NEWLY-MINTED PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (main pic, right) could have done non-Muslims a big favour with his clarification that being labelled a kafir (infidel) need not necessary be a depredatory remark.
The son of former National Mosque imam Datuk Taib Azamudden Md Taib has stressed that kafir is a Quranic term whereby Islamic scholars have distinguished infidels into two categories:
- Kafir zimmi
Refers to non-Muslims who do not fight against Islam but willingly sit under the auspices of an Islamic administration and pay taxes to the government.
“Under such circumstance, it is compulsory for Muslims to protect this group. In fact, if there are Muslims who intend to inflict harm on this group, they ought to be punished and be subject to legal action,” penned the Alor Setar MP in a Facebook post.
- Kafir Harbi
Refers to non-Muslims who are hostile and fight against Islam. In this regard, Islam orders its people to defend themselves by fighting this group.
“In the Malaysian context, there has not been any group categorised as kafir harbi. All that exists is a difference of opinion and political stance,” observed the political secretary to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
“As far as I can remember, PAS has never agreed with anyone who accuses any political party or individual of being kafir harbi.”
For context, Afnan’s clarification came about as Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has banned MPs from using divisive words such as “kafir”, “Zionist” and “Yahudi” (Jews) during parliamentary debates as doing so could inflame racial and religious tensions.
“Also at a recent (Palestinian solidarity) gathering, the organisers did not allow the chanting of Allahuakbar (Allah is the greatest). Previously, all these words were freely expressed when speaking and writing. Now it’s different,” lamented Afnan who is the first Malay MP in the Alor Setar constituency.
“These terms must be defined according to Islamic interpretation. It’s a Quranic term. They need to be interpreted according to the relevant discipline. It cannot be interpreted according to human reason and taste.”
He added: “Why are the words in the Quran not allowed to be spoken? Whose heart do we want to take care of?” – Oct 24, 2023
