| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
ISLAMIC “Wasatiyyah” is not just moderate, but also great and powerful. In addition, “Wasatiyyah” encourages Muslims not to be weak, but to be strong and excellent.
This was highlighted by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, while delivering his premier paper, “Wasatiyyah, The Basis of Universal Prosperity”, at the Knowledge Convention 2015, held yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
The State Mufti explained that the characteristics of “Wasatiyyah” are included within the meanings of highest, best, greatest, fairest, noblest, uppermost and most important.
Delivering his premier paper, the State Mufti expressed his disappointment to hear that some people describing ‘Wasatiyyah’ with an interpretation that is different from that given by language experts and experts in the Science of Interpretation, where the meaning is given as “moderate”. This is usually taken to mean that the Muslim Ummah is an Ummah that is moderate, and that Islam is a moderate religion.
“What is more disappointing, is when this ‘moderation’ is explained as not extreme, as compromising, giving in, very prepared to entertain all wishes or desires, although these may go against ‘aqidah’ (faith) or undermine dignity – all done in the notion of Islam as a moderate religion, and Muslims the moderate Ummah.
“We see this interpretation as alien to Islam,” he said with disappointment.
Arrival of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Ma-lik at the event
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, delivers his premier paper. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
He further emphasised that moderation in eating and drinking as the only one which is recommended by Islam.
The State Mufti added that the true Islam is not moderate, but demands that everything must be done at its best: “When working, one must work diligently. When worshipping, do so earnestly, not moderately.”
Relating “moderate Islam” with recent developments, the State Mufti said, “Our world has become restive with the existence of certain groups calling themselves Muslims, but are perpetrating acts of violence and murdering innocent people, claiming that what they do is ‘jihad fi sabilillah’. The ignorant or less knowledgeable will then look at this, and conclude: perhaps there is something wrong with the ruling on jihad.
“It is therefore probable, that Muslims will be advised to revise the jihad ruling. This was what happened in Colonial India, when jihad was considered non-existent, or abolished.”
The State Mufti added: “All eyes are now on those groups labelled terrorists: Who are they? And are they really Muslims?
“Their behaviour does not indicate that they are Muslims, because Islam has never approved of their actions; in fact Islam forbids them. Unfortunately, the world has been made to believe that these people are from the Muslim community,” he continued.
He also emphasised that “by labelling ourselves as ‘moderate’, we are merely seeking approval from others, or because we fear being accused of extremism, then we have acted in vain. In fact it is our loss.”
The State Mufti explained that the subject of his premier paper was “a declaration from Allah the Almighty, that tells us Muslims that for as long as the Ummah is called the ‘Muslim Ummah’ and the religion is called the ‘Religion of Islam’, then we should not expect hearts that are outside of Islam to be pleased with us, or to agree with us, or to like the Muslim Ummah and this religion called Islam.
“This is a declaration from Allah the Almighty, and it is a final declaration that cannot be altered or amended,” he said.
“If indeed there are accusations or allegations against Islam and Muslims, then what we should be concerned with is how we should respond.
“We must argue with reason, and all facts and reasoning should be written in books, working papers, newspapers, journals, and discussed in seminars.”
The State Mufti also called on Islamic intellectuals and scholars from across the globe “to stand up and take up the challenge together; they must speak, write and then propagate through seminars, just as we are doing here today.
“This is the method that is in accordance with religion: confront the enemy with facts and explanations, with debates and arguments; with reasons that are correct and factually supported. This is how Allah the Almighty wants us to act.
“It is indeed feeble of us to agree with accusations of Islam being cruel, harsh or violent. It is a grave error to suspect Islam of being devoid of love, kindness and compassion,” he said.
The State Mufti stressed that all accusations of Islam as a religion founded on aggression and terror were completely unfounded, adding that Islam upholds humanitarianism, kindness, love and compassion.
The State Mufti also touched on the subject of “Ummatan Wasathan” as stated in the Holy Quran, meaning that Muslims are the best and chosen Ummah to serve as a witness over others. He added that the obligatory values and qualities of a witness according to Islam are excellence, cleanliness, fairness and reliability.
“Wasatiyyah cannot be defined by anything else than greatness: a great Ummah with the supreme religion,” he said.
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