INTERGRATING FIQH AND TASAWUF IMPORTANT TO PRODUCE WELL-BALANCED ISLAMIC SCHOLARS - SULTAN NAZRIN

IPOH,  Feb 25  (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today emphasised the importance of integrating Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and “tasawuf” (Sufism) to produce scholars who are well-balanced in religious knowledge and moral conduct.

His Royal Highness said both branches of knowledge must complement each other to produce scholars who are not only well-versed in religious teachings but also uphold strong ethical values.

He cited the words of Imam Malik bin Anas.

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“If anyone learns fiqh without tasawuf, they risk falling into sin. If anyone studies tasawuf without fiqh, they become heretical. But if anyone combines both sciences, they attain the best and holistic understanding," said the Sultan when opening the “Muzakarah Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah”, themed ‘Empowering the Integration Between Fiqh and Sufism’, here today.

The event was also attended by the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja DiHilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Idris Shah.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh.

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Sultan Nazrin said the words of Imam Malik bin Anas aptly emphasise the necessity of integrating the two branches of knowledge—fiqh and tasawuf.

He said fiqh provides a comprehensive legal framework encompassing acts of worship, transactions, family matters, criminal law, and various other aspects of life. It also extends to the preservation of worship, morality, as well as social and political order.

“The various societal fractures and social ailments afflicting the world today should be seen as undeniable evidence that merely having laws and regulations is meaningless on its own. Observe what is happening around us.

“The moral decay and social turmoil—fraud, corruption, breach of trust, abuse of power, oppression, torture, conflicts, disputes, power struggles, wars, and killings—continue to escalate, not because we lack laws, but because humanity has lost its sense of decorum and ethical conduct.  

“When individuals deem their intellect superior and become intoxicated by the waves of power, they begin to believe that they can manipulate circumstances to dominate the world and subjugate others. They assume themselves to be immune, untouchable, and beyond worldly law.

“Consequently, laws are mocked, manipulated, and ultimately disregarded—without the slightest fear of the afterlife, the Divine Court on the Day of Resurrection, or the certainty of divine retribution in the Hereafter,” said His Royal Highness.

The Sultan said since the tasawuf education was marginalised in school curricula, humanity has become like soulless bodies akin to trees deprived of water.

“The ummah has forsaken spirituality, becoming shackled by materialism and worldly pursuits. At the same time, movements opposing tasawuf have emerged, giving rise to a generation lacking etiquette, even to the extent of displaying blatant disrespect—defying parents and teachers, openly insulting leaders and scholars, and challenging authorities with words unbefitting a true believer,” he said.

-- BERNAMA