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SCMP’s Asia desk

Malaysian politicians have slammed a Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) party leader for claiming that those who join the Islamist party would “certainly” go to heaven.
Among them, Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar, said in a social media post on Tuesday: “PAS’ office is not an immigration counter for the afterlife, where you get a ‘heaven’ stamp upon showing your membership certificate and ballot vote.”
During the PAS assembly over the weekend, secretary general Takiyuddin Hassan said party supporters were guaranteed entry into paradise, according to news portal Free Malaysia Today.
People who died defending Islam became martyrs and were rewarded with divine blessings in the afterlife, he said. “Joining PAS in that way, God willing, we can enter heaven when we die. That is certain, ladies and gentlemen.”
Takiyuddin’s remarks drew immediate condemnation from Muslim lawmakers in the country.
“Entry into heaven is not from political party votes but because of Allah’s mercy,” former religious affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa wrote on social media on Sunday. “Will a political party that declares fellow Muslims to be disbelievers and labels those who do not align with it as hypocrites and the like invite Allah’s mercy or His calamity?”
Mahfuz, who is Mujahid’s party mate, likewise countered Takiyuddin’s words.
“PAS can ask the people to support or vote for it. But PAS has never been given the mandate by Allah to determine who will enter heaven. Heaven does not belong to PAS but to Allah,” he said.
“PAS should not act as though it is the gatekeeper of heaven – those who vote for PAS are allowed through the gates, while those who do not are told to wait outside.”

Mahfuz argued that a ballot paper was not a “passport” to the afterlife.
“If voting for PAS is a ticket to heaven, how about Muslims who do not vote for PAS? Does that mean Muslims who are not members, do not vote for and do not support PAS will be condemned to hell?”
Mujahid also criticised PAS’ behaviour, saying: “How can PAS’ attitude of slandering and lying for the sake of power invite Allah’s mercy and lead to paradise?”
The former minister sued PAS in 2022 over a social media post linking him to the LGBT community. The case was settled out of court last December.
PAS leaders are no strangers to making controversial remarks.
On Monday, leader Abdul Hadi Awang was contacted by police for his explosive allegation that the United States once offered to help his party topple the government – an allegation Washington has flatly dismissed as false.
Hadi sparked outrage and ridicule last month with unproven claims linking religion to dishonesty, suggesting that Muslims were less corrupt than non-Muslims.


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Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’


Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’.


Malaysian politics

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party

Religion

United States

PAS slammed in Malaysia for linking heaven to support for party

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’

Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’