IPOH: Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has issued a reminder that the spread of slander and hatred, especially on social media, is increasingly causing division among the ummah.
He said the community is daily exposed to insulting, degrading and mocking words against those with differing views, creating a culture that runs contrary to Muslim manners and Malay customs.
"Without piety, the tongue and the fingers that type become unchecked instruments of harm," His Royal Highness said when gracing the State-level Maulidur Rasul 1447H celebration here Thursday (Sept 4) night.
Also present was Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Sultan Nazrin said the ummah today faced the challenge of striving for unity with the spirit of ukhuwah grounded in harmony.
He said disputes among political factions, schools of thought and races have sparked polemics within the community.
"The ummah seems to have forgotten the counsel of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who forbade mockery, offensive labels, suspicion, gossip, slander and passing judgment without proper inquiry," he said.
He added that behaviour which goes beyond limits lead to division when those lacking in manners and customs set aside religious injunctions and cultural refinement.
"The result is harmful, as religious values are distorted, traditions are neglected and the beliefs of the Muslim community, especially among the younger generation, become misguided," he said.
Sultan Nazrin also said the younger generation needs to be reminded of the bitter history of colonialism and the long struggle for independence.
He noted that the time separating independence from the present generation makes it harder for them to understand the suffering of colonisation, the meaning of freedom, and the spirit of unity that once brought together people of many races and religions.
"Agreements made in the past must not be taken lightly or called into question, particularly at a time when mutual trust and respect are eroding, fanned by political rhetoric that chooses to exploit issues of race and religion," he noted.
Hence, he stressed, greater efforts are needed to revive the framework of nation-building based on the wisdom and spirit established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he added.
Sultan Nazrin said Malaysians of various races, religions, cultures and languages must adopt moderation and tolerance to build mutual understanding and respect while recognising boundaries that protect against encroaching on religious and ethnic sensitivities. - Bernama
