As anticipated, the Asri-JAIS-PGSM matter is exploding. What initially was a so-called attempt to prevent splits within the Ummah is coming to be just that. Not only is the Ummah splitting up, but between Muslim NGOs too and in fact even between members of the same NGOs. People take sides for various reasons, and very few make justice and the truth as criteria. Personal grouses are coming to light now and the Ummah will polarize according to their tastes. Various groups are coming in now - muftis, government, religious bodies and officers, politicians, NGOs, and soon the students, the artists, and whatever else out there - all will have their stories to tell. There will be forums (majlis penerangan), and there will be those who attend such forums only to eaves-drop and to relate what they had so-called heard to the other side, i.e. to fan the anger of the actors (melagakan) and enjoy the havoc. In all these, the Qur'an and Hadith will be dragged up and down, right and left to win an argument and the sublimity (kemurnian) of them will be jeopardized; all in the name of the defense of Islam.
This is more than sad; it is tragic. In the face of murtad and other challenges, we had stood together; and now by our own hands, we are disintegrating. When IMAN made its statement with regard to the arrest of Dr Asri, it is to protest at the way this matter was handled. The core of IMAN's message is the concern over the status of scholars, in particular, the 'ulama' in this country. Majority of these scholars in Islamic studies have degrees either from local universities or universities officially recognized and accepted by the government. How do they fare in the eyes of the religious authorities in this country? IMAN also called for an explanation of what this "tauliyyah" is all about because for so many of us, we are not aware of it except that it is a kind of permit to teach Islam.
The case of Dr Abdullah Yasin in the Shari’ah Court as reported in Utusan and Harian Metro 13 November 2009 explains somewhat what the "tauliyyah" is all about. Dr Abdullah has applied a few times for "tauliyyah" but was turned down. Although the JAIS witness was not the official spokesperson for JAIS and it is not fair to judge JAIS through him, still his words throw some light on what the "tauliyyah" implies. Even so, the implication of the "tauliyyah" as explained by him will create even more confusion and indignation. "Tauliyyah" is needed to teach Muqaddam even to one's children, to explain Islam to converts, even to teach the kalimah shahadah! Most Muslims in this country are not aware of this and if so, so very many have violated the laws of "tauliyyah". What next?
In the light of the Dr. Abdullah Yasin’s case in the Shari'ah Court, it is therefore necessary for all Muslim NGOs and individuals performing da'wah and works for Islam to be wary of their good intentions, and to review their contributions and how they work for their beloved religion so that no law is broken. Be advised that there may be complaints lodged by whoever against whatever is said to the religious authorities any time, and humiliation is on the door-step. In the midst of mounting problems faced by the Ummah today including those related to 'aqidah, akhlak, youths and social challenges, surely the Ummah do not need these complications.
IMAN hereby calls upon the government to make a clear stand on the "tauliyyah" matter so that Muslims in this country can get on with their lives and continue their contributions towards Islam, the Ummah and the nation.
posted by Interactive Muslimah Association (IMAN) @ 6:55 PTG
5 Feb 2010 -
IIUM will be organising a talk on kalimah Allah on Feb 5. Muslimin and muslimat are invited to join the program.
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From the President's Desk
I woke up before fajr this morning with a thought over Faridah's mail. In my previous two mails, I had explained to some details why I strongly believe not to get into a tango with people whose mission is to revise Islam for their own specific purposes, humiliate our 'ulama' and discredit mainstream Muslims....
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