The lost of adab in times of modernity

I was in deep thoughts about to what degree can an Islamic environment be idealistic in times of such fast-paced accommodation of globalisation and modernity, when I stumble across a particular memory trenched deep in my mind. I had dinner with Taha and Samir at Long John Silver last 2 weeks, and they showed me videos and pictures of how the KEM usahawan was carried out.

At that moment it didn't matter to me, really. I was more interested, perhaps, dillussioned by the food that was laid on the table. I was really hungry.

But after that day, after visiting NUS library with my brother and Taha, after reading heaping books about historical views of how was it like back then during the Prophethood era, I realised something was amissed.

I checked with Taha and a few friends who attended that event, organised by PBMUKS and SIM Malay/Muslim Society, and found out something that really disturbed me, to a point where I am found myself in close encounter with the possibility to write to the BH. But after further discussion about the terms of adab in Islam and akhlak with my wise parents, I realise that I cannot stand on a platform of continued criticism. Instead, I must continue to strive to be a good individual Muslim and from there, like my dad say, I will cross into the realm of tabligh, and with great continuation of patience and proper character, I can possess the power of articulation- one that is possessed by many sahabahs in the Prophethood era. So the key to adab and akhlak is from me- myself. As a small unit. And from there I grow.

But still, I pushed on with my proposal of writing to BH about this. I consider the lines between religion and culture too close-perhaps intertwine- to the extent that many thought that it is ok to do something but actually in fact the religion those not beget on such actions. I went to KL last June, and I was walking with Samir to the mosque. I saw a young European lady wanting to enter the mosque. I presume she wasn't a Muslim. Outside the mosque, outside the boundaries of the mosque, meaning to say, the courtyard of the mosque, there is an office in which hejabs can be loan to fellow females who wishes to enter the courtyard of the mosque but are not properly dressed.

Why can't this be practised here in Singapore?

I understand that now, the mosque is playing a larger role in the Malay/Muslim society. Malay/Muslim people do not enjoy participating in grassroot community events. Simply because, at a certain old age, many would want to retire in the arms of Islam rather than dancing their life away in Line Dancing events. We are viewed as a society who are careless of community togetherness, back then. That's why the mosque took that responsibility and create an image of the mosque as a Muslim community centre- an institution of education, promoting pluralism and harmony among members of the public.

I embrace the concept of harmony. It is very important in Singapore. But I would suggest that despite the necessity to reach out to the cultural nominalist (a term to describe the general Malay/Muslim people who are in support of the cultural aspect of the religion, disregarding the divine and spiritual elements of it- who occasionally attend eid prayers, participate in Muslim funerals etc) we must not take adab in the mosque area lightly.

The prophet himself sensed and has overseen this problem. That is the reason why he teached us to read prayer before and after entering the mosque- to ask for forgiveness.

But I view a problem by solving the root of it. What can be more disturbing than your friend calling you all the way from that event when you're at work, just to mention that there are so many hot girls wearing obscene immoral clothings?!?! ASTAGHFIRULLAH!

I will write to BH, posing an enquiry to the public regarding this issue. But instead of critising, I was thinking of a more constructive approach- by suggesting them, they could have use the area at Kampung Glam instead. KEM USAHAWAN is a good event with a simple niat to help and encourage young Muslim entreprenuers, and with the event located next to the mosque, it would be like killing 2 birds with one stone- instilling business culture AND bringing the youths closer to the mosque. I must applaud and compliment them on their goodwill. However, we must employ strict adab of wearing proper clothings- minimum a head gear- to even enter the courtyard of the mosque. That includes women who want to pray but haven't have the acceptance to wear headgear. They must bring along at least a selendang to cover their head. Same goes for the men. I will bring a songkok in my bag from now on. To show akhlak.

Reaching out to the youths is good, but do reach out IN PROPER. That way, the youths won't be in dilemma between secularism and islamism.

I suggest having any further events located in Kampung Glam. I know it is expensive, but we can still try pulling sponsorships. The mosque is a place to pray. Not a place to conduct earthly means. Although some might argue that the location is outside the praying hall. But still, it is near the mosque. It is by far, morally wrong.

Although there isn't any biblical proof to support my claims of the adabs in the mosque, I would like to share with you something interesting.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said this: Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see : people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance. Hadith Muslim.

Narrated from the Quran, Surah Al-Araf verse 31, "O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying and going round (the Tawaf of ) the Ka'bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance)."

The hadith teaches us about the importance of women covering their aurah. And the quran tells us how important it is to wear 'clean clothes' (translated as proper) when entering the mosque. So when you enter, truly you must walk past the courtyard of the mosque..

It is important to recognize the need of adab in certain places of important values. If it were to be a company anual dinner, people would dress up formally for the occasion. If it were to attend a funeral, a prompt humble baju kurung should be sufficient. But if it were to be an event organised, with bazars and youths, mixing the muslim and the muslimah together,in a Mosque Courtyard, at least wearing a proper coverage of clothing is enough.

Few would argue that the people who come in the courtyard of the mosque are from the public and they themselves do not know how to adhere to the dress code. That is the reason why I proposed the event to be conducted on the Kampung Glam grounds, to prevent from fitna dunia. Balancing the goodwill, the problems that arised with the fall of adab, the financial terms to rent Kampung Glam, I think by reverting the place to Kampung Glam, it would not only promote a good image of Malay/Muslim society engaging in entrepreneural culture, it also avoids the advent issue of adab. And Kampung Glam is near the mosque, but not IN the courtyard of the mosque, so the question of adab would not even surfaced.

I urge the Malay/Muslim people to reform and rethink of the things that we did. We offer submission to Allah, pray to him, zikr, salawah, do good deeds, not because of the REWARDS. Islam is not about going to Paradise. That is earthly. What is lack in me and the many people is the spiritual and divine principles of Islam.

We do things not because of the rewards, but to search God's blessings and be Loved by Him.

Wslm.

PS: I know this song is not appropriate. The song itself is very atheist in nature. But I like the melody. It is very peaceful. :)

That is one of the reasons why I love John Lennon.