Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has come out in support of the decision by Penang state mufti department to ban the use of loudspeakers outside of mosques and surau other than for the azan (call to prayer).
"What Islam bids us to broadcast is only the azan . Other than that, there is nothing that tells us to broadcast (anything else) until others are disturbed.
"Actually, in Islam, other people's peace should be preserved unless there is some exception that is allowed by Islamic law," Mohd Asri said in a Facebook post today.
The readings of the Quran and zikr are honorable practices, he added, but they (Muslims) must not force others to listen to their recitations.
There are many reasons to be considerate of others when it comes to these recitations, he said.
Maybe others want to read it themselves, or they might be sick or have children who are sleeping, he explained.
"Some people tried to defend this practice (of using loudspeakers other than for the
azan
), justifying it by saying it is from the Quran or
zikr
and that it should be honoured. They think their hardline attitude in this matter is 'the struggle to defend Islam'," he said.
Mohd Asri had previously pointed out that the Prophet Muhammad himself forbade the loud reading of the Quran in mosques that could disturb others.
Perlis set precedent
Perlis has enforced the prohibition of the use of loudspeakers outside mosques and surau except for the azan for several years now.
Former Perlis mufti Juanda Jaya had said that the Perlis Fatwa Council had broached the matter as early as April 30, 2007.
The decision regarding the loudspeaker ban outside mosques and surau in Penang was revealed yesterday .
Related:
Asri: That which is not azan should not be broadcast
Ban on loudspeaker use except for ‘azan’ in Penang mosques
