SHAH ALAM – Parents blessed with autistic children should not view it as a misfortune or divine retribution but rather as a gift and blessing from Allah SWT to chosen individuals.
Pencetus Ummah (PU) Mohamad Amirul Amin Maula Lokman Hakim, also known as PU Amin, said that this unique privilege was only given to those who were truly capable of handling it.
"Misfortune befalls all groups of people, whether they are physically and mentally perfect or not. One may not have physical disabilities, but there are other tests bestowed upon them.
"There is no basis to claim that parents receive divine retribution because they have children with disabilities (PwD) or autism, as the good and bad in humans are secrets known only to Allah SWT.
"It is a special privilege given by Allah SWT, as mentioned in the Quran, that no burden, test, or difficulty is placed upon a person except that they can bear it," he said.
Amin added that such views exist due to traditional and jahiliyyah (ignorant) thinking, which sees tests as a result of Allah's displeasure.
"When given goodness, the ignorant say it is a blessing, but when they face misfortune, they claim Allah SWT is not kind and is unjust.
"What we need to understand is that both good and bad are blessings, except for those who truly engage in defiance and disobedience to Allah SWT, upon whom punishment will befall," he explained.
Amin added autistic or disabled children were not burdened with any sins, wrongdoings, or obligations to perform religious duties, unlike other normal individuals.
"A hadith mentions that angels do not record the wrongdoings of three groups of people: those who sleep until they wake, children until they reach puberty and those who are mentally or physically disabled until they gain their sanity.
"Through this hadith, we understand that those who face misfortune or tests need not feel troubled, for in the hereafter, where life is longer, these children will not bear any faults as we do," he said.