Persepsi Terhadap Akidah Ahli Sunah Waljamaah: Kajian Ajaran Syiah di Negeri Kedah (The Perception towards the Aqidah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah: Study of the Shias in Kedah)

Abstract

The Shias grew rapidly since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and has prompted debates of Islamic thought around the world. The encounter with the Shias implicates religion the Muslim community in Malaysia. This is evidenced by the increasing number of Shia groups in Malaysia, a country which the majority are Ahl al-Sunah wa al-Jamaah. This is likely because the Shias use the human rights approach as an argument for spreading their creed. In the meantime one of the states in Malaysia that the Shia teachings spread widely is the State of Kedah. Therefore, this study is aimed at identifying the perception of the Shias against the aqidah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah in Kedah. The al-Zahra's Husainiyah Center located in the Pendang district was chosen as the location of the study. In addition, three types of data collection techniques are used for document analysis, observation and interview. Then data analysis is made narrative. The findings show that Shia development in Kedah was active in the early 1990s. In addition, the findings illustrate the good interactions between the Shias and the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah. Meanwhile, the study finds a contradiction between the beliefs, perceptions and practices among the Shias. Even the Shias accept the differences in the question of Imamah found between the Shias and the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah. This study contributes information on the development of Shias in Kedah, and helps religious institutions deal with Shia influence in the country. At the same time, this study provides guidance to the society on the difference between the Shia and the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah