Islam Tergugat?

Berikut adalah keratan akhbar dalam Utusan Malaysia bertarikh 30 Julai 2015. Tajuk keratan akhbar ini sempena Program Akvokasi Ilmuan Majlis Profesor Negara yang memilih tajuk Islam Tergugat?yang diadakan di UNISZA, Kuala Terengganu. Kesimpulan utama dari pembentangan saya ialah sungguhpun tidak dapat dinafikan terdapatnya konspirasi Barat untuk menggugat Islam, namun masalah utama yang menggugat Islam ialah kelemahan umat Islam itu sendiri seperti kemalasan untuk berusaha, tidak berjiwa besar untuk menerima perbezaan pandangan, tidak berpandangan terbuka kepada tafsiran dan kaedah baru serta masih mengamalkan sikap jahiliah seperti perkauman dan penindasan jantina yang mana kesemua elemen-elemen ini membawa kepada perpecahan, pergaduhan, perbalahan dan internal konflik yang berpanjangan serta pemusuhan dengan dunia barat yang lebih moden, demokratik dan maju serta berkebajikan.

Ulasan artikel Islamic Banking in Malaysia oleh Sherin Kunhibava

Ulasan artikel Islamic Banking in Malaysia oleh Sherin Kunhibava, International Journal of Legal Information, Voilume 40.1-2 (2012): 191-200.

This is a straightforward exposition on Islamic banking in Malaysia with some backdrop explanation on the history and principle of Islamic law relating, in particular, to riba (usury or interest) and maysir (gambling). Other current issues discussed are on the role and authority of Shariah Supervisory Council under the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009 and matter on Shariah Governance through Central Bank directive of Shariah Governance Framework. The author is of the view that, not surprisingly, Malaysia has a comprehensive and transparent regulatory framework with regard to Islamic Banking on the issue of Shariah Governance. And this according to the author is good because it promotes uniformity in Shariah matters related to banking which is essential to investor and relevant stakeholders (p.200).  All in all this article is a good reading for readers who want to have a general idea of Islamic banking in Malaysia.

Starting of Ramadan/Shawal - Does Islam Reject Science?

The famous hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah as reported both by Bukhari and Muslim as well as other hadith collectors describe quite clearly how to start Ramadan, that is to sight the moon, but if the sky is clouded then complete the month 30 days. Ever since there has been a debate on how to start Ramadan among Muslims, especially so after the invention of telescope in 17th century a.d. in Europe. The issue have been that how reliable the human eye is compared to telescope and other scientific calculations? It is well known that the Muslims perfected the science of astronomy with the invention of various instruments which some says led to the invention of telescope itself. After Ghazali's classification of knowledge into divine and natural (including mathematics), together with the embodiment of Usul al-Fiqh infused with Ash'ari's theological doctrines, the ontology of the Shariah has been described as largely on the submissive position of reasoning over textual sources. Thus based on the authority of the above hadith, science no matter how scientific it can be, must not surpass the text. Nonetheless with the advance of science and technology, certain understanding of the texts post a challenge to a scientific or rational mind. While scientific calculation on the beginning of a new moon can be ascertain with minute accuracy, the use of a naked eyes, although it is anachronistic indeed, is the order. In order to observe the Shariah rule that hadith must be obeyed, there must be a new approach in understanding the text so that it will not come into conflict with the scientific and technological advancement. If we look at the hadith carefully, it does not prohibit at all the use of mathematical calculation in ascertaining the beginning of the month. Moreover the use of eyesight has led into unnecessary squabbles among Muslim communities around the globe. In Indonesia for example there would be three different dates to start Ramadan/Syawal. And it was reported that in Saudi Arabia, some years back, where the fasting month had to be ended short of one day because of the false reporting on the sighting of the new moon on the beginning of Ramadan. This is indeed a darar or harm both from the perspective of Muslim unity and the ritual itself, and Shariah is against any kind of harm in religion. Wa Allah A'lam.