, I always feel like I am lacking of something. I bet most of you feel the same too. The moment I get certain things, like money, I do not have any contentment inside of me. And I am sure that I am not appreciating my life, or things that are happening around me. Trying something that I have never done before, I gave a beggar RM 1 when I was shopping in Sunway Pyramid. I saw the joy in his eyes, thanking me with a wide smile that is not supposed to be on a beggar's face. RM 1. It was unbelievable. With RM 1, I can buy happiness. But yet, I have thousands of Ringgit Malaysia in my account, why am I not content?

This incident inspired me of a story. This story is about a man who went to his friend's house. His friend cooked something and asked the man to try it. "Hm... It lacked of taste." So his friend put a pinch of salt on the food. The second time the man tried the food, he said, "it is marvellous! With just a pinch of salt, it makes a big difference!" Then his friend said something that changed his life forever, "a pinch of salt makes the food tastes the best, but too much salt can ruin everything." This explains a lot to us. Contentment and moderation. This is also why Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his followers to practice Islam in a moderate way. Because too much salt can ruin everything.

I have understood what is life by now. It is now the time to practice what I know. At least I am now content with what I have. At least I am walking the right path of morality. If I am happy and content with my own life, who are they to disagree with me? Why should I let my friends dictate my own basis of life? Why should I fight or disagree with their point of view towards my life? This is my own point of view, whether you agree or disagree, it doesn't make any changes to the world. Live life without prejudice. Live life by contributing to the society. Live life by obeying the rules of religion (regardless of any religion).

I have found my own meaning of life, have you found yours?



"If one day you found yourself waking up, looking forward to face your troubles with an open heart; then you have finally appreciated your life." - My own philosophy.

ISLAM - A Religion of Terror?

I couldn't seem to remember which politician branded Islam as a religion that promotes terrorism. I simply couldn't agree with his theories. Does the guy who said this even studied History? It's hard to tell. Because terrorism existed a long, long time before the bombing of WTC. By the defintion of the word ''terrorism'', I figure out the meaning of it which sounded like this, '' acts which are intended to create fear based on one or more ideologies''. Let's highlight the word ''ideologies''. Then let us look through the timeline to see which event of ''ideologies'' comes first.

I stumbled across Communism. Isn't it right to say that Communism was an act based on ideology? Isn't it right to say that Communist intended to bring fear? Then why don't we brand Communism is also a ''religion'' that promotes terrorism? That just doesn't seem fair because of an event brought by a group of radical Muslims, Islam is branded as a religion of terror. Religious wars happened centuries ago and yet we do not announce ' The Global War on Terror'. French Wars in 1562 was waged between French Catholics and Protestant and yet I do not see any word of ''terrorism'' etched in the pages of history.

During the First Crusade, the Crusaders issued a policy of terror against Muslims and Jews. Those who died in the war would receive remissions of their sins. Isn't that another act of ''terrorism''? And the worst part? It happened centuries ago before the bombing of WTC. Like what we could find in almost every religions, there will be religious wars. That seems more like a prejudice than the so-called effort to fight terrorism.

And to the Muslims, I know that most of you wouldn't agree that hostility is the way to solve any problem. Even Prophet Muhammad ceases his followers from pillaging and killing unarmed citizens. So far, in every war events that took place, war fought by the Muslims centuries ago doesn't require them to burn down any villages and kill citizens. It is sad to know that few Jihadist claims that purging all kafirs is an act of martyrdom. How could it be called matyrdom if even Prophet Muhammad himself does not kill unarmed people in every wars he fought?

Giving You Some Lights On Me.

It is quite often that the religious ones avoid me and cursing me of this and that. They think I might have desecrated their religion. I grow tired of this and I wished to explain that I never speak of anything bad about any scriptures of religion. Offending my friends of different religion and races is definitely the last thing I would ever do. I have Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddha, Sikh as my friends, so, I definitely wouldn't want insult their religion. I honor the Muslims by not eating pork and do not take alcohol, I honor the Hindus by not eating beef, and I honor the Buddhists by becoming a vegetarian once a week, because every time I ate something their religion forbids, I will feel bad.

Please don't judge me, don't call me a Bahai Faith practitioner. Between religion and morality, I would choose morality, and I believe morality is always in the scriptures of their religion. It depends on their followers to interpret what is in the scriptures. Whenever some scriptures might not seem right, they will mock the whole religion by saying or insinuating that their religion is a lie. Then comes a quarrel, then comes a war. How would you understand their scriptures when you did not practise their faith? So, please do not mock other religions, instead, focus on your own. Preach by showing the moral values you've learnt from your scriptures, because you will never be able to convert someone if you keep on mocking their religions and their scriptures.

If you wondered what religion I am practising, I would leave no comments about my faith. I do not preach my religion, because I believe everyone have their own thoughts, so they will decide what is best for them. If there would be anything that I mock, I would mock the ones that claims they are religious and curses someone for not joining their religion. I would also say no to fanaticism because I always believe every religion preaches morality, killing someone in order to become a martyr is an act for someone who has greed for Heaven.

You are always free to debate about certains issues that I have posted but bear in mind that I will only respond to peaceful debates. In every debates, the ones on the 'losing' side always have an advantage because they learnt something from the 'winners'. I will always appreciate your thoughts and corrections of my writings because without your thoughts and opinions, I would not progress through my life. Thank you for reading.

Heaven

What is Heaven? Sometimes I wondered. Few decided that God sustains life to us, so our main purpose of life is to earn our way into heaven created by God. How to go to Heaven? Few deciced that waging war against all unbelievers is a good way to go straight into Heaven. Few decided that believing in certain religions guarantees them Heaven. Heaven is often considered as the most beautiful place humanity will ever see. People gets selfish when they crave for Heaven, they kill for Heaven, they mock for Heaven, and they often claim they hear the Voice of God asking them to wage war against certain countries.

Sometimes I wondered, what if God take Heaven away from humanity? Will humans still do their prayers? Will there still be morality? Will there still be a purpose of life? For me, the purpose of life is not earning our way to Heaven. The purpose of life is to influence the world according to your thinking, not religion. Morality should be preached and not Heaven, because blood is shed in the name of Heaven. Heaven strikes greed and humanity to few who lost their mind to fanaticism. With morality there will be Heaven on Earth. With morality the path to Heaven is clear. And honesty is proven through morality. I am sure that morality will prevail without the name of Heaven.

The authority seems to speak of Heaven as if they've been there, mentioning in detail what is contained in Heaven. That is one of a good way to dictate an army of fanatics to fight by the cause of the authority. It ended up that they submitted themselves to the authority, not God. I never put Heaven as the main objective of my life, I put morality above my own life. Anyone can invent their own Heaven to tempt somebody to fight for their cause. This is why morality will never bend your way from the path to Heaven. Even if there are no Heaven, I am already living in the Heaven of Earth, surrounded by friends and families who loves me, living my life without regret and fear of Hell, and finally leaves this world with a smile on my face.

Siapa Tertindas Dan Siapa Ditindas?

Sewaktu saya masih berada di bangku sekolah dahulu, rakan-rakan saya sering bertanya kepada saya, '' Chan, kau makan babi tak?''
Saya ni seorang yang kurang makan daging, kerana saya berpendapat adalah tidak adil untuk kita membunuh binatang yang lemah dan menjadikannya makanan. Saya juga berpendapat bahawa semua binatang pun kotor, binatang mana yang tidak bernajis? Selain itu, saya juga sedang berdiet. Pelbagai alasan saya boleh beri, tetapi saya tidak suka memberi alasan, saya suka membuat provokasi. Jadi, saya pun menjawab, ''mestilah makan! Aku tak boleh hidup tanpa babi!!''

Wajah mereka terus berubah, seolah-olah mereka sedang berhadapan dengan benda yang paling kotor dalam dunia ni! Apa yang lebih menyeronokkan ialah mereka boleh menghebohkan kepada satu sekolah yang saya makan babi! Tak ada lah satu sekolah, gempak satu kelas saja, mahu kasi hiperbola sikit. Saya akan dilabelkan sebagai 'pengotor, 'cina babi', dan macam-macam ada lah!Jangan pula kamu bersimpati dengan saya, saya sekarang tengah 'have fun'. Saya tengah tengok orang buat dosa.

Apabila saya balik dari sekolah, baru saya sedar sebenarnya bukan saya seorang saja yang berhadapan dengan 'orang-orang suci' ni. Adik saya 'dibahan' sampai menangis teresak-teresak. Saya bertanya apa yang membuat dia nangis. Dia kata 'kawan-kawan' dia tu mengejek 'tuhan' dia tu gemuk! Terketawa saya bila saya mendengar jawapan ni. Apakah saya dan adik saya ni mempunyai 'tuhan'? Saya dan adik saya ni tidak pernah sembahyang, maka layakkah kami mempunyai tuhan? Macamana yang mereka tahu yang tuhan saya ni gemuk pun saya tak tahu lah! Tapi apa yang saya tahu, orang-orang yang menggelar mereka ni 'suci' selalu memburuk-burukkan agama orang lain tanpa mendalami agama tersebut. Yang mereka tahu ialah agama mereka yang ter'best'. Dan janganlah kamu membuat andaian yang saya ni sedang menyindir agama kamu, saya cuma sedang menyindir kamu. Saya tidak percaya yang agama kamu ni menyeru umatnya menghina agama orang lain. Pandai pula 'orang-orang suci' ni, bila mencaci agama orang lain bukan main 'happy' lagi. Bila ada orang mencaci agama mereka berasaplah pula hidung mereka! Siap berperang lagi! Silap-silap kalau saya berperangai macam mereka satu sekolah saya letupkan nanti! Saya tahu mereka yang 'suci' ni mudah tersinggung, dan saya berani mengatakan, saya telah mendalami agama mereka dan saya dapati agama mereka tidak menganjurkan keganasan! Mana pula mereka baca pasal keganasan itu boleh membawa mereka ke syurga pun saya tak tahu lah!

Pernah sekali ada seorang yang 'suci' ni mengajak saya memeluk agama yang dia. Saya dengan sopannya menolak ajakan mereka, lalu mereka mengatakan bahawa saya akan masuk neraka jika saya tidak memeluk agama mereka. Itu bukan dakwah namanya, itu namanya ugut! Lagipun sejak saya lahir lagi saya dah bajet akan menerima seksaan neraka. Saya dah bersedia untuk masuk neraka, tapi untuk pengetahuan anda, walaupun saya akan masuk neraka, saya tetap akan membuat kebajikan, menjaga nyawa orang, dan memastikan orang lain masuk ke syurga. Suka hati kamu lah nak caya atau tidak, lagipun saya bukannya ada bukti.

Sejak kebelakangan ini, saya menerima dakwah dari seorang wanita. Tapi yang 'best'nya, cara berdakwah si jelita ni 'special' sikit. Dia tidak menghina agama saya langsung, malah menunjukkan segala kebaikan yang ada dalam agama dia. Saya terus terjatuh cinta dengan si jelita ini! Cara dakwah dia ni memang aman dan harmonis. tidak perlu cari gaduh. Cubalah bandingkan cara dakwah kamu dan si jelita ini.

Sebagai kesimpulan, yang alim tidak semestinya baik, yang baik tidak semestinya alim. Dunia ini besar, maka besarkanlah fikiran kamu, akhirat itu lagi besar, maka lagi lah harus besarkan fikiran kamu! Saya ingin mendengar komen-komen dari kamu. Adakah kamu sedar golongan mana yang sedang ditindas di Malaysia? Maaf lah kalau ada tersilap bahasa, maklumlah, saya saya dah lama tak tulis karangan.

Peristiwa Di Masjid

Pada tahun 2002, mak saya pernah bekerja di KLCC jual kasut Panache. Ramai lah juga pelancong dari luar negara datang melawat KLCC. Pada suatu hari yang ber'tuah' ini, kedai mak saya didatangi oleh seorang Arab, mak saya pun berasa pelik, mangapa si Arab ni tidak berkasut? Dahlah dengan muka masam! si Arab tu pun bertanya kepada mak saya di mana boleh membeli kasut lelaki. Selepas mak saya menunjukkan jalan, mak saya tanya si Arab itu mengapa dia tidak berkasut?

Si Arab yang pandai cakap Inggeris itu pun berkata, '' i went to solat in the mosque and then my slippers was stole.'' Mak saya terketawa dan berasa pelik solat itu bukankah satu sembahyang bagi orang Islam? Sebelum si Arab itu mahu beli kasut baru, dia bertanya kepada mak saya, Stupid dalam bahasa Malaysia apa ayatnya. Mak saya pun berkata, ''bodoh''. Lalu si Arab itu pun menjerit, ''Malaysians BODOH!''

Buat malu betul weyh, pergi sembahyang lepas tu curi kasut, dahlah dekat kawasan KL, orang-orang kaya saja tinggal situ, mahu beli selipar pun tarak duit kah? Buat malu agama, negara dan bangsa sahaja. Buat dosa dekat tempat beribadat, nampak sangat kekufuran mereka ini.