The writer, attacks and frowns upon the punishment of
those muslims who skip Friday prayer, and suggests that those who do must
remain under house-arrest. He does not include the divine text which supports
these punishments of individuals who skip Friday prayers, it is unsure whether
he is aware of this, or otherwise.
Islam is a complete system, it has punishment systems
which its adherent must obey. Just as a secular country, who implement
punishment systems to whoever who transgress upon it. If anyone found guilty of
possession of dangerous drugs, is punishable, and these laws established in a
secular-surrogate institution, i.e. parliament, which gives human the authority
on how to run society.
Missing Friday prayers, is punishable according to
Islamic divine rules, because it is an act of mungkar. Those who fail to enjoin
the punishment is also committing an act of sin, as they do not enjoin the
right and forbid the mungkar.
“Those who when we establish them (in authority) in the
earth they establish the Salah, collect the Zakah, enjoin all that is Ma.roof
and forbid all that is Munkar, and to Allah belongs the return of all
matters..” (TMQ al-Hajj, verse 41)
“Nay, by Allah, you have to enjoin the ma’roof and forbid
the munkar, and hold at the hand of the tyrant, and force him on the truth and
restrict him to the truth.” [Reported by Abu Dawud and Tirmizi].
Ahmad narrated on the authority of Abu Bakrah that the
messenger said: "If the people see the Munkar (evil, wrong doing) and they
do not change it, Allah will take them with a punishment".
“He who amongst you sees a Munkar should change it with his hand; and if
he has not enough strength to do so, then he should change it with his tongue;
and if he has not enough strength to do so, (even) then he should change it
with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.?” (Reported by Muslim on the
authority of Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri) This honorable hadith obliged any Muslim who
sees a Munkar to
change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then he should change it
with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then he should change it with
his heart, and that is the weakest degree of faith. Hence, any Muslim who is
able to carry out the highest degree of faith should not resort to the weakest
one.
The Qur’an mentions some of the main characteristics of the believers: “(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those who fast, these who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah…” (At-Tawbah 9: 112)
Just as the Ever-Glorious Qur’an praised those who enjoin Ma`ruf and forbid Munkar, it also dispraised those who fail to do so. Almighty Allah says, “Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress. They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily evil was that they used to do!” (Al-Ma’idah 5: 78-79)
The Muslim is not merely a righteous human being who does good actions and forsakes wrong ones, while living in his own circle, paying no attention to the decrease of good actions in his world and the sharp increase of evil actions around him; the real Muslim is the righteous human being who is keen to rectify others and help them to be righteous. He is the one depicted in the following Surah of the Qur’an: “By the declining day, Lo! man is in a state of loss, Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.” (Al-`Asr 103).
And so judge (you O Muhammad SAW) between them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad SAW) far away from some of that which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allah's Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are Fasiqun (rebellious and disobedient to Allah). [TMQ” al-Maidah: 49]
Therefore, muslims must judge their lives on the Quran and Hadith of Rasulullah, and must not follow the vain desires of those (such as the secularist authors of Malay Mail Online,) who wish to delude from the obedience of Allah.
References:
