Kuala lumpur: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, has urged Muslims in the country to observe proper etiquette towards the deceased, respect burial grounds, and refrain from using them as places to seek blessings or gain popularity.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im stated in a Facebook post that Muslims are encouraged to visit graves to remind themselves about the reality of death, deepen spiritual reflection, and pray for the deceased, not for purposes that could lead to acts of shirk (associating partners with God) or superstition.

Mohd Na’im expressed concern over reports of individuals allegedly taking soil from the grave of Nurly Shahirah Azman, believing it brings blessings. He described such actions as deplorable and contrary to the principles of Islamic faith.

He reminded Muslims to be cautious in their practices and avoid actions without a basis in Islamic law, especially those that could lead to beliefs or behaviors contradicting Islamic tenets. Mohd Na’im emphasized that taking soil from a grave and applying it to one’s face with belief in its blessing power violates Islamic law.

He commended the respectful approach of Nurly Shahirah’s family in handling the situation and the religious authorities’ efforts in monitoring burial grounds. This aligns with the government’s efforts to combat superstitious practices and strengthen Islamic faith among Muslims.

Mohd Na’im urged Muslims to pray for Nurly Shahirah’s soul to be blessed with mercy and for her family to be granted strength and patience during this trial.

Media reports highlight that Nurly Shahirah’s family had to erect a barrier around her grave at the Kampung Gong Pasir Muslim Cemetery in Kerandang, Terengganu, following individuals’ acts of shirk and superstition at the site. Nurly Shahirah, 23, a Quran memoriser, was among 15 Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who died in a tragic bus accident in Gerik early this month.