Anwar meets Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who urges preservation of Islamic classical heritage

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaking to Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Syahawi at Nasyrul Quran, Putrajaya. - Pic credit FB/anwaribrahimofficial.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prominent Egyptian scholar Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Syahawi has called for the preservation of Islamic classical heritage (turath), while embracing new technology to document and sustain the centuries-old scholarly tradition.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this after meeting Sheikh Abdul Aziz at Nasyrul Quran, Putrajaya, this afternoon.

In a social media post, Anwar said Sheikh Abdul Aziz described the preservation of turath as a responsibility, as it serves as a bridge connecting present generations to a long scholarly tradition.

"The distinctiveness of Al-Azhar, he said, lies, among other things, in the strength of its chain of narration (isnad) and the continuity of its scholarly tradition preserved across generations.

"At the same time, new technology should not be rejected, but instead utilised to document and sustain these treasures," said Anwar.

Anwar said Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was born in Al-Mahallah Al-Kubra, Al-Gharbiyyah, Egypt, is among the leading Shafi'i scholars at Al-Azhar, as well as the Sheikh of the Sheikhs of the Imam Al-Shafi'i School and Sheikh of the Shahawiyyah Burhamiyyah Order (Tariqah).

He is also a jurist (faqih) and teacher of Quranic recitation sciences (qiraat) at Al-Azhar Mosque, and is devoted to the traditional face-to-face study of classical texts (talaqqi kitabul turath).

Anwar also quoted Imam al-Syafie's advice on the pursuit of knowledge: "Whoever does not experience the hardship of learning even for a moment, will swallow the bitterness of ignorance for a lifetime."

He prayed for Sheikh Abdul Aziz's health and well-being, a long life filled with blessings, and that the knowledge he has imparted would continue as a lasting charity (amal jariah).-BERNAMA