Way of Adhan
Salam Alaykum
I was watching part of the program "Battle for Islam" and there was one part where it was explaining the unique way some Indonesian masjids make Adhan, by hitting a drum after each chant, like one after "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar", and so on.
Is there any legal basis for this in any of the sayings of the Sunni Muslim scholars ?
No, this is a bid'ah they got from their pre-Islamic hindu customs. There is too much of those kinds of bid'ah in Indonesia. It is very sad to see the shocking amount of ignorance and bid'ah in Indonesia.
Of course, there are a lot of good people and some ulama too (not many, though, unfortunately), but overal the situation over there is VERY disappointing indeed.
Salam Alaykum,
And what is this hindu custom exactly ?
Actually, the people being interviewed were quite happy that the "brand of Islam in Indonesia" was "moderate" because it was a synthesis of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Well, I wouldn't know exactly the nature of the origin of this hindu custom, but somehow it found its way into the Muslims' practice.
I have been to Indonesia on a number of occasions and worked for a time in the field of da'wah there. Also, my wife is Indonesian. So I have had a great deal of experience with Muslims in Indonesia and their situation.
The history of Islam in Indonesia is not very clear, and not very well-recorded. But according to what I have managed to learn or find out, Islam was never brought to Indonesia in an organised manner in the way that it was in other lands like North Africa, al-Andalus, Egypt, the Arab countries and the countries beyond Persia, i.e. Indonesia was not taken over on a large scale by the Muslim authorities, rather the people there gradually entered Islam over a long period of time due to contact with Muslim traders, travellers, da'is etc. Although in some areas there seems to have been some strong Muslim sultanates, however in many parts of Indonesia (even up to today) especially rural areas, the people are Muslim only by name, but they openly commit shirk and follow jahiliyyah customs. A very well-known example of this is that in many parts of Java (the main island of Indonesia) the people come out to worship the "sea goddess" whom they call "Nyi Roro Kidul", and they come out and offer food and sacrifices to her, in the hope of placating her because they fear that she will cause the sea to crush them with tidal waves if they do not do so. Similar things are done around volcanoes, where the people worship and sacrifice to the "volcano gods" and so on... There are hundreds of other examples like this I'm afraid...
I have heard that in the beginning, the Muslim sultans who ruled parts of Indonesia used to send messages to the Hindu/mushrik Javanese kings, calling them to Islam, and if they refused, giving them the choice of Jizyah, exile (to the island of Bali), or Jihad. In oder to safeguard their kingdoms, these mushrik kings "officially" became Muslims, and adopted a few Islamic practices, but they retained their jahili and shirki pre-Islamic culture and beliefs.
With the advent of secularist nationalism in the early to mid-1900's, the majority of whatever remained of any Islamic traces in Indonesia were almost wiped out by the dictator Sukarno and his successor Suharto, but in the last few decades interest in Islam has been increasing and people are coming back to Islam, but they still have a long, long way to go there.
Good story there, Abu. I know alot of Indonesian Muslims too and they do appear somewhat different to Malaysian Muslims even though they are nextdoor neighbours.
However, there are quite a number of strong Muslims in the Sumatra area. They speak Arabic and took part in Afghan Jihad. Did you happen to meet them in your travels there?
This world is as if in a mother's womb. Living in the womb, if you were told of the life to come -would your undeveloped mind be able to comprehend it?
Nay. And such is the Afterlife.
I did meet a few very good brothers from other parts of Indonesia, about Sumatra I'm not sure but I have heard similar to what you said.
About the difference between Indonesian and Malaysian Muslims, you are certainly correct there. Malaysians tend to be much stronger in the practice of Islam, perhaps due to political and economic differences between the two countries. The religious education in Malaysia is also a lot more prevalent and effective, and is a main part of all school curriculums if I'm not mistaken. In Indonesia however, the religious education has been suppressed for decades and whatever has remained is thoroughly and extremely watered-down.
That's an accurate assesment akhi.
I think that Muslims in Malaysia tend to enforce Islam in many aspects, and politics have been a favourite. Islamic classes are compulsory in primary and secondary schools - but only for Muslim children. Also, Islamic universities are gaining popularity and there are many international students attending them. Arabic is gaining popularity even though slowly.
The Indonesians, however, seem to be comfortable with separating Islam from the government. Islamic education is mainly available in the rural areas. It can be said that the political situation there is abysmal and Corruption is rampant what with US funds pouring in. So you could be right that the problems stem from the governance itself.
But it is well-known that the most respected ulama(s) in the region are actually in Indonesian. They are invited to Malaysia very often.
The advantage Muslims in Malaysia have over Indonesians is that some descendants of the Rasul (saw) and Companions (ra) have settled in Malaysian region. Much of Brunei's history has records of this and it was part of Malaysia at the time. There are also many other historical accounts that speaks highly of Islam's coming to the region, so much so that it's the most celebrated part of history.
This world is as if in a mother's womb. Living in the womb, if you were told of the life to come -would your undeveloped mind be able to comprehend it?
Nay. And such is the Afterlife.
About the beating of the drum...
An old mosque in a small village in Malaysia had a drum. I think (I am not sure about this, I lived in cities all my life) the drum was used for Fajr to remind people to stop their breakfast during Ramadhan (imsak time). Otherwise I am not sure if it was used at all in replacement of the adhan.
About Islam in Malaysia, what you said is largely true. I just wish we managed to convert more of our non-muslim friends/neighbours though. Our da'wah needs to be improved.
Definitely ukhti.Originally Posted by PocketY
I have come to realise that da'wah within Malaysia is too emphasised on the Malay ethnic group. Thus, Islam is seen as an exclusive racial attribute rather than universal Deen. Personally, my wife and I run into problems when seeking Islamic consultation/dialogue especially that of Fiqh since we can only speak English.
Kelantan state have made some effort on the Chinese group, however, the movement is not recognised elsewhere. It's quite strange because the first Muslim reverts in Malaya were the Chinese ancestors. If I'm not mistaken, the first Muslim king was also of Chinese ethnicity.
This world is as if in a mother's womb. Living in the womb, if you were told of the life to come -would your undeveloped mind be able to comprehend it?
Nay. And such is the Afterlife.
Too trueI have come to realise that da'wah within Malaysia is too emphasised on the Malay ethnic group. Thus, Islam is seen as an exclusive racial attribute rather than universal Deen. Personally, my wife and I run into problems when seeking Islamic consultation/dialogue especially that of Fiqh since we can only speak English.. The non-Muslims call converts 'those who have become Malays' rather than Muslims. I guess it might seem converts adopt a lot of Malay culture once they become Muslim, as its just easier. Fiqh-wise, have you tried consulting anyone at the International Islamic University? The medium of instruction there is English, and they have faculty members from around the world. Or just go to SunniPath
.
Yes PAS (Islamic Party of Malaysia) in Kelantan have certainly made a lot of effort. The capital city, Kota Bharu, is very pleasant indeed.Kelantan state have made some effort on the Chinese group, however, the movement is not recognised elsewhere. It's quite strange because the first Muslim reverts in Malaya were the Chinese ancestors. If I'm not mistaken, the first Muslim king was also of Chinese ethnicity.
First Muslim reverts in Malaya were of Chinese ethnicity?
At the end of the day Malays are an inter-married lot. I guess that came with having a lot of trade flow through the Straits of Malacca. Some of my relatives are Chinese or have Chinese blood
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