Perlis Mufti: Islam doesn’t forbid non-Muslims from gambling, consuming alcohol, respect their rights

Perlis Mufti: Islam doesn’t forbid non-Muslims from gambling, consuming alcohol, respect their rights






GAMBLING is doubtlessly haram for Muslims but Islam has never prohibited non-Muslims from indulging in gambling activities or consuming alcohol for the matter.


Such is the stance of Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a.k.a. Dr MAZA upon clarifying why he as the state mufti since Feb 2, 2015 has never banned gambling in Perlis but instead the ban was initiated by the PAS/Perikatan Nasional (PN)-rule state government which came to power after the 2022 national polls.


“Gambling like any other vice activities (alcohol consumption or prostitution) are haram for Muslims whereby there are state enactments that list out punishments for offenders,” he ranted on his Dr Maza Channel on YouTube.


“Therefore, there’re already reminders at Sports Toto outlets that Muslims are forbidden from indulgence in gambling.”


Citing Saidina Umar Al-Khattab (a close companion of Prophet Muhammad), Dr MAZA went on to explain that this nevertheless does not mean that gambling (as in alcohol consumption) is haram for non-Muslims so long as such activities are taxed accordingly.

“Based on the Hanafi sect which is the largest in the Muslim world, alcohol (including pork) for instance, is perceived as a food property which has value to non-Muslims, hence consumption is permissible so long as the price value of such food is subject to taxation by the authorities,” he revealed.

“This means that non-Muslims under the rule of an Islamic government can enjoy their right whether to consume alcohol or indulge in gambling (as in number forecast gaming).”



On the other extreme, the 54-year-old first degree holder in Arabic and Shariah from the University of Jordan welcomed the move to eradicate gambling but cautioned that “this is not a religious doctrine but a choice of the ruler”.

At the end of the day. he reminded that Islam stressed on the importance of common well-being so both Muslims and non-Muslims can co-exist by leading peaceful lives.

“In the multi-faith Malaysian context, you can state in your election manifesto your intention if you dare to although this can be a tedious decision in a plural society … The bottom-line is don’t blame the mufti for not banning gambling for the onus to do so lies with the Menteri Besar office.

“This is the problem in the Muslim world whereby one wants to indulge in politicking but not smart in doing so … Is swearing, eg claiming oner to be a kafir (infidel), halal or haram?

“Is there a law whereby those who cursed others is libel to a three-year jail for this is considered a big sin (in Islam)? Not all sins despised by our religion are punishable unless the ruler enacted them as law.”

However, Dr MAZA’s argument of condoning gambling as the right of non-Muslims or shifting the onus to ban gambling solely to the ruler – is Federal/state governments – was rebutted by PAS Jabi state assemblyman Dr Azman Ibrahim.



“When we become part of the state and national government structure, is it enough to simply state that gambling is forbidden by putting up signages at gaming outlets to inform Muslims that gambling is forbidden?” countered the Terengganu state EXCO for agriculture.

“Is it appropriate to claim that gambling joints shouldn’t be shut down because that’s the right of non-Muslims?

“Tell me, which religions state that gambling is the right of their followers or is part of the religious practice? I’ve many non-Muslim friends who admit that gambling is among the causes of family breakdown and the collapse of households.

“Is preventing wrongdoing the sole duty of the government towards Muslims when gambling has also proven to damage non-Muslim societies?” – Jan 5, 2026