PUTRAJAYA, Sept 19 — Malaysians should not merely admire the works and journeys of past Islamic scholars but also learn from their wisdom and apply their teachings in their daily life, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the long intellectual and spiritual journeys undertaken by scholars should serve as motivation for Muslims today to practise the values and lessons found in their works.
“We should learn the wisdom and lessons from the journeys of the scholars, including Ibn Ataillah. Previously, we highlighted Imam al-Nawawi, as well as the experiences of al-Suyuti, Imam Malik and al-Ghazali.
“They went through long journeys and deep spiritual paths, engaging in remembrance, reflection and other profound processes, from which wisdom was born," he said during the Daurah Al-Hikam programme, in conjunction with the Selangor Turath Islami Festival, at Putra Mosque here last night.
The programme featured former Egypt grand mufti Prof Ali Jum’ah and Morocco's University of al-Qarawiyyin deputy rector Prof Sayyid Idris al-Fasi al-Fihri.
Amirudin said these scholarly works should not simply be appreciated as historical accounts, but also encourage people to follow the values and practices that had shaped the scholars’ journeys.
Later, when met after the event, the Menteri Besar said the festival was part of a broader effort to promote and preserve Islamic scholarly heritage in Selangor and Malaysia, adding that despite facing various challenges and differing views, it attracted a strong turnout throughout.
He added that the programme was intended to reintroduce aspects of Islamic heritage that may have been forgotten, including traditional methods of learning and religious practices.
“Turath studies are not only about turath itself, but also the traditional method of learning, along with the practices of zikr and salawat.
“They all have their own role and strength. They were a source of strength in the past that we want to revive," he told Media Selangor.
Amirudin also thanked Ali for sharing his knowledge and insights on Kitab al-Hikam, while acknowledging the participation of Indonesian scholars who attended the festival.
