Azlan Othman
Piety is meaningless if it is only understood without applying it in daily life as piety is a fundamental part of Islamic spirituality, said Dean of Syariah Faculty at Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Noralizam bin Haji Aliakbar.
He made these comments in his religious talk La’allakum Tattaqun at Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen Mosque in Kampong Mulaut during Munajat night yesterday.
“Those who apply piety in their daily life has taken a fundamental step in having integrity, as integrity in Islam begins with integrity towards Allah the Almighty by being a pious and faithful servant of Allah the Almighty.
“The society today is not inclined to extend piety into their daily lives and only understand it in personal and spiritual contexts. This results in piety being separated from other areas of life such as politics, economics, education, and community,” Dr Haji Noralizam said.
He also said the main purpose of fasting is la‘allakum tattaqun – attaining a higher state of piety.
“If we look deeper, every religious deed during the holy month of Ramadhan is for us to acquire piety. In Al-Quran, piety is a benchmark for human glory,” he said. He also elaborated on the concept of piety which is “to do good deeds and avoid all wrongdoing”.
Dr Haji Noralizam added, “Islam sees fasting as a practice to enhance integrity. Muslims perform fasting to get closer to Allah the Almighty and seek rewards.
“The higher the level of faith and piety of an individual is, the higher the value of integrity will be, thus being closer to Allah the Almighty.”
The Munajat night organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) was held for the 28th time with the participation of the workforce from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
In addition, 69 mosques, suraus and religious halls also participated virtually. The religious ceremony invites individuals to seek forgiveness from Allah the Almighty via Munajat, Istighfar, recitation of Surah Yaasin, Zikir, Selawat and supplication, and praying that the nation is protected from calamities, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud were present. Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar led the gathering with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Surah Al-Fatihah from Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in Kampong Manggis Madang.
This was followed by the recitation of Surah Yaasiin, led by Principal of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Pengiran Haji Amiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Damit from the institute’s musolla in Jalan Tutong.
Doa Munajat was recited by Ra’es of KUPU SB Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar as a member of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council from the Kampong Pengkalan Batu Mosque.
Following the religious talk, Asmaa Ul-Husna and Selawat were recited led by the Prisons Assistance Counsellor at the Prisons Department Fariszal bin Ali along with MoHA officers from Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque.
The weekly religious gathering ended with Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan and Brunei Darussalam by Mosque Affairs Officer cum the Head of Monitoring Team for the Tutong District Noraffindy bin Norsabah from Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong.
