Follow Prophet's teachings on interfaith issues, Muslims urged

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has urged Muslims to follow the true teachings and practices of the Prophet to deal with interfaith issues.

Saifuddin, who is also domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, said complying with the Prophet's teachings would prevent any quarters from "hijacking" the understanding of Islam.

Met in Bukit Mertajam last night during an iftar event, Saifuddin said one must be guided by the Prophet's actions, adding that the practices of the Prophet and his companions were very clear on the issue.

He related a story of the Caliph Umar who went into a church during his rule, where he was allowed to perform prayers but had politely declined.

"He did not want any misunderstanding about the matter in the future. Instead, he performed prayers outside the church, and today, there is a mosque built there, next to the church," said the Kulim-Bandar Bahru MP.

"So to answer the question of whether Muslims are allowed to go into others' places of worship, the answer is yes.

"Nobody has disputed this. So I take it that true guidance must be the examples given by the Prophet. It should not be how we in Malaysia understands. It has to be the true practices, which must come from the Prophet," added Saifuddin, who is also Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson. 

He was asked to respond to the latest remarks by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar who has issued a royal rebuke against Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir for being part of an interfaith breaking fast event at a gurdwara (Sikh temple) in the state last Tuesday. 

In a statement yesterday, the sultan said the event had caused unease among Muslims due to "insensitive" actions. 

The Sultan Ibrahim (photo) also said such events at non-Muslim houses of worship also presented an opportunity to proselytise to Muslims.

Saifuddin then quoted another Islamic scholar, who wrote a book saying that non-Muslims have complete freedom of worship alongside Muslims and can even perform their prayers in the mosque.

He whipped out the book "The Higher Objective of Humanity" by Azman Hussin, who related the story of a Christian delegation who visited the Prophet in Medina.

The Prophet kindly hosted them in the mosque, where they also performed their prayers and Christian service there, Saifuddin said.

"What does he mean? It means Christians are allowed to enter mosques. In this story, they were even allowed to perform their prayers and services. As a Muslim, I am giving my views about these issues, based on the teachings given during the life and times of the Prophet.

"I do not want to give my views on how the Malay Muslims want to understand the issue, based on their own practices in the country. I prefer to give my views based on a strong reference given by the Prophet or Caliph Umar who lived during his time," he added.

"So if there are people in this country who wants to give their own interpretation, I leave it to them. But I urge Muslims to understand the true teachings of Islam, so that they will not be confused."

Saifuddin said allowing certain quarters to hijack the understanding of Islam does not help in this multiracial country like Malaysia.

"If we follow the true teachings and practices of the Prophet, it (interfaith actions) is allowed.

"When they are different groups saying it is not allowed, we have a problem," he added. - Mkini