Knocking on Heaven’s door the PAS way — Mustafa K Anuar

SEPTEMBER 11 — Unknown to possibly many people, particularly Muslims in Malaysia, there appears to be an easier path to Heaven.

The process is quite straightforward. Well, at least according to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

He reportedly said Muslims who joined his party or supported its supposedly Islamic struggles could be on the path to Heaven.

So far, PAS has not dismissed Takiyuddin’s statement as being merely his personal opinion. So, we can only assume that his stand on this serious and controversial matter reflects his party’s.

PAS secretary‑general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed Muslims who joined his party or backed its Islamic cause were promised a path to Heaven. — Bernama pic

That is why the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan swiftly responded, reminding PAS and people in general that only Allah has the absolute right to determine who deserves a heavenly reward.

He rightly stressed that mere mortals did not have the power to guarantee an easier passage to paradise just because they chose a particular political party or backed its religious struggles.

Takiyuddin’s assertion also prompted a quick response from Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar who rightly stressed that certain party affiliation and candidate preference on the ballot paper would not automatically open Heaven’s door.

Instead, he added, a person’s standing before Allah is judged by “faith, piety, good deeds, justice, trustworthiness and the mercy of Allah”. Only God knows and only He decides. 

One would add that an expression of humanity, compassion and empathy in daily life is also an important aspect of human character and spirituality. 

For instance, one should be able to empathise with, and give comfort to, a mother who pines for her daughter who was snatched away from her ever since she was a toddler. 

It would be reasonable to expect that those with the necessary resources would help find the child and make a reunion possible. 

Indeed, PAS seemed to think that it, a collective of mere mortals, is fit to intervene in the affairs of the Divine.

Such arrogance does not sit well with humility that Islam often reminds humans of their limitations and failings vis-a-vis Allah’s many attributes, such as the All-Powerful, All-Knowing and the Judge.

At this juncture, one wonders whether the political confidence that the Islamist party has attained in recent times has emboldened it to flaunt its arrogance beyond the material world. 

We should be mindful that sometimes there are unintended outcomes arising from such unpleasant behaviour in the real world. 

The invitation to join PAS for a ticket to Heaven might attract people you least expect. Certain individuals might rush to join the party soon after being charged with corruption—in the hope that they would not miss the boat, so to speak. Would that make PAS a convenient “spiritual refuge”?  

There are also others who might join or remain in the party not solely because of the lure of Heaven. To them, the rewards of becoming party members are two-fold: both the heavenly abode and Putrajaya are seen to be within reach. 

It can get complicated, though, when the attraction of the worldly prize overwhelms some members.

The party’s struggles that Takiyuddin mentioned are bound to pique the interests of many people.

For instance, if the unity of the Muslim community (Ummah) is the primary objective of PAS, how would it play out in the wider social context where non-Muslims exist? 

Do the struggles also involve a fight against discrimination and racism in our multiethnic, multireligious and multicultural society in the larger objective of creating a cohesive nation? What is at stake here is the notion of diversity and inclusivity. 

Would the party’s struggles involve a deep commitment to fighting corruption that has become rampant?

This fight is vital because corruption in our country has brought about precious money lining the pockets of the greedy and powerful, instead of it being poured onto education, healthcare, affordable housing and aid to the needy, to name a few. 

In the name of social justice, would the party steadfastly find ways and means to combat poverty and raise the living standards of Malaysians, especially the downtrodden and the marginalised? 

Are human rights, such as freedom of expression and the right to dissent, central to the struggles of the party? 

These are some of the concerns that may come to mind for many people, which need to be addressed or dealt with adequately.

It’s one thing to promise a heavenly reward, and it’s quite another to ensure a dignified, meaningful and happy life on earth for all, especially the poor and the marginalised.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.