ARTICLES
NO! to Wahhabi
By Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Jaabir (weproofread4u.blogspot.com)
It is unfortunate that those known as devout or pious are actually very un-scholarly, though knowledge is the essence of Islam’s purity and authenticity. Of the qualities of being devoid of knowledge is to accuse others with baseless accusations when he is unable or refusing to answer questions raised by others. This mind-set is akin to the prevailing American government’s purview, which labels as terrorist any who criticizes them, albeit without any evidence.
Al-Qardawi: A Man of Reform
By Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Jaabir (weproofread4u.blogspot.com)
The coming of Dr Yusuf al-Qardawi to Malaysia was most welcomed. Though I was not able to attend his lecture yesterday morning, in which I was told he talked about his recent book, Fiqh al-Jihad, I had already purchased a copy few of months ago. This book is among his major work after Fiqh az-Zakaah.
Fear The Wahhabi Ghost!
By Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Jaabir (weproofread4u.blogspot.com)
Several individuals had suggested that I briefly expound in my column regarding what was mentioned last week by a tarekat (Sufi sect) activist that had commented on my arrest.
Personally, it is a norm for these tarekat followers to feel antsy with me because few of my previous articles contained criticisms on the culture of blind-following (taklid buta) or the abandonment of rational thinking, which is very common in many tarekat groups where its followers would perform anything instructed by their “shaykh” (leader) without questioning the basis of such command.
Wahhabi: A Mystery in Malaysia
By Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Jabir (weproofread4u.blogspot.com)
In the context of Western journalism, the word ‘Wahhabi’ has many connotations. All of them lead to an understanding that it is an Islamic movement perceived as strictly following the legal opinions and evidences (nas) from al-Quran and as-Sunnah in its literal sense, while refusing to consider the more modern or ‘western-influenced’ interpretations. Clinton Bennet grouped ‘Wahhabis’ and Deobandis under the ‘traditionalist’ school of thought, and therefore among the ‘fundamentalists’ (refer to: Muslim and Modernity 18-20, London: Continuum).
Hari Raya is Not a Sad Day
By Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translated by Shabana Zahir Ahmad
Edited by Umm Hajar
The Malay community commonly associates Hari Raya with melancholia. This inclination is being stimulated further by our media. When Hari Raya comes, takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) is delivered the Malay style with melancholic tune, its melody exudes sadness and invites tears, the dramas and stories presented by the media are linked up to sad and sorrowful stories. The same trend is also being adopted in Hari Raya poems and songs. In Islam, is Hari Raya a day for sorrow or is it a day to celebrate victory and joy?
Firstly, we have to be aware of the fact that in Islam, Hari Raya is not a mere tradition or that it is an idea thought of by a specific party. Hari Raya was decreed by Allah and it has its own distinctive rules. It is the day that Allah has allocated for Muslims to glorify Allah, to celebrate victory and joy.
Tajdid: A Necessity to the Ummah
Written by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Umm Hajar (ummhajar@gmail.com)
Tajdid or the process of renewal to the religious comprehension is a necessity. Throughout the history of this ummah, the movement or the struggle of tajdid was instrumental in preventing the ummah from becoming weak and incompetent. In a sahih hadith reported by al-Imam Abu Daud, the Prophet s.a.w said: “Allah will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years someone who will restore its religion for it.”
