Discussion: Valentine's Day - HARAM dalam Islam

[shuwenteo]

[youngyew]

She can refer to the Christian or the pre-Christian root of the Valentine's Day all she likes, but the fact is the "moral degradation" (whatever that means) has nothing to do with Christianity per se. She probably is too absorbed in her parochial views to realise that the fundamental Christians are as fundamental as her in advocating celibacy and purity.

There seem to be a chain of blames. Muslims blame Christians. Christians blame Atheists. I don't know who atheists could blame.

[shuwenteo]

Here's a nice counter-strike.

[quote]Valentine's Day not Christian celebration, say churches

PETALING JAYA: Valentine

[henry_yew]

This is what happens when people know a little of any subject. Some people think that they are so well versed in their so-called area of expertise that they forget the fundamental things that their beliefs preach.

This is also what happens when people practise selective beliefs, of which I mean that they are hypocritical where they choose to abide by some rules, and ignore some others. They can deny for all they want, but apparently they are just not that perfect.

(Otherwise, there will be no point in trying to make hell of a fuss about Israel.)

Disclaimer: I don't want to go into that topic.

Nevertheless, it irks me that these people can get some fundamental facts wrong and talk as if they are such a know-it-all. And becoming moral police? Come on, there are more productive things to do than to be moral police. Who is man to judge another man?

[yanno_yamster]

Originally Posted by henry_yew

This is what happens when people know a little of any subject. Some people think that they are so well versed in their so-called area of expertise that they forget the fundamental things that their beliefs preach.

Just to add, these people should also remember that all major religions promote doing good.

[wawa]

the problem is different people have different ideas about doing good. Their probably sincerely believe that they are doing good, i.e. preventing what they perceive (rightly or not) as sin from happening.

[BeBeSee]

OMG...This kind of action makes people laughing at Malaysia. The whole world are going to celebrate Valentine's Day, and I don't feel any religious influence from it. It depends on who celebrates it. they can use their very own method to celebrate it as well. But there is no way they can insult it.

Why don't they put more effort to do something more constructive? They should spend their leisure time to comfort the flood victims, and concern about the future of their descendants. That's their jobs.

[vseehua]

Originally Posted by wawa

the problem is different people have different ideas about doing good. Their probably sincerely believe that they are doing good, i.e. preventing what they perceive (rightly or not) as sin from happening.

True, but we do wish that they do proper research before actually accusing something as trivial as Valentine's as the cause of the moral downfall in Malaysia. So far, we have only random anecdotes and conjectures with regards to this issue. They even went as far as accusing other peace-loving and morally sound religions as the root cause of everything bad in the country. This shouldn't happen in a country which is branded as the "model for Islamic countries" at all!

[frankchong]

Do Malaysians have more urgent and better things to do? If topics like this occupy the minds of Malaysians rather than how to improve our standard of living, It is a matter of time Malaysia becomes a failed state once the oil and gas runs out.
She should look at the numbers of sex offenders, teen age pregnancies and drug adicts in Malaysia, analyse the root cause before she opens her mouth.
The sad thing is that there are significant number of people in Malaysia takes her seriously.

regards,
Frank

[henry_yew]

Frank, it's the same question that I ask about some of the students in my university, too. About three years ago, there were students from the Rakan Masjid organisation who went around the university campus at night in a convoy of two motorcycles and a car, searching for couples who were just strolling on the eve of Valentine's Day. The streets were well lit and the couples made no attempt to conceal any suspicious activity.

The convoy would then approach the couples and ask them to return to their rooms, advising them to study instead. Yet, it has always irked me on why do they have so much time becoming "moral policemen" and not studying in their rooms instead?

As a result of their actions, many students have condemned the students of Rakan Masjid for minding other people's business, including that of non-Muslims.

The important point here that I would like to make is that there must be a line drawn to how much you can try to get people to be "moral" individuals. The limit is grossly crossed when you start to interfere into other people's business, especially whose beliefs are vastly different.

I'm not painting Muslims a bad picture here; over the years Rakan Masjid has adopted a new approach in promoting a moral lifestyle, and friction between students and this organisation has decreased. I have many Muslim friends and Muslim lecturers who can't agree with some of the approaches adopted by Rakan Masjid. Also, I cannot say that I agree to some of the trivial issues that they constantly bring out. For example, the topic of "maksiat" is often raised in some of its campaigns that I can't stop wondering if "maksiat" is so rampant in my university.

I would very much welcome the idea of Rakan Masjid to promote about the beauty of Islam and what Islam is about rather than putting on banners in cafes with statements like, "Elak Zina, Anda Bijak" and things like that. However, I would frown heavily upon their statements in condemning things in what they perceive to be haram when in fact it does not necessarily be so.