Bukit mertajam: Muslims in the country have been advised to strengthen the foundation of mutual love and respect while avoiding conflict and speaking ill of one another, in line with the Islamic principle of Mahabbatul Muslimin (brotherhood among Muslims). Islamic classical text scholar Tuan Guru Syeikh Wazir Che Awang al-Makki stated that this is an obligation for every Muslim according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Syeikh Wazir emphasized that loving fellow Muslims is an individual obligation (Fard Ain) and not merely recommended. He stated that Muslims must desire good for others as they would for themselves, and similarly, they should not wish harm upon their Muslim brethren.

Speaking at the Permatang Pauh Grand Maulud event at Masjid Jamek Tengah Berapit in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, which was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Syeikh Wazir quoted the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad: "None of you is a true believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." He explained that a person who spends time criticising or cursing fellow Muslims lacks true faith.

Syeikh Wazir stressed that harboring hatred toward fellow Muslims and instilling such negativity in younger generations would result in an absence of faith from their hearts. He further reinforced this principle with the Quranic verse "Innamal mu'minuna ikhwah," which means "Indeed, the believers are brethren."

He highlighted that believers are like siblings and should love each other as family. Syeikh Wazir also emphasized respect for non-Muslims who coexist peacefully, are neighbors, and trade with Muslims.

Syeikh Wazir, 78, who is the Kelantan state chairman of Muafakat Pondok Se-Malaysia, lived in Makkah from the age of 11 before returning to Malaysia in 1980. He has been a preacher and teacher in Kelantan since his return. A native of Tumpat, Kelantan, he was educated in Makkah and holds a Master of Arts in Islamic Sociology from Karachi University, Pakistan.