Mufti on sex video: Check first before believing

The Selangor, Perlis and Kelantan mufti have advised Muslims to not jump the gun over allegations on the private affairs of others, and to try to establish the truth first.

This includes the sex video allegedly involving an opposition leader committing adultery.

Quoting a verse from a chapter in the al-Quran, al-Hujurat (The Private Apartments), Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya ( left ) said that this must be the first call of action when faced with claims that someone is fasik (can no longer be trusted).

"And, if the person who makes the allegation cannot produce four witnesses, he or she should by right be charged with qazaf (making unsubstantiated allegations of adultery)," Juanda said when contacted today.

Juanda opined that a person's personal affairs should not be used for political mileage, especially if it involves sexual matters that can degrade that person's dignity.

"(Even if it is true), we don't know if this person has repented. Why should it be exposed? Do you know anyone who has nothing in the past he is embarrassed about?" Juanda asked.

‘The wrong way round'

He said the video recording does not meet the requirement of four credible witnesses, as adultery is a heavy charge and punishment must be meted out without any doubt.

"In fact, if there are only three witnesses to the event, it is better that they just keep quiet about it, as revealing it would also cause shame to other parties, including the alleged adulterer's family," he added.

Selangor mufti Tamyes Abdul Wahab ( right ) said that the response to the sex video screening has been "the wrong way round".

"Those who have been accused can take an oath to deny the allegation, but what we see today is that the accuser is taking an oath, while the accused is made to produce evidence," he said.

Tamyes also advised members of the public who do not have much knowledge of what occurred not to get involved, including raising the topic in casual chats.

However, he declined to comment on religious scholar Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's call for the mufti to speak out against gutter politics, other than to say that those involved should "return to the word of Allah".

Similarly, Kelantan mufti Mohammad Shukri Mohammad said Islam has a strict code of ethics for the accuser, accused and the public in cases that involve a person's reputation.

Expose to a judge, not public

Shukri said wrongdoings should only be exposed for the purpose of getting justice.

"The expose must be done to a qadi, judge or mufti, not to the public," he told Malaysiakini .

He said the accusers should have by right referred the matter to the mufti's department first, as there "could have been more decent ways to obtain truth and justice".

"In any case, it is illegal to watch pornographic videos," Shukri added.

Sex video: No arrest made, says Hisham

Shuib takes responsibility over sex video