– Ahmad Mustakim
The Malaysian Insider
November 23, 2013

The issue of sectarian differences in Malaysia has been ongoing for months. Muslims have been quarrelling (some countries end up committing genocide over it) over the differences in doctrines of Islam. Have Muslims ever wondered to what end this quarrelling will bring us?

After Prophet Muhammad’s death, his companions and the next generations differed on religious matters, parallel to the growing empire and the number of people converting to Islam. It was from the political end, not religious, that the ummah was divided.

According to the Amman Message, all eight mazhab (school of thoughts), including Sunni, Shia, salafi, ibadhi, asharism and Sufism are considered Muslims and, therefore, it is forbidden to declare Muslims in the mazhab as kaffir (takifiri).

It is sad to see how the clerics and ulama could not cooperate wisely with their differences in ideology. Such a situation leaves the Muslim public in confusion over theology. You see, the great scholars of many sects did not make it compulsory to follow their teachings.

However, our ulama are more interested in the takfiri rather than making way for mutual understanding or calls for dialogue. Hence, the denial of rights for Malaysian Shias or sects other than Sunni. Surprisingly, Muslims here welcome this as it is a solution to problems of sectarian divide.

Islam came as a way of life, a solution for oppression and injustices. Today, we are more interested in claiming God’s name, rather than executing what God asks us to do. We are more interested in telling people where God is, rather than settling social problems resulting from injustice. Religion is for mankind, not for God. Ask yourself this: what have we done today with our prayers, fasts and haj?

Instead of arguing over religious theory, why don’t we Muslims put our efforts towards settling the disputes, inequalities, oppression and other social problems confronting us today. Mankind doesn’t need a better religion. Mankind needs a better world. – November 23, 2013.