GEORGETOWN: The determination of an individual's "kafir" status (non-Muslim or Muslim) is beyond the jurisdiction of the general public and must be left to the authority of the government or the Syariah Court, says the Penang Mufti.
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor when contacted by BH said the community needed to understand that it was wrong for Muslims to accuse a non-Muslim as "kafir".
He said should they accuse a fellow Muslim as kafir, then they themselves would be classified as a kafir.
"The act of takfiril muslimin or accusing another Muslim as a kafir is a serious and dangerous phenomenon but it is regrettable that it is the practice of some Muslims today.
"The scholars (ulama) have unanimously decided that no one has the right to call another Muslim kafir even if he is found to have committed an immoral act.
"The public needs to be informed that according to a hadith of the Prophet, an individual who has recited the shahadah cannot be referred to as kafir, and any attempt to encroach upon his blood (life), property, or honour is forbidden," he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim commented on the dangers of the culture in calling other non-Muslims as kafir.
He said, if the matter was allowed to continue, it would not only lead to division among Muslims, but would also affect the people of many races in this country.
Wan Salim said the Prime Minister's warning was appropriate and that all parties should support it in an effort to educate the public about the need to avoid such extreme attitudes.
"The media must cooperate with government departments and agencies in spreading moderate Islamic thought (wasatiyah) in this country.
"I advise all Muslims to always refer to the authorities in important matters in religion, especially those related to faith," he said.