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Shari’ah & Tariqahs

20 May 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

Several years ago I put up an article entitled “Shari’ah & Tariqahs” on my website <www.al-fikr.name.my> but later withdrew it. However, the article can be see at http://www.al-fikr.name.my/tariqahs_and_the_shari.htm

Recently, the son of Ghouse sent me an email asking me to kindly withdraw the article. I replied to him but wondered why his father had not done so or resolved the issue with me directly. However out of respect for his son, I replied and also went ahead to get my website material removed. Later, on second thoughts, I said to myself that I was not totally wrong – my conduct may appear to be so but my grouses are valid and it is the truth as it took place a VERY LONG TIME AGO. Therefore, I wish to state the following:

I am the author of the article. It was done at the time with a lot of unhappiness and may sound improper or disrespectful, however the facts remain the same as far as what transpired between me and Capt Wahid Buksh and Ghouse. At least, I have come out in the open to point out serious defects in a system rather than to backbite.

This does not mean that I am against Tariqahs, Sufism etc.. I still remain a practising Sufi, however I am against what I term as manipulation, blind obedience and the circus act.

In my article, I mention this important aspect:

The Prophet (s.a.w.) himself said during his farewell pilgrimage said that he was leaving two things behind, and anyone adhering to them will not fall into error i.e. the Qur’an and his Sunnah.  

The issue at hand here is not the Qur’an and Sunnah itself, but interpretations, deductions, assumptions and conclusions that arise. In the case of some Shayks or Murshids, THEY EXPRESS A VIEW OR OPINION AS A LAW, as if they were Allah Himself, determining a situation which the Qur’an did not make mention of explicitly.  

This situation is further aggravated when ignorant murids say that the Shaykh said this or that, and that he has to be obeyed, even though his expressed view may be in line with the Shari’ah, or only ONE VIEW out of countless views in circulation.  

The state of BLIND OBEDIENCE is so high that these ignorant murids refuse to accept any other valid view in existence except that of their Shaykh’s. This is dangerous.  It is misleading.  It leads to conflict, error, sin and shirk (idolatry).  

Let me offer you an example. Shaykh Capt. Wahid Bukhs of the Chisty-Sabriyah Sufi Order had declared that “marrying more than one wife is not the right of man, but a concession from Allah, and that a man could do so only if his wife is barren or bedridden.  I was present when he said this on several occasions.  

At the time, I was working with Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), so I asked the Mufti about it because I was intending to do such. He replied that the Qur’an states clearly that ‘zinah’ (adultery, fornication) should be avoid at all cost and marrying is the solution.  

The question of obedience to the Shaykh arose here.  Was I going to follow what Capt. Wahid Buksh had said or was I going to do what I felt was right in accordance with the Qur’an?  

I am answerable to Allah only. As a human being I have the right to decide upon anything, after which I bear responsibility over it. I may go to a person for advice. I may go to my Shaykh to seek his views or opinion, but the choice remains mine. This is a Qur’anic right which the Shari’ah acknowledges and any true Shaykh. Knowing the outcome, I decided not to ask Capt Wahid Buksh, because had I did (knowing his view), and then did the opposite, that would be worse. So I decided to act in accordance with what I felt was right in accordance with the Shari’ah.  

The murids accused me for not obeying, while the Shaykh was more concerned about his Tariqah and the murids. Ghouse used to provide him with updated reports. The Shaykh referred to these in his letters to me. It was this person who was very keen to conduct the zikr, but every time the Capt. Would say: “Ask Haji Mokhtar…” Capt. Would then write to me about this. Actually the culprit behind many motives was Mohd Ghouse b. Abdullah. This guy used to write a lot of letters to the Shaykh with many ambitions. Today, apparently he is giving instruction on the path.  

What was disappointing about Capt Wahid Buksh was that he could have put the situation in perspective, but he did not. He could have said as the Shaykh: “Haji Mokhtar, you should step down…there is too much turmoil…” but he did not.  

When I met Capt. Wahid Bukhs in private some years later when I had left the group, I said (Allah is my witness): “I am not a criminal! If they (the murids) do not agree or like me, that is their right, but as the Shaykh, you are in a position to put the situation right. You should tell them to leave me alone and stop bad mouthing me.” He refused to do anything. Most probably he did not like the way I spoke to him, and expected me to weep and beg his forgiveness….over what? Not falling in line with his opinion? You must be joking!  

This is the dangerous, when Shaykhs refuse to put things right concerning the validity of what they have said in accordance with the Shari’ah, where their views may represent a single view, and though valid, it is not the ONLY VIEW nor is it DIVINE in nature,meaning that Allah did not reveal additional marriages in that context, but only made mention of JUSTICE, where if a person cannot do so then he should only have ONE wife.  

THE SHAYKH IS JUST A HUMAN BEING

In Surah Khaf 18:110: “I am but a man like you, but revelation has come to me…”  A Shaykh or Murshid is not beyond this clause in Islam. He is not God. He may not sin but as a human being he can make mistakes or errors, and this is something most Shaykhs cannot submit to because it would affect their egos, status and position. We are made to believe that the Shaykh is all-knowing; all seeing; whatever he says is the Gospel Truth; It must be obeyed. I wonder whether the Prophet (s.a.w.) went around like that?  

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). was ‘maksum’ – meaning that he was sinless, but he did make errors. An example of this can be found in Surah Abasa, where the Prophet (s.a.w.) overlooked a blind man who had come to him seeking guidance, in preference to the wealthy Quraish. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was then cautioned by Allah through revelation in this Surah and he corrected the situation. It is stated in Hadith, that whenever ABDALLAH IBNU UMM MAKTUM, turned up in the presence of the Prophet (s.a.w.), the Prophet used to welcome him and say that had it not been for him, he would have gone astray.  

Some may argue that this incident was created for the Prophet s.a.w. as a means of guidance to us and that it does not actually refer to the Prophet s.a.w. himself, but that my friend is an opinion. The Qur’anic verses explicitly state that the Prophet (s.a.w.) made a mistake. What was written after this point does sound distasteful to some. It should not have been posted. At the time I was very upset and became personal and emotional. However, the issue of how I was treated and the inability of Wahid Bukh to act responsibly (including Ghouse) remains unchanged. It is the truth as it transpired.

Update on Publisher Marshall Cavendish

09 May 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

UPDATE: Waiting for reply. Just imagine, after 13 years still unable to recover intellectual rights. Asked to wait until 2016! Unethical & Immoral.

9 May, 2012: Mr. Chris

Newton:General Manager & Publisher:Marshall Cavendish:Times Centre:1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196

Dear Chris

With reference to your letter dated 2 May 2012, I wish to state the following:

1. We met to discuss my grievances in February and it has been a long time waiting to receive this reply of yours.

2. Thirteen years is a long time. I consider it immoral and unethical that I have to wait until 2016 to regain the rights of both my books: The A-Z Guide to the Qur’an and the A-Z Guide to Ahadith (in English and in Indonesian). You have made a great deal of money at my expense. I previously referred to this as exploitation. Furthermore, why should a small number of books in your warehouse prevent the release of all rights to me? Why should I have to wait until 2016? This is bad!

3. Previously, I had mentioned that I was shocked at my book(s) being contracted out by MC to an Indonesian publisher without being informed. I still do not know the details of this arrangement MC has undertaken with the Indonesian publisher. I might never have known about it had it not been discovered.

4. I request that you revert (return) all rights to me immediately. I also requested that you propose a new contract which you said you would, to replace the existing one. In this manner MC can continue publishing my books. I have already made it clear that I want MC to continue publishing my current books. All I want is the return of my intellectual property rights and a new contract with better terms and conditions.

5. It is agreed that no books of mine published by you will be in ebook form. This format has never been part of the existing contract, and I have the right to do so on my own.

Finally, I am once again calling upon you to hand over all intellectual property rights of my books immediately. I also call upon you to propose a new contract because I have no intention of seeking another publisher.

Thanks

Haji Mokhtar Stork:Author.

Marshall Cavendish Still Taking a NAP!

23 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

I believe Mr Chris Newton of Marshall Cavendish of Singapore is a busy man attending several book fairs but I expect someone to attend to what we agreed upon a in February 2012. I am waiting patiently…. 

The IAEA Needs To Improve Its Act

23 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

Frankly speaking the IAEA is a joke. Had they done their job properly there would not have been an Iraqi war. With Western sanctions in place over Iran, they want to visit its nuclear energy plants - of course it is not going to be possible. On the other hand why has the IAEA not been that energetic about Israel’s nuclear capacity? If you want to do a proper job, then do it fairly and justly!

The amazing thing about pro-western Arab nations is that they are more fearful of Iran than they are of Israel. It’s also an issue about being Sunni and Shi’a. As far as these countries are concerned, it is in their interest to be aligned to America than to be united. The end result is perpetual exploitation and manipulation at Arab expense. They don’t even trust themselves, so what can you expect out of them.

It is a tragedy to see journalists being killed, but can we say that their reporting has been truthful? If they truly did a good job the Iraqi war would not have taken place; the Palestine issue would be resolved; nuclear issues resolved….so once again every job, agency and nation, succumbs to their bosses and political manipulation, all in the name of freedom of speech.

UN General Assembly: CHINA and RUSSIA

17 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

I am not a fan of Asad. It is a matter of time before he goes. What is significant is the hypocrisy of the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly when it comes to US vetoes in favour of Israel against Palestine in comparison to its efforts over Syria and Palestine. This is where China and Russia have failed. This is where they have also failed with Libya, Bahrain and hopefully not with Iran.

The problem here is that everyone has their own interest at stake. Why do we not see the same vigour being applied over Palestine, Bahrain or Yemen? The Arab League has not been impressive over the Palestine issue or Bahrain as they are with Syria. They too have their own interest and their target or fear is Iran.

In all these scenarios, these despotic Arab rulers have failed to bring about change and reforms, but they remain as a result of being used, which ultimately does not serve their respective societies. None of these Arab nations are truly free nor democratic.

China and Russia are right in their own context when they reject UN resolutions over Syria but they have yet to point out the hypocrisy over Palestine.

When the mosad of Israel was captured on video using fake passports of even countries that support them to kill their opponents, nothing was really done by the British or Americans. When killing of Iranian scientists are done, nothing much is added but when a few bombs go off, there is a hue and cry by the Israeli PM – it is amazing how double standards flourish and how people fall for them through the mass media.

Political Perspectives Concerning SYRIA

06 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

Society at large is hoodwinked through CNN, BBC, ALJAZEERA, RT.COM into believing specific angles of the SYRIAN conflict. One needs to be conscious of the following:

1. What the difference between Syria and Israel? Why no Security Council resolution on the Palestinian issue but so much emphasis on a Syrian one? Believe if there was one, it would be vetoed by America….but you don’t get the Arab League saying a word!

2. I am not a fan of Asad. He is fighting for survival but he needs to introduce reforms. The Syrians themselves should not fall in the hands of America and Europe and end up like Libya. Every country in the world should be conscious of this ploy. Those helping you have their own interest at hand, not yours….so don’t be used! The best solution for the Syrians is to sit down and discuss things in their own way and not through foreign instigation.

3. Russia and China like America have their interest. They rightfully cannot allow themselves to be surrounded by their arch-enemy (America). They have their own concerns at home. People seeking freedom should be aware of this. The Western ideal is to take over Syria to reach Iran and Hizbullah of Lebanon. Of course, Israel has the blessings of America and pro-Western Arab nations to attack Israel…that is quite alright, but when it comes to others it is unthinkable, unlawful, uncivilised etc. So what we have is a contest for supremacy at the expense of other people and other nations.

4. If we are speaking of Islam, the Arabs in general are no more Islamic than my disbelieving father. Watching the Egyptian Parliament in action during the soccer killings reveals how unIslamic they are. Look at Libya no and before; look at Iraq now and before…so what do we have – nothing but chaos when you allow foreign intervention or for that matter even a foot to be placed in your country. Look at Qatar, what right has it got to talk about Syria. Look at Yemen…what transition has it got? Look at Egypt, what transition has it got? They are all Western puppets on a leash with limited freedom. Can we say that Syria will be better off? The answer is: Israel will be better off! However, in the final analysis, Asad must go!

ETHICS & MORALS – PUBLISHING

04 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

LATEST UPDATE on the Issue of my book the A-Z Guide to the Qur’an.

All issues have been clarified through email.

What’s Wrong With Malaysian Milo & Holicks?

01 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

I have been using Malaysian MILO and HOLICKS for years and it was fine, but of late these products are becoming worse and worse! No matter how airtight I keep them, they will harden and become unusable. The picture below shows you Holicks in an IKEA container. It has solidified and even putting hot water into it could not soften it. In the end I had to dump it in the sink filled with water to dispose off….rather sickening!

 The question that arises here is: What  causes this? Could it be the Oil Palm content? Are we using too much Oil Palm content? I recall reading some time ago about calls to declassify Oil Palm Edible Oils. I do hope someone can provide me with answers.

Palestinians Wasting Their Time!

04 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment

by Haji Mokhtar Stork (Ust.) in View

What happened to the Vote for a  Palestinian State at the UN? After the ‘hot air’ and ‘steam’ they (the Palestinians) have gone back to the discussion table for another round of political jokes due to the forthcoming US Presidential Elections; Israeli ambitions; the construction of illegal settlements and confiscation of Arab land etc. Just when are the going to wake up to reality?