On concept of 'syura'

While I fully support the principles of syura as outlined in Memet M. A. Surahman's letter in The Jakarta Post, April 18, 2000, I have to disagree with his belief that sunnah and hadith are part of a trilogy of reference in Islamic jurisprudence. Perhaps he needs to reread the Koran.

The following are some references from the Koran.

"Such are the Signs of Allah, which We rehearse to thee in truth: then in what Exposition will they believe after Allah and His Signs?" (45:6).

"There is, in their stories, instruction for men imbued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it -- a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe (12:111)."

But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning) to mislead (men) from the path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the path) for such there will be a humiliating chastisement (31:6)."

"Shall I seek for a Judge other than Allah? When He it is Who hath sent unto you The Book, explained in detail." (6:114)

"The woe to those who write The Book with their own hands And then say: 'this is from Allah'. To traffic with it for a miserable price -- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.

If Allah tells us so clearly that the Koran is all we need and to beware of fabrications of men, why do we insist on following sunnah and hadith? Islam was at its peak during the days of Prophet Muhammad and for 300 years after, and only started its decline at the time of the collection of sunnah and hadith.

Just look to what use the sunnah and hadith have been put, how many real Islamic democracies are there? Sunnah and hadith have been used by the ruling classes and the powerful in all Islamic countries to subjugate the masses and to exercise control over them, or to manipulate them to cause trouble and strife.

Just look at the Gulf states. Sharia law is a mockery of the Law of Allah; just one example which has affected us in Indonesia recently is the maid convicted of adultery and sentenced to death. Allah clearly states: "The woman and the man guilty of fornication -- flog each of them with a hundred strips. Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the Believers witness their punishments (24:2)."

The death sentence by stoning is from what is said to be a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, but is it really possible to believe that the Prophet would dare to contradict Allah in such a matter?

It is high time that people returned to the word of their Lord and feared Him alone.

One last message for all those who promote religious disharmony for their own ends: Those who believe (in the Koran) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians -- Any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work in righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve (2:62).

RICHARD MANSON

Jakarta