Saturday, 27-Sep-2003 10:51 AM

SERUAN KEADILAN EDITORIAL

Islam’s viewpoint on freedom of choice

Most Malaysians understand democracy as meaning the freedom to choose a government through a general election. This is a most shallow understanding of democracy, for, if this is all it takes, then Hitler was democratically elected. To the more “western-minded”, democracy also means freedom of choice; the freedom to do, say and think whatever pleases you. However, democracy Malaysian-style stops at merely allowing you to choose your government. Thereafter, there is no further freedom; and doing, saying, or even thinking what pleases you may open you to arrest.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad argues that one cannot simply accept the western form of democracy. What is good for the west may not necessarily be good for us, explains Dr Mahathir. Dr Mahathir may be partially correct here, but this does not mean I accept his version of democracy either, which is “guided” democracy; you are guided on what you can say, do and think. Dr Mahathir is certainly far from sincere in arguing so, and his alternative to western-style democracy is as flawed as the so-called democracy of the west.

Islam has a totally different viewpoint of democracy or freedom of choice. For example, in the west you are free to sunbathe nude (this is your democratic right), and certain beaches are designated as nudist beaches, plus they have nudist colonies. Islam, however, does not allow this. Muslim women must be fully covered and the men are not allowed to expose themselves from between the bellybutton to the knees. Any flesh exposed from below the navel to above the knees is considered haram. And the only non-haram parts of a Muslim woman are the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and the face. Even the hair cannot be exposed.

Islam, therefore, does not subscribe to total democracy a la west, in that it does not allow you the freedom of choice in whether to expose yourself, let alone walk around stark naked in public. In that sense, you can say Islam, by western standards, is undemocratic. Therefore, when we talk about democracy a la Islam, it may appear that Islam is actually a very undemocratic religion.

Islam also does not allow you the freedom to harm yourself. Smoking is considered haram as cigarettes harm your health. If subjecting your body to a slow death like smoking is prohibited, what more committing suicide where Islam says you will be condemned to hell for doing so.

If you understand Islam, then you will understand that, while Islam propagates justice, it restricts what the west would regard as some of your fundamental rights. You are denied the right what you do with your body, whether to expose it or abuse it. Islam, in that sense, is not about absolute freedom of choice but about the choice of doing the right thing as prescribed by Islam. And this includes the freedom in choosing your government.

In the west, you are free to choose a secular, Communist, socialist, capitalist, Islamic, or any form of government that pleases you. Islam does not allow this though, again, this would appear that Islam is undemocratic in denying you your freedom of choice. Islam makes it mandatory that you choose a just government, and “justice” here is according to the Islamic viewpoint. If, for example, the Sadam Hussein government of Iraq is an Islamic government, yet it is unjust in the way it arrests and jails its citizens, especially the religious leaders, then Islam makes it mandatory you reject this government, notwithstanding it is an Islamic government.

We therefore do not choose a government because it is Islamic or otherwise. We choose it because it is just. And, if the government is unjust, it is our duty as Muslims to reject it. Muslims must then ask what form of government does Malaysia now have. Is it just? If it is not, then we must reject it in favour of an alternative one that can guarantee justice.

This is not an option. Islam does not allow you freedom of choice in this matter. It is mandatory. It is your duty as a Muslim to do so. Just like Islam makes it mandatory that you pray five times a day; you are given no choice in the matter; it is equally mandatory that you reject a zalim (unjust) government (even if it is an Islamic government) and replace it with one that is adil (just). To do otherwise would mean you go against Islamic teachings.

Check your voter registration here