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Penang mufti defends Mujahid on khalwat raids, but stresses importance of preventive measures

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor has come to the defence of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa over the latter's remarks on khalwat raids.

In an interview Mujahid had with a local daily, he mentioned that he would be engaging with religious agencies at state levels on khalwat raids, specifically those that involve breaking down of doors to arrest offenders.

Mujahid had said that what Muslims do behind closed doors was none of the government's business.

The article noted that Mujahid was against knocking on doors in the middle of the night by religious authorities investigating reports of khalwat.

Wan Salim said Mujahid could have made the statement so as not to shame (membuka aib) khalwat offenders, something which could happen when such enforcement actions take place.

“Even Islam prohibits one from exposing another’s wrongdoing in public. This is because the person who commits the wrongdoing is also trying not to expose his sins.

“Humans cannot run away from committing sins. Some are in a situation where they are forced to do it and they did it in a closed manner.

“Maybe this is what he (Mujahid) thought of," Wan Salim told NSTP when contacted today.

Elaborating, Wan Salim said there was a story during the time of Prophet Muhammad where his companion came to him to confess that he had committed adultery.

Prophet MUhammad, however, tried not to entertain his confession by turning away whenever he tried to confess it.

“One should not humiliate himself by confessing his sins, and others should also not spread if they know about it.

“Instead, we as Muslims, should help him to get back on track,” he added.

When asked for his opinion on the best way to combat cases of khalwat (close proximity involving unmarried couples), Wan Salim said that all parties must work together to educate the youngsters on the dangers of being involved in activities that are forbidden in Islam.

He also suggested that religious enforcement personnel make frequent rounds at hotels and warn hotel operators not to allow any suspicious couples to stay together without declaring their marital status.

“Prevention is better that cure...we must take proactive preventive measures so that we can tackle the issue of khalwat amongst the Muslims in the country,” said Wan Salim.

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