Muslim groups, in diatribe, hit out at Malaysian jihadists

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in its Friday sermon today hit out at local jihadists for tarnishing Islam's image as a religion of peace, Bernama reports.

“The meaning of jihad in Islam is wider than war as it includes all aspects of human action in upholding Allah’s religion, such as pursuing education, strengthening the economy, eradicating poverty, reinforcing the community’s unity, battling desires and the devil, as well as making sure the community is happy in this life and the hereafter," it said.

Jakim said the renowned Egypt-based fatwa institution, Darul Ifta, decreed that the Islamic State (IS) was prohibited in Islam because it brought ruin to nations and tarnished the image of Islam and its adherents.

Bernama reported that the National Fatwa Council, during its meeting on October 23, ruled that it was against Islamic teachings for Muslims to join the IS and that their deaths would not be considered martyrdom.

Muslim group Pertubuhan Ilmuan Malaysia Executive Advisor Fathul Bari Mat Jahya said the misinterpretation of jihad led certain Muslims astray.

He said jihad in the context of supporting a cause requires the consent of the authorities.

Other factors that constitute a true jihad are that the participants must be practicing Muslims, have attained puberty, and obtained permission from their parents.

"Hence, if they go and take part in some struggle or other without the permission of the government, it cannot be construed as jihad," he told Bernama.

Fathul, who is also an Umno Youth excutive council member, said their shallow knowledge of Islam was among the reasons some Malaysians were being lured into joining the wars waged in other countries.

"This (lack of knowledge) has made them vulnerable to people who have persuaded them into joining their struggle, and some of them have lost their lives," he said.

He also dismissed claims that Malaysian Muslims have joined IS, saying not all of them had joined the group.

He said Malaysia's diplomatic ties with Syria would be jeopardised if Malaysians chose to join the militants.

"Those militants practise violence and their actions don't portray the true picture of Islam. Even the scholars of Sunnah Wal Jamaah reject militant movements."

He added that although Malaysia did not support Syria's Shia practice, "we still have to respect our nation's diplomatic relations with that country."

But, Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor, an imam based in Perlis, said any form of jihad had to be carried out in an orderly manner.

"If there's no orderliness, it will cause more problems."

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said that the police had identified more than 30 Malaysians, including a woman, who were linked to IS.

Bernama reported that besides IS, some Malaysian citizens are also known to be involved with other militant groups in Syria, namely Jabhat al-Nusra and Ajnad al-Sham. These groups usually use verses from the Quran and the term jihad to attract their targets.

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