I really don’t want to
jump into the issue of the impending execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran
Sukumaran (Bali Nine). These two Australian criminals might fail at their
attempt to carry their drugs over to Australia but they have successfully
created yet another row between the two neighbors. Neighbors that should have a
good relation but somehow always manage to end up bickering over something.
I made my view on death
penalty clear in my article Upholding Justice through Capital Punishment on
December 21, 2014. And although I’m not one of those who strongly urge the
government to execute those two ASAP, I’m one of those who warn our President against
listening to Tony Abbot (outside pressure on our law enforcement).
Most people I know react
negatively to what he said about Aids for Aceh. The most level headed ones are
in agreement that what could we expect from a Westerner, they even have phrases
like ‘There’s no free lunch’, ‘You owe me one’ and ‘Take and give’. It’s
probably a second nature for them to expect something for every single thing
they do for you.
As a Muslim we are
taught to never mention any good deeds that we have ever done. Our good deeds
are done for Allah, so it’s enough for us that Allah is the one who knows about
it. No boasting since it’ll erase the rewards for those good deeds. We are
even forbidden to take back any gift that we have given to other people if
somehow those gifts end up back into our hands. That’s how Islam taught us.
With zero interest in
this latest row I certainly never imagine myself to wanting the government to
stop the execution for these two Australians. I have no feelings for them or
any of those who are about to be executed for that matter, although I’m touched
by Raheem (the Nigerian convict) who has stated that if his execution is going
forward as planned he’ll donate his kidney.
But this morning I do
feel something regarding the execution of the two Australians. I feel ashamed.
Not because of Tony Abbot, he deserves those small coins as a reminder of how a
good person should be and how a savvy politician should be.
I feel ashamed because
of Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, the Australian Grand Mufti. His reminder of how
Islam sees those who repent was very powerful. Not that I don’t know about it,
but that’s how things are when it comes to religion, we know a lot but practice
very few.
What Dr. Ibrahim said put
me to shame. His statement makes me see a stark contrast between how beautiful Islam
really is and how very few Muslims could show the beauty of their own religion
through their actions.
Yes, Allah allows us to
be severe when we are dealing with criminals. It is in our right to do so,
however, forgiveness is always better and preferred by Allah.
Al Maidah (5;45)
And We ordained therein
for them: Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for
tooth, and wounds equal for equal. But, if anyone remits the retaliation by way
of charity, it shall be for him an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by
that which Allah has revealed, such are the Zalimun.
Allah’s punishment is
the most severe there is. We could never imagine how harsh it is. But, the most
important fact about Allah that we should know is His Mercy will always precede
His Wrath.
Allah explains in Al
An-Nam:
Your Lord has written mercy
for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in ignorance and thereafter
repents and does righteous good deed, then surely Allah is Often Forgiving and
Most Merciful.
Our beloved Prophet
Muhammad, may peace be upon him, said to his companions at one occasion: ‘Do
you want Allah to love you and be merciful to you?’ When they said: ‘There’s
nothing more we want than that.’ He said: ‘Then love and show mercy towards His
creatures.’
As it is now, there is
no way that those two Australian convicts could be spared. Jokowi has said
repeatedly on so many occasions, even this morning after GKN at JCC he once
again stressed that all those drug lords will be dealt with accordingly to our
law. And yes, there are pressures from outside but he will not be swayed. He
could not let our young people get destroyed by drugs.
Seeing Jokowi this
morning and watching how he interacted with those three young people on stage it
was plain to see that he is an incredibly good person. Most politicians strive
to look modest, humble, kindhearted, easy going, approachable and nice.
But Jokowi doesn’t even
try. That’s what he is.
He impressed everybody
with how he reacted when one by one those young entrepreneurs corrected his
mistakes. This is something that we could never imagine happen with our former
Presidents except perhaps with Habibie.
He managed to further impress
everyone when he called those three young entrepreneurs back to the stage after
they left turning their backs on him, saying that they might not want to shake
his hand, but he sure wants to shake the hands of these bright young people.
It is easy to see that
Jokowi is a good guy. He even forgave that ignorant tukang sate who uploaded
his sex tape on Facebook, an action which had angered millions of people, so
much so that those who tried to defend that tukang sate were having a hard time
defending him amidst public’s anger. Seeing how he could forgive that young man
it is not beyond him to forgive those Australians.
The problem is, after
repeatedly saying that the execution will be held ASAP Jokowi couldn’t back
down now. He has officially refused to pardon them with a Presidential Decree. It’s
as official as it could be. Moreover, he makes a serious stand against drugs
abused. A move which is approved by all Indonesian people.
To make matter worse,
Tony Abbot’s incident which ruffled so many feathers here (not merely in
Jakarta, which where it counts, but all over Indonesia) has made it impossible
for Jokowi to pardon those two Australians even if he wants to. He would be
seen as cowering in front of the despicable Tony Abbot. This is something
Jokowi could not afford, not now not ever.
However, the arrival of
Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, the senior Islamic cleric from Australia with his
powerful message has opened a new chapter. It’s impossible for any Muslims to
deny the truth in what he conveys.
The problem is, I don’t
think Dr. Ibrahim is meeting the right person. He met with our Minister of
Religious Affairs when he should be meeting with Jokowi himself.
Dr. Ibrahim should try to
find a way to have a meeting with Jokowi and having a heart to heart conversation.
He should also call the Indonesian Muslims for clemency (not only the President,
because the execution is supported by most Indonesians). And last but not least
Dr. Ibrahim has to meet as many Indonesian Ulama/Kyai (clerics) as possible.
His call for clemency
has a real chance to be heard unlike that of Tony Abbot and other Australian
politicians, because despite our news and TV stations which continuously giving
air time to the hardliners, most Indonesian Muslims are not hardliners.
Just like how his
powerful message touched me, other Muslims who sincerely love Allah and Prophet
Muhammad more than anything else Insya Allah will also be touched by the reminder
that love and forgiveness are the most powerful foundation of Islam.
Jokowi might have a new legal
headache if he decides to overturn his own decision and I sympathize with him I
really do, however, every Muslim cleric could easily tell him that there is
no shame in it. It is not a show of weaknesses if you decide to change your
mind after realizing that there is actually a better option available for you.
Jokowi’s decision to
finally show clemency for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran would not be seen as
a weakness by other Muslims as long as he makes it clear that he does it in the
name of Islam.
This move might increase
his status as a better Muslim in the eyes of those who always doubt him. It
will also strengthen his image as the ‘new kind of President’ because this is
something that I’m sure no former Presidents would even consider.
But fortunately for those
criminals we are taking about Jokowi who doesn’t really care for ‘the normal/proper
thing’. Their fate now is depending solely on Allah’s Mercy.
If Allah decides to give
them another chance, a second chance to be a better person Jokowi will find the
strength and courage to face the headache that will accompany his clemency.
Seeing how tired he was
this morning, I feel very sorry for Jokowi. May Allah have mercy on him and
guide our President into the right path.
