Practice of Shamanism Among Ethnic Muslim Religion In Pitas, Sabah: Assessment According Islamic Perspective

Summary

Shamanic beliefs and practices, including worship rituals and black magic, persist among Muslim indigenous communities in Pitas, Sabah. Based on interviews with seven senior citizens and local leaders, the study identifies ongoing involvement in shirk, superstition, and sorcery. The authors argue that religious agencies, community leaders, and preachers must address these practices to preserve authentic faith.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Shamanism is a term in anthropology that refers to activities related to charmers, shamans, and witchcraft. Shamanism is a form of belief and practice performed by individuals who are considered to have power and influence over supernatural elements and supernatural beings. Ethnicities and races in this country also have various beliefs and practices of shamanism, including indigenous ethnicities who are Muslim in the Pitas district, Sabah. Therefore, this study aims to identify the form of belief and practice related to shamanism found among them. The data was collected based on the interview method. A total of seven informants were involved in a series of interviews. The informants consist of senior citizens and local community figures. This research found that the belief and practice of shamanism still exists and is practised among Muslims in Pitas, Sabah. A few community members are involved in shirk, superstition, and superstition, such as worship rituals, black magic, and others. Therefore, this issue needs to be considered by various parties, especially religious agencies, including JAHEINS, community leaders, and preachers, to maintain the sustainability of the authentic faith. Shamanism merupakan istilah dalam bidang antropologi yang merujuk kepada aktiviti berkaitan dengan pawang, dukun dan perbomohan. Shamanism ialah satu bentuk daripada kepercayaan dan amalan yang dilakukan oleh individu yang dianggap memiliki kuasa dan pengaruh terhadap anasir ghaib dan makhluk supernatural. Etnik dan bangsa di negara ini turut memiliki pelbagai kepercayaan dan amalan shamanism, termasuk etnik-etnik peribumi yang beragama Islam di daerah Pitas, Sabah. Justeru, tujuan kajian ini dijalankan ialah suatu usaha untuk mengenal pasti bentuk kepercayaan dan amalan berhubung shamanism yang terdapat dalam kalangan mereka. Data-data dikumpulkan berdasarkan metode temu bual. Seramai tujuh orang informan terlibat dalam beberapa siri wawancara. Para informan terdiri daripada warga emas dan tokoh-tokoh masyarakat tempatan. Hasil penelitian mendapati bahawa kepercayaan dan amalan shamanism masih wujud dan dipraktikkan dalam kalangan warga Muslim di Pitas, Sabah. Segelintir anggota masyarakat terlibat dengan perkara syirik, khurafat dan tahayul, seperti ritual pemujaan, black magic dan lain-lain. Oleh yang demikian, isu ini perlu diambil perhatian oleh pelbagai pihak, khususnya agensi agama, termasuk JAHEINS, pemimpin masyarakat dan pendakwah demi menjaga kelestarian akidah yang sahih.

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