Fanatik Mazhab di Malaysia: Punca, Implikasi dan Langkah Mengharmoni Menurut Pandangan Ilmuan Islam

Sectarian Fanaticism in Malaysia: Causes, Implications, and Measures for Harmonization According to the Views of Islamic Scholars

Abstract

Fanatical adherence to a particular school of thought or opinion in matters of creed (ʿaqidah), Islamic law (shariah), and Sufism (tasawwuf) is indeed a reality in the Muslim world, including Malaysia. This is evidenced by the noticeable disputes between the Ashʿarī and Salafī schools in matters of creed; between those who adhere to the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence and those who reject adherence to any specific school in matters of shariah; as well as between groups that accept and practice Sufism and those that reject it. Such fanaticism indirectly contributes to confusion, اختلاف (differences of opinion), and the erosion of unity among Muslims. It also has the potential to be exploited by enemies of Islam and produces highly negative effects on religious harmony. In light of these consequences, a study was conducted to examine the issue of sectarian fanaticism in terms of its conceptual understanding, its causes, and its implications in Malaysia, and most importantly, to explore ways to harmonize this serious conflict. This issue is significant because the concept and root causes of such conflicts must be identified so that appropriate and wise measures can be implemented to correct them and address their underlying causes, thereby minimizing or preventing the harmful consequences arising from these conflicts. The study is also important because previous research on sectarian fanaticism has largely focused on fanaticism within Islamic jurisprudence alone, without addressing fanaticism in creed and Sufism as this study attempts to do. Preliminary findings indicate that conflicts in the fields of creed and Sufism are more intense compared to those in shariah, which mostly involve juristic differences (khilafiyyah). This research combines library research and field research. To produce a high-quality study based on accurate facts, both data collection and data analysis methods were employed. The interview method served as the primary source of reference, whereby essential primary data were collected from selected respondents. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using inductive, deductive, and comparative methods. The findings reveal that sectarian fanaticism in matters of creed, shariah, and Sufism is a real phenomenon in Malaysia between the opposing groups, creating a potentially strained religious atmosphere unless wise and prudent measures are taken by all parties involved.