Pahang mufti: Issuing fatwa without knowledge a sin

Anyone with no knowledge on fatwa (Islamic religious edict) but issues one to the public, is committing a sin, according to Pahang Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman.

He said if the fatwa issued deviated from the true Islamic path, it could invite slander that could divide society.

"A person who does not know fatwa, (but) issues one, commits a sin for issuing the fatwa without knowledge," he told a press conference, here, yesterday.

Abdul Rahman was referring to the statement made by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who claimed pilgrims performing the haj using funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) given by the government would not attain 'haji mabrur' (haj that is accepted by God).

Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying that this was because the money used was haram (forbidden) as it was purportedly stolen by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Abdul Rahman said there was no clear and valid legal evidence that the money used was stolen money, so it was deemed not haram for Muslims in this country to perform the haj on that money.

"We cannot determine the halal or haram status of the funds as there is no clear, valid proof, only slander by the opposition, more so by those out to disparage and topple the government.

"Even as Pahang Mufti, I dare not make such a statement without proof. When there is no proof, from the point of Islamic law and understanding, we cannot simply pass judgement. Only God can judge on untruths," he said.

In this regard, the mufti said only God could determine whether a person's Haj was 'mabrur' or not.
- Bernama