GEORGE TOWN: Muslims are reminded not to be extreme and fanatical in politics to the point of severing family ties.
This was Penang mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor's reminder ahead of the looming state election in six states.
He said Islam placed great importance on relationships between brothers and sisters, distant relatives such as cousins and even further relations.
"Many verses in the al-Quran and hadith mandate close relations between brothers and sisters and relatives and prohibits the act of breaking this bond.
"Breaking relationship is one of the great sins that there is a hadith that confirms that those who do so will not enter heaven," he said today.
Elaborating, Wan Salim said relationship must not be broken, especially due to differences in political beliefs or parties.
"This is because political parties are not pure creation of Allah. It is a methodology based on human thought that has a certain goal to achieve.
"Relationship should not be broken for any reason whatsoever, even if a person is hurt or mistreated by any of his siblings or relatives," he added.
Wan Salim said it was inappropriate for differences in political beliefs to lead to division among Muslims, moreover a factor that breaks the relationships between members of a family, siblings and relatives.
"I suggest that leaders of political parties in this country, both on the government side and the opposition, to explain this matter to their respective followers.
"Let them not become 'batu api' that divide the Muslims," he said.
He added that all parties must strive to strengthen Muslim unity and also fellow Malaysians from various races.