In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Omar Abdul Aziz is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Ismail. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Ismail bin Omar Abdul Aziz (1911 – 3 February 1994) was a Malaysian aristocrat and politician who became the first State Mufti of Brunei under the Ministry of Religious Affairs office, later State Mufti Office. He was a well-respected Malaysian expatriate ulema (a native Johorean Malay) whom have contributed greatly to Islam and the people, notably for the State of Johor and Brunei.
Early life and education
Ismail was born in 1911 in Batu Pahat, Johor's Kampong Rengit. He received his early education at the Al-Attas Arab School from 1923 to 1928. Upon completion in 1929, he became a teacher at the school and Al-Johor College Attas until 1937. In 1938, he obtained a government scholarship and earned no fewer than five degrees from Al-Azhar University and Cairo University in 1948.[3][4]
Career
After returning from Egypt in 1949, Ismail was appointed as the Inspector of Arabic Schools and manager of the Journal of the Johor Department of Religion until 1952. After that he became the kadhi of Segamat District from 1953 to 1954. In 1955, he became the seconded principal at the Malayan Islamic College. At the same time he together with Tuan Haji Othman bin Haji Mohammad, the Chief Inspector of Religious Schools in Johor were invited by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III to review the proposal to establish a religious school in Brunei.[4]
Ismail was one of the two individuals tasked with researching the idea for the opening of a religious school in Brunei by touring a number of Malay and English-language institutions and submitting a written report. The investigation came to the conclusion that Brunei's regular religious instruction, which is taught in Malay and English schools, is insufficient since it only receives a half-hour each week. Naturally, as a result of this candid assessment, the Sultan allowed the creation of the first religious school in Brunei in September 1956.[5]
Ismail then went back to Johor as he was appointed as the Deputy Mufti of Johor, then became the kadhi of Pontian District in 1957, acting Grand Kadhi for Johor in 1958 and subsequently becoming Johor's Kadhi Besar in 1958. He was once more lent to Brunei by the Johor government on 1 April 1962 for a three-year term as State Mufti of the Brunei Government until 31 March 1965, due to the strong and cordial relationships between the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sultan Ibrahim of Johor.[6] His ties to Brunei began to deepen and strengthen about the time that religious schools were first established there.[5] He became the Deputy Mufti of Hojor up until his retirement on 1 January 1967, where he returned to Brunei and continued serving as the State Mufti of Brunei.[4]
On 8 March 1967, Ismail was reinstated by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to serve Brunei's government as the Mufti.[4] His appointment would only be approved by then retired Omar Ali Saifuddien III on the 11th. He had declared many Fatwas during those years, one of which was the banning of selling alcoholic drinks.[7] He was an excellent figure who has the ability and can be identified through various aspects, such as personality, trustworthy nature, extensive knowledge, steadfast and courageous attitude, and fiery spirit. His Fatwas were seen as firm, insightful, and enlightening. According to entries in the register of fatwas kept by the Mufti Department of the Government of Brunei, up to 1,753 series of fatwas were published between 1962 and the end of his life in 1993.[5][4]
During his final tenure as State Mufti, he was included and appointed into various national and institutionsl councils such as the Succession Council, Islamic Religious Council, Judicial Committee, and many others up to an estimated 40. Additionally, he has represented Brunei in many international and regional seminars and congresses.[4]
Fatwa Mufti Kerajaan (in Malay). Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan, Awang Abdul Aziz Awang Juned (Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji.). Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam. 1962. ISBN9789991760155.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Tanda-tanda hampir kiamat (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2000. ISBN9789991735108.
Fatwa mufti kerajaan sepanjang tahun 1962-1969 (in Malay). Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam. 2001. ISBN9789991733357.
Tasawuf dan tarekat menurut pandangan ahli sunnah wal jamaah (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2003. ISBN9789991735290.
Hukum Islam mengenai pertunangan, pernikahan, dan perceraian (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2007. ISBN9789991735047.
Tasawuf dan tarikat menurut pandangan ahli Sunnah wal Jama'ah (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2012. ISBN9789991762012.
Bahtera perkahwinan (in Malay). Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam. 2016. ISBN9789991760391.
ورد اللطيف (in Malay). Bahagian Penerbitan & Penerangan, Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan. 2018. ISBN9789991760599.
Legacy
State Mufti, Abdul Aziz Juned delivered the Prime Minister's Paper entitled 'Keunggulan Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Ismail bin Omar Abdul Aziz Sebagai Tokoh Yang Dihormati' to the International Convention Center, in conjunction with the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim Ismail. Additionally, he underlined that as a significant person, it is important to remember Ismail's past may serve as a remedy, a lesson, and a role model for others.[5]
Titles, styles and honours
Ismail was bestowed the Manteri title of Yang DimuliakanPehin Datu Seri Maharaja on 1 February 1968.[8] Additionally, he has earned the following honours:[9]
^Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz (2001). Fatwa mufti kerajaan sepanjang tahun 1962-1969 (in Malay). Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam. p. 471. ISBN978-9991733357.
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