Comments on: On Dina Zaman’s writings

By: introspectif

introspectif — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:48:13 +0000

I begin by touching on the issue of ‘form and substance’. I think what many fail to grasp is the fact that Islam is not just a religion, but a deen (translation: a way of life). It is meant to govern every part of life, and not to be treated as a separated, isolated entity from the rest of life. It is thus natural that some of the forms in Islam is also the substance, for example, the five daily prayers are the ritual and the substance in one; Islam makes no distinction between the two.

Given this premise, it follows that the injunctions in Islam are not just forms, but they also express the very values (’substance’) that Islam stands for. When Dina Zaman mocks, through her sarcasm, the forms and injunctions of Islam (e.g. the Quran’s references to the different groups of people; on halal/haram; on dogs; on alcohol), one cannot help but perceive her to be attacking Islam itself. It is near-blasphemous.

If she wants to criticise political institutions that act in the name of Islam, she can very well do so without insult to Islam. But clearly, this is not the approach that she took.

By: Hatch

Hatch — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:11:09 +0000

Dina Zaman has opened a pandora box of sorts on the individuals and groups professing the faith. It’s an honest take and I like to congratulate the author for her courage. Indeed it may appear shocking to some but to those familiar with a society by a class divide; economics and politics,such tendencies are quite a norm. It is therefore appropriate for some people to be on their guard questioning what they feel has transgressed their beliefs and understanding. Rather than indulge in endless polemics to assert one’s righteousness [ one of the causes for the weakened Muslim society], the book has unwittingly disclosed a far greater malaise that affect the Muslim society as a whole. It’s not a good sight everywhere. Institutionalised forms have now taken over the lives of the Muslims even the policies are decided by the non-Muslims. There is a keeness on forms rather than substance.Can there be a justification for one to call oneself a Muslim?

By: introspectif

introspectif — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:49:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing, sya :)

By: sya

sya — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:26:45 +0000

Another book you may be interested in is ‘Malaysia and the Club of Doom’. After reading this, it’s quite clear where she is coming from. Cheers!

By: introspectif

introspectif — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:08:17 +0000

Alhamdulillaah, and thank you for visiting my site.
May we all stay on the Straight Path; Amin.

By: Azimah

Azimah — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:56:40 +0000

an excellent and intelligent analysis. we need more people like you who can analyse works that distort the religion.

By: shaz

shaz — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:15:14 +0000

I have read her ‘I am Muslim’ book. And i am disagree with her views much more than I agree. How can a person that lack of Islamic knowledge wrote something about this holy religion. Though she is good at raising the problems within Muslim community, a large part of the book portrays wrong image of Islam. She surely does not have strong faith in Islam, as I judge from her writing. It is also clear that she has some bias
: she would naturally comment on problems related to sexuality in Muslim community as if they are not wrong, yet she seems so emotional when criticizing ‘Ulama, Islamic scholars and some Muslim groups for their weaknesses.

I bought the book because prior to reading it, I guess it may give me new view to Islam. But, what I get is a distorted yet unconvinced view about Islam.

By: introspectif

introspectif — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:25:48 +0000

Minn. Slaughterhouse Workers Fall Ill

Pork slaughterhouse workers fall ill after inhaling pork brain mist.

By: abang

abang — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:18:16 +0000

panjangnya. but i read every word. good stuff.

By: antimarx

antimarx — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:38:55 +0000

“I’ll see you in two weeks. In the meantime, don’t fall in love, don’t kiss, don’t hold hands. Remember this: LOVE EQUALS TO JAIL. So stay home and behave. Duk rumah tu, ‘ngaji Quran. Read the Bible or Torah and holy scriptures. Amen!”

tell her go and die la.