Siti Kasim: The people have every right to criticise mufti, ulama who err in their opinion, judgment

Focus Malaysia:

Siti Kasim: The people have every right to criticise mufti, ulama who err in their opinion, judgment

HUMAN rights activist Siti Kasim has chided the Pahang Mufti Department which recently expressed its disappointment via a recent sermon text conveyed across mosques in the state that the tendency among Malaysian Muslims to insult the ulama (Muslim scholar) has intensified.

“The religion has been played upon while the ulama are insulted for possessing views that don’t run parallel with theirs. Remember that only those who are ignorant, fasiq (someone who violates/disobeys religious rulings) and munafiq (false Muslims) have the heart to insult the ulama.”

Stating that the sermon entitled Ulama the Heir of Prophet “was directed at me for daring to question the prerogative of ulama, mufti and the likes”, the legal eagle contended that ulama according to the Quran is not someone who dons a robe or wears a turban but one who is very knowledgeable of Islam.

“This is to say that they’re able to support their argument with evidence and not just someone who spews whatever (untruth, hatred),” she rebutted in a recent Facebook video with Quranic claims to fortify her argument.

“Verse 17:36 of Surah Al-Isra says ‘You should not accept any information unless you verify it yourself. I have given you the hearing, eyesight and the mind, and you are responsible for using them’ – not the ulama or ustaz.

“Moreover, God reminds Muslims through the Surah Al-Baqarah (Verse 2:41) not to sell ‘my message even for a small price’ while the Surah Ya-Sin (Verse36:21) calls upon Muslims to follow ‘those who ask from you no fee and who are rightly guided’.”

In this regard, Siti Kasim’s verdict is that “it’s wrong for the Pahang Mufti Department to deduce that Muslims should abstain from criticising ulama”.

“Who are they? At the end of the day, we should be able to criticise anyone not because that is required in the Quran which I uphold under my faith but also under the Federal Constitution (freedom of expression).

“I truly despair that more problems would abound if these ulama are allowed to gain more control of our lives … whatever said, just remember to use your own brain (to decide what’s best for you).” – Oct 16, 2024