Kuala lumpur: Insulting the companions of Prophet Muhammad is haram (forbidden) and constitutes a grave sin, stated Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr. Zulkifli Hasan. In a recent Facebook post, he emphasized the significance of the companions, asserting that disrespecting them is equivalent to insulting those who stood alongside the Prophet in upholding Islam.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulkifli further highlighted that the companions are revered as the best of generations, as praised by Allah SWT. He urged all individuals to respect and cherish them, while also refraining from slandering their honor. He cautioned the public to "guard your tongue and writing from defaming the honour of the companions of Rasulullah."

Controversy arose when Pasir Puteh Member of Parliament Datuk Dr. Nik Muhamad Zawawi Salleh was reported to have made statements that seemingly insulted and ridiculed the authority of several companions of Prophet Muhammad. In response, PKR Religious Strengthening and Understanding Bureau (BiPPA) chairman Amidi Abdul Manan released a statement urging Nik Zawawi to provide an immediate explanation for his remarks.

Amidi also called on PAS to issue an apology to the Muslim community in Malaysia, following Nik Zawawi's statement which allegedly contained accusations against the Prophet's companions, thereby tarnishing the purity of Islam. He stressed the need for clarity on PAS's stance if Nik Muhammad fails to offer an explanation.

"The people were shocked by a statement containing lies against the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) issued by Nik Zawawi, and we are still awaiting an explanation even after more than 24 hours since it circulated in the public communication domain," Amidi stated. He further remarked that the threat to Islam in Malaysia stems not from its multicultural fabric, but from the inappropriate conduct of individuals who claim to carry the prophets' legacy yet disrespect his companions.