Professionals can lead PAS if they follow Islamic principles, says Tuan Ibrahim
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party has many professionals in its ranks who have memorised the Quran and are well-versed in religious matters.
PETALING JAYA : Professionals can lead PAS as long as their decisions are guided by 'syarak' (Islamic principles), says deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
Commenting on calls to retain ulama leadership should party president Abdul Hadi Awang step down at the party elections in September, Tuan Ibrahim said it has long been a tradition in the party.
'It doesn't necessarily have to be a ulama. What's most important is to accept the party's principles and firmly uphold core sources like the Quran and hadith. That means anyone who can extract 'nas' (religious rulings) and exercise 'ijtihad' (independent reasoning) can be a leader.
'In politics, many new matters require 'ijtihad', so there must be expertise when it comes to party decisions.
'In PAS, no matter what, decisions must not go against 'syarak' (Islamic law), they must comply,' he told a press conference after the Kota Bharu PAS annual general meeting today.
He was responding to PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin, who said that if Hadi, who is the Marang MP, steps down as president, his successor should come from the ranks of the ulama.
Harakah Daily reported Hashim as saying that professionals are not being rejected, but they must be able to refer to ulama leadership when navigating the political landscape.
According to Tuan Ibrahim, the tradition of maintaining ulama leadership does not mean that professionals in PAS are being sidelined.
'Many of our professionals have memorised the Quran and are well-versed in religious matters, in addition to their professional fields.
'Especially now that PAS is ready to become the government, we are open (to various candidates), but they must adhere to party principles and the teachings of the Quran, hadith and scholars,' he said.
Hadi had hinted that he could step down as PAS president due to health reasons, according to a recent report by Sinar Harian.
It is understood that he conveyed his intention to senior party leadership during a retreat in Terengganu.
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