Imams Caution Against Panic E-Mails
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan – Imams urged Muslim Ummahs not to be influenced by panic e-mails and pamphlets generated by irresponsible elements who claimed that this year would bring anuproar and create efforts to disunite Muslims and destroy their religious beliefs.

In a Friday sermon delivered yesterday, Imams said, lately Muslims had been widely influenced by wrong understandings made by irresponsible elements who wished to destroy religious beliefs and disintegrate Muslims. This year, e-mails and pamphlets were spread in the sultanate, which stated that the year 2005 would bring an uproar.

All such incidents bring confusion to the society who want verification whether it is true or not which requires research to ascertain its authenticity.

Among the incidents spread through panic pamphlets and e-mails include the demise of the late Saudi King and events in the sky such as of an eclipse of the moon and sun during Ramadhan.

The incidents also include sounds that frighten all mankind followed by disasters from the sky where Muslims are told to equip themselves mentally and physically in facing such situation such as by observing prayers, stockpiling food and necessities for a period of one year and become more pious.

"It must be known that any events that are yet to occur are supernatural, and are known only to Allah.

It is none other than just a prediction. The question is whether it is merely a prediction or based on the knowledge of astronomy or a prediction based on 'Hadith' or words from the companions. Mere predictions without research on the knowledge or based on 'Hadith' and so on are equivalent to fortune-tellers who claim to know the supernatural. Such an act is unlawful.

If such a' prediction is based on research on the knowledge, then such an act is knowledge beneficial to mankind as long as they know where to place it. If such prediction is based on 'Hadith', it must be verified by 'Hadith' scholars. In this context, we need to be cautious and ask the experts," Imams said.

Imams asked Ummah to analyse and rethink the claims before jumping to conclusions. Firstly, mankind is in conflict following the demise of `caliph' Saudi King. The prediction could be based on Hadith where it was stated that there could be a conflict after a caliph passes away.

The King that rules Saudi is not called caliph but King. According to the Saudi Constitution, before the ruling King passed-away, a replacement is appointed. This means that the question of conflict does not arise in finding a replacement.

Secondly,- an appearance of two eclipses, of the moon and sun during Ramadhan was totally out of line. The appearance of `Imam Mahdi' in the Muslim community is proven by the appearance of two eclipses, which had never happened since the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Such tales are stated in a book. However according to a scholar, such tales are baseless and false. However, thirdly, to read prayers to save mankind from mischief, in fact is highly recommended.

Fourthly, there was a call to stockpile food and other daily necessities for a certain period of time. It must be reminded that calling the public to stockpile these items without concrete proof and sense of responsibility could bring instability, be it politically, economically and living in a community. Stockpiling food could bring crisis and instability to the nation.

The next was a call to be highly pious during critical periods. It must be noted that piety should not be observed just during a hard time.

Hence, the claims of a year that brings uproar could not become a guide. Scholars also argued it. The act of predicting 2005 as a year of uproar was not up to humans, but for the Almighty to decide.

Imams concluded by reminding Muslims to avoid believing in matters beyond their knowledge, especially in the context of religion as it could lead to infidelity. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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