No issues attending concerts so long they don't involve immoral acts - Kelantan Mufti
KOTA BHARU - There are no issues for tahfiz or non-tahfiz to attend concerts as long as it does not lead to immoral acts.
Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad said Islam does not have a double standard, and those from tahfiz schools can also attend the concerts so long as it is not immoral entertainment.
He said the non-immoral concerts remembered Allah, were allowed by syarak (Islamic laws), and could be attended by the public.
"The concerts allowed based on syarak would bring us closer to Allah, and we would feel that we were simply Allah's servants.
"However, if we attend it and forget about Allah or ourselves, that is not permitted. When we pray or pay our zakat (religious tax), we remember Allah. Concerts should be based on getting closer to Allah SWT," he told reporters after officiating the Kelantan state-level Malaysia #QuranHour in the Muhammadi Mosque here on Wednesday.
He said such when asked to comment regarding the viral video recording involving a group of tahfiz students at the Kepci Music Fest 2023 last Saturday.
Shukri said we must view the concert, and if the venue could cause immoral acts, it would not be wise to bring tahfiz students or have it attended by any Muslims.
He said Islam treated all Muslims equally without accounting for clothing or the background of the individuals.
"If those without a songkok or turban could not attend (the concert), then tahfiz students could not attend it as well. The pillars of Islam did not have double standards," he said.
He spoke from an Islamic perspective and said the matter was closely related to the peace and harmony of a nation.
Shukri said the concept of independence in Islam was first akidah (creed); this meant individuals were not shackled by confusing thoughts.
"The confusing thoughts are truly those who are godless. Those who can free themselves from such confused beliefs are truly free.
"In a political context, when we break free from British colonialism and such, only then are we independent. With this independence, we must be free to think and no longer think in a colonial way," he said.
