Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

To decide on a standpoint in this era that is bursting with confusion and hardship is extremely difficult. In most cases, the news surrounding a certain issue is abundant but to determine the truth about it is not easy. It is probably even more difficult in our time, the time of confusion and the emergence of many ruwaibidoh.

The Prophet s.a.w once said, “Verily, before the coming of dajjal (antichrist) – in another narration: before the Last Day – there will be years full with deceptions. At that time, the truthful ones will be accused as deceptive, the deceptive ones will be regarded as truthful, the trustworthy ones will be regarded as untrustworthy, the untrustworthy ones will be regarded as trustworthy and the ones talking at that time will be al-Ruwaibidoh. The companions asked, “Who is al-Ruwaibidoh?” The Prophet s.a.w said, “A shabby person who talks about public affair (the masses).” This hadith was reported by al-Imam Ahmad, Abu Ya‘la, al-Bazzar, Ibnu Majah, al-Kharaiti, and al- Hakim. Al-Hakim stated that the isnad (chain of narration) is sahih (sound) and it was agreed upon by Al-Zahabi.

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

To have a coherent purpose in carrying out any task is the main pillar for all endeavors. Islam stipulates that the main condition for every deed (to be acknowledged) is for a person to have an upright intention and this is after ensuring that his akidah (creed) is safe and sound. The Propet s.a.w said, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Therefore, the same deed is judged differently based on the person’s intention. Someone who falls from a high building because he accidentally slips does not have the same position alongside Allah with someone who falls from a high building because he wants to kill himself. Although those who look at their dead bodies will think that they may have died for the same reason but in the eyes of Allah, there is a difference between the two.

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

The time now is three o’clock in the afternoon. I usually write for this column on Saturday morning one day before the article is published. It is a bit late today since there are only a few hours more before it is due. I am still thinking about the discussion between UMNO and PAS that is currently being heatedly discoursed by the mass media.

I am not concerned over the term they choose be it muzakarah or muqabalah or hiwar or munaqasah or musyawarah or whatever. Choose any term as long as it does not give a negative connotation. Nevertheless, if I were given the chance to choose, I would choose the word musyawarah that comes from the word syura (mutual consultation) because it is mentioned in the al-Quran. However, that is not important.

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Written by Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

This era is the era of fitna. Fitna in al-Quran and al-Sunnah is not as understood by the Malay people with a meaning that relates to making false accusations to others. Fitna as mentioned in al-Quran and al-Sunnah means trials or events that threaten the religion and life’s tranquility able to drag a person into the mire cursed by Allah.

The Prophet s.a.w taught us numerous beautiful du’a (recitations of supplication). However, sometimes a person cannot feel the beauty of those du’a, not until the du’a truly connects to his present life’s situation. When the situation presents itself then only the poignancy of the du’a can be savored.

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Written by Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

In a week, various issues have come to light in our not so big country causing uproar that is so loud it looks as if the world almost collapses. People are getting more befuddled and nauseated. The saddest part is that the issues being highlighted lately are private issues of the politicians. It seems like the people are being forced to bear their problems so that they forget about the rise in the price of goods and electrical tariff and the strenuous daily life of the commoners. The people have been spending thousands of hours of their time to squabble and argue about the dirty laundry of the politicians.

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

Political work is meant to be an affair that administers the country and the nation so that life can go on peacefully under the divine guidance. This is also the duty of humankind as khalifah (vicegerent of Allah) on the face of this earth.

Allah says (translated as): “Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?” He said: “I know what ye know not.”” (Surah al-Baqarah: verse 30)

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

Regardless of how big a scholar or an intellectual is, his rational and cerebral judgment will be killed if his mind is encased in fanaticism. This outcome of fanaticism is in the end inherited by their followers to the extent that some even refuse to think about anything other than the issues that have been deliberated by their much revered scholar.

Taj al-Din al-Subki (deceased in 771H) was a prominent scholar in mazhab (school of thought) al-Syafi’i. His contribution to the academic world is indisputable. However, occasionally, his strong tendency to defend the mazhab he believed in caused him to produce opinions or standpoints that seemingly was lacking of intellectual judgment.

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

Several mass media published my appeal to the four prominent figures in the country for them to sit together and discuss with each other the future of the Muslims in this country specifically and the future of the nation generally in the name of ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic Brotherhood). They are Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

I do not appeal for them to dismiss their political ideas or dissolve their political parties but instead, for them to talk to each other as commanded by Allah in the al-Quran (translated as): “In most of their secret talks there is no good: but if one exhorts to a deed of charity or justice or conciliation between men, (secrecy is permissible): to him who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, we shall soon give a reward of the highest (value).” (Surah al-Nisa’: verse 114)

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

Ibn Taimiyyah (661-728H), or as he famously known Syeikhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah was a resplendent light that graced the history of the glorious Ulama of the past. He was an unsurpassed and unmatchable scholar, a fierce warrior who fought off the invasion of the Tatar army into the Muslim territories. He performed jihad using his pens, speech and sword.

One time, Ibn Taimiyyah along with a number of Ulama in Damsyik went to see the King of Tatar named Qazan. The King of Tatar claimed that he had embraced Islam but he still performed wickedness and oppression towards the Muslims. Ibn Taimiyyah went in to meet with him and to give him good advices. With a firm tone and a clear message, Syeikhul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah advised King Qazan.

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Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)

It is interesting to read the story of al-Imam al-Nawawi (631-676H) when he was asked by the King during his time whose name was al-Malik al-Zahir to issue a fatwa (a ruling on a point of Islamic law ) that allowed the King to acquire the nation’s wealth to embattle the kingdom’s enemy namely the army of Tartar. On the surface, the objective seemed commendable that is to defend the kingdom from the enemy’s menacing threat. After all, the wealth was intended for fulfilling the requirement of jihad (holy struggle).

However, many scholars at that time were executed for refusing to issue the fatwa. Al-Nawawi also refused to write a letter supporting the deed of King Zahir despite knowing that the acquisition of the nation’s wealth was for the benefit of the kingdom.

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