Jais claimed that Islamic scholars, or ulama, are heirs to Muhammad’s teachings. — Picture by Mohd Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — More Muslims are ignoring the legacy of past religious scholars for modern ideologies such as liberalism, pluralism and secularism, Selangor’s Islamic authority said today.

In a Friday sermon celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday last Monday, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) claimed that Islamic scholars, or ulama, are heirs to Muhammad’s teachings.

“What worries us Muslims today is when the legacy of respected ulama that were likened to stars shining on the humankind have been ignored, and what more expelled with various suspicions and extreme slander against them,” said the sermon distributed to mosques in the state.

“Furthermore, Muslims who are fragile in their faith towards Islamic teachings believe in liberal teachings that prioritise the freedom of their intellect, and pluralism that treats all religions as equals, also secularism that segregates religious and worldly affairs, and communism.”

Jais said these ideologies promote “extreme” human rights, gender equality, individual liberty, with the goal of achieving eternal harmony and bliss.

“What is clear is they want every human to live as freely without being shackled by religious values. For them, the intellect is higher than Allah’s prophecy and the teachings of messengers that must be respected,” it said.

The body also warned Muslims of Islamic defenders who reject the opinions of ancient ulama, in addition to opposing the fatwa or religious decrees of contemporary ulama.

“As Muslims, we must be careful with every trickery, booby traps set by enemies of Islam to confuse and weaken the solid faith in Shariah and the formation of noble manners,” Jais added.

Liberalism encompasses a wide array of ideas, but its supporters usually push for civil rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, free trade, private property, and free and fair elections.

Religious bodies regularly demonise liberalism in its Friday sermons, including the federal agency the Malaysian Islamic Development Department which called for “jihad” or holy struggle against liberals in March last year.