The State Mufti (Malay: Mufti Kerajaan) holds the highest authority in Brunei's religious governance. Unlike in many other countries, this position possesses the exclusive power to issue fatwas, or Islamic legal rulings, which carry enforceable authority within the nation.[1]
Role
The State Mufti is the most senior religious authority in the country. His main role is to give opinions (fatwas) on legal matters and on social affairs base on Islamic Koran, Hadeeth, Qiyas and Ijma' of Ulema.[2]
History
The first State Mufti of Brunei was Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz from 1962 to 1965. He had been Mufti of Johore in Malaysia. In 1967, Ismail again became Brunei's State Mufti until his death. In 1994, Brunei-born Vice State Mufti Abdul Aziz Juned became the country's State Mufti.[3]
List of state muftis
State Mufti
| Portrait | Minister | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz | 1 April 1962 | 31 March 1965 | 2 years, 364 days | [4] |
| 8 March 1967 | 3 February 1994 | 26 years, 332 days | |||
|
Abdul Aziz Juned | 1 September 1994 | Incumbent | 30 years, 160 days | [5] |
Deputy State Mufti
| Portrait | Minister | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Suhaili Mohiddin | 1 September 1994 | 31 August 2015 | 20 years, 364 days | [6] |
| Japar Mat Dain @ Maidin | 1 September 2015 | Incumbent | 9 years, 160 days | [6] |
References
- ^ Müller, Dominik M. (2016). "Brunei in 2015: Oil Revenues Down, Sharia on the Rise". Asian Survey. 56 (1). Berkeley: University of California Press on behalf of the Institute of East Asian Studies: 166. ISSN 0004-4687.
- ^ Syariah law critics do not understand Islam: Mufti | The Brunei Times
- ^ Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama Negara Brunei Darussalam : SEJARAH PENUBUHAN JABATAN HAL EHWAL SYARIAH
- ^ "Berita - Allahyarham Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan - Mufti Kerajaan". www.mufti.gov.bn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b "PENUBUHAN". Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan (in Malay). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
