Political leaders are advised not to use abusive words and throw insults at each other when campaigning in the upcoming 14th general election.

Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin who gave the advice during a weekly lecture at Alwi Mosque in Kangar last night said such actions were forbidden in Islam, more so against mere political enemies.

“Emulate Prophet Muhammad who never verbally abused people who were against him when preaching Islam,” he said.

Mohd Asri also drew attention to a (hadis) narrative on the Prophet admonishing his wife Aishah for responding to a Jewish woman’s greeting negatively, which did not reflect the beauty of Islam.

He regretted that some political leaders in this country began their ceramah (public talks) by giving the ‘salam’ (peace greeting) but then filled their ceramah with harsh condemnation, slander and various accusations against their political enemies.

On another issue, Mohd Asri advised Muslims not to label another an infidel just because that person is wearing a formal coat like the westerners.

"Whether a person is a Muslim or not does not hinge on his/her attire but the sincerity of heart and faith while the attire must not expose the awrah (intimate parts of the body)” he said.

He also noted that at one time, Muslims here using chopsticks to eat were accused of being Chinese and infidels while China had millions of Muslims among its population.

- Bernama