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Islam in Malaysia: Perceptions & Facts
Islam in Perceptions & Facts
Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
U-En Ng (from the book Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda)
9789834484576
343
Vinlin
Gerakbudaya
Design & Teck Hee
RM40 / US$25 (Amazon)
First December 2010
While still in his 30s, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, former Mufti of Perlis, earned a reputation as a popular, and sometimes controversial, public intellectual on the subject of Islam in Malaysia. This collection of his articles seeks to identify and celebrate the true Islamic essence of simplicity, rationality and justice; and to separate it from superstition, prejudice and taklid (blind adherence) to self- serving 'religious' leaders. Told in a forthright style, but spiced with wit and contemporary allusions, it takes many examples from the Quran and Sunnah to show that it is up to Muslims to rescue their faith from being dominated merely by reactionary and conservative forces. Among the subjects in this
* Are music and entertainment allowed in Islam?
* Why must long-distance bus drivers be discouraged from fasting?
* Are non-Muslims allowed to enter mosques?
* Did the Prophet Nuh pass to us a recipe for porridge?
* Why are some P. Ramlee lyrics more Islamic than contemporary nasyid songs?
Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
U-En Ng (from the book Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda)
9789834484576
343
Vinlin
Gerakbudaya
Design & Teck Hee
RM40 / US$25 (Amazon)
First December 2010
While still in his 30s, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, former Mufti of Perlis, earned a reputation as a popular, and sometimes controversial, public intellectual on the subject of Islam in Malaysia. This collection of his articles seeks to identify and celebrate the true Islamic essence of simplicity, rationality and justice; and to separate it from superstition, prejudice and taklid (blind adherence) to self- serving 'religious' leaders. Told in a forthright style, but spiced with wit and contemporary allusions, it takes many examples from the Quran and Sunnah to show that it is up to Muslims to rescue their faith from being dominated merely by reactionary and conservative forces. Among the subjects in this
* Are music and entertainment allowed in Islam?
* Why must long-distance bus drivers be discouraged from fasting?
* Are non-Muslims allowed to enter mosques?
* Did the Prophet Nuh pass to us a recipe for porridge?
* Why are some P. Ramlee lyrics more Islamic than contemporary nasyid songs?
343 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin
39 books126 followersDr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is a national Malaysian descent Malays. His first term of Perlis Mufti had been from 2006 until 11 November 2008. His second term as Mufti of Perlis began on 2 February 2015. He got his doctorate from University of Wales, Lampeter, United Kingdom. In the meantime he is also a columnist for 'Minda Dr. Maza or "Pena Mufti" in the newspaper Mingguan Malaysia since March 11, 2007. All his writings are recorded in a book called "Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda - Edisi Baharu" published by Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of The Star Group which was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 21 April 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2010
Review excerpted from my blog:http://themalaysianreader.com/2010/11...
This is the English edition of Dr. Asri’s Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda, a compilation of his articles which originally appeared in Mingguan Malaysia. Dr. Asri sought, in those articles, to give a clear understanding of Islam and its practise in Malaysia which he argued has been hijacked by the forces of ignorance, superstition and blind adherence to religious leaders. Seeing as he wrote for a Malay broadsheet, at least half of the nation’s people never read his thoughts on this important subject. It is therefore a commendable effort by Matahari Books for publishing an English edition and U-En Ng who did a wonderful job translating and annotating it.
With 47 of his articles collected here there is much to digest for the Muslim and non-Muslim reader alike. It isn’t an academic tome but a straightforward, no BS book on the state of Islam in Malaysia. To put it succinctly, Dr. Asri believes Islam in Malaysia is in dire straits and needed to be rescued yesterday. Not necessarily rescued by political leaders or religious figures though as the good doctor argues that in many cases it is those authorities who are the most responsible for pulling Islam down to where it is now in Malaysia. No, everyone who considers him or herself a Muslim (regardless of social status) must take responsibility and practise Islam as it was practised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In order to do that, Malaysian Muslims must totally shed the (mostly racial) prejudice, the superstitions many have associated with Islam and the attitude that the ustaz knows best and he must not be questioned.
It is clear from his writings that Dr. Asri gives the Malays a bashing (if he was a non-Malay he would probably have been arrested under the ISA years ago). But most of all he urges the Malay to question everything, for something that purports to be true should not be afraid to be questioned. Indeed Islam encourages inquiry. Misperceptions take root when no one stands up and says, “But what about…?“.
This book does what it says on the cover; it tells what Islam actually teaches and how Islam is actually practised in Malaysia today. Non-Malays should pick up this book and learn a little something about the most misunderstood religion on Earth. Heck, Malays should pick this up as well come to think of it.
This is the English edition of Dr. Asri’s Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda, a compilation of his articles which originally appeared in Mingguan Malaysia. Dr. Asri sought, in those articles, to give a clear understanding of Islam and its practise in Malaysia which he argued has been hijacked by the forces of ignorance, superstition and blind adherence to religious leaders. Seeing as he wrote for a Malay broadsheet, at least half of the nation’s people never read his thoughts on this important subject. It is therefore a commendable effort by Matahari Books for publishing an English edition and U-En Ng who did a wonderful job translating and annotating it.
With 47 of his articles collected here there is much to digest for the Muslim and non-Muslim reader alike. It isn’t an academic tome but a straightforward, no BS book on the state of Islam in Malaysia. To put it succinctly, Dr. Asri believes Islam in Malaysia is in dire straits and needed to be rescued yesterday. Not necessarily rescued by political leaders or religious figures though as the good doctor argues that in many cases it is those authorities who are the most responsible for pulling Islam down to where it is now in Malaysia. No, everyone who considers him or herself a Muslim (regardless of social status) must take responsibility and practise Islam as it was practised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In order to do that, Malaysian Muslims must totally shed the (mostly racial) prejudice, the superstitions many have associated with Islam and the attitude that the ustaz knows best and he must not be questioned.
It is clear from his writings that Dr. Asri gives the Malays a bashing (if he was a non-Malay he would probably have been arrested under the ISA years ago). But most of all he urges the Malay to question everything, for something that purports to be true should not be afraid to be questioned. Indeed Islam encourages inquiry. Misperceptions take root when no one stands up and says, “But what about…?“.
This book does what it says on the cover; it tells what Islam actually teaches and how Islam is actually practised in Malaysia today. Non-Malays should pick up this book and learn a little something about the most misunderstood religion on Earth. Heck, Malays should pick this up as well come to think of it.
April 17, 2012
I respect the views of Dr MAZA. He is progressive in his views but still grounded in the two divine sources of Islam: Al Quran and Hadith. That is how it should be. I'm glad that we have people like Dr MAZA. Keep on writing Dr.
June 28, 2012
This book is the compilation of few articles and has been published in Malay given the title "Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan Minda." This book is translated in English and the translator has done a very great job indeed. Lots of issues and mostly regarding Islam in Malaysia. I'm very fascinated with the issue like politics. Not going to elaborate on that much, heee.
Mungkin bila baca buku ini boleh membuka minda supaya jangan terlampau stagnant sangat. Mengajar aku supaya jangan terima bulat-bulat atau erti kata lainnya blindly follow apa orang lain kata.
Ustaz dan ustazah, adakah mereka semuanya betul. Not necessary lah kan. Sebab kita bukannya maksum. Bak kata my lovely ustaz, berguru ni biarlah dengan orang yang betul, jangan sebab peyampaian, education, dan penampilan kita boleh kata dia seorang guru agama yang hebat. Kena tengok juga akidah, akhlak dan ibadahnya juga. Sebab itu sekarang banyak sangat agama sesat yang menyesatkan orang. Sebab most of us blindly follow apa yang disuap oleh orang lain.
Banyak isu sensitif dalam buku ini. Kalau orang yang kuat condemn memang tak payah bacalah. Banyak contoh daripada al-Quran dan hadis yang sahih. Highly recommended to all especially orang melayu. For non-Muslims pun highly recommended sebab mungkin dapat megubah persepsi mereka terhadap Islam, alas they definitely can learn something from it. Tak rugi pun baca.
Mungkin bila baca buku ini boleh membuka minda supaya jangan terlampau stagnant sangat. Mengajar aku supaya jangan terima bulat-bulat atau erti kata lainnya blindly follow apa orang lain kata.
Ustaz dan ustazah, adakah mereka semuanya betul. Not necessary lah kan. Sebab kita bukannya maksum. Bak kata my lovely ustaz, berguru ni biarlah dengan orang yang betul, jangan sebab peyampaian, education, dan penampilan kita boleh kata dia seorang guru agama yang hebat. Kena tengok juga akidah, akhlak dan ibadahnya juga. Sebab itu sekarang banyak sangat agama sesat yang menyesatkan orang. Sebab most of us blindly follow apa yang disuap oleh orang lain.
Banyak isu sensitif dalam buku ini. Kalau orang yang kuat condemn memang tak payah bacalah. Banyak contoh daripada al-Quran dan hadis yang sahih. Highly recommended to all especially orang melayu. For non-Muslims pun highly recommended sebab mungkin dapat megubah persepsi mereka terhadap Islam, alas they definitely can learn something from it. Tak rugi pun baca.
June 23, 2015
This book has strengthen my love to my religion & make me appreciate the diversity in thinking process that our previous ulamas had. I love this book and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to evaluate the status quo of the Islamic perspective that Malaysians had been adhered so far. Alhamdulillah, I'm falling in love so madly with Islam.
Precisely but leisurely written, using plain english makes those literature-based facts interesting and in fact engaging. Such a page turner. Alhamdulillah congrats to Dr MAZA. Please write more!
October 11, 2011
Islam in malaysia: Perceptions & Facts by Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is the english version of Mengemudi Bahtera Perubahan. It offers intelligent, sharp and academic discussions about the facts of islam and other false perceptions of the religion which usually stem from the fact that the cultural background of the Muslims being blended with what Islam says and later being labelled as 'Islam' too.
This book is perfect for both Muslim and non Muslim. and i really like the fact that the citations of the hadiths are done in a super detailed manner.
Bravo, ustaz asri memang tiptop lah!
This book is perfect for both Muslim and non Muslim. and i really like the fact that the citations of the hadiths are done in a super detailed manner.
Bravo, ustaz asri memang tiptop lah!
August 8, 2011
Illuminating. Fascinating. This English version makes the author's work far more accessible to a wider audience. The translator did a fantastic job.
The last few articles do get very political, in that the author offers advice on how political leaders should conduct themselves....But as we all know, the politicos don't much care for such advice because the situation is still the same here in Malaysia.
The last few articles do get very political, in that the author offers advice on how political leaders should conduct themselves....But as we all know, the politicos don't much care for such advice because the situation is still the same here in Malaysia.
September 5, 2015
This book is a must-read to Malaysians. Dr Asri 'rectifies' the perceptions of Islam in Malaysia;Islam is simple, it's some of the mumbo-jumbo of the Malay traditions that make the religion complicated. This book also encourages Muslims to free themselves of taklid or blind adherence. Think and argue. All opinions are valid,if they are properly researched.
A must-read. That's all I can say.
A must-read. That's all I can say.
March 4, 2013
This book is a MUST read for every Muslims in Malaysia esp the Malay Muslims . For us have been following Islam blindly (I hope none of us are) since we are Muslims by blood.
Read it with an open mind, for the thirst of opinion and you shall think.
Read it with an open mind, for the thirst of opinion and you shall think.
July 17, 2012
Excellent effort to translate such a good books with a good minds. Perhaps building bridge in differences. Allahu'alam
Must read for conservative Malaysian Muslims!
Must read for conservative Malaysian Muslims!
August 13, 2015
This book is just the same as his another 3 malay books.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews