| Azlan Othman |
ISLAMIS scholars lead and guide the Ummah and they continue to make sacrifices for Allah the Almighty.
These scholars are courageous in seeking the truth and also guide us to do good deeds, love knowledge and stand firm to assist the companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to uphold the truth, and to always be religious and practice tawadhu (modesty and humility) in life.
State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned underlined these points in his keynote address Ulama Peneraju Ummah at the Muzakarah Ulama Nusantara Mazhab Syafi’i at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) yesterday.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud was also present.
The dialogue, conducted by the Mazhab Syafi’i Research Centre of UNISSA and organised to mark Bandar Seri Begawan as the Asian Capital of Islamic Culture 2019 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), saw the State Mufti launching the Ensiklopedia Mazhab Shafi’i Negara Brunei Darussalam, Volumes 1-4.
Earlier, Director of the Mazhab Shafi’i Research Centre cum Chairperson of the dialogue Dr Azme bin Haji Matali highlighted that the dialogue is a platform for scholars and renowned regional Islamic experts to gather and discuss their research relating to Mazhab Shafi’e in various disciplines of knowledge.
“The event also serves to ensure Islam is based on Mazhab Shafi’e in Brunei Darussalam according to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah,” he said.
The Mazhab Shafi’e Brunei Darussalam encyclopaedia was first published in 2011, with the inaugural edition titled Imam Shafi’i; Development of Intellects Passing through History & Civilisation.
The second edition focusses on the spreading of Mazhab Shafi’e, while the third looks at scholars of Mazhab Shafi’e in Southeast Asia. The fourth edition touches on books and definitions of Fiqh Mazhab Shafi’e.
The publication is a crucial part of efforts to add to the pool of knowledge on the subject to be used as reference by academicians and the community within the region and beyond.
It is also intended as a source of reference for the future generation to widen their knowledge on the subject.
Five working papers were also presented by experts from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand during the one-day dialogue.
Among these were ‘Scholars and Islamic Legal System: Towards Peace and Justice’ by the Mufti of the Federal Territory of Malaysia Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Zulkifli bin Mohamad Al-Bakri; ‘Scholars and Propagation: Towards Upholding Truth and Fight Falsehood’ by the State Mufti of Islamic Centre Pasir Pengaraian Kabupaten Rokan Hulu grand mosque in Riau, Indonesia Dr H Mawardi Muhammad Saleh; and ‘Scholars and Teachings: Towards Strengthening Teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wa Al-Jama’ah’ by the State Mufti of Sarawak Sahibus Samahah Datu Haji Kipli bin Haji Yassin.
Other papers presented included ‘Scholars and Islamic Economy’ by the CEO of the Scholars Association and Religious Teachers of Singapore Ustaz Mohammad Yusri Yubhi bin Md Yusoff; and ‘Scholars and Islamic Education: Towards Knowledgeable Generation’ by the Head of Education and Propagation Department cum Yala Islamic Religious Council Thailand Dr Abdullah Abu Bakar.