KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic studies should not only focus on fiqh (Islamic understanding, comprehension, knowledge and jurisprudence) but should also encompass other fields, including science and economics, said former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said although the Quran as the main source of Islamic studies comprised various branches of knowledge, Islamic studies were categorised as a non-science field.“This is due to the notion that scientists or non-religious scholars are not men of religion. This is contrary to early thought from Islamic intellectuals in the past.
“This classification should be corrected at the policy and implementation level, especially in the education system to enable understanding constraints that lead to conflict on aqli and naqli knowledge can be overcome,” he said when opening the National Seminar on Muslim Achievements: Lessons and the Way Forward and the pre-launch of the IKIM 20th anniversary celebration here, yesterday.
Speaking to reporters later, Abdullah, who is also Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) chairman, said he supported the introduction of a guideline on interactions between religions to foster racial harmony in the country.
“This is similar to ‘Islam Hadhari’ that I had advocated (during his premiership) as it was understood by various races from different religious backgrounds in the country,” he said.
On Thursday, Ulama Association of Malaysia secretary-general Dr Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor said the association was preparing a guideline on interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims to address mounting complex issues that affected Muslims and non-Muslim relations in the country.
Commenting on halal food, he said the guideline on the halal food preparation should be strengthened. — Bernama
“What is important we should not meet out punishments against those who violate halal food rules without educating them first for they may lacked understanding,” he said.
On IKIM 20th anniversary celebration, he said IKIM should gather scholars to discuss the future of Muslims for the next 20 years. — Bernama