Bruneians lauded His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah during the Israk Mikraj celebration on Sunday emphasising the importance of performing obligatory prayers within the family institution.
Wan Ali bin Hj Ibrahim, Senior Instructor at Pusat Bahagia in an interview with the Borneo Bulletin yesterday said, "In my experience, humans have this stubbornness in them, so to lower that level of stubbornness, we need to obey the rules and regulations of Islam.
"It may be the case that among us humans, we have hierarchy levels and power relationships. But we must always remember that there is Allah the Almighty. To keep remembering Allah the Almighty, we need to pray five times a day.
"If we are in a hopeless state, have faith in Him and trust His plans for us. According to His Majesty's titah, from what I understand, our faith must be harnessed through prayers, as it can train us to withstand our desires. If we do not pray, we will be arrogant."
In another interview Muhd Jamary bin Danggat, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind said, "In our association, we always encourage our members to perform the daily prayers, either among us or with our families at home. It coincides with His Majesty's titah during the Israk Mikraj celebration.
"We also hold al-Quran reading classes and other compulsory religious duties in our association as the right way to perform the daily prayers. I feel that His Majesty gave a very good and inspirational titah for all of us, as it makes praying our daily responsibility.
"As for myself, I need to perform the daily prayers to lead my wife to the right path of Islam and this responsibility does not exclude us who have disabilities in life."
The Bulletin also interviewed Hj Mohd Salleh, who said, "I believe that His Majesty's titah coincided with the Family Day celebration recently. Others usually perform prayers, but during the Family Day, priority was not given to perform any prayers. As part of the Islamic nation, and evidently, the country's philosophy, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) clearly includes Islam to be part of our daily faith."
Additionally, he said, "I support His Majesty's titah and understand that he may have been displeased to see the Family Day celebration not holding any religious functions or even performing prayers with families."
In another interview, Hj Riduan said His Majesty's titah showed that His Majesty was concerned for the well-being of his people. "It would be better if we celebrate Family Day by performing prayers at mosques nationwide."
When asked about the role of families in guiding their children to practise the obligatory daily prayers, another interviewee, Hj Yacob said, "It is already an obligation for every Muslim to pray five times a day, and parents should lead and encourage their children to pray as well."
His wife, Pg Siti Haslina told the Bulletin that, apart from the other activities conducted during the National Family Day, mass prayer and tahlil functions should be held at mosques nationwide.
Another interviewee, Siti Zaimah agreed with His Majesty's titah. She said, "National Family Day should indeed include religious elements so that we can teach younger generations and show them how religious practices can be incorporated into their daily life as prevention or a cure before it fades within the era of globalisation."
The Bulletin also interviewed Nordiyana and she highlighted that, to strengthen religious practice amongst families, there is a need to understand religious duties in familial relationships between children and parents as well as spouses.
She added that such discussions or talks could be made part of the National Family Day so that people will be aware of their religious duties within the family institution.
Rita Hassan, stating her own personal preference, said, "I think that the Family Day will be more meaningful to be celebrated with my own family at home and with regards to His Majesty's titah, I think it will be appropriate to have group prayers, sunat or hajat prayers as a way to spend quality time together."
Did you know?
You can get the latest RSS feeds on your mobile phones.
Subscribe through http://www.brusearch.com/rss
