ID :
346371
Sat, 11/01/2014 - 09:31
Auther :

Consent Of Authorities Vital Before Joining Jihad

By Adnan Jahaya KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1(Bernama) -- A handful of home-grown jihadists, seemingly consumed by their desire to participate in the "holy war" supposedly being waged in certain countries, has surfaced in this country. In reality, this misguided group of people are oblivious to the true interpretation of the term jihad. As far as they are concerned, their "investment" in a jihad, including the war waged by the so-called IS militant group, is an opportunity for them to attain martyrdom should they die in the battlefield. THE TRUTH ABOUT JIHAD In view of the fact that Malaysian individuals, including university students, are being influenced by the IS, the government has taken firm steps to stop locals from supporting the militant group's activities. The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), in its Friday sermon today - which is distributed to the various state Islamic religious departments, district Islamic religious offices and mosques throughout the country - hit out at local jihadists for tarnishing Islam's image as a religion of peace. “The meaning of jihad in Islam is wider than war as it includes all aspects of human action in upholding Allah’s religion, such as pursuing education, strengthening the economy, eradicating poverty, reinforcing the community’s unity, battling desires and the devil, as well as making sure the community is happy in this life and the hereafter," said JAKIM in its sermon, titled "Understanding the Meaning of Jihad". Touching on the jihad issue in Syria and Iraq, particularly in relation to ISIL and ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Syam, JAKIM said the reknowned Egypt-based fatwa institution, Darul Ifta’, has decreed that IS is prohibited in Islam because it brings ruin to nations and tarnishes the image of Islam and its adherents. The National Fatwa Council, during its meeting on Oct 23, ruled that it was against Islamic teachings for Muslims to join the IS and that their deaths would not be tantamount to attaining martyrdom. Hence, it is pertinent that Muslims firmly adhere to the principles of moderation in all matters, including in their search for the truth. MISINTERPRETATION Muslim non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Ilmuan Malaysia Executive Advisor Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya said the misinterpretation of jihad had led certain Muslims astray. According to him, jihad in the context of supporting a cause, requires the consent of the authorities. Other factors that constitute a true jihad are that the participants must practice the Islamic faith, and must have attained puberty and obtained the permission of their parents. "Hence, if they go and take part in some struggle or other without the permission of the government, it cannot be construed as jihad," he told Bernama. Fathul Bari, said their shallow knowledge of Islam was among the reasons some Malaysians were being lured into joining the wars waged in other countries. "This (lack of knowledge) has made them vulnerable to people who have persuaded them into joining their struggle, and some of them have lost their lives," he said. JEOPARDISING DIPLOMATIC TIES On allegations that some Malaysian Muslims have joined the IS, Fathul Bari - who is the son of former Perlis Mufti Datuk Mat Jahya Hussin - said he believed not all them had joined the militant group. He said Malaysia's diplomatic ties with Syria would be jeopardised if Malaysians chose to join the militants. "Those militants practise violence and their actions don't portray the true picture of Islam. Even the scholars of Sunnah Wal Jamaah reject militant movements," he said. He added that although Malaysia did not support Syria's Syiah practice, "we still have to respect our nation's diplomatic relations with that country." Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has previously said that the police had identified more than 30 Malaysians, including a woman, who were linked to IS. Besides IS, some Malaysian citizens are also known to be involved with other militant groups in Syria, namely Jabhat Al Nusra and Ajnad Al Sham. These groups usually use verses from the al-Quran and the term jihad to attract their targets. CONDITIONS TO FULFIL Meanwhile, the Imam of Masjid Jannatul Naim in Beseri Sungai Paya, Perlis state, Ustaz Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor, said any form of jihad had to be carried out in an orderly manner. "If there's no orderliness, it will cause more problems," said Ustaz Mohd Nazim, who is also the administrator of Baitulmal Perlis. To support his assertion, he pointed to the hadith on "fighting for the cause of Allah (jihad) of Sahih Bukhari and Muslim", as narrated by Abu Huraira, which states: "He who obeys me, obeys Allah, and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah. He who obeys the chief, obeys me, and he who disobeys the chief, disobeys me. The Imam is like a shelter for whose safety the Muslims should fight and where they should seek protection. If the Imam orders people with righteousness and rules justly, then he will be rewarded for that, and if he does the opposite, he will be responsible for that." -- BERNAMA

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