Tag: Muslim

Commentary: Friday Sermon Feels A Little Scripted

Salam admin dan semua,

If you would have been in the mosque earlier, you would have heard todays khutbah which is quite short and straight to the point in my opinion. But in a way, don’t you agree that it feels a little scripted?

The sermon can be found in MUIS website too if you don’t believe. Heh kind of timely too right?

Assalamualaikum.

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Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
10 March 2017 /11 Jamadil Akhir 1438H
A Comprehensive Understanding of Religion

Dear respected Friday Jemaah,
Let us have taqwa to Allah s.w.t. with the utmost taqwa. Know that every action that we do in this world will be judged and every word that we utter will be weighed in the Hereafter.
Dear Jemaah,
The sermon last week affirmed the importance for a Muslim to obtain a true and correct understanding with regards to his or her religion. There are numerous verses from the Quran and Sunnah that emphasize the importance of understanding the meaning behind a religious text. Allah s.w.t. mentions in the Quran:

Which means: “[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”
The Prophet s.a.w. also once said: “When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of religion.” (Hadith narrated by Bukhari/Muslim)
This guidance from Allah s.w.t. and the Prophet s.a.w. assert the importance of thinking about, observing and understanding (tafaqquh) the teachings of Islam thoroughly. Why is this so, dear Jemaah? It is because religious texts like the Quran and Hadith are open to various interpretations. Like it or not, we are indirectly affected and influenced by our surroundings, lifestyle and the culture of thought of the society as well as the period that we live in. There is a reason for every action taken, spoken or otherwise and this includes religious texts like the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet s.a.w. It is on this basis, therefore, to understand a particular religious text, we must know its background and context. This gives us a more accurate picture regarding the meaning of that particular religious text. Consequently, if we fail to understand the background of a verse from the Quran or Hadith, it is feared that we might use it as a basis for something it is not meant for, or worse, for something that stands in direct opposition. This ‘ilm is known as Asbabun Nuzul and it discusses reasons behind the revelations of the Quranic verses as well as explains its context and backstory. Whereas the ‘ilm that discusses the context and background of Hadith is known as ‘ilm Asbabul Wurud. Mastery of these two disciplines will provide us with a clearer picture on the background of a particular Quranic verse or Prophetic hadith.
Dear Jemaah,
Understanding background and context is not only limited to religious texts. It is also required to understand the writings of the ‘ulama.
It is undeniable that the ‘ulama have left behind an immense wealth of knowledge for us to inherit. They have contributed in enriching our religious thought and put tremendous effort in producing various publications to provide explanation on religious matters and religious texts. However, dear Jemaah, when reading these writings, we may find statements or interpretations that seem to be in opposition to the realities of life in this era. If we put that particular interpretation into practice, it will not only cause confusion but also bring with it negative consequences.
For example, when flipping through the pages of fiqh books by ‘ulama hundreds of years ago, we find that some of them give special attention to the ruling that it is compulsory to migrate from a non-Islamic country (Darul Harb) which means a country in conflict and migrate to an ‘Islamic country’ also known as the “Darul Islam”.
The opinions stated by these jurists were shaped by the social as well as political conditions of their times that differ from the reality of life in this era. Their writings were intended to give an explanation to a people who lived in a world that witnessed persistent conflicts between different religions. It was a time when it was unimaginable that Muslims would be able to live peacefully with non-Muslims in a single country.
However with the shift in the political system, as well as the concept of modern citizenship, and through the application of international law, people today are given the rights to travel freely and reside in a nation regardless of their religious or ethnic background, contesting the suitability of the classical classification of the world as explained in traditional fiqh. This is the view of many contemporary ‘ulama such as Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah and others.
Hence dear Jemaah, understanding the background of the socio-religious and socio-political context as well as the reality of life that surrounds a particular writing will provide the reader a comprehensive picture of why such a statement or fatwa was given.
This explanation is important as we find a group of people in this day and age, who, without observing the context or background of a particular religious text or writings of the ‘ulama, seem to lose faith in religion and themselves. Some of them claim that the administrative system of the different nations today are un-Islamic simply because it is not a caliphate or an ‘Islamic state’. And that Muslims who live in places like Singapore are unable to practice their faith fully. This results in the extraction of the views of classical scholars who lived hundreds of years ago and in a specific context to be practiced in today’s 21st century.
Therefore, whenever we read or receive an opinion that was taken from classical ‘ulama, we must discuss them with local and contemporary scholars who understand the condition and context of the world we live in so as to obtain proper advice and further guidance.
It is not our intention to claim that the views of classical ‘ulama are incorrect or have no value. However, we have to admit that their views which were suitable for their particular needs and time might not be suitable for us today.
May we be considered to be among those who the Prophet s.a.w. characterised as people who Allah s.w.t. bequeathed understanding of religion and that He blesses us with Taufiq to practice religion according to His commands and guidance. Amin.

Md Solehin

Reader’s Contribution

March 10, 2017
5 Great Reasons Why We Need Female Muslim Entrepreneurs

When you think of a Muslim female, what image comes to mind immediately? Maybe a housewife and homemaker, baby on hip, phone to ear with pancakes tossing in the air. Or a girl in the far corner of the library, head buried deep in a book, furiously taking notes.

What about an entrepreneur and CEO of a successful business. No? It’s almost impossible for a Muslim woman to be seen as the decision maker in any business let alone owning her own company! Although a lack of female entrepreneurs is not something that is specific to the Muslim community, it’s even higher in Muslim communities as women are usually the homemakers of the household whilst men are the main bread winners.

However in this golden age of the internet, women are finding creative ways of running a successful business whilst raising a family.

So here are five reasons why we desperately need more Muslim women entrepreneurs:

1. Social Enterprise

Women are more often social entrepreneurs and consider the social, environmental and ethical implications of the businesses they run or are involved in compared to men (59% compared to 48%) (A Survey of Social Enterprise Across the UK, DTi, 2005)

This can have a positive impact on society and the planet at large. The Muslim world, often riddled with problems (economic, social, political) could also benefit from female led businesses as women would more likely value social development versus just profit making which helps in tackling many of the issues that exist head on.

2. Equality

It’s a fact, there are far more male led business than there are females led ones, and this can often create working environments that do not reflect the needs of women. Female led business are more likely to understand the need for flexible working hours as well as being able to accommodate women who have families, and choose to work from home. More Muslim women entrepreneurs could result in more female friendly businesses, encouraging Muslim women to take part in the world of work without having to compromise the needs of their families and home life.

3. To fight stereotypes

Muslim women are often wrongly portrayed as being oppressed or weak, having more Muslim women entrepreneurs will challenge this perception and counteract stereotypes which undermine a Muslim woman’s ability in making good and well thought out business decisions.

4. Tackle female unemployment

A recent study by the Muslim Council of Britain revealed that 70% of Muslim women between the ages of 16-24 are unemployed. One way of tackling this high number of young Muslim female unemployment is through entrepreneurship as this could help remove many of the barriers that may prevent Muslim women from entering the world of work.

5. Lack of female role models

There is an increasing number of studies which suggest that the current generation of young people are the most entrepreneurial group yet. However, young Muslim girls may find it hard to find role models that they can identify with or seek guidance or mentoring from. An increase in entrepreneurship in Muslim women will create inspirational role models that young girls can imitate and will also portray the path to entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding one to pursue.

These are only a few points and there are definitely many more reasons why the world needs more Muslim female entrepreneurs. Muslim women have immense potential and it’s important that governments as well as local communities work towards a more entrepreneurial society which empowers Muslim women and provides them with the right tools to thrive and succeed.

Source: TheMuslimVibe

March 9, 2017
Yaacob: S$1.5 million Set Aside To Support Teaching Of Maths, Science At Madrasahs

The Government will provide S$1.5 million from this financial year to support the teaching of secular subjects like maths and science at madrasahs, announced Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Thursday (March 9).

This will be matched by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) for the teaching of religious subjects.

The bulk of the S$1.5 million each year (S$1.4 million) will go towards financial incentives for teachers. Each of the 127 teachers of secular subjects will receive S$4,200 to S$8,700 a year in cash and Central Provident Fund savings, with the amount depending on their qualifications.

The financial incentives from Muis for teachers of religious subjects, as well as training, will amount to S$1.1 million a year. This is a lower amount because the number of teachers of religious subjects is 112.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had first announced greater support for the six full-time madrasahs in the teaching of secular subjects at the 2015 National Day Rally.

New training grants of S$1,000 per teacher per year will also be available, and Muis and the madrasahs will identify the training needs and priorities for eligible teachers.

For madrasah students who do well or show the most improvement, the Government and Muis will set aside S$100,000 each annually for student awards.

The money from the Government will be for secular subjects, and about 350 awards will be given per year. A similar number of student awards for religious subjects will be funded by Muis.

On the Mandatory Asatizah Recognition Scheme, which came into effect in January, Dr Yaacob said about 2,500 asatizah – estimated to be 90 per cent of the Islamic religious teachers in Singapore – have been registered. This year alone, 280 applicants have come forward and 117 of the applications have been processed.

The scheme started in Dec 2005 and was voluntary. Muslim community leaders called for it to be made mandatory last year amid a more diverse socio-religious landscape, and for more assurance that religious guidance would be compatible with the values of multi-cultural Singapore.

Meanwhile, to help Malay Muslim professionals, managers, executives and technicians (Pmets) who may be affected by economic changes, a new committee co-chaired by Parliamentary Secretaries Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Amrin Amin will be set up. The committee will help Malay Muslim PMETs to retrain, tap their SkillsFuture credits and bounce back from employment setbacks.

Providing an update on mosque building Dr Yaacob said the Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands will open to the public in April.

Source: TodayOnline

March 9, 2017
Commentary: Don’t Take The Meaning Literally!

You know what I find funny?

Almost everyone assumed and equated the word triumph with violence and hatred. But have they really check or even bother to check the arabic word for that supplication and in what context it is used?

And even more funny all these people who decide that its violent do not even have the slightest background and knowledge in arabic to even know what the word exactly means in its original language source and the context.

Its like an english teacher who do not possess malay language tell a native malay teacher that his or her malay is wrong. LOL.

Even I who have limited arabic knowledge do not dare to assume the arabic words in its translation because the moment you translate a word to another language such as english, it has slightly lost the actual essence of the original meaning.

And thats why we cannot take the meaning literally.

If you want to be a fair judge, then you must know your arabic, and understand islamic context deeply only then you can judge fairly who is wrong and right otherwise the judgement is one-sided and not just.

Source: Siti Kate

Reader’s Contribution

March 9, 2017
NUS Suspends Academic While It Investigates His Involvement In Case Of Imam’s Remarks

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has suspended the academic who had openly criticised another man who made public an imam’s comments.

The university told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Mar 8) that it had suspended Associate Professor Khairudin Aljunied from his duties on Monday (March 6).

This “follows from (his) purported comments made in relation to insensitive remarks about Christians and Jews allegedly made by a religious leader”, a spokesman for the university said.

During this time, the university will internally investigate Dr Khairudin’s involvement in the matter, though he will still receive his pay, the spokesman added.

“As part of due process, NUS will launch an internal investigation into Assoc Prof Khairudin’s involvement in this incident. Assoc Prof Khairudin will continue to be paid his full salary during his suspension,” the university said.

When contacted, Dr Khairudin said he was unable to comment due to the ongoing investigations.

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam told Parliament last week that the police are looking into the conduct of everyone involved in the case.

Last month, investment associate Terence Nunis posted a video online of an imam at Jamae Mosque who, after a sermon, reportedly recited a prayer in Arabic that said “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, among other things.

The video gained traction online and offline and, as part of due process, the imam has been placed on leave while investigations, which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is assisting in, are ongoing.

The case sparked a storm in the community, and many felt the postings could be used to cast aspersions on Islam and religious leaders. Some also felt the imam’s recitation had been taken out of context.

Dr Khairudin, a tenured academic at NUS’ Malay Studies department, had posted on his Facebook page a fictional conversation between an imam and a “silly convert”.

In the post, Dr Khairudin described the convert as being stupid for getting upset over the verses.

Mr Shanmugam had said that Dr Khairudin “encouraged vilification” of the whistleblowing individual. He said: “Mr Khairudin’s position and actions are quite unacceptable… He supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore.”

On Saturday, the minister added that police will investigate the case thoroughly and interview all parties involved, including those who filmed and publicised the video.

“Whether there is a case for further action against any of the parties, will depend on the outcome of investigations,” he added.

“The Government does not take sides in this issue – if anyone is found to have committed an offence, action will be taken.”

NUS added on Wednesday that it “takes a serious view of any actions or speech that condone the promotion of hatred, ill-will and enmity that targets specific faith communities”.

“Members of the NUS community must observe standards and policies on staff conduct, which include respecting different views and communicating responsibly,” it said.

Source: ST

March 9, 2017