Not ‘haram’ to hold candle at non-religious function

Nik Aziz: Not ‘haram’ to hold candle at non-religious function

KOTA BARU, July 23 – PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today conceded that holding a candle at a memorial was a grey area in Islam but expressed the opinion that it was not forbidden (haram).

The Kelantan Menteri Besar said it was not contrary to Islam if the person doing it (holding the candle) was able to differentiate between a religious and non-religious function.

“As for me, when a person of the Hindu faith or a Buddhist invites me to attend a function, I will first clarify whether it is a religious or cultural one. I will decline if it is a religious one,” he told reporters here today.

He was asked to comment on the statement by PAS Ulama Council head Datuk Harun Taib that the practice was a grey area in Islam and “it would have been better” if former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin had not held a candle for the memorial held in Ipoh on Friday for Teoh Beng Hock, who was found dead on the fifth floor Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on Thursday.

Teoh, a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, is believed to have fallen from the 14th floor of the building, which houses the offices of the Selangor headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The Cabinet has ordered an inquest to be conducted into Teoh’s death and also a Royal Commission of Inquiry to establish if the MACC had violated procedures when questioning him regarding alleged abuse of funds in the Selangor government. – Bernama

 

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