Recently herein, I commented on a Jakarta Post opinion piece regarding the importance of proficiency in Arabic language as a cornerstone of genuine faith in Islam. Although that piece had some strong points to make, I considered the idea that one could only be a true Muslim (rather than merely a cultural Muslim) if he understood Arabic to be rather imbecilic, in that language alone, no matter which language it is, cannot convey or impart spiritual awareness, which must come through experience and belief.
I note that an answer to the previous piece appears in today's Jakarta Post, offering some strong points of its own, and perhaps some either weirder conclusions.
Mr. Aziz Anwar Fachrudin opines, rightly, I think, that "proficiency in Arabic does not determine the degree of a Muslim's faith," for a Muslim, as described in the Koran itself, is simply "he or she whom believes that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammad is his Prophet. Faith, as described in the Koran and other scriptural sources, is "determined by how much someone is conscious of God in his/her day-to-day life, as well as his/her actions as a consequence of that consciousness." These are the teachings that proceed from Islam not only in the Arabic language, but in any language.
Strangely, however, the author then proceeds to pose the curious belief that "in the experience of faith across many traditions, cognitive knowledge about what God says in the scripture is often less important than reciting scripture--even if one can't understand it! (exclamation point the author's).
Really? All we need to do is babble words we don't understand?
I don't think so.
In the same edition of the Post, two articles appear side-by-side--one concerning Christmas music sung by a choir for the enjoyment of Jakarta commuters, no matter which religion they happen to follow, and the other the prohibition of Christmas activities or services in certain city in Sumatra. Here is where language and comprehension comes in handy, whether the language be Arabic or some lesser form such as English or Indonesian or French or what-have-you. And it won't do to babble what Mohammad said here. Do you know what is more precious than prayers or fasting? It's making peace between two peoples.
Listen up! Don't babble. Hear and speak the truth in whatever language you know.
I note that an answer to the previous piece appears in today's Jakarta Post, offering some strong points of its own, and perhaps some either weirder conclusions.
Mr. Aziz Anwar Fachrudin opines, rightly, I think, that "proficiency in Arabic does not determine the degree of a Muslim's faith," for a Muslim, as described in the Koran itself, is simply "he or she whom believes that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammad is his Prophet. Faith, as described in the Koran and other scriptural sources, is "determined by how much someone is conscious of God in his/her day-to-day life, as well as his/her actions as a consequence of that consciousness." These are the teachings that proceed from Islam not only in the Arabic language, but in any language.
Strangely, however, the author then proceeds to pose the curious belief that "in the experience of faith across many traditions, cognitive knowledge about what God says in the scripture is often less important than reciting scripture--even if one can't understand it! (exclamation point the author's).
Really? All we need to do is babble words we don't understand?
I don't think so.
In the same edition of the Post, two articles appear side-by-side--one concerning Christmas music sung by a choir for the enjoyment of Jakarta commuters, no matter which religion they happen to follow, and the other the prohibition of Christmas activities or services in certain city in Sumatra. Here is where language and comprehension comes in handy, whether the language be Arabic or some lesser form such as English or Indonesian or French or what-have-you. And it won't do to babble what Mohammad said here. Do you know what is more precious than prayers or fasting? It's making peace between two peoples.
Listen up! Don't babble. Hear and speak the truth in whatever language you know.
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