I agree with Ridhuan Tee

I never thought in my entire life that I would one day state publicly that I am in support of my self-declared arch nemesis Ridhuan Tee Abdullah.

But here it is, on this good Friday, that I am writing my column (which is usually utilised to condemn Mr. Tee) to show my support of his recent columns on Prophet Muhammad.

He wrote in his past two columns in Sinar Harian that although it is condoned for Muslims to praise the Prophet, we should not go to the extent of being too obsessed with him.

The action and reciting of the selawat to the Prophet is encouraged in Islam because it shows love for the messenger and also the unity of Muslims.

It goes like this:

"Oh Allah. Please bless Muhammad and the household of Muhammad."

However, the Prophet himself reminded us that he is but a mere human being and a slave of Allah, just like the rest of us. Hence, we may respect him, but prayers are only for Allah.

In a hadith, he says:

"Do not adulate me as the Christians have adulated the Son of Mary. For I am but His slave. So say 'slave of God, and His messenger'."

And in the Quran, it says:

"I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your God is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord, let him do the righteous work and not associate on the worship of his Lord anyone."

That's one thing that I think is pretty cool about Islam, and that is the equality it bestows on every single individual. No one is created better than anyone else.

You don't need any special qualifications or to be bestowed by God or angels to be a leader in Islam. Any mature and sane person can be an imam and lead prayers.

Of course, a relatively considerable amount of knowledge and understanding of the religion is only logical. But you don't have to be an ordained priest or anything like that.

So there we go, out of a hundred insane things that Mr. Tee says, one came out quite sanely and rational. Yes, he did politicise it a little, but it's okay... this time!

Oh my god! What have I done to my credibility now? Gasp! Let's hope that this will be the first and last time it happens. But hey, credit is to be given where it is due, right? – April 11, 2014.

*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.