A sermon manuscript dated 3 March 2023 published by MUIS preached the importance of reviving the culture of respecting differences of opinion stating:
“As believers, we must accept that differences and disagreements between ourselves are part and parcel of our normal life.”
The sermon concluded with:
“Therefore, we should remember to be open-minded when faced with opinions that are not compatible with our beliefs. This attitude of openness and tolerance in the face of differences was the guiding principle of our scholars in the past. Imam Shafi’i once stated: ‘My opinion is the truth, but it may contain errors. Other people’s opinions may contain truth.’” [https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ceaTHfGDeB4cII4FhRaEaSClDJKPj-f/view?usp=drivesdk]
Does MUIS really act upon what they had preached in that sermon? Let us find out…
Several years before the said sermon, on 20 June 2017, MUIS had published a media statement, accusing a late Singaporean scholar, named Rasul Dahri, of having exclusivist and extreme views in Islam, not suitable for the Singapore Muslim community; alleging him of promoting enmity, strife and potentially violence. MUIS also accused him of having mistaken view on ‘real islam’ and that his teachings are problematic; not in any way represent the views of Muslims in Singapore. MUIS further added that:
“Rasul Dahri can mislead Muslims and do great harm to the community, and to society at large.” [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1remjEBQOVjgZG0SKjbs1FMIEr0t-Mac4/view?usp=drivesdk]
Are these accusations in the media statement about Rasul Dahri true? Let us find out who Rasul Dahri truly was…
Rasul Dahri strictly adhered to the teachings of as-Salafus-Salih [the Pious Predecessors, the first and best three generations of the followers of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (may Allah send Blessings and Peace upon him)]. He graduated from University Umm al-Qura in Mecca majoring in Syari’ah (Islamic Law), Da’wah (Invitation to Islam) and Usuluddin (Fundamentals of Islam). He had the opportunity to learn from renowned scholars of the Ummah such as Sheikh Abdul ‘Aziz ibn Baz (former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia), Sheikh Muhammad Salih ibn al-‘Uthaymeen, Sheikh Salih Fawzan al-Fawzan and Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani.
Having studied at a university that has produced many scholars with the understanding of as-Salafus-Salih, and also the opportunity to learn from renowned sheikhs, how could this humble individual, with his views on real Islam, mislead Muslims and do great harm to the Singapore Muslim community, and to society at large?
There are nine of Rasul Dahri’s books alleged to contain extremist religious views and are banned in Singapore. On the contrary, Rasul Dahri preached Islam not solely based on his own opinions or desires. All his teachings of Islam are supported by evidences from Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah. This is the way of as-Salafus-Salih when they preach the pure teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“I have left you with two things and you will never go astray as long as you hold on to them: the Book of Allah (Al-Qur’an) and Sunnah of His Prophet (As-Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ).” [Muwatta’ Malik]
The point is, when evidences are presented to support various opinions regarding Islam, how can a person with a sound logic and fair reasoning perceives those opinions as extreme, exclusivist and able to mislead Muslims and do great harm to the Singapore Muslim community?
Smoking
One of his nine books that are banned in Singapore is titled ‘Hukum Mengenai Rokok & Mencukur Janggut’ (Ruling on Smoking & Shaving the Beard). Islam forbids everything that is harmful. It is proven that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing various serious health conditions and diseases. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for health. It is harmful not only to the smoker himself but also to those around him. The evidences in Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah that prohibit smoking are as follows:
“There is no harm or causing of harm.” [as-Sunan al-Kubra (11384) by Imam al-Bayhaqi and Sunan Ibn Majah (2340)]
“…he allows them as lawful at-Tayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful al-Khabaaith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-A’raf, verse 7:157]
“…and do not be extravagant wasters. Indeed, those who waste extravagantly are brothers of ash-Shayaateen (the devils).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra’, verse 17:26-27]
“And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is Ever-Merciful to you.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, verse 4:29]
Yet, with the explicit evidences above, there are still Muslims who opine that the ruling of smoking is Makrooh (actions that are discouraged but not strictly forbidden).
Shaving the Beard
As for shaving the beard, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed us:
“Be different from the polytheists, trim closely the moustache and grow the beard.” [Sahih Muslim 259c]
In another hadith, it is narrated:
“Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is).” [Sahih al-Bukhari (5893)]
Many Muslims do not leave the beard to grow as it is. Rather, they trim and style it to appear neat or fashionable to onlookers; intending to blend in with the surrounding society.
Sheikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The Qur’an, Sunnah and ijma’ (scholarly consensus) all indicate that we must differ from the unbelievers in all aspects and not imitate them, because imitating them on the outside will make us imitate them in their bad deeds and habits, and even in beliefs, which will result in befriending them in our hearts, just as loving them in our hearts will lead to imitating them on the outside. At-Tirmidhi, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘He is not one of us who imitates people other than us. Do not imitate the Jews and Christians.’ [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (2695)] According to another version: ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.’” [Sunan Abi Dawud (4031)]
Every Innovation in Islam is Misguidance
Another book of Rasul Dahri which is banned, titled ‘Setiap Bid’ah Menyesatkan’ (Every Innovation is Misguidance), is actually a quote from Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ sermon. The complete hadith is:
“Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead him astray. Whomever Allah sends astray, no one can guide him. The truest word is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil matters in religion are those that are newly invented, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i (1578)]
The pure teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is perfect and complete as stated in the Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah, verse 5:3. The permissible is what he allows and the impermissible is what he prohibits. Therefore, any act in Islam not supported by one or more evidence from Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah should be avoided by a Muslim. This is the tradition of as-Salafus-Salih when practising Islam. Muslims who differ with them in opinions or practices should not boycott or abandon them or else no unity or brotherhood would ever remain in the Muslim community.
There are other several Rasul Dahri’s books that are banned in Singapore which talk about innovations in Islam. These innovations are practised by Muslims who claim that they are following Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. Examples of innovations in his books are:
(1) Majlis Tahlil or Tahlilan; a ceremony or practice of reciting adhkaar (remembrances of Allah), Surah Yasin (Chapter 36 of the Qur’an) and supplications in congregation, particularly for the deceased, often followed by a meal prepared by the bereaved family for their guests. Some families organise majlis tahlil on specific days after the funeral, such as the 3rd, 7th, 40th, and 100th day.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions never practised such an innovation. Although reciting dhikr, Qur’an and making supplications are great acts of worship, but if we recite them congregationally with the intention that the deceased will be forgiven and receive mercy from Allah, then this practice is not from the pure and complete teachings of Islam. This is why Salafism, which is the dominant Islamic ideology in Saudi Arabia, and the country that plays a key role in its global propagation, sternly rejects such practice and regards it as an innovation.
(2) Yasinan; a tradition where Muslims gather at a mosque every Thursay evening to recite Surah Yasin congregationally as an act of worship and to seek blessings. This surah is also often recited in unison by attendees during religious events or ceremonies like funerals or celebrations.
Because a specific time, Thursday evening, is being allocated and the recitation is done in congregation although no authentic evidence to that effect has been reported from the Prophet ﷺ, thus this act is an innovation and is not allowed in Islam. It should therefore be avoided.
(3) Mawlid; annual festival commemorating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never celebrated the Prophet’s ﷺ birthday. Imam Syafie, whose Islamic opinions which most Muslims in Singapore claim to follow, also never celebrated the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us:
”Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Messenger.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (3445)]
So what did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ do on the day of his birth? What has been reported is that he made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to a celebration. He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said:
“It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.” [Sahih Muslim (1162e)]
He ﷺ fasted on his birthday.
Does MUIS Operate With Justice?
Rasul Dahri’s approach on viewing the above-mentioned issues is by adhering to literal interpretation of Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah; presenting explicit evidences from any of them. Therefore, only a narrow-minded person with hidden agendas or hatred towards the truth would accused Rasul Dahri’s teachings on real Islam as problematic, exclusivist and extreme; misleading and causing great harm to the Muslim community in Singapore.
Does MUIS intend to force the Muslim community in Singapore to agree with their views on real Islam and religious rituals which they claim are practised by Muslim scholars worldwide although not all their views correspond with the teachings of as-Salafus-Salih, what’s more Shafi’i school of thought which is commonly followed here? Is it MUIS’s agenda to brainwash the Muslim community in Singapore?
MUIS claims in the aforementioned media statement that:
“Mr Rasul Dahri has also persistently denounced established religious rituals practised by Muslim scholars worldwide and declared those who practise it as deviating from what his own mistaken view of what is “the real Islam”.”
By accusing Rasul Dahri of having mistaken view of what is “real Islam”, is to assert that as-Salafus-Salih and those who follow them worldwide are wrong in their teachings, and only MUIS’s views are correct. Is that not exclusivist in nature and extreme? Is not MUIS’s approach promoting enmity, strife and potentially violence to those who disagree with them regarding the teachings of real Islam.
MUIS warns Muslims in Singapore that:
“Muslims are reminded that they should only seek religious education from religious teachers who are registered under the ARS. Religious teachers like Mr Rasul Dahri can mislead Muslims and do great harm to the community, and to society at large. Should they encounter any individuals teaching and preaching such ideas, they should not hesitate to report it to MUIS.”
Why is MUIS not able to embrace differences of opinion? Is MUIS act of boycotting those who differ with them in opinions justifiable? Is not Rasul Dahri their brother in Islam? Do we Singaporeans not pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion and to build a society based on justice and equality?
Islam strictly prohibits boycotting of fellow Muslims and the following are the evidences for it:
“The believers are but a single brotherhood. So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers, and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 49:10]
“It is not permissible for a Muslim to shun his brother for more than three nights. When they meet, this one turns away (from that one) and that one turns away (from this one) and the best of them is the one who greets his brother first.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (6077) and Sahih Muslim (2560)]
“Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not desert one another, but O Allah’s worshipers! Be Brothers! And it is unlawful for a Muslim to desert his brother Muslim (and not to talk to him) for more than three nights.” [Sahih al-Bukhari (6076)]
“The one who breaks ties will not enter Paradise.” [Sahih Muslim (2556)]
“It is not allowable for a Muslim to keep apart from his brother for more than three days, for one who does so and dies will enter Hell.” [Sunan Abi Dawud (4914)]
The above are quite clear in determining that it is impermissible for a Muslim to boycott or break off ties with a fellow brother in Islam.
The scholars from the companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Taabi’een (the generation of Muslims who followed the companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), and those who came after them, when they differed in any matter, they followed the command of Allah:
“If you differ in anything amongst yourselves then refer it back to Allah and the Messenger, if you do truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, verse 4:59].
So they would discuss concerning the issue, consult and sincerely advise. Sometimes they would differ in matters linked to ‘Aqeedah (creed), as well as issues linked to actions. Yet along with such differences, they still preserved the unity and brotherhood.
Whosoever opposes Allah’s Book and As-Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ, or that which as-Salafus-Salih of this ummah had ijma’ upon; opposing it without a justifiable excuse, then such a person has innovated something new in Islam, which is perfect and complete in its teachings. As regards differing in matters of rulings and actions, then the examples are too many to be recorded. So if every Muslim who differed in something were to be boycotted and abandoned, then no unity or brotherhood would ever remain.
So does MUIS able to accept differences of opinion? Do they act upon the teachings that they have propagated through their sermon manuscript dated 3 March 2023?
Allah says in His Book:
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah As-Saff, verse 61:2-3]
Read more about the hypocrisy of MUIS and the government of Singapore at the following link:
The Bias and Hypocrisy of MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore)
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