State Mufti calls for better understanding of Islamic legislation

Bandar Seri Begawan - With the anticipated implementation of the Syariah Criminal Law, which will govern most of Brunei's court cases, a call was made yesterday for the public to better understand the mechanics behind what will be a significant part of daily life.

In a series of lectures in conjunction with the Maulud Nabi celebration, State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned yesterday emphasised the need for Bruneians, especially Muslims, to be better acquainted with the Syariah Criminal Law literature as a tool to overcome negative perceptions surrounding what is also known as the law of Islam.

As he commented that these lectures come at an ideal time, referring to the future introduction of the Syariah Criminal Law with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Muslims in the nation are obligated to "really understand what Syariah Criminal Law is, its enigma, how it is carried out, on who, for what purposes and so on".

"Thus far, we have only heard rumours of the Syariah Criminal Law. There are those who have said that this law is archaic and there are those who see it as being cruel, that it is not ideal for the current era or that it is not the time for its introduction and so on," observed the State Mufti in his talk at the Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Kilanas.

"These rumours," he added, "come from those who do not understand Islam ... Without that understanding, how can one know the greatness of Allah's law?"

With the vast array of topics covered in Syariah Criminal Law to include religion, family and finance, the State Mufti stressed that Islamic law is far from being narrow and pointed out that such laws are, in actuality, "neat and perfect" and when understood in detail, "it is beautiful, attractive and alluring", up to a point where even non-Muslims have uttered their respect for Islamic law.

Among the other topics shared by the State Mufti were Islamic law in business dealings, touching on Islam's unapproved practice of interest that can further burden those with financial debt that has been described as "unfair" practice.

As part of the lecture, the State Mufti recited a number of Quranic verses that make up part of the Syariah Criminal Law.