Competitions held to scoff at people is forbidden- Sheikh Ilyas

Sheikh Ilyas Hussein has said that it is forbidden to hold competitions to scoff and make fun of people by calling them derogatory names.

Sheikh Ilyas said that the religion of Islam forbids a Muslim to make fun of others and wink behind their backs or make snide remarks. He said that Allah has forbid this vile act in the verse 11 of Surat al-Hujuraat.

“The meaning of the verse is: O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one’s brother after having Faith,” he said.

Sheikh Ilyas explained that Islam prohibits a Muslim from looking down on others, belittling them or making fun of them. He said that this is haraam and is counted as one of the characteristics of the hypocrites.

In addition to this, Sheikh Ilyas said that this is not restricted to only a certain class of people but rather Islam forbids making fun of any Muslim.

Replying to a question asked by the Miadhu Daily, Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim noted that there are state institutions that have the authority to take action against those who call to that which is forbidden in the Quran.

“Such people who are doing antiislamic activities should be persecuted within the confines of the constitution. If that is not done then peace and stability cannot be established within the society. There will be no safety and security,” he said.

Gasim said that the biggest responsibility upon the state is to uphold and protect Islam.

Meanwhile, many people have been raising their concern regarding the completion held by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to mimic the call of the crow. MDP uses the nickname ‘crow’ on a certain personality as a derogatory name to mock and ridicule the person.