PETALING JAYA: Islamic authorities should be the ones to decide whether Muslims should postpone haj during an election, says Senator Datuk Dr Na’im Mokhtar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) urged Malaysian Muslims to remain calm and await an official announcement from the Mufti’s office regarding this issue.
“I urge everyone to be calm and give space to the Mufti’s office and other credible authorities to provide their views and explanations based on Syariah principles and the current context,” Na'im wrote in a Facebook post.
“Let us prioritise knowledge and propriety in discussing religious issues and refer to proper channels to preserve the purity of Islam and communal harmony.”
While campaigning in the Ayer Kuning by-election over the weekend, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said Muslims should prioritise gaining political power over performing umrah and haj.
In a speech for Perikatan, Abdul Hadi claimed that umrah and haj, important rituals for physically and financially able Muslims, could be postponed.
In comparison, “victory in politics cannot be delayed”, the Marang MP reportedly said in a ceramah on April 20.
It was reported that the Federal Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is investigating Abdul Hadi’s statement.
In his remarks on Monday (April 21), Na’im urged everyone not to issue arbitrary personal opinions on Islamic principles and laws without consulting official authorities such as the Mufti.
“Islamic law requires careful study, deep understanding and high scholastic discipline.
“It is of utmost importance that we preserve communal harmony and not cause confusion, especially when it involves important rituals in Islam and democratic processes.”
