KUALA LUMPUR: The essence of Islam must be demonstrated through the actions of its followers, not just constitutional provisions, said Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
In his royal address at the 72nd Meeting of the Malaysian National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) today, Sultan Nazrin, who is the chairman of the council said, that while the Federal Constitution of Malaysia contains specific provisions for Islam, securing its legal protection and special status in the country, the sanctity of Islam, however is not solely dependent on constitutional clauses.
"Islam is not just rhetoric, slogans, or banners; it must be demonstrated through tangible actions by its followers. The relevance of Islam can only be proven when it is manifested in the daily lives of Muslims.
"The greatness of Islam should be reflected in the character and actions of the Muslim community, not merely in the glorified stories of past Islamic figures.
"It is not convincing to speak of Islamic ideals when the behaviour of many Muslims today starkly contradicts these ideals."
Sultan Nazrin shared a story of a Scottish tourist in London, who attended an 'Introduction to Islam' exhibition.
When asked by the da'ee (Islamic preacher) if the tourist needed an introduction to Islam, the tourist replied that he was not interested in theory as he had spent years working in various Muslim countries and had read extensively about Islam, Sultan Nazrin said.
"He (the tourist) acknowledged Islam as a beautiful and appealing religion that advocates for harmonious relationships with all, including non-Muslims. However, he observed that the conduct of many Muslims was far from what Islam demands.
"He listed 10 behaviours that, in his view, tarnish the purity of Islam, practiced by many who claim to be Muslims:
"First - Lying, false swearing, stealing,
Second -Disrespecting time,
Third -Slandering and belittling each other,
Fourth - Racism,
Fifth-Accumulating wealth through improper means,
Sixth - Neglecting cleanliness,
Seventh -Glorifying the rich while degrading the poor,
Eighth -Using laws selectively,
Ninth -Manipulating religion for personal gain,
10th -Lack of deep understanding and appreciation of Islam, even among
those born into the faith, resulting in blind followers," said Sultan Nazrin.
He said the tourist mentioned that much money, effort, and time are spent by various organisations to promote the greatness of Islam, yet these efforts fail to yield the desired results.
The ruler then suggested that Muslims should return to the beautiful and awe-inspiring Quran, implementing its principles and ethics.
"Once these are practiced, many will be drawn to Islam without the need for exhibitions.
"The observations made by this non-Muslim tourist should serve as valuable feedback, a constructive reminder to improve our efforts in promoting Islam and uplifting the Muslim community."
Sultan Nazrin said it is evident that there is a significant gap between a large number of Muslims in terms of population and those who truly understand, internalise and practice Islam.
"The reality today suggests that many in the Muslim community have yet to fully embrace the essence of Islam. Therefore, it is our duty, as entrusted by Allah the Almighty, to courageously face this reality without resorting to defensiveness, which could perpetuate a culture of denial among Muslims.
"Instead, we must focus on content over form, prioritise outcomes over outputs, and emphasize quality over quantity."
Sultan Nazrin said the story should serve as a compass in designing programmes that address any underlying issues within Islamic institutions.
"These institutions, entrusted with managing Islamic affairs, must deeply understand the real needs of the Muslim community so that the programmes introduced meet these needs and are not merely superficial, ritualistic, or cosmetic."
"Muslims must learn from past mistakes, particularly the tendency to choose shortcuts for quick fixes, which often result in temporary solutions lacking a solid foundation."
As such, Sultan Nazrin said MKI will not rush in making decisions but will adopt a more careful approach, thoroughly examining matters and documents to be discussed in this consultative council.
"If necessary, MKI members should be prepared to convene more frequently. The MKI secretariat should engage extensively with all stakeholders before introducing any policy and should be equipped with an effective and comprehensive communication plan to avoid any post-implementation discord."