News & Comment
Now it is the Atheists’ Turn to Manifest Themselves...

News:

Recently there was a huge uproar when news about the existence of the Atheist Republic Kuala Lumpur Club (which had held its annual gathering in the capital) went viral in the social media. The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, when asked about the matter, explained that the government would investigate if there were Muslims joining the club. The Minister was also quoted by the media as saying, "If there is evidence of the involvement of Muslims and it turns out that the act affects the faith, action may be taken by the Islamic State Department. I will ask the department to look into this in more detail". Meanwhile in the social media, netizens have revealed that there are indeed a considerable number of Muslims who had become atheists, although so far there has been no evidence of confessions. So far there has been no further action from the government in this case even though the government claims to take this matter seriously and that action will be taken against Muslims involved.

Comment:

Lately, groups expressing themselves in all manners of detestable utterance are on the rise in Malaysia. Even though Malaysia claims to be an ‘Islamic Nation’, it is manifestly clear in this instance that it is not. Up until now, no solid action has been taken and the matter seems to just disappear. Although atheism has been around since time immemorial, its manifestation and the audacity of those manifesting it in a Muslim country such as Malaysia is very revealing. For the past few years, liberal tendencies have been on the rise and the government’s inaction in curbing them has resulted in the boldness of liberalists in proclaiming their ideas. Atheism, voices of LGBT and anti-Sharia murmurs are all the result of a system that is by default indifferent to halal and haram. Capitalism as an ideology with democracy as its political wing is disinterested in religion. As far as the ideology is concerned, religion plays no role in the running of everyday life. Religion is considered as a private matter. In fact, in a capitalistic society, there is a propensity for individuals to neglect religion and lean to atheism. In Malaysia, the declaration made by the Atheist Republic Kuala Lumpur carries these seeds of godlessness in an apparently Muslim society. And sadly, the system and the ideology it implements will act as a catalyst in burgeoning it.

Although the prospect of witnessing an increase in liberalism in all its repugnant flavours can be foreseen, ideological Muslims are never worried and understand the responsibility in protecting their brethren from the onslaught of these corrupt ideas. Islam is an ideology that is built on a strong and solid intellectual basis. On the issue of atheism for example, a rational mind with a sincere framework, will always come to the conclusion that Allah (swt) exists and that His existence is imperative. Moreover, the prophethood of Muhammad (saw) can also be proven intellectually and consequently, the truth of Islam can be rationally verified.  It is thus highly important that Muslims be exposed to the rational arguments that truly answer the questions of life - what is life, what come before life, what will happen after life and the relationship between these phases. Ideological Muslims must play a big role in ensuring that that the Aqeedah (creed) of their brethren must be established on a rational basis.

It is unfortunate that in a Muslim country like Malaysia, thoughts on Aqeedah are not taken seriously. Although Muslims do undergo lessons in Aqeedah in early school years, the lessons were not designed to impact their thoughts, rather they only serve as mere religious subjects. Students were not taught to think rationally about Allah (swt) and Islam but are expected to accept whatever is given to them in relation to this. With this backdrop, augmented by the ubiquitous kufr ideas lingering amongst Muslims, it is not surprising that atheism finds the space to grow.

Indeed, the rise of atheism and atheistic groups cannot be separated from the system applied to them by the state. Communist nations force the godless communist ideology on their subjects and similarly, Western Capitalist states apply the ideology of Capitalism which extends unlimited freedom to their subjects, leaving them free in their choice of adopting a religion. Likewise, in Muslim nations, the democratic system inherited from the West gives freedom to their subjects and Islam remains only as an ‘official religion’. The fragility of Muslim faith is thus a result of the lack of Aqeedah based on an intellectual basis and the nuance of freedom felt by the people and guaranteed by the state.  May Allah (swt) give us the strength and determination to face this very gloomy situation. And we pray that Allah (swt) bestow us the pleasure of living under the Khilafah Rashidah (righteous Caliphate) upon the method of the Prophethood, which will free us from the calamity of a godless society.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Dr. Mohammad – Malaysia