STATE MUFTI TELLS WHY BRUNEI ENFORCED SHARIA LAW
Bandar Seri Begawan, 14 Muharram 1436/7 November 2014 (MINA) – The State Mufti emphasised on the importance of implementing Syariah Law in Brunei and the benefits from it, during a Seminar on Syariah Penal Code in Selangor, Malaysia.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Juned gave the keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the Multaqa Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at the Dewan Jubli Perak of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building, Shah Alam Selan-gor Darul Ehsan, which was organised by the Mufti Department of Selangor, The Brunei Times quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah launched the Multaqa Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Syariah Penal Code Seminar, Thrusday.
He explained that Brunei had adopted the laws of Islam for more than 400 years now which was known as “Hukum Kanun Brunei”, which were the first written laws in the Sultanate.
This was evident, according to the State Mufti, when the British Consulate General William Hood Treacher came to Brunei for the first time with the British Navy and mentioned in his records that the laws of Brunei during that time had originated from the Al-Quran.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Juned was questioned on why Brunei was eager to implement the Islamic law, he explained that the main reason for the implementation was because the Bruneian people, and specifically the Sultan, want to be the most loyal of servants to Allah SWT and release themselves from Allah’s SWT punishment in the hereafter.
He added that, for Brunei, the implementation of the laws is nothing to be worried about, as the people know and are confident that the laws of Allah SWT are wonderful and captivating, and is respected by all, even though not everyone accepts it.
As there are still those who claim that the laws of Islam are ancient, cruel, inhuman and oppose the principals of humanity, the State Mufti explained that there were three types of reaction to Syariah Law.
First reaction, are those who accept the laws whole-heartedly without any doubts, which are those who truly exist in themselves the essence of faith.
Secondly are those who reject it completely, which are usually those who are outside the Islamic ring and even up to the point that they claim that Brunei is regressing, ancient and insensitive with the efforts of protecting basic human rights.
To those, the State Mufti explained that Brunei is not devastated from those comments and still take a ‘friendly approach’ by thanking them for their concerns and ask them to first wait and observe the journey that Brunei has embarked on without making hasty comments.
The last reaction is from those who half accept it and half reject it, which are usually Muslims who have doubts and justify their stance by stirring up controversies such as saying that in the Quran there is no such punishment as stoning.
He reminded that not everything mentioned in the Quran is detailed fully and that there are hadiths that function to explain them.
He used praying as an example, with the Quran only mentioning that Muslims must pray and the Prophet Muhammad’s (Shalallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam) hadith was what taught Muslims the steps to perform the prayer.
“This is the role of hadith. Even if the Al-Quran doesn’t mention stoning, however the hadith mentions it, therefore the punishment of stoning is feasible,” said the State Mufti.
He added that Brunei will survive with the model of faith and piety that continues to build fairness, peace, welfare and prosperity.
“With these laws, with faith and devotion as its axis, InsyaAllah Brunei will be more prosperous. Because Allah SWT had promised to bless those who believe and who are devoted.”(T/P008/P3)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
