Why and How Do I vote in The 12th Malaysian General Election

Allah owns everything. It is with His consent that everything exists, including parties and elections.

One of the purposes of creation of man is to test who does good or bad:

[2] He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving; (Al Mulk 67:2)

ALlah gives man a brain and the freedom to choose. Man is therefore accountable to Allah in akhirah, the next life, for his choice of actions.To help man make his choice, Allah provides guidance in the form of Al Quran.

[2] This is the book; in it is guidance, sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; (Al Baqarah 2:2)

The prophet Nabi Muhammad s.a.w acted on this guideline and was successful in bringing peace and happiness to the world . His actions are to be followed by anyone who also wants success, peace and happiness.

Another purpose of creation of man is to make him a vicegerent on earth , a representative of Allah:

[30] Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." (Al Baqarah 2:30)

As a vicegerent, man is a leader to himself, his family, his surrounding, his place of work, his state, country and the world. And he has to perform his duties according to the guidelines put forward by Allah. Any deviation from these guidelines means rebellion against Him. And for this he will be accordingly punished in this world and the next.

The highest leader or khalifah in a country is one chosen to lead a government.

The 12th Malaysian General Election is to choose a new government. The purpose of any government is to govern the country to bring peace and happiness to the people. This is the duty of anyone chosen to head a government.To perform his job well, the head of the government must follow the guidelines given to Allah. Deviation from these guidelines will cause chaos.

As a voter, I am also responsible for the formation of a government. I am indirectly responsible for the actions of the new government in future and will be answerable to Allah..

So I have to choose carefully to ensure that a capable government is formed.

Islam provides a guidance in the form of Fiqh Awlawiyat, a set of rules to prioritize one's choice. In making any choices, I follow the following guidelines:

1. Between a Muslim and a non-Muslim, I choose a Muslim

2. Between two Muslims, I choose the best of the two.

3. Between two non-Muslims, I choose the non-Muslim who is more friendly and may cost least harm to Muslims: e.g between a Christian, Jew, atheist and followers of other religions, I choose a Christians, because Al Quran says that Christians are more friendly to Muslims than others.

In this electronic age, we are provided with all sorts of means to research about parties, leaders and personalities.

UMNO/BN has been in absolute power for the past 50 years. Their leaders have asked the electorate to vote them for another 5-year term based on the record of bringing 'development ' to Malaysia.

Wealth belongs to Allah. He gives to whom He wants, including the non-Muslims.

[126] And remember Ibrahim said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its People with fruits' such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith, for a while will I grant them their Pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire, an evil destination (indeed)!" (Al Baqarah 2:126)

[105] Before this We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Musa): "My servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth." (Al Anbiyaa 21:105)

He however warns the Muslims not to copy the ways of the non-Muslims because it will lead them to disaster.

[196] Let not the strutting about of the Unbelievers through the land deceive thee: [197] Little is it for enjoyment: their ultimate abode is Hell; what an evil bed (to lie on)!(Ali Imran 3:196-197)

Malaysia aspires to be developed like the 'developed countries' ( meaning the West) by 2020. Even now before achieving the 'developed' status Malaysia is already beset by the problems of the West: disunity and racial problems, rising crime rates, drug addictions, social problems, homosexuality, lesbianism etc.

Islamic model of development promises wealth, safety and happiness.

When Islam was properly implemented, all these were achieved. Abd Rahman bin Auf r.a became the richest man in the world.

A female was able to ride a camel alone safely at night from Iraq to Mecca, when before that, a female was subjected to all sorts of ill-treatment, including burial at birth.

Drug epidemic, alcoholism- the underlying cause is stress- was controlled within 20 years of Islamic prophet hood.

Mecca became the center of the world in all aspects of life.

So the choice between UMNO/BN and PAS is clear and easy.

Malaysians! Come out on March 8 2008 and vote. Before voting, remember that you are voting a government which is going to influence your life for the next 5 years. And you are responsible for electing that government and don't whine when that government you choose brings hardship to the country.

For Muslim voters, remember that you will be questioned about your choice in akhirah by Allah.

[7] Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! [8] And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it. (Al Zalzallah 99:7-8)