Latest news with #Syariah
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Lawyer of Fikry Ibrahim's wife denies she withdrew divorce application
KUALA LUMPUR: The Syariah lawyer representing Siti Khalizah Alihan, Wan Muhammad Afiq Mohd Razib, has refuted claims made by actor and host Fikry Ibrahim on TV3's Melodi last night, asserting that his client, Fikry's wife, has not withdrawn her divorce application. In a news report today, Wan Muhammad Afiq said that if the divorce application had indeed been withdrawn at the Federal Territory Syariah Court yesterday, as Fikry alleged, then no adjournment date would have been set for the divorce proceedings. "Yes, the court had given a long period for reconciliation. However, if the application were withdrawn, there wouldn't be an extension date issued by the court," he said. "We are requesting a further date to await the plaintiff's (Fikry's) response. If we had withdrawn it yesterday, then it would be over, with no adjournment date issued." He added: "There was no retraction yesterday. What the media reported yesterday is correct. I also don't want to inform (the media) otherwise." Fikry, who spoke to the media after the live broadcast of Melodi at Balai Berita last night, claimed that Siti Khalizah had appeared at the Federal Territory Syariah Court to withdraw her divorce application, which was filed last month. Fikry maintained that his marriage to Siti Khalizah, whom he married on Jan 12, is stable, even claiming they love each other. Commenting on Fikry's absence from the Federal Territory Syariah Court yesterday, Wan Muhammad Afiq confirmed that the summons had been served, but the plaintiff was not present. "The question of whether he (Fikry) sent our client to the court is outside our jurisdiction. What is certain is that he was not present yesterday," Wan Muhammad Afiq said. "We are all waiting for his stance on whether he wants to agree or not, or whether he wants to reconcile, because fundamentally, our client wants to reconcile. So, we need to know the plaintiff's position – whether he wants to reconcile or not. "But he (Fikry) didn't come yesterday either, so we couldn't get a response. If we are to make peace, there may be terms that need to be followed. Perhaps we can reconcile, which is why we need his stance and answer. "If he (Fikry) had come yesterday, we could have discussed it or received an answer. But he didn't come. So, we don't know his position. That's why the court set a postponement date." Yesterday, Wan Muhammad Afiq announced that his client had filed for divorce due to a lack of understanding between the couple. After the first mention of the divorce claim and application was completed yesterday, Wan Muhammad Afiq reportedly said that proceedings would continue on Sept 10 to allow both parties time to reconcile.
Daily Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Deepen knowledge of marriage rights, Muslim women told
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 Text Size: Juliah (middle) poses for a group photo with other guests and participants of the forum. Kota Kinabalu: Muslim women are urged to deepen their understanding of the rights within the institution of marriage as provided under Syariah law, so they do not continue to fall victim to injustice, including abuse, divorce and denial of maintenance or property rights. The Chief Minister's wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, said injustices against women in marriage often stem from women's own lack of knowledge and understanding of the rights guaranteed to them under Islamic law and legislation. Advertisement 'Many women do not realise that they have rights regarding maintenance, matrimonial property, protection from abuse and fairness in divorce. 'This lack of awareness causes them to remain victims,' she said at the opening of the Madani Women's Forum: Women's Rights in Marriage According to Syariah Law at the Sabah Federal Government Administrative Complex Auditorium. Juliah, who is also President of Mutiara GRS, rejected the perception that women are oppressed in Islam, emphasising that the religion upholds the dignity of women fairly and recognises their vital role in society. 'Islam does not differentiate between men and women in terms of responsibilities and rewards. In fact, women hold a highly respected position in the development of families and civilisation,' she said. Advertisement Highlighting the role of women in the family institution, Juliah said a mother is the first school for her children and forms the foundation of society. She added that when women understand their rights, they are not only able to protect themselves, but also play a critical role in raising morally upright generations and building strong families. She called for women's wellbeing not to be taken lightly, as it directly impacts the stability of society and the nation. Juliah commended the organisation of the forum as an important platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and empowering women with accurate and relevant legal understanding. 'This effort is highly significant because many women still lack clarity about processes such as marriage registration, dissolution of marriage, child custody rights and management of property after divorce,' she said. She hoped more forums and similar programmes would be organised so that the knowledge gained could be shared with more women, including those at the grassroots level. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Muslim women must know their rights to avoid injustice in marriage - CM's wife
Juliah (front, centre) with participants of the Forum Wanita Madani: Women's Rights in Marriage under Syariah Law, held at the Federal Government Administrative Complex Auditorium in Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday. KOTA KINABALU (June 18): Muslim women must strengthen their understanding of their rights within marriage under Syariah law to avoid becoming victims of injustice, particularly in cases of abuse, divorce, or denial of financial support and matrimonial property. Wife of the Chief Minister and President of MUTIARA GRS, Datin Seri Panglima Juliah Salag, said many women are unaware of their legal and religious entitlements, which often puts them at a disadvantage. 'Many women do not realise they have rights concerning maintenance, matrimonial property, protection from abuse and fairness in divorce. This lack of awareness makes them more vulnerable,' she said when officiating the Forum Wanita Madani: Women's Rights in Marriage under Syariah Law at the Federal Government Administrative Complex Auditorium here on Wednesday. Juliah also addressed the misconception that Islam oppresses women, stressing that Islam in fact uplifts women's dignity and recognises their crucial role in society. 'Islam does not discriminate between men and women in terms of responsibilities or rewards. Women are equally important in building families and developing civilisation,' she said. Highlighting the vital role of women in the family structure, Juliah described mothers as the first educators of children, shaping the moral foundation of society. 'When women understand their rights, they not only protect themselves but also raise morally upright generations and build stronger families,' she said, calling for more attention to be given to women's well-being due to its direct impact on social and national stability. Juliah praised the forum organisers for providing an essential platform to share knowledge, experiences and legal guidance. 'This effort is significant as many women are still unclear about critical processes such as marriage registration, divorce procedures, child custody and property management after divorce,' she said, expressing hope for more frequent forums and outreach programmes to reach women at the grassroots level. The forum featured three panellists: Senior Assistant Director of JAKIM Sabah's Strategic Communication Unit, Noordianah Alwi; Family Counselling Officer at the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS), Siti Hajar Makmud; and President of the Sabah Syariah Lawyers Association, Abdul Razak Jamil. Noordianah addressed women's rights and responsibilities in monogamous and polygamous marriages under Islam. Siti Hajar focused on marital counselling services offered by JHEAINS, highlighting common issues and available support. Abdul Razak's session, titled Challenges and Realities: Issues of Marriage and Divorce for Women in Sabah from a Syariah Legal Perspective, drew the most engagement, with many attendees asking questions. He responded by referencing real-life cases previously heard in the Syariah Court. In his closing remarks, Razak highlighted recurring issues, particularly those stemming from undocumented customary marriages conducted before 1992. He noted that clear guidelines requiring Islamic family law governance for all Muslim marriages were only introduced after that year. According to JHEAINS statistics, Kota Kinabalu recorded the highest number of divorce cases in 2024, followed by Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Tuaran. Programme director Nurzimah Bongoh said the forum was designed not only to raise awareness but to empower women with legal literacy, giving them the courage and confidence to make informed and dignified decisions within their marriages.
Sinar Daily
10-06-2025
- Sinar Daily
When gifts are disputed: How hibah can be challenged, redistributed under faraid
SHAH ALAM - Hibah is intended to be a final act of generosity. However, if it is not executed properly during the donor's lifetime, it can be legally challenged and reallocated under faraid (Islamic inheritance law). In Islamic jurisprudence, hibah refers to the gift of assets made voluntarily by a donor during their lifetime to the beneficiary without expecting anything in return. Hibah is distinct from a wasiyyah (will), which takes effect upon death and is also separate from faraid, the fixed inheritance distribution outlined in the Quran. Syariah lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader said hibah must be completed during the lifetime of the donor. "It cannot be conditional. If the gift is only transferred after death, it is not considered a valid hibah," he told Sinar Daily. He said under Islamic law, for a hibah to be valid, the donor must be mentally sound and in good health. He said the recipient must be clearly identified and the property or gift must be clearly stated and properly documented. A key aspect of hibah, he said also included the transfer of ownership as it must be completed while the donor is still alive. Meanwhile, Syariah lawyer Ahmad Nazib Johari said although hibah was meant to be final, it can be revoked or invalidated under certain circumstances particularly if challenged in the Syariah court. "A hibah executed during the donor's lifetime can be revoked if there is proof of undue influence, lack of consent, or that the donor was not of sound mind," he said when contacted. As such, he said there were several legal grounds for the revocation of hibah to be redistributed under faraid instead. Lack of mental capacity If heirs could prove that the donor suffered from a mental illness such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease at the time of the gift, the court may declare the hibah invalid. Evidence such as medical records and witness testimony were often used in court. Undue influence or coercion If the donor was pressured, emotionally manipulated or isolated, especially by the recipient, this undermined free consent, a key component of a valid hibah. Lack of informed consent If the donor did not fully understand what they were signing due to illiteracy, deception, or miscommunication such as thinking they were signing a trust, not a hibah as an example, the gift may then be voided. Nazib said in all the aforementioned scenarios, the property in question would return to the deceased's estate and be redistributed based on faraid principles. Despite this, a question that is often asked by donors and recipients is whether hibah and faraid can legally co-exist. He said a hibah and faraid can in fact co-exist under certain circumstances, such as functioning together in estate distribution. "Some assets can be validly gifted (hibah) during the donor's lifetime and the remaining assets (not covered by hibah or other instruments) are subject to faraid distribution. "However, when a disputed hibah asset arises, the Syariah court will assess whether the gift is valid and if it finds the hibah invalid or defective, the asset is reallocated under faraid," he said. Photo for illustration purposes only. An example scenario can be seen where a father gifts his house to his daughter during his lifetime via a documented and witnessed hibah. Upon his death, his other assets such as cash, car, land are distributed via faraid, but the house remains with the daughter and is not subject to inheritance claims. In a recent case involving a RM1 million takaful hibah, it showed how disputes can arise when a hibah is not handled properly. The case began when a takaful policyholder, who had a RM1 million policy died. In the policy, he had named his wife as the conditional hibah recipient. After his death, the takaful company released the RM1 million payout to his widow within four days. The deceased's family then filed a claim in the Syariah Court to challenge the hibah, but the court upheld the widow's right to the funds. Unhappy with the decision, the family brought the matter to the civil court, where the widow reportedly never received the originating summons and was unable to make any submissions in her defence. The civil court ruled in favour of the family as the widow did not file any submissions in the case, ordering that the funds be redistributed according to faraid, effectively overturning the hibah.
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Don: Make smoking, vaping Syariah criminal offences
Muzaffar said a 2022 study conducted by several Western researchers found a positive correlation between vaping and the frequency and severity of asthma and obstructive lung disease.- AFP file photo KUCHING (June 5): The government is urged to consider making smoking and vaping Syariah criminal offences in the country. In making this call, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow said such a move should help eradicate smoking habit and addiction, particularly among Muslims nationwide. Muzaffar pointed out that many studies have indicated that about half of smokers die from smoking-related causes. 'Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body. Many studies show that smoking leads to diseases affecting the heart, liver and lungs, and emerges as a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis) and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth and pancreatic cancer),' he said in a statement today. Muzaffar stated the World Health Organisation estimated that tobacco killed eight million people annually as of 2019, with 100 million deaths recorded over the course of the 20th century. He said an outbreak of severe vaping lung illness occurred in the United States in 2019 and 2020, adding that vaping has been linked with damage to the lungs, cardiovascular system as well as the brain. A 2022 study conducted by several Western researchers found a positive correlation between vaping and the frequency and severity of asthma and obstructive lung disease, he said. He added that the same study also found a positive correlation between the usage of e-cigarettes and medical conditions such as myocardial infarctions, coronary artery disease and strokes. 'Regarding the brain, vapors from e-cigarettes can damage neurons in developing brains, impairing the decision-making process and leading to more frequent impulsive decisions,' he said. According to Muzaffar, the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia had in March 1995 agreed that 'Smoking is forbidden in Islam because in it there is harm.' 'A similar stance has also been taken for vaping. In 2025, the National Fatwa Council in 2015 ruled that vaping is forbidden. Although Islam has clearly explained the dangers of smoking and vaping through Fatwa, many Muslims in the country still take the issue lightly,' he said. As such, he called for drastic measures, including proper legislation to address the matter. He pointed to Section 15 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 [Act 559] states: 'Any person who during the hours of fasting in Ramadan sells to any Muslim any food, drink, cigarette or other form of tobacco for immediate consumption during such hours; or (b) openly or in a public place is found to be eating, drinking or smoking, shall be guilty of an offence.' He explained that upon conviction, offenders would be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or to a jail term of not more than six months, or both; and for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM2,000, or to a jail term of not more than one year, or both. 'It would be much better if we could insert a specific section in the Syariah Offences Act and Enactments to make smoking and vaping criminal offences. 'This is to send a strong signal or reminder to everybody, especially to Muslims in the country, about the health hazards of smoking and vaping,' he said. Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow lead smoking syariah offences vaping
