Wednesday, February 10, 2010

May 08, 2008 17:07 PM

Wahabi Doctrine Never Deemed Deviant In Malaysia - Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- The Wahabi branch of Islam has never been deemed a form of deviant teachings by the National Fatwa Council, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"It is 'khilafiah' (difference of opinion) where the question of 'takwil' (interpretation) arises," he added when replying to Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru) during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat here Thursday.

Ahmad Zahid said among those identified by the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) from its investigation, to be followers of the Wahabi doctrine, were Islamic preachers Dr Abdullah Yasin and Ustaz Hussein Yee.

He said the National Fatwa Council had held at least six discourses on the matter (Wahabi practice) between 1985 and 1998 and the latest, in Kangar together with Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on Aug 30 last year.

"Although there are differences of opinion among Muslims on Wahabi Islam, the best approach to avoid conflicts and disunity among the ummah is through discussions.

"The 40th Muzakarah (discourse) in 1996 did mention that 'any group that declares not to belong to any mazhab (sect or school of thought) and that they are better than the rest and ridicules those with mazhab' while we are all Muslims, then discussions would be the best way (to resolve issues)," he said.

The Wahibi sect, which prescribed a puritanical form of Islam, was founded by 18th century scholar Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab. The primary doctrine of Wahabism is Tawhid, or the uniqueness and unity of God, and rejects medieval interpretations of Islam, relying on the Quran and Hadith.

It also regards as unnecessary the 'sunat' or complementary religious practices or rites such as reading of the Quran, Yasin and talqin for the demise, and performing zikir, holding tahlil and visiting graves, as observed by Muslims in this country who belong to the Sunah Waljamaah sect.

-- BERNAMA

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