EXPANDING HORIZONS IN SYARIAH AND LAW SCHOLARSHIP: INSIGHTS FROM THE MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF SYARIAH AND LAW

Volume 11, Issue 1 (2023) of the Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law (MJSL) showcases a diverse collection of articles and case studies that make significant contributions to the international scholarly community. The articles delve into crucial topics such as the treatment of uncontrollable children, offering a comparative analysis of international and Malaysian legal frameworks. Another article examines cultured meat through the lenses of fiqh and Sufism, providing valuable insights into its compatibility with Islamic principles. The study on punitive labor in Oman analyzes its application within the Omani legal system, considering its alignment with international standards. Additionally, the volume addresses the challenges of controlling territorial borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on maritime areas. The use of gelatin in halal pharmaceutical products is explored, ensuring compliance with Islamic dietary regulations. The volume also includes studies on the application of non-ratified international treaties, offering new perspectives on their judicial implementation. Furthermore, the contextualization of Maqasid al-Shariah according to the objectives of the individual, family, society, and humanity is thoroughly examined. A comparative analysis of social solidarity in Islam and contemporary economic systems contributes to the discourse on economic justice. The case studies within this volume provide insights into the constitutional position of the continental shelf in Malaysia, shedding light on the legal provisions and implications surrounding its resources. Additionally, protocols for validating the status of illegitimate children in Syariah law are presented, offering valuable guidance in teaching and learning approaches for this area of study. Lastly, an intellectual dialogue with an esteemed professor in peace and conflict studies enriches the scholarly conversation. A book review on advancing the legal status of women in Islamic law provides critical insights into this significant subject. The contributions within this volume deepen our understanding of these topics, stimulate further scholarly exploration, and foster the advancement of knowledge in the field of Syariah and Law

REJUVENATING HUMAN CAPITAL IN SYARIAH LEGAL INSTITUTIONS THROUGH FIQH FORENSICS FUNDAMENTAL MODULE: A PRELIMINARY REVIEW

The development of science and technology today has contributed to the advancement of evidence law in the Civil Courts as well as Syariah Courts. The said application of science and technology refers to the scientific evidence produced from the results of analysis done by the expertise in forensic science. Numbers of reported Syariah cases has applied forensic science analysis and test to produce scientific evidence. These cases have portrayed the admission of scientific evidence in Syariah Courts and indicate the readiness of human capital in the Syariah Legal Institutions to apply the scientific evidence. Therefore, this study carry three purposes, to examine the main issues in handling the scientific evidence, to provide suggestion to rejuvenate human capital in Syariah Legal Institutions, and to suggest solution for the issues pointed out throughout the discussion. The result of this study elucidates two main issues that play integral part in handling the scientific evidence, which are the lack of knowledge and adequate experience. In order to overcome these particular issues, rejuvenation on the existing human capital in Syariah Legal Institutions must be done. This study focused on the rejuvenation in the aspect of knowledge and skills of human capital. The said module should contain two mains aspect, theoretical and practical aspect of forensic science. The target of this module is to serve the Syariah officers in the Syariah Legal Institutions as comprehensive guideline and instruction to lead the fundamentals of the forensic science in Syariah Courts into an appropriate platform. In conclusion, this study suggests the development of Fiqh Forensics Fundamental Module to curb the issues of lack of sufficient knowledge and adequate skills in handling scientific evidence

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ILLEGITIMATE CHILD TERM FROM SHARIAH AND MALAYSIA LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Purpose of the study: This article focuses on the definition of ‘illegitimate children’ in Muslim society in Malaysia based on its perspective of Shariah law, Islamic family law, civil law in Malaysia, and the existing perception of the Muslim society in Malaysia. This study also aims to compare the legal terms of ' illegitimate children' from various perspectives with the layman definition of illegitimate children. Methodology: Research information has been obtained through the documentary data collection based on report and annual data from the Malaysian government, non-government agencies and relevant turath scriptures to obtain the best definition of “illegitimate child”. Once data have been collected, the data have been analysed using a content analysis method through deductive or inductive reasoning. Main Findings: The result shows that the term ‘illegitimate children’ is based on the opinions of the Muslim Scholars which is the child conceived from adultery act without a legal marriage. However, the definition of illegitimate children is broad and varies among the existing authoritative bodies in Malaysia, which include a child conceived from an adultery act, unregistered because of lack of proper documentation for registration. Applications of this study: The results of this study are expected to assist the authorities especially Malaysian Islamic Development Office - Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM), National Registration Department (JPN), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), Islamic State Department of Malaysia, Shariah Courts in Malaysia and other agencies and NGOs in formulating strategies and taking follow-up actions. In addition, this study will become a reference to individuals, researchers, academicians, students, and the public in Malaysia. Novelty/Originality of this study: The misunderstanding about the definition of an illegitimate child according to JPN, added by the fact that JPN does not have the jurisdiction at all to determine the validity of the child that is supposed to be placed under the Shariah Court, has triggered an ongoing polemic in the Muslim community in Malaysia, concerning this child status issue

PRODUK MAKANAN UBAH SUAI GENETIK (GMF) DALAM PERSPEKTIF KONSEP HALALAN TOYYIBAN BERDASARKAN PENILAIAN MAQASID HIFZ AN NAFS: GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD PRODUCTS (GMF) IN THE CONCEPT OF HALALAN TOYYIBAN PERSPECTIVE BASED ON THE MAQASID HIFZ AN NAFS EVALUATION

Abstract in English: Nowadays, research and production of new food products based on genetic engineering technology are carried out to give benefit to the community. However, the production of food products through this technology has raised concerns in the determination of the legal status and the safety of the food products to be eaten by the consumer. Therefore, this article discusses genetically modified food (GMF) in the concept of halalan toyyiban based on the evaluation of maqasid hifz an nafs. This article uses qualitative design through the documentation study method by comparing and analyzing important information from selected sources such as al-Quran, fiqh books, scientific articles, fatwas, and journals from previous research. The results obtained showed that the GMF products are considered to meet the halalan toyyiban concept if the products follow the six principles in the concept which are halal, healthy, accepted by fitrah, safe, clean, and free from syubhah. This study also found that GMF products can be evaluated through three main maslahah (benefit) in maqasid syariah which is dharuriyyat (necessity), hajiyyat (will), and tahsiniyyat (perfection).   Abstract in Bahasa Malaysia: Pada masa kini, penyelidikan serta penghasilan produk makanan baru yang berasaskan teknologi kejuruteraan genetik dilaksanakan bagi memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat. Namun, penghasilan makanan melalui teknologi ini secara tidak langsung telah menimbulkan kemusykilan dalam penentuan status hukum dan keselamatan produk makanan yang akan dimakan oleh pengguna. Oleh itu, artikel ini membincangkan mengenai produk makanan ubah suai genetik (GMF) dalam konsep halalan toyyiban berlandaskan penilaian maqasid hifz an nafs. Artikel ini menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif iaitu melalui kaedah kajian dokumentasi dengan membandingkan serta menganalisis maklumat penting daripada sumber yang dipilih seperti kitab suci al-Quran, kitab-kitab fiqh, artikel-artikel ilmiah, fatwa-fatwa serta jurnal dari penyelidikan terdahulu. Hasil kajian yang diperolehi menunjukkan produk GMF dianggap menepati konsep halalan toyyiban sekiranya ia mengikut keenam-enam prinsip konsep tersebut iaitu prinsip halal, berkhasiat, diterima fitrah jiwa sejahtera, selamat, bersih dan bebas syubhah. Kajian ini juga mendapati bahawa produk GMF dapat dinilai melalui tiga maslahah utama dalam maqasid syariah iaitu dharuriyyat (keperluan), hajiyyat(kehendak) dan tahsiniyyat (kesempurnaan)

Ancaman pemikiran aliran Islam Liberal kepada umat Islam di nusantara: satu sorotan kajian

Muzakarah Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia for the 74th, which convened on 25 - 27 July 2006 has discussed the current liberal thinking, the law and its implications for Islam in Malaysia. Muzakarah has decided that the Liberal Thought Movement consists ideology found to deviate from the aspect of faith and sharia. Although the National Fatwa Council has decided on the ban on movement of the Liberal Thought, he is still a threat and challenge to the Muslims whether in Malaysia or anywhere. Thus, this study aims to identify the threat of Islamic thought in the Liberal Arts with focus on the issues raised and some issues of great attraction to the local Muslim community to be affected with them though clearly deviated from the true teachings. The method used is the method of literature review. The findings show that the threat posed liberal Islamic thought in the society is able to attract audiences and gained ground among a handful of people to take part influenced by liberal Islamic thought. Preventive measures should be implemented in a planned follow-up because of the long-term impact could affect concern to Muslims in the regio

Expansion of Agricultural Zakat Revenue in Malaysia on the Basis of the Current Maslahah

The reality concerning the agricultural zakat in Malaysia only impose the zakah on the paddy crops based solely on the opinion of Imam Shafi`i rather than an opinion of other scholars. This paper aims to critically examine the agricultural zakat in Islam based on Malaysian context and analyse the transformation of expanding the agricultural zakat based on the objective of Shariah. A qualitative methodology was employed to analyse the data through inductive, deductive, comparative and field research. As for the field research, the study has conducted semi-structured interviews with the Zakat Corporation, Islamic Religious Council and Mufti`s Department in the selected states in Malaysia, namely: Selangor, Penang, Terengganu and Sarawak. The finding demonstrated that the revenue of the agricultural-based zakat could be expanded according to the view held by Imam Hanafi and its benefit to the current agricultural economy. Thus, this paper proposes that every State’s Zakat Corporations and Islamic Religious Councils in Malaysia should reassess the existing ruling and legal framework of agricultural zakat in order to realize its revenue expansion as an effective solution for the current zakat collection. [Realitas zakat pertanian di Malaysia lebih mengutamakan qaul Imam Shafi`i dibandingkan dengan qaul-qaul mazhab lain. Pengelolaan zakat di Malaysia hanya dikenakan pada zakat pertanian dan terbatas kepada makanan pokok, yaitu padi. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis secara kritis zakat pertanian dalam konteks Malaysia serta mengkaji transformasi isu meluaskan zakat pertanian kepada tanaman selain padi berdasarkan maqasid syari’ah. Kajian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif, dimana analisis data menggunakan kaedah induktif, deskriptif, dan komparatif. Kajian lapangan juga dilakukan dalam bentuk wawancara dengan Jabatan Mufti Negeri dan Baitulmal Negeri di Malaysia; seperti Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Perlis, Terengganu dan Sarawak. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa hasil zakat pertanian dapat diperluas berdasarkan pendapat Imam Abu Hanifah yang lebih sesuai dengan maslahah ekonomi pertanian saat ini di Malaysia. Dengan demikian, studi ini mengusulkan bahwa lembaga zakat setiap negeri dan Dewan Agama Islam di Malaysia harus mengkaji kembali kerangka hukum zakat pertanian yang ada dalam rangka merealisasikan ekspansi penghasilannya sebagai solusi efektif untuk pengumpulan zakat saat ini.