16 pages of FOOD FOR SOUL, MIND & BODY / STORIES / PLACES / PEOPLE etc.

EVERY FRIDAY
Islamia
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Did
Rasulullah
Say
That?
Jumaat, 03 Rabiulakhir 1431 Friday, March 19, 2010
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runeis state Legisla-
tive Council on 11th
March began its sixth
session, to discuss the
issues of public interests
including the national budget
for the current fiscal year. The
Legislative Council also
known as LegCo, provides a
venue for ministers and
representatives of society to
debate the merits of policies
yet to be implemented and to
air the concerns of the
people of Brunei.
LegCo is also the annual
forum where His Majesty
The Sultan and Yang Di-
Pertuan of Brunei Darus-
salam delivers to ministers
the national directives to be
followed, introduce issues to
be addressed, and hears
from ministers and other
representatives from society
the issues Brunei as a nation
is currently dealing with.
Basically, LegCo is a forum of
consultation for the govern-
ment of His Majesty.
Consultation is predicated
on Shura, an Islamic principle
which is derived from the
teachings of Al-Quran and
the authentic Sunnah (way of
life) of Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessing be upon
him).
Islam places so much
importance on process of
consultation or Shura, that
there is a full chapter in al-
Quran named Ash-Shura.
Allah (SWT) praises Muslims
for their consultation.
Those who hearken to
their Lord, and establish
regular Prayer; who (conduct)
their affairs by mutual consul-
tation; who spend out of
what We bestow on them for
Sustenance [are praised]
(QS Ash-Shura/42: 38)
Prophet Mohammad
(PBUH) had been advised by
Allah (SWT) to consult with
B
Concept of Shura in Islam
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believers, as Allah (SWT)
states in al-Quran:
And by the Mercy of Allah,
you dealt with them
(believers) gently. And had
you been severe and harsh-
hearted, they would have
broken away from about you;
so pass over (their faults),
and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness
for them; and consult them in
the affairs. Then when you
have taken a decision, put
your trust in Allah, certainly,
Allah loves those who put
their trust (in Him). (QS Aal-i-
Imran/3:159)
So the process of Shura is
guidance from Allah (SWT)
and a decision made through
this process will gain the
blessings of Almighty. If we
study the life of Prophet
(PBUH), we can see
examples of consultation
with his companions on all
important matters. He
Managing
Love
of
Women
Best
Gift
to
Children
Does
Al-Quran
Allow
Forcing
Someone to
Embrace Islam
consulted with his compan-
ions on the eve of battle of
Badr, on the day of Uhud and
on the day of Khandaq, some
of the most important events
shaped the history and the
future of the Ummah.
In issues which directly
involve the community, the
Prophet (PBUH) consulted
with the majority of people.
For example during the Uhud
battle he consulted with the
people of Madinah on the
question of leaving the city to
fight the enemy at Uhud. So
the consultation could be with
the masses or the representa-
tives of the community.
The four Rightly Guided
Caliphs (RA) always followed
in the footsteps of the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) and
ensured that the important
government decisions were
taken through proper consul-
tation with the people of
wisdom.
The first Caliph, Abu Bakr Al
Siddique (RA), upon being
confirmed by consensus as
successor to the Prophet said
to the Muslims: "I have been
given authority over you, but I
am not the best among you.
Obey me so long as I obey
God in the administration of
your affairs. Where I disobey
God, you owe me no obedi-
ence."
Upholding this very
principle, the second Caliph
Omar (RA) said: Where I do
right, assist me; where I do
wrong, correct me.
However, Shura in Islam is
not exclusive to the gover-
nance, but deals with every
aspect of life. Every person
who has given authority over
others is supposed to consult
others while taking important
decisions.
Islamia/The Brunei Times
Supplements
Are Not
Necessarily
the
Answer
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan andYang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darus-
salam, delivering his Titah, during the opening of the sixth Legislative Council meeting at the Legislative Council
building. Picture Courtesy of Infofoto