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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright December 2022
I have always thought that promising heaven in the next world to its members in exchange for their support on earth was a mere rumour and a gimmick to discredit the Islamic party, until I saw a poster recently that made me mad at the perpetrators of such a misleading campaign.
There is a poster inviting youth as young as 13 year-old to sign up as a member of PAS, guaranteeing a safe passage to heaven in the next world if you were a card holding member of the party.
During the last general election, the following poster showed up in my inbox one day and I am sharing it with you here for us to examine the ramifications of such a campaign - especially on the gullible, uneducated minds of the simple folks in rural communities around the country. It says "Let's bring our kids to sign up as an inhabitant of paradise. Don't let any amongst us regret in the next world seeing our children go to hell because they do not have a PAS membership to show to the angels guarding the door to heaven."
Then in bold letters it added "LET'S BECOME A PAS MEMBER WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG (minimum age 13 years old)".
This should worry you irrespective of whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim.
First of all can anyone guarantee a passage to heaven just because you are a card carrying member of PAS? Sort of a "union card" that offers you all the benefits just because you join an organisation here on earth.
Muslims believe that their final destination is the life of the hereafter, hoping to enter Jannah (Paradise) not Jahannam (Hell-fire). But it all depends upon the deeds that we have done in our worldly life. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful.” (Quran, 5:35)
But the way to heaven is based on our faith and good deeds. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are the Companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide forever.” (Quran, 2:82)
Nowhere does the Quran say that by joining a political party you'll get rewarded with a place in heaven? Unless joining PAS is regarded as a good deed on earth, but who is to judge?
Perhaps that's the idea behind the campaign. That PAS is the only party that does good deeds for Muslims.
We only hope that responsible people in PAS would address this campaign. That they cannot be making promises that they may not be able to deliver, or the guarantee would be honoured at heaven's gate when a supporter of PAS shows up with his party card on the Judgment Day.
But then you'd have to die to find out if their promise would really come true.
In the meantime, here on earth, PAS has millions of followers supporting it and believing in that promise. Is that ethical?
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