The Ulema: Their Past and Present

  The following is an article that appeared in MASSA (Masses) a Malaysian
newsmagazine, on 9th March 1996. MASSA is a respected newsmagazine and is owned by the Utusan Melayu group - a news organisation controlled by UMNO, Malaysia's ruling party. This article is critical of the ulema and their contentions if not disruptive role in Malaysian society.

Lately the Malaysian Ulema Association (PUM) has taken it upon itself to defend the ulema from frequent criticisms by political leaders as well as the general public. The criticisms are a result of the confusion sown by the ulema among the Malaysian public regarding Islamic laws. Some of these issues are very significant like the Hudud Law issue in the State of Kelantan while others are irritating like labelling cigarettes as "haram", declaring the shaking of hands with women as being akin to touching swine and the ulema's objections to religious scenes in dramas and movies.

 Ulema

Perhaps it is better for us to discuss the ulema now - who actually is an ulema and what is their role in our society?

It is clear to us that the early Islamic society that existed after the advent of the Prophet was robust and did not differentiate between worldly and religious issues. The Prophet and the four great caliphs carried out both these roles very well without the need for any specialised group to monitor the religious issues. There was no clergy then.

Most of the fikh jurists and scholars like Iman Shafie, hadis scholars like Bukhari or scholars of tafsir like Ashari were not born until the 8th or lOth century during the Abbasid Period. The split between the clergy (ulema) and the political leadership (umara) took place at about this time also. For example the high sounding office of "sheikhul Islam" was first used by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Sulaiman I (1520 1566 AD). This position occupied the same status as Prime Minister in the caliph's cabinet.

To justify their role and responsibility in society, the Ulema Association quotes a hadith, just like many other ulema in Malaysia, which says that the ulema are the inheritors of the Prophet's mission. But as we have stated there is no evidence from early Islamic history to support this contention. Even the Constitution of Madinah, a legal document that was authored by the Prophet himself, does not mention any role for the ulema. And if we read the Quran that was brought to us by the Prophet we will see that the Quran can be inherited by anyone at all whom God favours. It is not limited to the ulema alone in any way. Please note this verse:
"What We reveal to you in this scripture is the truth, confirming all previous scriptures. God is aware of all things and is Seer of all things about his servants. We then make inheritors of this Quran from anyone We choose from among our servants
Al Faathir 31-32.

Hadith

We must note that this verse is in line with a hadith, which says that there is no clergy in Islam. From these facts, it is evident that the Quranic verses and the Prophet's true teachings are never the cause for the establishment of the ulema. The question therefore remains "Where do the ulema come from?"

History tells us that the old religions like Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity did indeed possess institutions like rabbis, swamis, monks, and priests. There is no doubt that within 250 years of the Prophet's death, the scholars adopted these ideas from the practises of these other religions.

The word ulema is the plural form of a word which refers to a person who is knowledgeable or intellectual - such knowledge not being limited to religious knowledge only. The word "ulema" therefore covers all fields like philosophy, science and mathematics. The word 'ilm' appears in the Quran many times. Some examples are the following:
"God bears witness that there is no god except Him, and the angels and the knowledgeable (ulul ilm) stand up in justice" Surah 3:18.
"God has raised the believers and the knowledgeable (utul ilm) among you to higher ranks" Surah 58:11.

These verses, especially Surah 35:28, prove that the use of words like ilm' and "ulema" (plural) refer to knowledge and those who are knowledgeable over a wide horizon. The intellectuals are called to witness God along with the angels and God Himself. How can they do this except with knowledge? The intellectuals are said to fear God more because only with their knowledge can they appreciate God's greatness.

But what should be the role of intellectuals ("ulema") in our society? It must be to spread knowledge through good teachings either as teachers or as writers of books about science, philosophy and other areas of useful knowledge. It is not their role to seek high office like politicians or cabinet ministers. Therefore the contention by some that philosophers and scientists cannot be considered "ulema" is incorrect. More often than not intellectuals have little interest to become politicians. They have neither the skill nor the motivation to become political leaders. They like to spend their time reading, contemplating, researching and writing.

Quran

If we hold this type of view about what should constitute an "ulema" we will avoid much confusion. Everyone including the religious scholars should have the right to speak on all issues. However the right to make laws should be the single preserve of an elected Parliament or the political leadership according to the teachings of the Quran and all other teachings which do not contradict the teachings of the Quran. -MASSA 9th March, 1996.