PSYCHOLOGY WARS

PSYCHOLOGICAL WARS

What is war? War is an organized, armed, and often a prolonged conflict that is carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political communities, and therefore is defined as a form of political violence. The set of techniques used by a group to carry out war is known as warfare. An absence of war, (and other violence) is usually called peace. 

What is the opinion of Islam about wars?Islam forbids the Muslim to join the wars except for defending themselves. Allah has said in Surah Al-Baqarah ayah 190: “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves no trangessors”(2:190) 

Professor Maqsood Jafri, who is the Islam’s scholar has wrote in article about Islamic view on war. Islam emphasizes on the need of peace and avoids war.  If war is thrust upon Muslims, then they are asked to defend themselves.  Islam does not permit transgression and aggression in any case.  In Sura Mumtahana (The woman to be Examined) the Quran says: “Allah does not forbid you, with regards to those who do not fight you for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just – Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection).  It is such as turn to them (in those circumstances), that do wrong.” (60:8-9) 

If we can look into the past, our Prophet, Muhammad s.a.w. never begin a war except the opponents disturb the Muslim’s peacefulness. There are some examples wars happened in Islam such as battle of Uhud.

On my opinion, we should not fighting each other as it can promote all of us to begin the war. However, if the opponents harm our securities, we can make the counter attack to them. This situation has be allowed in Islam. This is called Jihad. But the most important aspect is the inner Jihad. What is inner Jihad? It means we fight against our desires or lust and evil’s negligence as it can attract us to do the bad deeds and Allah’s prohibitions. 

Wars is not only for physical but it also involve psychology. Nowadays, Muslim are not only being attacked by physically only, but also psychologically. Who are the opponents? Surely the opponents are come from other religions who are very hate Islam and its followers especially Christians and Jews. So, Muslim need to be aware of their surroundings as the non-Muslims are trying to destroy Islam. The non-Muslim want to weaken the Muslim’s mind by variable method, then it will be easier to convert the Muslim’s religion to their religion. This is called apostasy.

What is apostasy? Apostasy in Islam (Arabic: irtidād or ridda‎) is commonly defined in Islam as the rejection in word or deed of one's former religion (apostasy) by a person who was previously a follower of Islam. The Qur'an itself does not prescribe any earthly punishment for apostasy; Islamic scholarship differs on its punishment, ranging from execution – based on an interpretation of certain hadiths – to no punishment at all as long as they "do not work against the Muslim society or nation. The majority of Muslim scholars hold to the traditional view that apostasy is punishable by death or imprisonment until repentance, at least for adult men of sound mind. However, a number of contemporary Muslims, including influential Islamic reformers have rejected this, arguing for religious freedom instead. According to Islamic law apostasy is identified by a list of actions such as conversion to another religion, denying the existence of God, rejecting the prophets, mocking God or the prophets, idol worship, rejecting the sharia, or permitting behavior that is forbidden by the sharia, such as adultery.  "Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims."Sahih al-Bukhari, 9:83:17 

The previous studies on the phenomenon of apostasy  in Malaysia revealed that the numbers of apostasy cases are on the increase year by year. This can be seen from a research done by Waheeda Kamalam Ambigay Bt. Abdullah. Waheeda discovered inher thesis Conversion and Apostasy in the Context of Freedom of Religion  that the records at the National Registration Department from 1995 to August 1998 show that 609 Muslims applied to adopt non-Muslim names. that is fast growing.” Till the 1980’s, Muslim Law Enactment in several states recognized apostasy by imposing simple registration requirement on all who enter the faith and exit from it. But in the 80’s with Islamisation catching on, the unilateral right to register a renunciation was repealed. In some states, legislation was enacted to require anyone seeking to convert out of Islam to be subjected to compulsory counselling and rehabilitation procedures for certain prescribed durations. 

  What is the opinion of Islam about the punishment for the person who commit apostasy? Allah’s Appostle has said: "Whoever changed his (Islamic) religion, then kill him" Sahih al-Bukhari, 9:84:57  Allah also has said: They but wish that you should reject faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing(as they): but take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah(from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever you find them; and(in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks-(4:89) 

The other religions use their propaganda to weaken their enemy’s strength. This method will influence the minds, attitudes and emotions of enemies. So, this method is only a strategy, but aslo as a weapon. In history, European or Christian followers had used the propaganda namely ‘GOLD, GOSPEL, GLORY’ to colonize the eastern countries. Besides that, Japan also use their propaganda namely ‘ASIA FOR ASIA’ to change the perception and expectation of the citizens from other countries to them from their enemies to their friends. Besides that the concept of ‘Racist Country” had destroyed Muslim’s bonds. When the Turkey Uthmaniyah went down, its empires had been divided to a lot of countries.

Now the most obvious sides that always try to destroy Islam are American and Jews. We must realise and be aware to surrounding as the psychology are happening and it was made by them. How did they make?

The first one is the entertainment which include music and movies. American has created a lot of superstars such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise. Besides that, American also has produced movies such as Mission Impossible and Transformers. Moreover there are a lot of television programmes such as American Idols and American’s Next Top Model. In Malaysia, we can oberve there are many concerts have been held everywhere and a lot of Muslim more likely to attend and watch the concerts rather than attending the talk about Islamic teachings. Not only that, Muslims also make the superstars as their idols. They like to follow what the artist do. If the celebrities show their aurah, the Muslim also do that deeds.

Besides that, the music also has neglected a lot of Muslims to become far away from Allah. Muslim spend most of thei time to hear the neglected songs rather than to read Al-Kitab Al-Quran. The situation then become worse when the Muslim put the superstars as their first idol and they put their love more to their beloved celebrities than to Allah and Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. .

Hadhrat Anas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah (saws) said: "Whoever has in him three things, will experience the sweetness of Imaan: (These are): i. His love for Allah and His Rasool is more than that for all and everything . ii. His love for another (person) is motivated by only the love of Allah. (i.e. His love and friendship with people are not for worldly motives. He befriends people because they happen to be pious men of Allah). iii. A man who, after having been saved by Allah from kufr, abhors returning to kufr as much as he abhors falling into a fire." (Bukhaari and Muslim) 

On other hadith, Hadhrat Anas (ra) narrates that Rasulullah (saws) said: "You cannot have total Imaan as long as you do not love me more than your father, children and all people." (Bukhaari, Muslim-Mishkaat) 

The next one is sport. A lot of sports have been created such as football, rugby, swimming, athletics and others. Moreover, these sports have their own big events such as Olympics, Football World Cup and ASEAN Games which can attract millions of people to watch these sports. Moreover, these sports can be watched by people from all over the world as there are many sources media such as television and Internet. Sometimes Muslims spend their night to watch the football match via television but not doing qiyamulail which Allah loves His slave to do that. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” [Muslim]  Allah also has said: “And the servant of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say “Peace!”. Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord Prostrate and standing;(25:63-64) 

Besides that, this will affect the productivity of Muslims as they will become sleepy on next morning and no energy to spend for working and studying.

Besides that, some of the sports are not suitable to be watched such as gymnastics, swimming and others especially when they are involving the girls or ladies as their player. Usually the aurah not to be closed and it promotes others to watch them. Allah does not like people who forget about His prohibitons just because the worldly matter.

The next one is food. We can observe there are lot of food comes from American in our country such as Mac Donald, A&W and others. This will incline their economy’s prospect as their food industry has generated a lot of income for their countries. When we buy their food, automically wa are giving the income to America. So, we must ask to ourselves, why we are still buying their products rather than our own products? 

Besides that, our laws are based on the concept of secularism. What is secularism? Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within a state that is neutral on matters of belief. (See also Separation of church and state and Laïcité.) In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be unbiased by religious influence. (See also public reason.) Some scholars are now arguing that the very idea of secularism will change. 

For example, when someone commit stealing, according to the laws in our country, in Act 574(no.379), whoever commits theft shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both., and for a second or subsequent offence shall be punished with imprisonment and shall also be liable to fine or to whipping. 

But according to Islamic laws, the one who commit stealing, his or her hand must be cut. Allah has said: “As for the thief, male or female,  cut off his or her hands; a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom.(5:38)  The Prophet  said: “The hand (of the thief) should be cut off for (the theft of) a quarter of a Dinar or more.” [Al-Bukhaari]  

So now, what is the implication of the psychology wars on the Muslim? First, it will cause the Islam spirit will not be in Muslim’s heart, mind and soul. Muslim will less believe that Allah will help and protect them but they will more rely on the new technologies to solve their problems and keep them safely. Second, Muslim’s productivity will decline as their lifestyles have been affected by the entertainment and sports.This will affect the competition between Muslims and other followers in economy’s prospects where the other religion country will keep dominate the world economy.

Third, there will be a lot of crimes happen in future as the country not practice Islamic and Shariah laws in all matters. The people will not afraid to involve in crimes. However, Islamic laws is the best solution to reduce the crimes. It will make people who commit sins to turn their way to Allah and repent to Him. It must be practised by all Muslims.

One of the serious crimes that always happen at our surrounding is illegal sex. This crime always happen in group of teenagers. The teenagers do not have enough knowledge about religion’s believe. They need to be guided by parents and all people at their surroundings. Parents should take care of their sons and daughters and avoid them from joining the bad activities such as vandalism. Illegal sex also will cause abortion. According to Federation of Reproductive Health Association, Malaysia, Taking into consideration that 38 out of every 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49 years old go for abortion in Malaysia and the rate of illegal abortions is 0.1% or 500 per 500,000 live births yearly, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of the previous Prime Minister, in opening the Safe Motherhood Conference: Saving Mother's Lives - The Health Impact of Unsafe Abortion, said "The best way to prevent unsafe abortions is to prevent unintended or unwanted pregnancies.  We have to address family planning, provide education on dangers of unsafe abortions and post-abortion counselling" (source: The Star, 10 October 2003) 

Now we as Muslim must take an action to prevent us from being attacked by non-Muslim continuously. First, we need to conquer the world economy. We also need to stop from making the superstars and celebrities as our idols as they are not beneficial to us. We need to put Allah and Rasulullah as our first love.We need to buy Muslimun product as we need to support to their economy. Second, we need to follow all the advices given by Rasulullah. Lastly, we need to set out as we need the pleasure of Allah. Without the pleasure from Allah, our life will be miserable and the chance to go to Heaven become less.

The most important is the how to counter to those peole who disturb our happinsess. This is called ‘Jihad’. Even not physically, it still can harm other’s members. So,we must prepare our mind, body and soul to ward all psychology. Abu al-Yaman from al-Zuhri from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab narrated from Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet said: "By Him [God] in Whose Hands my soul is: Were it not for some men amongst the Believers [Muslims] who dislike to be left behind me and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, I would certainly never remain behind any Sariyah [battalion, military unit] going out for jihad [struggle, in this case armed struggle] in the Path of God [as ordained by God in the Qur'an]. By Him in Whose hands my soul is: I would love to be martyred [fighting] in the path of God and then come back to life and be martyred again, and then come back to life and be martyred again." 

For the conclusions, we as Muslim must realise what really happening to us, to our friends and to our surroundings affected by psychology wars. So, we need to avoid from doing bad actitivities. Muslim also should not fighting and quarrel each other as the bond will get destroy. The Muslims will get strong when their bonds are very strong and like to work together(jamaah) to fight against the opponents. Lastly, I want to write-off my essays with a hadith: Abu Hurairah related that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, show me a deed that is equal to jihad,” The Prophet (PBUH) told him, “I do not find such a deed.” Then he told him, “Can you, while the Muslim fighter is in the battlefield, enter your mosque to perform prayers without cease and fast and never break your fast?” The man said, “Who could do that?” The Prophet (PBUH) told him, “The one who makes jihad is rewarded even for the footstep of his horse while it wanders about for grazing while tied on a long rope.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari)