Muhibah, in the Malaysian context, is a word enriched with its own meaning and is historically important to the nation. Many purely associate the word with an Arabic word ‘hub’ which is the root word for ‘mahabbah’ meaning love, but it is simply not enough to explain the exact definition of the concept in relation to its importance in Malaysian history.
Muhibah was discussed at length by Dr. Kamar Oniah Kamarul Zaman in her book “Religion and Pluralistic Co-Existence: The Muhibah Perspective”. She stresses that,
“…muhibah is not merely an act or a few isolated gallant deeds; rather muhibah is a spirit, a spirit of togetherness, a culture of sincere and appreciative co-existence with sensitivity towards fellow citizens and fellow beings, a kinship and fellowship among the people of this nation, Malaysia. Muhibah is therefore based on willing and sincere acceptance of the other, of genuine respect for the other, of the fellowship of citizens and the kinship of humanity”.
This rich understanding of muhibah is indeed important and must be set as the basic foundation of interaction among the different religious adherents in Malaysia. Muhibah is set upon the premise that there must be sincere acceptance of differences. In the context of religion and pluralistic co-existence in Malaysia, each religion has its own worldview and value system that are different from one another.
In essence, religions differ in the theological perspectives. Many religious leaders also agree that theologically, the religious worldviews that frame the understanding of the individuals who embrace a particular religion are different from one another. In Islam for example, the acknowledgement of the differences among religions is mentioned in the Quran:
“For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” (Chapter 109: Verse 6)
However, the distinctions that exist among religions in this dimension should not stop religious followers to effectively play their role in addressing issues and problems that affect the mankind in the world today. Common areas of concern like issues affecting the environment, crime and social problems should be given religious perspectives for better understanding and effective solutions. Most religions share almost similar views on ways to solve issues affecting the world today. It is time for mankind to relook at the role of religion in life as more than merely a spiritual connection between man and his Creator. In addition, as a religious adherent, it is a norm to relate oneself to his or her religious belief system. However, it is not right to judge different religious followers based on our own religious values. Muhibah works around the value of accepting and respecting the rights of others to belong and be identified to their own religions.
Today, the spirit of muhibah lacks presence and proper understanding. The country’s leadership under the helm of Malaysia’s first Prime Ministers and Father of Independence, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj left behind a profound legacy through muhibah. Sadly, the younger generation today could not appreciate muhibah as more than a simple word to explain living without conflict with one another. The dynamic concept of muhibah which includes sincerity, acceptance, respect and kinship could not be effectively instilled into the hearts and minds of many young Malaysians today due to the lackadaisical attitude towards nation-building and learning from history. An important approach like muhibah must be understood both from its historical perspective in order for us to learn from it and also its possible potentials in order for us to built a nation surrounding it.
All religious followers must have proper understanding and strong convictions towards their religious values. Through this and as a nation that embraces religion as a pillar of strength, we can use our religious values as guidance on how to live harmoniously and peacefully with each other. No religion teaches its followers to cause divide in the society or encourage destruction to others. Therefore, proper understanding of one’s religious teachings and embracing the moral and ethical values of religion should be the main agenda of religious adherents that love peace. The spirit of muhibah can be easily nurtured when mutual understanding on this fundamental role of religion is made the basis of social interaction of a pluralistic nation like Malaysia.
Recently, IKIM in collaboration with several researchers from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) held a focused group discussion to discuss on the topic of muhibah as an approach to build harmonious relations among religious adherents in Malaysia. IKIM takes the initiative to bring to discussion the topic of muhibah realizing its importance to the society and nation-building in the long run. From the forum, all participants acknowledge the prospects of the approach as an answer to address issues affecting interreligious relations.
Dialogue and engagements among religious followers are needed so that common understanding can be achieved to provide solutions to the malaise affecting mankind. Nonetheless, in order to do so, participations and commitments from religious leaders and followers are crucial so that a more complete perspective can underlined the efforts taking place. Such enthusiasm to this endeavour should be welcomed and accepted with open arms by religious adherents in Malaysia so that steps taken with the aim to strengthen the society and the country in the long run will be results of a collaborative effort among various parties who are concern for the future of the nation.
Muhibah, in the Malaysian context, is a word enriched with its own meaning and is historically important to the nation. Many purely associate the word with an Arabic word ‘hub’ which is the root word for ‘mahabbah’ meaning love, but it is simply not enough to explain the exact definition of the concept in relation to its importance in Malaysian history.
Muhibah was discussed at length by Dr. Kamar Oniah Kamarul Zaman in her book “Religion and Pluralistic Co-Existence: The Muhibah Perspective”. She stresses that,
“…muhibah is not merely an act or a few isolated gallant deeds; rather muhibah is a spirit, a spirit of togetherness, a culture of sincere and appreciative co-existence with sensitivity towards fellow citizens and fellow beings, a kinship and fellowship among the people of this nation, Malaysia. Muhibah is therefore based on willing and sincere acceptance of the other, of genuine respect for the other, of the fellowship of citizens and the kinship of humanity”.
This rich understanding of muhibah is indeed important and must be set as the basic foundation of interaction among the different religious adherents in Malaysia. Muhibah is set upon the premise that there must be sincere acceptance of differences. In the context of religion and pluralistic co-existence in Malaysia, each religion has its own worldview and value system that are different from one another.
In essence, religions differ in the theological perspectives. Many religious leaders also agree that theologically, the religious worldviews that frame the understanding of the individuals who embrace a particular religion are different from one another. In Islam for example, the acknowledgement of the differences among religions is mentioned in the Quran:
“For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” (Chapter 109: Verse 6)
However, the distinctions that exist among religions in this dimension should not stop religious followers to effectively play their role in addressing issues and problems that affect the mankind in the world today. Common areas of concern like issues affecting the environment, crime and social problems should be given religious perspectives for better understanding and effective solutions. Most religions share almost similar views on ways to solve issues affecting the world today. It is time for mankind to relook at the role of religion in life as more than merely a spiritual connection between man and his Creator. In addition, as a religious adherent, it is a norm to relate oneself to his or her religious belief system. However, it is not right to judge different religious followers based on our own religious values. Muhibah works around the value of accepting and respecting the rights of others to belong and be identified to their own religions.
Today, the spirit of muhibah lacks presence and proper understanding. The country’s leadership under the helm of Malaysia’s first Prime Ministers and Father of Independence, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj left behind a profound legacy through muhibah. Sadly, the younger generation today could not appreciate muhibah as more than a simple word to explain living without conflict with one another. The dynamic concept of muhibah which includes sincerity, acceptance, respect and kinship could not be effectively instilled into the hearts and minds of many young Malaysians today due to the lackadaisical attitude towards nation-building and learning from history. An important approach like muhibah must be understood both from its historical perspective in order for us to learn from it and also its possible potentials in order for us to built a nation surrounding it.
All religious followers must have proper understanding and strong convictions towards their religious values. Through this and as a nation that embraces religion as a pillar of strength, we can use our religious values as guidance on how to live harmoniously and peacefully with each other. No religion teaches its followers to cause divide in the society or encourage destruction to others. Therefore, proper understanding of one’s religious teachings and embracing the moral and ethical values of religion should be the main agenda of religious adherents that love peace. The spirit of muhibah can be easily nurtured when mutual understanding on this fundamental role of religion is made the basis of social interaction of a pluralistic nation like Malaysia.
Recently, IKIM in collaboration with several researchers from International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) held a focused group discussion to discuss on the topic of muhibah as an approach to build harmonious relations among religious adherents in Malaysia. IKIM takes the initiative to bring to discussion the topic of muhibah realizing its importance to the society and nation-building in the long run. From the forum, all participants acknowledge the prospects of the approach as an answer to address issues affecting interreligious relations.
Dialogue and engagements among religious followers are needed so that common understanding can be achieved to provide solutions to the malaise affecting mankind. Nonetheless, in order to do so, participations and commitments from religious leaders and followers are crucial so that a more complete perspective can underlined the efforts taking place. Such enthusiasm to this endeavour should be welcomed and accepted with open arms by religious adherents in Malaysia so that steps taken with the aim to strengthen the society and the country in the long run will be results of a collaborative effort among various parties who are concern for the future of the nation.