Kuala lumpur: Every religious and spiritual event organized for Muslims, particularly those involving selawat (praises upon Prophet Muhammad) and dakwah (Islamic propagation), must be firmly grounded in adab (Islamic etiquette) and syarak (Islamic guidelines), emphasized Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. He stressed the importance of aligning such programs with maqasid (objectives of Islamic law) to uphold the sanctity of the events and avoid confusion or negative polemics.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im highlighted the necessity of employing a wise approach that adheres to syarak guidelines when engaging with the community and upholding Islamic symbols. He cited the ‘Hijrah Berselawat’ program organized by the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) through TV AlHijrah in Beserah, Kuantan, as a model example. The program featured an orderly and spiritual arrangement of selawat, accompanied by tausiyah (religious advice) and prayers that instilled a spirit of love for Prophet Muhammad SAW with reverence and tranquility.
Mohd Na’im’s statement came in response to a viral recording of a selawat event in Kedah, where the incorporation of popular music elements was deemed inappropriate. He noted that the issue elicited various reactions from Muslims who hold the sanctity of selawat gatherings in high regard as a manifestation of love for the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The Minister acknowledged and appreciated the actions of Ustaz Firdaus Firabib, the preacher involved in the program, for his open apology and promise to avoid actions that could tarnish the dignity of religious ceremonies. Mohd Na’im commended Ustaz Firdaus’s display of an open mind, humility, and adherence to the principles of repentance and islah (reformation) as demanded by Islam.
In a related matter, Mohd Na’im also praised Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his responsible action in openly apologizing for a statement he made. Despite the statement being made casually, the Deputy Prime Minister’s concern for Muslim sensitivities and willingness to apologize demonstrated prudent and magnanimous leadership. Last Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi apologized for a ‘slip of the tongue’ after referencing angels in the context of pressures faced while serving as UMNO President during an UMNO meeting in Johor.