RELIGIOUS scholars (Ulama) and leaders (Umara) share the same roles and responsibilities in terms of guiding and developing the people, said Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
He made these comments during the opening ceremony of the Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah dialogue session at the Aman Jaya Convention Centre in Ipoh, Perak, recently.
“It is their guiding hand that determines the progress or decline of a society,” said the State Mufti.
“This is not just a theory, but an incontrovertible means of approach, as outlined by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the following Hadith: ‘If these two do good, then good will follow for the people, but if they are flawed, then ruin will follow for the people.’ Who are they? They are the scholars and the leaders.”
He also cited examples of the Rashidun Caliphs and their successors, who sought the advice and guidance of scholars for their administrative duties.
“But over time, this changed. The understanding of Syariah and its practices gradually became separate from government leadership, particularly after the fall of the Islamic Empire in the early 4th Century Hijrah,” he said.
The State Mufti presented his premier paper titled, ‘Leadership and Authority: A Constructive Concept for Scholars and Leaders’, at the dialogue session, held in conjunction with the birthday celebrations of His Majesty Paduka Seri Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Azlan Muhibuddin Shah Al-Maghfurlah, the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan.
The dialogue session was officially launched by His Majesty Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Also in attendance were Her Majesty Tuanku Zara Salim, the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul Ridzuan; and His Royal Highness Raja Jaafar ibni Al-Marhum Raja Muda Musa, the Raja Muda of Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Also present were Dato Seri Seri Dr Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, the Chief Minister of Perak Darul Ridzuan, and his wife; and Tan Sri Dato ‘Seri (Dr) Haji Harussani bin Haji Zakaria, the State Mufti of Perak Darul Ridzuan, with members of the State Executive Council and the state officials of Perak Darul Ridzuan.