SHAH ALAM, OCT 23 — Mosques must be preserved as places that unite and foster harmony among Muslims, rather than being used as arenas to garner support, a practice that could lead to division, as previously decreed by His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor.
Selangor Mufti Dato’ Setia Dr Anhar Opir said the decree by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj emphasises the importance of upholding the sanctity of mosques and ensuring those who manage them carry out their responsibilities and the trust placed in them effectively.
“In a decree issued last January, the Sultan of Selangor rejected the use of mosques as venues to garner support, consistent with their role as houses of Allah that must be safeguarded from specific vested interests.
“Mosques are places intended to unite and reconcile the Muslim community, not arenas that could sow division,”he said.
Anhar made these remarks during the Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam titled ‘A Sovereign Ruler Sheltering the Ummah,’ organised by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee celebration of Sultan Sharafuddin’s 25-year reign, held last night.
Commenting on the practice of including prayers for the Sultan during Friday sermons, Anhar added that this custom serves not merely as a symbol of the people’s loyalty, but also reflects a hope that the ruler be granted the health and strength to fulfil his responsibilities toward his subjects.
He added that such prayers also remind Muslims of the amanah (trust), a ruler should shoulder, as well as the reality that all worldly power will be subject to accountability in the hereafter.
He further urged Muslims to practice the principle of tabayyun (verification), to ensure the authenticity of information before believing or disseminating it.
”Allah has issued a stern warning against the act of spreading fitnah (slander/falshoods), including the threat of severe punishment in this world and the hereafter,” he added.
Anhar also called upon the public to observe proper conduct or adab, when conveying information and to refrain from spreading fitnah, which could undermine social harmony and the institution of governance.
