| Hakim Hayat |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday evening underscored the importance of giving the people more convenient and broader access to Al-Quran learning and reading through concerted efforts, given its wide availability in different languages in print and digital forms.
His Royal Highness said there is no reason why we could not understand the deeper meaning and wisdom of its contents as much as possible, so that we could attain benefits from the noble Al-Quran. His Royal Highness, however, reminded that “we must be careful in selecting the interpretation of Al-Quran by only referring to sources that are based on the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah”.
His Royal Highness made this remarks in a sabda while opening the finals of the 58th National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults 1439 Hijrah, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday evening. Also present at the event was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
The competition carries the theme ‘Al-Quran the Source of Just Leadership’.
In the sabda, His Royal Highness also extolled the greatness of Al-Quran, saying that by upholding it and using it as a guide in life, we will be able to create true Muslim individuals, families, communities and a nation that obeys Allah the Almighty.
Highlighting the government’s effort to inculcate better Al-Quran reading skills in the country, His Royal Highness praised the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA)’s initiative to introduce ‘tarannum’, or melodic Al-Quran reading skills, among Qaris and Qariahs, through the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
In line with this effort, His Royal Highness reminded that it is also equally important to infuse Qaris and Qariahs with understanding of the Arabic Language itself, which is the language of Al-Quran, adding that this would give them more comprehensive and effective skills.
His Royal Highness further noted the importance of learning and familiarising with the language of Al-Quran, which he said would enhance Al-Quran reading quality; allow readers to reach deeper into the meaning of the verses of the holy book and help them to be concise during the Waqaf (the rules and signs of stopping when reading Al-Quran) and possess the ideal Ibtida’ (starting of reading verses of Al-Quran). His Royal Highness said all these skills will help the reader in completely understanding each verses.
His Royal Highness also noted that as a Zikir Nation, Al-Quran is being read at mosques, schools, houses and government offices as desired by 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 also noted that “apart from having our own Mushaf Brunei Darussalam, its interpretation is also available to accommodate the needs of Muslims in the country, especially in understanding its contents”. His Royal Highness said that Mushaf Brunei Darussalam and its interpretation will be published soon and work in this regard is currently underway.
“Apart from the practice of reading Al-Quran before commencing work, I am also happy to note that a number of government agencies are also reading its interpretation. Such practices are desired and I hope it will expand further in this Zikir Nation.”
His Royal Highness also hailed the One Week One Juzuk and Youth Tilawah Al-Quran Scheme (STAR) organised by the Islamic Studies Department, MoRA and also the Huffaz Management which His Royal Highness said is active in making Al-Quran teaching and learning more accessible. “This is needed and all levels of the Muslim community must be given access to it,” His Royal Highness added.
Touching on the role of mosques, His Royal Highness said that through effective planning and management, they are able to create pious and knowledgeable individuals with the foundations of Al-Quran and As-Sunnah according to the teachings of Mazhab Shafi’e Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah.
“Therefore, the involvement of the public and village residents in glorifying mosques is very important, by increasing the number of congregants during prayers, in programmes for learning Al-Quran or religious activities that bring benefits, and in increasing awareness of the public through mosques on the benefits of charity which is very desirable in Islam as a way for investment in the hereafter,” added His Royal Highness.