KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9, 2014:
Former Premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there were certain fatwa which were no longer applicable these days.
In an exclusive interview with Sinar Harian, he said for example when he was younger, there were fatwa which said one could not use electricity in a mosque; could not use motorised vehicles; could not take photographs nor have paintings in the house.
“Now, we realise these fatwa were not practical. So, we must realise that what were interpreted those days are no longer applicable today. We laugh at these fatwa, but this was how it was then,” he said in the interview.
Dr Mahathir said when we find that a certain fatwa was no longer applicable, we have to relook it.
“Many Muslims do not question but merely accept certain fatwas as a whole, though we cannot practise it in this day and time,” he said.
Talking about the achievements of Muslims in the field of science and technology and how it was low when compared to the West, he said it had to do with certain fatwa that had been issued.
“Muslims had been very developed in the field of science, mathematics, sailing and astronomy. But during the 15th century, there came a fatwa that information that had nothing to do with the religion and did not bring reward and did not bring merit upon death.
“So the Muslim scientists switched from science to religion and because they differed in thought, there was later a conflict between them which caused us to be confused in the process.”
He said that caused Muslims to rely on books that were written by the Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Indians because the Muslims did not write anything.
“This is why it is very important for us to read not only the Quran, but also books in the field of science as they can contribute to our sustainability.”
He said this was why Muslims lacked the knowledge in science now.
“Now when someone insults Islam, we can’t do anything because we are weak. We are weak because we do not have the knowledge as all the while we had only focused on religion.”
He said Muslims currently had gone overboard, more than it was asked by the religion.
“Islam is a moderate religion that preaches good governance, the tolerance of non-Muslims and does not force itself upon anyone.
“Now they have gone overboard to the point that what is forbidden by the religion they do in the name of religion, like kill fellow Muslims. That is not the teaching of Islam. This is a manipulation of the religion.”