KUALA LUMPUR: Non-Muslims may use phrases commonly associated with Muslims, such as “Alhamdulillah”, provided they are not used to insult or mock Islam, said Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, the
New Straits Times reported.
He said the matter should be viewed within the broader context of Islamic scholarly discourse rather than narrowed to specific individuals or groups.
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Ahmad Fauwaz said scholars have long held that non-Muslims may utter phrases such as “Alhamdulillah” or “Bismillah” in good faith, including in certain situations like treatment, as long as the words are not used to mock or belittle the religion.
He said the issue does not involve matters of sensitivity or faith but forms part of a scholarly discussion that has been debated for a long time, and urged the public to approach it with maturity.
His remarks followed a Dewan Rakyat exchange on Wednesday in which opposition MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff questioned Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming’s use of phrases commonly associated with Muslims, saying the remarks appeared to mock the sanctity of Islam.
Meanwhile, Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said non-Muslims were allowed to say phrases such as “Alhamdulillah” if expressed sincerely and in the appropriate context, but prohibited if used to mock or insult Islam.
On spiritual rewards, Asri said from an Islamic perspective such rewards begin after a person embraces Islam and recites the syahadah, though Allah SWT may grant worldly sustenance if the words are spoken sincerely.
