Disbeliever

I remember that someone messaged me yesterday but I can't find it in facebook and smartphone. May be I was reading text message in my dream.. Never mind, the question goes like this:

"What is the different of Non Muslim and Not Yet Muslim? Why are there people who arguing that 'Not Yet Muslim' clearly an offense to them as they will never embrace Islam. So what is the most appropriate title in calling those who aren't Muslim?"

Let's talk about the little history of 'Non-Muslim' title.
The term of 'Non-Muslim', 'Saudara baru' is widely used in Malaysia until few years ago there was a Chinese Muslim activist suggested that we should change the title.

As suggested, 'Saudara baru' should be changed into 'Saudara Muslim' or 'Saudara Kita'. It's refer to those who embraced Islam without judging them whether they are new Muslim or not.

While 'Non-Muslim' changed into 'Not Yet Muslim', because 'Non-Muslim' refer that they'll never become Muslim. The term of 'Not Yet Muslim' being widely used because not everyone staying in Non-Muslim condition forever, some of them have transform from 'Non-Muslim' into 'Muslim', therefore they are just 'yet to be Muslim'. It seems to be asking Muslim don't simply justify non-muslim as 'Kafir' but 'potential converts'.

It's not the question from my dream. Surprisingly someone telling me this in the next day.

Of course, the term of 'Not Yet Muslim' has caused anger among non-Muslim. Few of the writers arguing that Government is trying to convert them with such title while they are born Hindu, born Buddhist or born Christian. It seems to be ridiculous to refer every non-Malay Malaysians as 'Not yet Muslim'.

If you ask me what is the best title for this issue? I would say al-Qur'an has the eternal answer. Which is 'Believer' and 'Disbeliever'.

As quoted from this article,

Five qualities of a true believer of Islam (a Muslim)
http://www.iqrasense.com/muslim-character/five-qualities-of-a-true-believer-of-islam-a-muslim.html

In these Quran verses, Allah highlights five characteristics of true believers.

2. The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);

3. Who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and spend out of that We have provided them.

4. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise).

Quran (Surah Al-Anfal, verses 2 – 4)

It’s clear from these verses that the qualities of a true Muslim mentioned in these verses are the following:

1) When Allah is mentioned, they feel the fear of Him in their hearts;
2) Their faith increases every time they hear and ponder over Quran’s verses;
3) They put their trust in Allah, i.e. have Tawakkul on Allah;
4) They perform prayers regularly;
5) They spend in charity in the path of Allah.

As a Muslim, one can take heed from these verses and assess the state of his heart. In his tafsir, Ibn Kathir writes that none of Allah’s remembrance enters the hearts of the HYPOCRITES upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah’s Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth.

Muslim isn't just a registration of Identity Card.
Being Muslim is about believe in Allah and obey to His commandments. Anyone could open their heart to accept islam, also vice versa. As for those 'Muslim' who are doing wrong things in the name of Islam entitled as Hypocrites.

In my conclusions, 'Believer' and 'Disbeliever' is the best title as it's mentioned in al-Qur'an. Malaysia citizens are getting frightened of "Not Yet Muslim" title as they thought authorities may "yet to be" convert them without their awareness.



It's a matter of heart.