Organising a seminar to warn Muslims of proselytisation by Christians is not wrong because it is to protect Islamic and is in accordance with the Federal Constitution, an Islamic scholar said.
Referring to the seminar held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) ulama council chairperson Aznan Hasan (left) said that in Islam, it is the responsibility of the ruler to ensure that citizens understand Islamic principles.
"Isma is not at all involved in hosting the programme, but I support it. As to me, it does not go against Islamic teachings but adheres to the principle of maqsad hifz al-din (for the purpose of protecting the faith)," he wrote.
Responding directly to comments against the seminar made by former Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin, the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) associate professor said Asri's remarks have in fact justified the seminar.
By saying that it is normal for Christians to proselytise like Muslims who also work to spread their faith, he said, that Asri is admitting that Christianisation is happening in Malaysia.
He said that instead of just brushing it off as something normal, Muslims are obliged to conduct such information sessions involving people who may be the target of Christian evangelists.
"Conducting the seminar to remind believers of the truth of Islam and the untruth of other religions is in accordance with the Quran.
"How is the seminar wrong and what has it got to do with extremist behaviour which could undermind national harmony? I don't understand," he said.
Asri was quoted by The Malaysian Insider as saying that all religious leaders would feel that their religion is the truth and invite people to join them.
He also said such things are "normal" and does not justify "chaotic" reactions as if the nation is in "a state of emergency".
The seminar among others saw NGOs warning of Christians posing as Muslims to trick them into converting to Christianity.
Not waging war against Christians but...
Meanwhile, Aznan also questioned Asri for quoting a verse in the Quran which states that Christians are closest to Muslims.
He said that the Quran should be read in its entirety and not just in singular verses without context.
Besides, he said, there is also a verse in the holy book where Allah tells Prophet Muhammad that Christians and Jews would never rest until Muslims follow them.
"We must understand the Quran in a holistic manner. This does mean that I am saying that Muslims must wage war or become enemies of all Jews or Christians. No one will understand the call to champion Islamic teachings to mean that.
"In fact, in Malaysia, I believe that the duty of all citizens is to ensure that the peace we have achieved continues and prospers. This is how Isma understands it.
"Because of this, Isma urges all to uphold the constitution, including the rights of Malays and other bumiputera and Islam as the religion of the federation... And not just an official religion, because that is the basis of our shared harmony," he said.
Referring to the seminar held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) ulama council chairperson Aznan Hasan (left) said that in Islam, it is the responsibility of the ruler to ensure that citizens understand Islamic principles."Isma is not at all involved in hosting the programme, but I support it. As to me, it does not go against Islamic teachings but adheres to the principle of maqsad hifz al-din (for the purpose of protecting the faith)," he wrote.
Responding directly to comments against the seminar made by former Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin, the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) associate professor said Asri's remarks have in fact justified the seminar.
By saying that it is normal for Christians to proselytise like Muslims who also work to spread their faith, he said, that Asri is admitting that Christianisation is happening in Malaysia.
He said that instead of just brushing it off as something normal, Muslims are obliged to conduct such information sessions involving people who may be the target of Christian evangelists.
"Conducting the seminar to remind believers of the truth of Islam and the untruth of other religions is in accordance with the Quran.
"How is the seminar wrong and what has it got to do with extremist behaviour which could undermind national harmony? I don't understand," he said.
Asri was quoted by The Malaysian Insider as saying that all religious leaders would feel that their religion is the truth and invite people to join them.He also said such things are "normal" and does not justify "chaotic" reactions as if the nation is in "a state of emergency".
The seminar among others saw NGOs warning of Christians posing as Muslims to trick them into converting to Christianity.
Not waging war against Christians but...
Meanwhile, Aznan also questioned Asri for quoting a verse in the Quran which states that Christians are closest to Muslims.
He said that the Quran should be read in its entirety and not just in singular verses without context.
Besides, he said, there is also a verse in the holy book where Allah tells Prophet Muhammad that Christians and Jews would never rest until Muslims follow them."We must understand the Quran in a holistic manner. This does mean that I am saying that Muslims must wage war or become enemies of all Jews or Christians. No one will understand the call to champion Islamic teachings to mean that.
"In fact, in Malaysia, I believe that the duty of all citizens is to ensure that the peace we have achieved continues and prospers. This is how Isma understands it.
"Because of this, Isma urges all to uphold the constitution, including the rights of Malays and other bumiputera and Islam as the religion of the federation... And not just an official religion, because that is the basis of our shared harmony," he said.
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