Cleric advises against excessive praise for rulers during Friday sermons
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- An Islamic scholar, Syekh Muhammad Shiddiq Al Minsyawi, advises against excessive praise of the government during Friday sermons.
- He identifies this practice as one of the mistakes made during Friday khutbahs.
- Al Minsyawi's views are noted in his book "Rajin Shalat tapi Masih Keliru" (Diligent in Prayer but Still Mistaken).
Islamic scholar Syekh Muhammad Shiddiq Al Minsyawi has cautioned against the practice of excessively praising the government during Friday sermons, identifying it as a common error in delivering the khutbah.
In his book, "Rajin Shalat tapi Masih Keliru" (Diligent in Prayer but Still Mistaken), Al Minsyawi addresses various missteps that can occur during religious services. His commentary specifically points to the tendency for some preachers to overstate their commendations of public officials, suggesting a need for moderation and focus on spiritual guidance.
This perspective highlights a nuanced view on the role of religious leaders in public discourse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity and primary purpose of religious gatherings. The scholar's advice suggests that while acknowledging good governance might be appropriate, excessive flattery can detract from the sermon's spiritual message and potentially blur the lines between religious duty and political endorsement.
one of the mistakes during Friday khutbah is praising the government excessively.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.