On 3 February 2024, the Office of Mufti of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) announced a new fatwa (ruling) on the halal status of cultivated meat during the Conference on Fatwa in Contemporary Societies.1 The fatwa is significant, as an Islamic response to Singapore’s contemporary challenges, and also for its impact and contribution to the larger and important national issue of food security. This article seeks to introduce the idea of food security to Muslims, explore its roots in Islamic tradition and how
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Getting to Know the Late Ustaz Ahmad Sonhadji Via His Sermons
This article seeks to provide brief insights into the late Ustaz Sonhadji’s religious thinking and personality through the compilation of his Friday sermons published in a three-volume publication by Pergas in March 2023, titled Meninjau Pemikiran Ustaz Ahmad Sondhaji Mohamad Milatu: Daripada Khutbah-Khutbah Karangannya. This author is one of the three editors who worked on the project[1]. 112 handwritten manuscripts of sermons of different topics dated from 1971 to 1980 are among the many intellectual legacies left behind by Ustaz Sonhadji. They were donated by his family to the National […]
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Adab for Muslims when Using the Handphone Camera
Today, the camera has become available in almost everybody’s hand due to the wide use of smartphones. Even a primary school student possesses a camera that comes with a mobile phone given by the parents for easy communication between them.
Unlike in the past, photo taking and video recording have now become easier for everyone, at any time or place. Muslims, however, must know that Islam commands them to observe adab (etiquette) in every aspect of life. In this regard, Muslims are to observe certain adab when using their handphone cameras for photo taking or video recording.
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Equal Shares of Inheritance for Muslim Children: A Forgotten Perspective
Muslim estates in Singapore are regulated under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA). Section 121 of the Act stipulates that estates belonging to Muslims domiciled in Singapore and died intestate (without will) shall be adminis- tered in accordance to Islamic law of inheritance (Faraid). Under this condition, the eligible heirs to the estates and their shares would depend on the inheritance certificate issued by the Syariah Court of Singapore.
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Preserving Social Harmony: Lessons from the Marrakesh Declaration for Minority Muslims Living in Non-Muslim Countries
THE MARRAKESH DECLARATION
The Marrakesh Declaration is a culmination of an initiative led by the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah and the sponsorship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. Sheikh Bin Bayyah is a prominent and respected contemporary Muslim scholar.
Dealing with Negative People: Tips from the Quran for Muslim Activists
Many religious guidance and fatwas (Islamic legal opinion) that require adjustments and restrictions to Muslims’ religious duties as part of national counter-measures to the COVID-19 pandemic were issued all over the world. Examples are the closure of all mosques and accompanying restrictions such as to the number of congregants for obligatory daily and Friday prayers.
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