The powers accorded to state religious authorities should not extend to trespassing into a person’s personal space because such action is also a sin in Islam, said Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Mujahid Yusuf Rawa.

Mujahid in a statement quoted Surah Al-Hujurat Verse 12 from the Al-Quran that states: “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.”

The Parit Buntar MP argued that enforcement made in the name of religion should be scrutinised because there have been cases involving abuse of power.

“Not only did they trespass into a person’s private space, on top of that, they also abused their powers. All done in the name of Islam.

“A sin is still a sin so long as it has been defined as so under Syara’ (Islamic law),” he said in urging religious law enforcers to uphold Islam’s reputation.

Mujahid, however, acknowledged the role of religious law enforcers against actions perceived as blatant attacks on Islam.

“Such actions must always be carried out responsibly,” he added.

Mujahid was responding to the recent outcry against a statement by retired civil servants group, G25, calling for a review of laws which empower religious authorities to conduct raids against those who commit khalwat (close proximity).

‘ Different concepts of sin’

On this, Mujahid said the issue raised on khalwat raids must be based on several concepts of sin and what is categorised as a public sin.

“The gravity of the sin is evaluated from the perspective of the offender and its impact on the people. A sinner who only destroys himself is different than the sinner who not only destroys himself but also others.

“Corruption, stealing public’s property and hiding the truth are examples of sins categorised as causing destruction to the larger population,” Mujahid explained.

At the same time, he said the gravity of a sin is also evaluated on whether it was committed blatantly or covertly.

“In both cases, the action remains as a sin but to do it blatantly will add on another sin that is to ‘challenge’ Allah’s words,” he stressed.

This concept, he said, extends to persons who had committed a sin in private but later boasted about it to others.

‘ Public versus personal space’

According to Mujahid, public sin is defined as a sin committed with the potential to threaten the safety of the majority or impacting accepted societal norms.

He reiterated G25’s earlier arguments that a person should only be held accountable by Allah for their personal sins.

Mujahid said a person who is privy to another person’s individual sins, should instead encourage them to repent and seek Allah's forgiveness, so long as their actions does not constitute a blatant challenge against His laws.

G25 spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin, who made the call during a conference earlier this month, had said that Islam does not promote intrusion into personal spaces.

She has since received an outpouring of criticism and personal attacks including a rape threat.