Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin has chided a rival religious scholar for the latter's seeming confusion on how to categorise him.

Asri said despite his moderate views, Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) chief Zamihan Mat Zin can't seem to decide if he (Asri) is right or left wing.

"Zamihan accused me of being a liberal. But at the same time he said I have terrorist ideologies.

"I'm not sure who is the one confused," Asri said in a Facebook posting today.

Asri and Zamihan have been trading barbs for over a week with the latter challenging the mufti to a debate.

Zamihan has also threatened to take legal action against Asri for allegedly pro-Shia, and deviant views.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim decided to put an end to the fighting by offering to hold a debate between the two on Feb 10.

While Asri has accepted the proposal, Zamihan, however, said he could not make it on that date as he is scheduled to give a talk to prisoners.

Asri said Zamihan has until Feb 17 to agree on a new date for the debate.

"After that, if he still doesn't accept then I will consider this case closed.

"I will be travelling overseas a lot after that date," Asri said.

He added that he would not force Zamihan to accept the debate and also called on his rival to put aside their differences and live in peace.