Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Mufti’s Office will work with the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) to continuously monitor Islamic-based motivational, self-development and spiritual counselling programmes in the state.
Sabah State Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar said the move was important to ensure all programmes comply with the Sabah Islamic-Based Motivation Guidelines and do not incorporate elements contrary to Islamic beliefs, syariah and moral values.
He said the Sabah Fatwa Council endorsed the guidelines at its third meeting, which concluded on Oct 22 after two days.
The Sabah Fatwa Council urges all organisers of motivational programmes, speakers, consultants, trainers and others involved to refer to and comply with these guidelines when conducting their activities and programmes,” he said.
He told reporters this after attending the Sabah Fatwa Council meeting here on Thursday.
Bungsu said cooperation with JHEAINS, as the enforcement agency, would continue to safeguard public order and the sanctity of Islam in Sabah.
He said the monitoring also took into account the growing influence of Western motivational approaches based on secular ideologies, the New Age Movement, the Law of Attraction and modern mysticism.
He said such approaches required attention, as motivational modules could potentially incorporate foreign doctrines that contradict Islamic beliefs if clear guidelines were not in place.
“The guidelines are essential to ensure motivational, self-development and spiritual counselling programmes are conducted in accordance with Islamic law,” he said.
Bungsu also advised Muslims to avoid teachings that could lead to deviations from the principles of Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah.
He said the public should also refrain from directly or indirectly spreading, delivering talks on, or organising programmes associated with teachings ruled deviant.
He said the efforts aligned to ensure Muslims in Sabah continued to uphold the principles of Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah, practise syariah based on the Quran and Sunnah, and observe Islamic moral values.
