‘Haram’ to protest through ‘illegitimate channels’, Muslims told

File photo of Muslims at Friday prayers. Today’s Friday sermon stressed that disaster and Allah’s wrath might rain down on those who continue their protests against leaders who have proven themselves in preserving Islam and peace.KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — It is “haram” to rebel and fight against the nation’s leaders, including by protesting their decisions through “illegitimate channels”, Muslims nationwide were told today in the official Friday sermons prepared by the federal government.

This comes as a series of rallies called “Black 505” are held nationwide by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to protest the results of Election 2013, which have led to PKR’s Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad being charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 today.

“Rebelling against leaders and to fight them, the verdict is haram (forbidden),” said the Friday sermon by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) that was uploaded onto its official website today.

“Among those which counts as rebellion is to protest — without using a legitimate channel — the decision of leaders made based on the powers bestowed on them to administer the country.”

The sermon stressed that disaster and Allah’s wrath might rain down on those who continue their protests against leaders who have proven themselves in preserving Islam and peace.

JAKIM backed its argument by quoting Muslim clerics Imam Nawawi and al-Mawardi, who wrote in his tome “al-Ahkam al-Sultaniah” that obeying leaders also includes obeying appointed peacekeepers such as the nation’s police force.

Imam Nawawi’s writings have previously been used by JAKIM in March to warn Muslims that obeying the country’s leaders is an obligation in Islam while betrayal is considered a grave sin.

The previous sermon came amid a protracted “Ops Daulat” offensive campaign to flush out armed Sulu invaders in Lahad Datu, Sabah, which has yet to be fully resolved.

 “The patriotism spirit towards this country demands us to obey and be loyal to our leaders completely,” said the Friday sermon in March.

“Based on Quranic arguments and the Prophet’s hadith, ulamas have agreed that obeying leaders is an obligation for each Muslim, while rebelling against them is a huge sin.”

On May 8, thousands of PR supporters packed the Kelana Jaya stadium in Petaling Jaya to rally for free and fair elections, just days after the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition retained power by winning 133 federal seats against PR’s 89 seats.

Similar rallies have already been held in Penang, Johor, Perak and Pahang, with one to be held tonight in Negri Sembilan and three rallies in different states next week — Kedah, Terengganu and Malacca.