Arabic Wording

Recently a certain internet trouble maker made an invalid claim on certain wordings in my certificate simply to cause discord. Thankfully all could see this including the moderator and others who have spoken with me privately. Of course it is profoundly silly and shows utter desperation to cause trouble.

I asked Arabic Expert and respected Silat teacher Mushtaq Ali to give a completely fair and open opinion on the wording and once again we are vindicated no matter how loud the hyenas howl.

Direct quote by Mushtaq Ali al Ansari:

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rahim, In the name of God The Merciful, The Compassionate,

I have been asked to examine and render an opinion on the Arabic phrases found in the document “Certificate of Authorization and Appointment, Perguruan Silat Karuhun Cimande Tarik Kolot Ekajaya Pusaka Cimande”.

The phrases are found at the head and at the end of the document and are in Bahasa Indonesia transliteration of Arabic. The first is “Assalamuallakum” Which is phonetic for “As Salaam Alaykum” which is the standard greeting, “peace be unto you”.

The second phrase is “Wasalam Waruhmatuwlohi Wabarokatuh”, which I render into English transliteration as “Wa Salaam, Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakata Hu” and translate as “With Peace, and the Mercy of God, and His Blessing”.

This all seems fairly straight forward and consistent with Islamic norms.

There has been some quibbling about the spelling of the Bahasa transliteration, but that seem to be nothing more than Fitna (causing strife and disunity within the community) to this writer. Bahasa Indonesia speakers have a number of ways in which they transliterate Arabic, and frankly they are often inconsistent with each other. What is important is that any Muslim would see this and if he or she could read the letters well enough to know the sounds, would immediately recognize the meaning. The only real spelling that matters would be in Arabic Script.

It is the opinion of this writer that any dissention or claims that this document is not valid based on a claim of these phrases being misspelled is Gheebah (backbiting) and it is unbecoming for any Muslim to involve themselves in using the names of Allah in an attempt to sow discord.

Allah Most High has this to say about Gheebah in Quran al Karim;

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49:12)

Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of God (24:15)

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander" (24:16)

Say to My servants that they should only say those things that are best, for Satan does sow dissensions among them, for Satan is to man an avowed enemy. (17:53)

Allah Most High hates Gheebah and Fitna. It is incumbent on Muslims to avoid spreading this sort of discord in our community.

In rendering this opinion I hope to point out to everyone involved that strife in the community has many negative consequences and I urge anyone who has been indulging in Gheebah and Fitna to stop and either find ways to exist in fellowship or at the very least do no more harm to the community of Silat students through backbiting and disgracing Islam though bad behavior.

And Allah knows best.