Fatwa Council:  Religious, Moral and Social Implications 

The Fatwa Council of Malaysia has a religious, moral and social obligation towards Islam, Muslims and society as a whole. This is the global view of Islam. However, when it comes to Malaysia , all Islamic edicts (fatwas) are usually intended and directed towards Muslims in the country. It does not involve non-Muslims and as such non-Muslims have no right to interfere in what is basically and traditionally an Islamic matter.

As for those Muslims who do not agree with decisions by the Fatwa council and wish to determine their own direction in life, sad to say that there is no scope for this within the Qur’an. Freedom of choice in Islam is not a ‘blank cheque’ where you fill in the words and amount as you deem fit. It is confined to what is permissible and prohibited in the Qur’an. This principle is also adopted by Judaism and Christianity. Any Muslim who fails to observe such basic principles has in fact not acquired a proper understanding of Islam.

This is just one aspect of the overall problem. The other deals with the way the Fatwa Council of Malaysia performs. Apparently, there seems to be no consistency in dealing with issues. For example, the issue of YOGA, why only now? In the 60s Muslim scholars had already voiced their views on Yoga but nothing was done; now suddenly out of the blue we have a university professor pushing the button about it.

What about Valentine's Day? What about Halloween? These have nothing to do with Islam or Muslims whatsoever yet nothing has been said about it. Some years back the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura issued a fatwa against Valentine’s Day but we have yet to do so. Are we going to wait for another 10 years before some fatwa is issued here in the country?

The crux of the issue here is acting immediatly to correct a situation involving Muslims and not to wait until the cancer has set in. By that time it is extremely difficult to persuade society to give up a bad habit. As such, the Fatwa Council of Malaysia needs to immediately come up with fatwas dealing with issues such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Transcendental Meditation, Qigong, Tariqahs etc before it is too late, and having done so make sure that such fatwas are enforced.

The Fatwa Council of Malaysia should also publish on the internet its decisions and also offer secular websites as reference sites where society can learn more about the origins and transformations of unIslamic cultural practices that have crept into Muslim society. For example, there are many sites which provide a historical background to Valentine’s Day. Such information can help educate and guide society towards understanding an issue even though its practice may have undergone a degree of transformation but, in essence, is still corrupt from an Islamic spiritual and moral point of view.

Currently, the issues in Malaysia deal with Yoga and about dressing and acting like a tomboy, but what about the 'honky tonk woman' or 'she-man' otherwise known as 'pondan'? Does it really take us that long to reach a conclusion over what Islam says and requires Muslims to be and to adopt?  The issue of dressing like a man or behaving like a woman is not something new to Malaysian society. We have our fair share of ‘bapoks’ and ‘pondans’ amongst us. Usually we do not say much about it in the open because it is a matter for the religious authorities. Unfortunately, such issues have not been dealt with in depth on radio or television, nor have the religious authorities come up with guidelines on how to raise children according to Islam so that such behaviour is in line with one’s created state. If fatwas are issued on the matter then there is an even more urgent need to have the matter explained in detail according to Islam and not some television show which offers multiple views and opinions on such issues. As Muslims our focus is on Islam and what Islam has to say. We may listen to another point of view but that view needs to be corrected in accordance with Islam, and since it involves ISLAM and MUSLIMS the decision is final. Sex changes, gays, lesbians etc do not form the Islamic landscape whatsoever. The same can be found in Judaism and Christianity.

And when it comes to dressing like a 'tomboy', we have to understand that the cheapest clothing offered today are 'tee-shirts' and 'jeans', and if you want to take this a step further, all you have to do is observe the Arabs. They all wear the same clothing with a difference, they have an 'Abayah' (outer garment) to cover these tight fitting clothing. I do still recall ustads in the sixties saying that we cover ourselves according to Islam (aurat) but it follows our outline, which in truth does not fully comply with the Qur’anic definition of covering oneself properly. Raising this issue will be a problem because politically people in office, notably wives of ministers, do not adhere to many requirements in Islam, considering many externalities to be not serious violations of Islamic law. Then of course you have the fanatics who would want you to cover yourself up and most probably have you walk down the right side of the road.

Hair-styling, nail polish (cutex), hair gel, and a host of other issues which may appear insignificant but are serious when it comes to taking ablution (wudhu) for prayer, as it could cause one’s prayer to become invalid have yet to be highlighted broadly on television. All these issues are relevant because they ultimately lead to what kind of Muslim you are and it is the lack of conveying all these issues that has led to a decadent namesake Muslim community, where character building and morals are on the decline in the younger generation.  

This is not all. Of late there have been lengthy news reports on differences arising over the issue of fatwas. Apparently, almost each state has its own point of view. Others want the matter brought up before the Sultans because they represent Islam in their respective states. This further complicates matters because it reflects division and lack of consensus or unity amongst the ulama. It also proves that the Federal Government does not have sole rights or the final say over an issue and seeing to it that it is implemented nationwide. All this backtracking and indecision does not argue well for Islam and Muslims in the country.

Other issues that need review are Shari'ah Enactments which are said to be outdated and irrelevant. As Muslims, we need to restore credibility and respect and this can only come about if we are committed and serious about fulfilling our responsibilities to Allah.