Without Islamic Guidance, the Ummah Remains Vulnerable to Cultural Corruption

News:

Malaysian pop group Dolla removed the music video for their single “Question” after heavy criticism from religious figures and a warning from the religious affairs minister that the outfits may violate Islamic guidelines. Preacher Asma’ Harun condemned the “tight, sticky dresses,” calling the video immoral. The ministry is drafting new rules for Muslim women in entertainment, raising concerns about growing restrictions. Universal Music Malaysia took down the video, citing respect for cultural and religious sensitivities. The ministry welcomed the move, while some fans said Malaysia’s creative space is becoming increasingly constrained and encouraged the group to perform internationally. (Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/malaysia-girl-group-dolla-question-religion-unislamic-b2866554.html)

Comment:

The news about the removal of Dolla’s music video reflects a deeper issue within the Muslim world: the absence of a strong protective system that safeguards Islamic values from cultural invasion. Without an Islamic framework that filters foreign influences, the Muslim community becomes vulnerable to waves of fashion trends, entertainment, and popular culture imported from non-Islamic societies. These influences often contradict Islamic morals and gradually erode the standards of modesty and conduct.

As boundaries between men and women become increasingly blurred, the consequences manifest in free mixing, normalization of indecent clothing, objectification of women, and the loss of haya’ (modesty). This moral weakening leads to broader social crises: rising harassment and rape cases, family breakdown, exploitation within the entertainment industry, and a generation growing up confused about moral values. These outcomes are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a society shaped by values unfiltered by the Sharia.

Muslims must recognize that safeguarding morality and culture requires more than occasional public outrage—it requires the comprehensive implementation of Islamic principles in education, media, public policy, and social life. Only when Islamic norms guide society can foreign cultural influences be filtered, taking what is beneficial and rejecting what is harmful.

Without restoring Islam as the standard for life, the Muslim community will remain exposed to damaging cultural currents, leaving the younger generation vulnerable. Returning to Islam holistically is the only way to protect the dignity, identity, and moral future of the Ummah.

Written for Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Abdullah Aswar