PAS ulama leader under fire over remarks about prophet's companions

PAS ulama leader under fire over remarks about prophet's companions


Published: May 13, 2026 12:20 PM
Updated: 3:17 PM



A PAS ulama leader is under fire - including from the party's own cleric wing - over remarks about the Prophet Muhammad's companions and the first and second caliphs, Abu Bakar as-Siddiq and Umar al-Khattab.

In a recent religious talk, PAS syura council secretary Nik Zawawi Salleh had said that before Islam, Abu Bakar was a moneylender who oppressed the poor, and that Umar was a violent person, adulterer, and fornicator.

Abu Bakar and Umar led the early Muslim community following the Prophet Muhammad's death.

Abu Bakar was a rich merchant in the pre-Islamic days, and there is no record of him being a moneylender.

While Umar was known for a fierce temper and was said to drink alcohol in his pre-Islamic days, there are no records of him being an adulterer or fornicator.

Nik Zawawi (above) initially responded to criticism negatively and defended his remarks, saying he was merely stating facts.

"We can refer to scholarly books on how things were in the pre-Islamic days, and no ulama has exempted anyone, including Abu Bakar and Umar, from being part of the pre-Islamic system.

"It does not arise that I insulted the prophet's companions," said the Pasir Puteh MP, adding that he forgave those who criticised him.

However, Nik Zawawi issued an apology today.

"I admit I was careless in presenting information and my delivery when making those remarks. As such, I apologise for this mistake," he said in a statement that also sought to distance his remarks from PAS.

The statement was shared by the PAS ulama council 

on its Facebook page.


‘Be more careful’

In a statement prior to Nik Zawawi’s apology, the PAS ulama council said there were factual inaccuracies in the syura council secretary's remarks, and that it had given him a thorough rebuke and reminder to be more careful when speaking about Islamic history.

PAS ulama council information chief Nor Hamzah


"The ulama wing stresses that Prophet Muhammad's companions were the best generation of Muslims who must be venerated and their honour protected.

"Any comments about history and the personality (of the companions), especially about their lives pre-Islam, must be delivered accurately, courteously, and based on accurate knowledge," said the wing's information chief, Nor Hamzah.

Others who have criticised Nik Zawawi include PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and the party's Selangor youth chief, Sukri Omar.

A group of NGOs is also reportedly planning to lodge police reports against the lawmaker later today.