PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has condemned the use of 'qunut nazilah' in political settings, labelling it an extreme and inappropriate response to a parliamentary decision.
He said this in response to Jasin member of parliament (MP) Zulkifli Ismail who read the prayer following the six-month suspension of the Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal yesterday.
He said qunut nazilah, a prayer typically reserved for times of severe injustice, should not be used in political disputes.
"The use of qunut nazilah should be reserved for situations of extreme injustice, such as the historical instances during the time of Prophet Muhammad and the early caliphs.
"It is not meant for expressing political disagreements," he said in a press conference, here.
He said in the historical context, the prayer was traditionally recited in dire circumstances, such as the betrayal and murder of Prophet Muhammad's companions or during major conflicts.
Saifuddin added that equating political differences to such grave injustices is inappropriate and undermines the prayer's true purpose.
"We must reject extremist and divisive practices within our political discourse.
"The use of religious practices to further political agendas can lead to unnecessary tension and conflict among Malaysians," he said.
Saifuddin urged all political figures and citizens to maintain a clear distinction between political rivalry and religious practices, emphasising the importance of unity and mutual respect in Malaysia's political landscape.
He called on Malaysians to prioritise peace and harmony, warning against the dangers of political extremism.
Yesterday, Wan Fayhsal was suspended for six months from the Dewan Rakyat following a poison pen letter alleging he was the mastermind behind the Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) privatisation.
Following the decision, Opposition MPs 'welcomed' the decision by reciting the qunut nazilah.
When asked how far the government believes that the prayer was intended towards them, Saifuddin said, "Where did the incident happen yesterday, in Parliament? Was it directed at Israel in Gaza or what?"
"The act of reciting the qunut nazilah immediately after the decision in Parliament was due to disagreement with the suspension of an MP, which followed parliamentary procedures.
"I say this is an example of extreme political practice where political differences are used as a basis to pray for destruction. This is not an Islamic practice.
"So, to what extent does the government consider the situation yesterday and the conditions as being directed at them? The answer is clear," he said.