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Mohd Asri's books reflect his concerns about what he considers to be fanaticism in [[madhhab]]s (schools of jurisprudence), criticism of [[Hadith]] fabrications, and condemnation of [[Shia Islam|Shiism]] and some [[Sufism|Sufi]] practices. He considers these phenomena not to be in line with “pure” Islam, and he has urged Muslims to return to what he believes are Islam's true teachings. He frequently cites sources often referred to by those conforming to the [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] school of thought, such as [[Ibn Taymiyyah]] (d. 1328), particularly in the issues of human life and human rights, and accepts moderate ideas from the [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] school. Unlike the perception that associates Salafism with rigidity, conservatism, and extremism in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Asri believes in the Salafi brand of “[[Sunnah]] Perlis,” emphasizing the freedom from madhhab rigidity that calls upon Muslims to return directly to the two major sources of Islam in dealing with religious issues, namely, the [[Quran|Qurʾan]] and [[Sunnah]].
Mohd Asri's books reflect his concerns about what he considers to be fanaticism in [[madhhab]]s (schools of jurisprudence), criticism of [[Hadith]] fabrications, and condemnation of [[Shia Islam|Shiism]] and some [[Sufism|Sufi]] practices. He considers these phenomena not to be in line with “pure” Islam, and he has urged Muslims to return to what he believes are Islam's true teachings. He frequently cites sources often referred to by those conforming to the [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] school of thought, such as [[Ibn Taymiyyah]] (d. 1328), particularly in the issues of human life and human rights, and accepts moderate ideas from the [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] school. Unlike the perception that associates Salafism with rigidity, conservatism, and extremism in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Asri believes in the Salafi brand of “[[Sunnah]] Perlis,” emphasizing the freedom from madhhab rigidity that calls upon Muslims to return directly to the two major sources of Islam in dealing with religious issues, namely, the [[Quran|Qurʾan]] and [[Sunnah]].


While Mohd Asri may be conservative on many aspects of religious rituals, some of his views on women's rights,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://coconuts.co/kl/news/dr-maza-selangor-mufti-quit-harping-about-caning-wives-and-children/|title=Dr MAZA to Selangor Mufti: Quit Harping On About Caning Wives & Children | publisher=CoconutsKL| date=Jan 28, 2015 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> religious freedom,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mindatajdid.com/kebebasan-beragama-dan-hak-menyatakan-akidah/|title=Kebebasan Beragama & Hak Menyatakan Akidah | publisher=Minda Tajdid| date=July 12, 2021 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri17dm0e6ew|title=Forum Perpaduan Kaum & Agama | publisher=PROmediaTAJDID| date=September 20, 2020 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> and religious worship are largely recognized as progressive. This debunks the view some scholars have of a direct correlation between [[Wahhabism]], violence, and [[Islamic State|ISIS]] (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). He also urges Malaysian Muslims not to accept the [[Shafiʽi school|Shafiʿi]] school as the only source of law, but to be more receptive of other schools of jurisprudence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/07032020-dr-mazas-salafi-styled-theocracy-analysis/ |title=Dr. Maza's Salafi-Styled Theocracy | publisher=Eurasiareview | date=7 March 2020 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> This position departs from that advocated by the ulama in the [[Nusantara (proposed city)|Nusantara]] region, which largely adopts the Shafiʿi school.
While Mohd Asri may be conservative on many aspects of religious rituals, some of his views on women's rights,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://coconuts.co/kl/news/dr-maza-selangor-mufti-quit-harping-about-caning-wives-and-children/|title=Dr MAZA to Selangor Mufti: Quit Harping On About Caning Wives & Children | publisher=CoconutsKL| date=Jan 28, 2015 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> religious freedom,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mindatajdid.com/kebebasan-beragama-dan-hak-menyatakan-akidah/|title=Kebebasan Beragama & Hak Menyatakan Akidah | publisher=Minda Tajdid| date=July 12, 2021 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri17dm0e6ew|title=Forum Perpaduan Kaum & Agama | publisher=PROmediaTAJDID| date=September 20, 2020 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> and religious worship are largely recognized as progressive. He also urges Malaysian Muslims not to accept the [[Shafiʽi school|Shafiʿi]] school as the only source of law, but to be more receptive of other schools of jurisprudence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/07032020-dr-mazas-salafi-styled-theocracy-analysis/ |title=Dr. Maza's Salafi-Styled Theocracy | publisher=Eurasiareview | date=7 March 2020 | access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> This position departs from that advocated by the ulama in the [[Nusantara (proposed city)|Nusantara]] region, which largely adopts the Shafiʿi school.


Although he maintains an intentionally apolitical stance, political parties like [[United Malays National Organisation|United Malays National Organization (UMNO)]] and [[People's Justice Party (Malaysia)|People Justice Party (PKR)]] are interested in him. As Mufti of [[Perlis]], he is propagating the “Sunnah Perlis” teachings, the Salafi version of a revival and reform agenda (islah and tajdid), and its call for the “pure” version of Islam by referring directly to the Qurʾan and Sunnah and by superseding madhhabic interpretation
Although he maintains an intentionally apolitical stance, political parties like [[United Malays National Organisation|United Malays National Organization (UMNO)]] and [[People's Justice Party (Malaysia)|People Justice Party (PKR)]] are interested in him. As Mufti of [[Perlis]], he is propagating the “Sunnah Perlis” teachings, the Salafi version of a revival and reform agenda (islah and tajdid), and its call for the “pure” version of Islam by referring directly to the Qurʾan and Sunnah and by superseding madhhabic interpretation

Revision as of 18:25, 16 August 2022

Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
محمد عصري زين العابدين
Mohd Asri in 2022
Mufti of Perlis
Assumed office
2 February 2015 - Present
Preceded byJuanda Jaya
In office
1 November 2006 – 11 November 2008
Preceded byMat Jahaya Hussin
Succeeded byJuanda Jaya
Personal details
Born
Mohd Asri bin Zainul Abidin

(1971-01-01) January 1, 1971 (age 53)
Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia
Children5
EducationSultan Alam Shah Islamic College
Alma materUniversity of Jordan (BA)
University of Science Malaysia (MA)
International Islamic University Malaysia (PhD)
OccupationMufti, lecturer
Known forSalafism
Other namesDr. MAZA

Prof. Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr. Mohd Asri bin Zainul Abidin (Jawi: محمد عصري بن زين العابدين; born 1 January 1971), better known as MAZA, is an Islamic scholar, preacher, writer and lecturer from Malaysia. He is currently serving his second term as Mufti of Perlis since 2 February 2015.[1] His first term had been from 1 November 2006 until 11 November 2008.[2]

Early life and education

Mohd Asri was educated at the religious secondary school Al-Irsyad in Seberang Perai, Penang, and furthered his study at the Islamic College Klang. He received his bachelor's degree in Arabic and Sharia, with honors from the University of Jordan; master's in Islamic studies from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and PhD in Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage (Qurʾan and Sunnah studies) from International Islamic University Malaysia. He also received five degrees in Hadith from India. He was also a Fellowship in Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.[3]

Career

Mohd Asri is an active writer and commentator on Islam and religious issues. He was a columnist for two local Malay newspapers called Mingguan Malaysia and Sinar Harian. He is also a prolific writer who has published many books since 2003. He remains a permanent associate professor with Universiti Sains Malaysia while serving with the Office of Perlis Mufti. Known by the public as Dr. Maza (an acronym for his own name, Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin), he is popular among the young who follow his blog, Minda Tajdid and in columns on Malay newspapers.

Views and principles

Mohd Asri's books reflect his concerns about what he considers to be fanaticism in madhhabs (schools of jurisprudence), criticism of Hadith fabrications, and condemnation of Shiism and some Sufi practices. He considers these phenomena not to be in line with “pure” Islam, and he has urged Muslims to return to what he believes are Islam's true teachings. He frequently cites sources often referred to by those conforming to the Salafi school of thought, such as Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328), particularly in the issues of human life and human rights, and accepts moderate ideas from the Salafi school. Unlike the perception that associates Salafism with rigidity, conservatism, and extremism in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Asri believes in the Salafi brand of “Sunnah Perlis,” emphasizing the freedom from madhhab rigidity that calls upon Muslims to return directly to the two major sources of Islam in dealing with religious issues, namely, the Qurʾan and Sunnah.

While Mohd Asri may be conservative on many aspects of religious rituals, some of his views on women's rights,[4] religious freedom,[5][6] and religious worship are largely recognized as progressive. He also urges Malaysian Muslims not to accept the Shafiʿi school as the only source of law, but to be more receptive of other schools of jurisprudence.[7] This position departs from that advocated by the ulama in the Nusantara region, which largely adopts the Shafiʿi school.

Although he maintains an intentionally apolitical stance, political parties like United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and People Justice Party (PKR) are interested in him. As Mufti of Perlis, he is propagating the “Sunnah Perlis” teachings, the Salafi version of a revival and reform agenda (islah and tajdid), and its call for the “pure” version of Islam by referring directly to the Qurʾan and Sunnah and by superseding madhhabic interpretation

Criticism

Although some have accused him of subscribing to Wahhabism, he does not accept Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (d. 1793) as a great scholar or consider him a moderate and progressive scholar. Asri can be characterized as a moderate scholar who urges Muslims to practice more than one madhhab simultaneously within Sunni Islamic doctrine, namely the Hanbali, Shafiʿi, Maliki, and Hanafi schools.

He is known to be very vocal in expressing his views, particularly in Malaysia's political and religious contexts,[8] and in criticizing the labeling of certain non-Muslim parties, especially the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) as kafir harbi (infidels against whom war can be waged) and efforts to amend the Syariah (the term used in Malaysia for Sharia) Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 to allow certain Hudud punishments to be implemented in certain states in Malaysia.

On issues such as the environment, he is clearly against pollution. He advocates modesty in fashion, particularly the proper attire for Muslim women, and Muslims can wear non-Muslim traditional dresses.

Personal life

Mohd Asri is married with five children, namely Talhah, Intisor, Ibtihal, Dihyah and Irwa', respectively.

Honours and awards

Honours of Malaysia

Awards

Books

References

  1. ^ "Asri starts work as Perlis mufti a second time – Bernama". The Malaysian Insider. 2 February 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Take non-Muslims in Islamic schools, former Perlis mufti proposes". The Malay Mail. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin". Oxford Bibliographies. 27 Oct 2021. Retrieved 9 Feb 2022.
  4. ^ "Dr MAZA to Selangor Mufti: Quit Harping On About Caning Wives & Children". CoconutsKL. Jan 28, 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Kebebasan Beragama & Hak Menyatakan Akidah". Minda Tajdid. July 12, 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Forum Perpaduan Kaum & Agama". PROmediaTAJDID. September 20, 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Dr. Maza's Salafi-Styled Theocracy". Eurasiareview. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Dr. Maza Tegur Pemimpin Kerajaan". Astro Awani. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Dr Asri kini bergelar Datuk". Malaysia Kini. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

Articles in MalaysiaKini