Reminder By King On Use Of Social Media Platforms Timely - Religious Scholars

By Rozainah Abdul Rahim dan Anasathia Anak Jenis

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8  (Bernama) -- Many religious scholars regarded the reminder by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, for the public not to turn social media platforms into venues for arguments, and shaming others as timely.

Fellow in Islamic Studies at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, Datuk Dr Afifi Al-Akiti said the Prophet Muhammad SAW forbade Muslims from reviling, cursing, insulting, gossiping, swearing, slandering, or shaming others.

"What's more, to post it on social media and then share or spread it by other people. In doing so, these people are making dosa jariyyah', which is a chained sin from the person who started and continues to the last person who did it,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Dr Afifi, who is a theologian and philologist and on the list of The 500 Most Influential Muslims since 2010, also said that Islam forbids its followers to seek knowledge from people who do not have valid knowledge, especially through social media. 

"A clear disaster that has hit our society today is when it has become a trend for 'ustaz celup’ who have no basic knowledge at all about Islam, dared to issue comments regarding religious matters.

“Therefore, it is for this reason that the religious authorities should make it compulsory for religious teachers to obtain credentials to teach to ensure they are truly qualified to teach," he said.

Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim reminded the public not to turn social media platforms into venues for arguments, and shaming others as these actions only contribute to division and conflict.

Meanwhile, a senior lecturer at the Department of Qur'an and Sunnah Studies, International Islamic University of Malaysia, Dr Abu Hafiz Salleh Huddin said in a democratic system, difference in opinion is allowed, including in politics.

However, what is happening now is that the dispute or difference is being dragged to such an extreme that the language used is abusive, rude, insulting and swearing, he said.

"These lead to humiliating and shaming the person. So, the reminder by His Majesty is apt in rebuilding ethics in politics and differences in opinions," he said

TikTok influencer, Muhammad Mikhael Sathayah,  known for his gangster-look face, said the content shared on social media usually reflects the personality of the user of the platform.

"The content on my social media is of me and if there are comments in the form of criticism and provocation, I can just delete them," he said.

Although he wears a large iron chain, is clad in a singlet, spots a beard and has a fierce facial expression, he said, it does not mean he is bad-tempered or quick to get into a fight.

Muhammad Mikhael, who converted to Islam in 2018, often shares videos showing his close relationship with his mother M. Muniamah, 74, who is of a different religion.

He advised the public to use social media for good, instead of using it as a platform for arguments as this could disrupt harmony in the country.

-- BERNAMA