BANDAR SERI PUTRA, 19 Dec: The state government, through the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), will always combat attempts to deviate Islamic teachings and be responsible in preserving religion and Muslims from deviating from their faith.
The Exco for Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs and Heritage, Rural Development and Traditional Villages, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, said that in relation to that JAIS will consistently hold special briefing and dialogues from time to time with all practitioners regarding the Tariqa guidelines.
He said that it was created by the Selangor Mufti Department as a general guide in constraining the development of understanding or teachings that deviate from the true Islam.
“The importance of organising this symposium is to ensure that Tariqa practitioners do not abuse the name or Tariqa genealogy recognised or to build their own genealogy without grounds, causing deviation and elements of heresy and superstition.
“Therefore, it is important for us Muslims to strengthen the faith of the Sunnah Wal Hamaah members which is the belief and only with the Imam and Taqwa (piety) to Allah alone can be the bastion of any form of deviation of faith, Sharia and morals,” he said.
Ahmad Yunus said this when speaking at the closing ceremony of the Selangor State Tasawuf Tariqua Symposium 2014 at the International Islamic University College (KUIS) yesterday.
Also present was the Director of JAIS, Datuk Zaharin Mohd Saad; the Selangor Mufti, Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid, and the Federal Territory Mufti, Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.
He said that the organisation of the symposium was an initiative by the state government, JAIS, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), the Selangor State Mufti Department, KUIS, the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) and the Selangor State Islamic Development Fund (TAPIS) to serve as a guide to Muslims to properly understand the intricacies of the issues related to faith, Tasawuf and Tariqa.
“The state government and JAIS does not at all oppose or forbid Muslims from following the Tariqa to draw closer to Allah, but not excessively to a point of being obsessed, leaving the matter of the Shariah and divides the society,” he said.
Prior to that, Zaharin in his speech said that JAIS often receives complaints regarding the deviation of Tariqa practices in Selangor.
He said that among the causes of deviation are due to group leaders, known as Tariqa Syeikhs, upholding understandings and teachings that are contrary with Islam.
“It is like claiming that they are guardians, disrespectful behaviour, extreme fanaticism, giving monetary sacrifices to receive blessings from teachers and also claiming that the Tariqa upheld has direct lineage to the Prophet.
“They also claims to acquire it through dreams and various other deviations that only favour certain parties, thus giving confidence to individuals who want to follow the Tariqa practice,” he said.
NS
