I think it is high time that we as a nation propose the writing of a law that makes those who call for the boycott of any legitimate business a crime. I also think that it is high time that the Guardians of Islam in this country meet and discuss a fatwa or a religious ruling against any Muslim who calls out or campaign for or even use the word ‘boycott’ with the intention of destroying the livelihood of other people who are innocent of any crime or taking side to an issue.

In the latest incident, UMNO Youth, with its usual senseless antics and even incompetent leadership, has threatened a boycott on a legitimate business in Malaysia with 5,500 Malaysian workers over a simple mistake of displaying a stocking that has the name Allah on it. To me, there is no issue whatsoever to be getting excited about as any legal accusation of the store ‘insulting’ Islam cannot be proven at all. Firstly, did the store specifically order a whole bunch of stockings with the name Allah written on it? I do not think so. Second question, is there any ruling or fashion statement accepted in Malaysia that says the name of God cannot be inscribed in a shirt, under wear or footwear? I am not sure but I hardly think so. Third question, where does it say anywhere that the name of God embossed on a body wear as blasphemous? Fourthly, does the name Allah stipulated in the stocking signify a reference to the Allah of Islam or Allah of the Arab Christians and Arab Jews? Fifth, did the store purposely make commercials of encouraging people to insult Islam by wearing the name of God on their feet? I am not a lawyer, but these questions and argument would be my defense and I know that I can win hands down.

The owners have given a remorseful apology. Cukup lah. The owners had cleared up the mistake and oversight on their part. Apa lagi lu mau? The Prophet Muhammad forgave Abu Sufyan when the Meccans were defeated when he plotted the assassination of the Prophet in Mecca. The Prophet forgave Wahsy, the assassin, who was hired by Hindun, Abu Sufyan’s wife, to  kill Hamzah, the beloved Uncle of the Prophet. The Prophet forgave Hindun for desecrating the body of his Uncle by tearing out his heart and biting on it. The Prophet even forgave a whole city of Taif that sent youngsters to pelt stones till blood filled the Prophet’s shoes. You UMNO belajar Islam dari siapa? Learn from the Prophet lah, not from some political party who use religion to mesmerize Muslims with their ignorant and false piety.

Before this incident, boycotts against McDonalds and Starbucks had hurt the economies of the thousands of workers innocent of any crime that they had never any intention to be a part of. There is no shame apparently in Youtube influencers or Tik Tok personalities to call out such boycotts under the pretense of humanity and solidarity for the oppressed. Calling for a campaign of boycott of businesses is a serious affair and must be done, if need be, with strategy and fore sight. Not just for numbers of viewers and subscribe buttons. When Mahathir called for the boycott of the products and services of the UK, he was in the position of a leader of a nation who saw the many implications on the economy of the country. Who gives the right to silly influencers who think they are pious and righteous enough to use the name of Allah to destroy families and individuals working hard to earn an honest living? Who gave them the right? Democracy? Freedom of Social Media? Freedom of speech? None of these has any justification of any morality, including Islamic morality, to condone such hideous and wanton acts of destruction.

I also humbly asked that the Guardians of Religion of Islam to instruct the writers of sermons and the speakers and teachers in mosques to proclaim the great sin of calling out a callous and careless boycott of legitimate business that has thousands of innocent workers of all races and faiths in this country. The sin of calling such a boycott should be seen as greater or equal to drinking alcohol or even eating haram food. The Prophet once said that back biting is like eating the flesh of a dead Muslim.

Let us put an end to any calls of boycotts for any reason by politicians, individuals or social media influencers. Let the hammer of justice fall on all these irresponsible people. Let the moral justice of sin against God also be pronounced against these same people from all religions.

Calling for boycotts of a business must be done in a most responsible, strategic and compassionate manner. Not from the whims of ignorant do-gooders, popularity seeking influencers and incompetent politicians. Enough is enough.

(Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at a local university and his writing reflects his own personal opinion entirely.)