Though published over a decade ago, this novel is starting to feel outdated. Despite this, it remains one of Fixi’s bestsellers and has been consistently republished since 2012. Given its popularity, its flaws deserve attention, and suggestions for improvement should be considered.
“Murtad” by Hasrul Rizwan is the first installment in the “Trilogi Murtad” series. The plot centers on twin brothers Adam and Akhil, who are tasked with eliminating apostates (Murtad). After six years on this deadly mission, their resolve wavers when they find love—Adam with Maria and Akhil with Zulaikha. This newfound affection makes them reconsider their violent path.
Sounds like a tough premise, huh?
No Ethical Conflict
I’m no ustad nor historian, but it’s important to note that historically, Muslims punished apostates in a governed, methodological way. Islam does not promote vigilantism or taking justice into one’s own hands.
This ethical conflict should make the novel exciting, but the author barely explores the philosophy behind killing apostates. Adam and Akhil were hired to assassinate apostates, following guidelines that offered their targets many chances to return to Islam.
Here’s the guideline of how the apostates would be killed. Firstly, a guy named Talha (who also recruited the twins) will identify the apostates. He would meet them seven times, asking them to seek guidance and return to Allah. If they still refuse to revert, Talha would put their names into a package, where a delivery guy named Joe will send it to the twins.
Upon receiving the names of their next target, Adam and Akhil would go to their house. They will give them a card with shahada written on it, asking them to recite the shahada (with guns on their head, of course).
Seems reasonable? No? Well, it gets worse. The name of ‘Joe the delivery guy’ was the twins’ next target at one point in the novel. And the twins didn’t even give him a chance to recite the shahada. This happens because if Joe recited the shahada and lived, the twins were worried that Joe would go to the police.
You see, the author rarely questions the ethical consequences of murdering unarmed apostates. By the end of the book, the novel seems like propaganda of justifying modern-day apostate killings. This book may be a floodgate for extremism belief to seep its way to society. Therefore, reader discretion is extremely advised.
The Classic Malay-Oriented Drama
Coincidences, or ‘kebetulan,’ dominate the story. Many significant events occur purely by chance, which feels like lazy writing.
The twins’ father just happens to encounter them, the girl’s father is the main antagonist, and the person they murdered is a good friend of the bad guy. These numerous coincidences make the plot feel contrived and less engaging.
A Misleading Story
Although the novel is titled ‘Murtad,’ the theme of apostasy is barely explored. We don’t see how Adam and Akhil transition from kampung boys to skilled assassins. They receive their first mission, and the story jumps six years ahead.
We never learn how they master the use of guns or hide bodies so effectively that the police can’t trace them. One day they’re kampung boys, and six years later they’re John Wick. This transition would have been more interesting to read.
Instead, killing apostates is almost a side plot. About 80% of the novel is a romcom mixed with lifeless gangster and street-level fights.
The Main Characters
The twins, Adam and Akhil, are engaging main characters. They’re hilarious and charismatic, even with their northern Malaysian accent (loghat utara). However, humor is their only defining trait. The author barely delves into their internal struggles and moral dilemmas.
It’s not even an exaggeration to call them psychopaths. There’s a scene where they shoot 40 unarmed atheists at a public convention. Such behavior should not be promoted in Islam. It is a dangerous move by the author to promote such radicalism in a novel while claiming it is for the sake of our religion.
They claim to be on a mission for Islam, but it’s clear they’re motivated by the large sums of money they receive. They don’t use their earnings for charity, instead enjoying a luxurious lifestyle. They perform their prayers but see no issue in smoking or dating.
Another flaw is their identical personalities. They look, dress, speak, and joke the same way, making it hard to distinguish between them while reading.
A Very Confusing Ending
The twins beat the gangster lord, deliver a quirky punchline, and the story ends. Despite committing numerous crimes, Adam and Akhil have a happy ending with no redeeming qualities. They just suddenly inherit land from their wealthy father and live happily ever after.
But that’s not even the worst part. In the epilogue, the author suddenly introduces a zombie apocalypse, revives a minor character no one cares about, and even includes time travel.
It’s really… bizarre to read the epilogue.
How to Fix it
If I had the chance to rewrite this story, here’s what I would do:
A compelling story stems from a strong conflict, one that makes readers question which side is right. In this novel, the core conflict revolves around the ethics of assassinating apostates, but this theme is underexplored.
The author highlights many romantic elements, which could be used to deepen Adam and Akhil’s ethical dilemmas. For instance, Adam could date Maria, who later reveals she’s leaving her religion due to a lack of faith. This could make Adam more empathetic toward apostates because Maria is genuinely a good person.
Meanwhile, Akhil dates Zulaikha, a faithful Muslim whose family is tormented by loan sharks. When one of these loan sharks, who is an apostate, murders Zulaikha, Akhil’s hatred for apostates would intensify.
To heighten the drama, the twins’ next target could be Maria. Adam and Akhil, with their opposing values, would then be pitted against each other, a la “Captain America: Civil War.” With just a minor change, this story would elevate the conflict from a philosophical debate to a deeply personal battle, leaving readers torn about which side to support.
Conclusion
In summary, Murtad struggles with outdated themes, underdeveloped ethics, and implausible plot elements. However, its engaging characters and potential for deeper exploration offer a chance for significant improvement. By refocusing on the ethical conflict and enriching character development, the story could become a more thought-provoking and compelling read. With that, it is reasonable to rate this book 2 out of 10.
How about the reviews for the remaining two installments of the Trilogi Murtad series: “Tuhan” and “Qisas”? Well, that’s an article for another day.
