One cannot use religion to justify vote-buying because hell fire awaits the corrupt, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said those who give or receive bribes may not be caught, but they cannot escape divine retribution in the afterlife.

"Givers and recipients of bribes must remember that while they may be able to escape in this lifetime, in the afterlife, the same bribe would not be able to save them from hellfire," he said in a blog post today.

Referring to the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections, he said giving away rice and electrical products is also a form of bribery.

Worse, he said, the recipients were reportedly told to take an oath in the name of God that they will vote for a certain party.

"So if they do not vote a certain way, the giveaway becomes haram (forbidden) for them to consume or use...

"In fact, the giveaway is haram because it is a bribe. Corruption is corruption and it is not halal for either giver or recipient," he said.

Gerakan and MCA had given out rice to constituents during the campaign period, while both Pakatan Harapan and BN parties gave away electrical appliances at events, some under the guise of "lucky draws".

Mahathir said the justification that the bribe can be used to help Muslims perform religious obligations also does not hold water.

"There are views that although the source of funding is not halal, if it can help someone perform their haj, which is one of the five obligations of a Muslim, the sin is absolved.

"Islam does give concessions so as to not burden its followers but not to the extent of committing a crime to perform a religious obligation.

"There is nothing in the Quran or sunnah which tells Muslims to be corrupt or to rob or pillage, so that they can perform a religious duty," he said.