LONG LOST FRIEND...

This entry is about a friend of mine, who I have not met for a long time. We parted ways more than a year ago after we got into a fight. I do not want to elaborate the details of our fight here because I know that I have my version of that story and so does he. In my version, obviously I am the good guy (fullstop).

So, let's leave the past in the past and move forward.

Recently, I received an SMS from him saying that we should meet up as he wanted to apologies. I agreed, but we could not find a suitable time to meet because he is currently residing in another state. During Syawal this year, I took the opportunity to meet him at his hometown, which happened to be my hometown as well. I did not know what to expect because it was quite a violent argument we had the last time we spoke. And it has now been more than a year. So, I decided to leave my expectation at home.

All I wanted to do was to re-connect with him because I know that this is one of the Islamic values - Silaturrahim.

So, we finally met near his house and I could immediately see how much he has changed. He is now wearing kopiah every time he goes out of the house and he kept a bit of a gothie and dressed like an ustaz. In short, he looks more religious now. "Alhamdulillah" I said to myself, pleased with the changes I saw in him.

We started talking.

I first updated him about my life journey since the last we met, but I also told him that I have nothing much to update. I am still working in the same company, staying in the same house and following the same daily routine.

Then it was his turn. 

He told me that after our argument, he left KL and went back to stay with his parents. He said that there was nothing left for him there in KL. He lost his job, his marriage was broken, his business went south, he had to declared himself a bankrupt and he has made enemies out of a lot of his friends, including me.

He said that he did that on purpose to 'disappear' from society to give himself time to review his life. And while doing that, he met with this guru, who he said has helped to turn his life around. He learned more about Islam from this guru and learned to control his beastly emotion, which he admits to be the root cause of a lot that has happened to him in the past. 

We continued to exchange updates on our lives, trying to make up for lost times. Such a refreshing conversation. 

But as the conversation continues, it got weirder and weirder...

"Can you recite syahadah for me please, my friend?" he requested at one point.

So I recited "Ash Hadu Allaa Ilaaha Illallah, Wa Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadar Rasulullah"

(Translation: I swear that there is no god but Allah, and I swear that Muhammad is His Messenger")

"Do you know who is 'Muhammad' as referred to in our Syahadah?" He asked.

"Muhammad in our syahadah is obviously referring to our Prophet Muhammad, of course" I replied.

I thought I was stating the obvious, but to my surprise, he said "You are wrong!"

Whatt??

Before I could digest what I just heard, he continued, "Rasulullah means 'Servant of Allah', right?".

I corrected him and said "No. Rasulullah means 'Messenger of Allah' and it is a title bestowed by Allah on only a few Prophets. Not all prophets were given the title of Rasul, let alone mere humans like us.."

"Isn't Messenger of Allah also means Servant of Allah? And Isn't every Muslim a Servant of Allah?" he asked a rhetorical question.

Before I could answer, he continued "As Muslims, we must follow all His commands and leave all His forbids, right? So, all Muslims are Servant of Allah and therefore every Muslim is Muhammad! So, when we recite our Syahadah, we are actually referring to ourselves as Muhammad".

"I am Muhammad, you are Muhammad and every Muslim is Muhammad because we are, and forever will be, the Servant of Allah" he declared, with a sense of satisfaction.

Whatt?? I really could not believe what I am hearing. Did he just called himself Muhammad? And did he also just called ME Muhammad??

If using his logic, then the phrase 'Muhammadar Rasulullah' can also be translated as 'Azmilar Rasulullah'?? - WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!

He further surprised me when he explained that humans are also awarded some of the qualities of Allah - That was, according to him, the reason why when Adam was created, Allah commands all angels to sujud to Adam. All angels did, except Iblis and the rest is history.

So he said it is not wrong to call ourselves Allah!!?

Ya Allah!! What is this that I am hearing?? What has happened to him? Who is this guru that he has been learning about Islam from?? At that point, I choose not to argue any further and let him continue to explain about his beliefs. I wasn't paying much attention after that, but a few things did caught my attention...

One of it is when he said that he has now learned the ability to see the unseen (ghaib)!?

Another was when he said that while Haji is wajib, but is it not necessarily need to be done in Mecca!?

Another was when he said we need to renew our iman by taking the syahadah bath (mandi syahadah)!?

Another was when he said that on certain nights, he will be meeting with his followers (follower??) literally in the sky?!

And a few other things, but I kept quiet and let the conversation ended peacefully. Firstly, because my intention of meeting him that night was really just to reconnect. I don't have the intention of re-opening an old argument or create a new one. Secondly, those topics he brought up are topics relating to fundamental Usulul-fiqh and Tasauf, which I am not qualified to elaborate. But one thing for sure, his explanations are totally against any teachings that I have learned before.

Although he stop short of declaring himself (and myself as well - gulp!) as prophets, but the implied meaning is already tipping on that borderline. This quickly reminds me of some news I heard before about people claiming to be a prophet and claiming to be God. 

In July 2012 - News of a man in Melaka claiming himself a Prophet and claiming himself as Allah.

Click here

In May 2012 - News of a man from South Africa claiming himself as Prophet and has visited all 11 heavens and have met God himself.

Click here

To conclude this entry - let me point out that I did not mention his name because I am not trying to humiliate him nor am I trying to condemn him for what he has explained to me that night. But if this article ever reaches him - here's my prayers, my friend.

"I pray may Allah always gives both of us guidance through our lives so that we never go astray. And may we meet again in Jannah, Insyallah" 

Wallahualam.