Al-Qaradawi’s Legacy Of Moderation, Unity, Justice Remains Relevant To Malaysia - Zulkifli

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The legacy of renowned Islamic scholar Imam Sheikh Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi, particularly his advocacy of the principles of wasatiyyah, unity and justice, remains relevant to Malaysia as the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of his birth, said Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said the late Egyptian scholar was not only a murabbi of the ummah, but also one of the pillars of moderate Islamic thought who guided generations of preachers to reject stagnation and extremism (ghuluw).

"Al-Qaradawi's ties with Malaysia, particularly his friendship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim since the 1970s, remained close throughout his lifetime," he said in a Facebook post.

Al-Qaradawi, who was born on Sept 9, 1926 and died in 2022, left behind a scholarly legacy comprising more than 100 volumes of works, in addition to being one of the leading figures in modern Islamic wasatiyyah (moderation) thought.

According to Zulkifli, al-Qaradawi's open letters, particularly through the International Union of Muslim Scholars, consistently recognised Anwar's leadership credentials.

He said that among the significant instances was in April 2013, when the late Tok Guru Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was close to Anwar, launched a pamphlet campaign containing open letters of support from al-Qaradawi for Anwar, who was then the Opposition Leader, as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

"In the letter, al-Qaradawi called on Malaysia's opposition leaders to unite and consult one another to avoid division. He also recognised Anwar's leadership credentials, experience and support among Malaysians of various races, deeming him qualified to lead the country's administration.

"In October 2014, al-Qaradawi also called on all Malaysians to remain united and uphold democratic values in order to build a developed and wasatiy Islamic state. At the same time, he urged that Anwar should not continue to be persecuted and defamed," he said.

The close relationship and trust between the two figures continued through a special letter from al-Qaradawi in May 2018, which was translated by the late Ustaz Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil.

Zulkifli said the letter described Anwar's perseverance and magnanimity in resolving political disputes to prioritise the welfare of the people and the nation.

"Al-Qaradawi's advice and views also covered the importance of the judiciary in upholding the truth, as well as the need to develop a contemporary, inclusive and realistic model of Islamic governance," he said.

According to Zulkifli, this approach is important in safeguarding the interests of the ummah in confronting the challenges of the times.

Al-Qaradawi also stressed the need to strengthen dakwah efforts to deepen understanding of Islam and reject arrogant and rigid group fanaticism (assabiyah).

Zulkifli said these messages remain relevant to all Malaysians, particularly in strengthening unity and ensuring that the Islamic approach continues to be grounded in truth, moderation and justice.

-- BERNAMA