Entering heaven is by Allah’s mercy, not party support, says Mujahid
Entering heaven is by Allah’s mercy, not party support, says Mujahid
The Amanah deputy president slams 'baseless' claim that joining or voting for PAS could lead one to heaven.
He said the claim that joining or voting for PAS could lead to heaven was “baseless” and questioned how the party could associate its political struggle with Allah’s mercy.
Mujahid was responding to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who was reported to have said last night that those who joined PAS, embraced Islam and fought along the party’s principles could enter heaven.
He questioned whether a political party that labels fellow Muslims as munafik and engages in slander and lies for political power could claim to be leading people towards Allah’s mercy.
Mujahid, a former religious affairs minister, said PAS appeared to be narrowing the concept of Allah’s mercy by linking it to support for the party.
He called for the authorities to take appropriate action if the remarks amounted to insulting or exploiting the religion.
He said if Takiyuddin had not intended to make such a claim, the PAS leader should apologise to party members and all Muslims.
Takiyuddin had said that if someone died while fighting to defend Islam, they would be regarded as martyrs, rewarded with divine blessings and enter heaven.
He had explained that the phrase “joining PAS means entering heaven” could be seen as political opponents mocking the party, but maintained that PAS’s struggle was based on Islam and aligned with teachings commanded by Allah.
“Joining PAS in that way, God willing, we can enter heaven when we die. That is certain, ladies and gentlemen,” he was quoted as saying.
Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Bharu MP and PN secretary-general, said PAS has the backing of religious scholars, including many pondok teachers, because of its commitment to an Islamic struggle.
He said PAS now has more than one million members nationwide, excluding support from non-members and overseas supporters.
“If they are taken into account, it can be said that PAS now has the support of between three and four million people.”
“This is PAS, a party that carries the call of Islam. Even its (full) name is Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, the only party that puts the word ‘Islam’ in its name,” he said.
‘Takiyuddin is not wrong’
Umno ulama council deputy chairman Khairuddin Aman Razali defended Takiyuddin, saying there was nothing wrong with the PAS secretary-general’s statement, as he was emphasising the way to attain rewards and paradise through politics.
“It is not simply joining a party that leads one to paradise, but taking part in a political struggle and pursuing aspirations aligned with Islam,” he said in a separate statement.
Khairuddin, a former PAS leader, said that if there are actions by the party, its individuals or its leaders that are not in line with Islam, then the rewards and sins should be assessed based on each specific wrongdoing.
“Such actions must be criticised and corrected from time to time because no one is immune to making mistakes. This principle also applies to any other Muslim party that champions the same cause,” he said.
Is politics, everything fair game, even blasphemy?
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