The use of Islamic expressions such as ‘Alhamdulillah’ and ‘Insya-Allah’ by non-Muslims is permissible provided they are spoken with good intentions, proper manners and respect for their original meanings, according to the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM).
Its Director-General, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil said that while the phrases are rooted in Islamic faith and signify praise and acknowledgement of Allah, their linguistic and cultural usage is not restricted solely to Muslims.
He explained that in a plural society, the permissibility of such expressions depends on intention and context, in line with established Islamic jurisprudential principles which emphasise that rulings are determined by purpose and meaning rather than words alone.
“The expressions are allowed when used sincerely and respectfully, but become impermissible if misused, mocked or employed in ways that undermine the sanctity of religion,” he said in a statement today.
IKIM also cited the views of renowned scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Fiqh al-Da‘wah, Ghayr al-Muslimin fi al-Mujtama‘ al-Islami, which note that non-Muslims praising Allah is not prohibited so long as it does not imply adherence to Islamic creed or constitute an insult to the religion.
Mohamed Azam added that Islamic scholars generally agree that the assessment of such matters must consider intention, meaning and the surrounding social context.
He advised Muslims to practise husnuzon (positive assumptions) and approach the issue with wisdom, drawing inspiration from the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s example of understanding and praying for guidance for non-Muslims, as long as their words do not contradict Islamic beliefs or disrespect the faith.
At the same time, he encouraged non-Muslims to understand the significance of divine expressions to avoid misinterpretation or unintended offence.
He noted that such a balanced approach not only preserves the sanctity of religious expressions but also promotes courteous outreach and contributes to social harmony within Malaysia’s multicultural society.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
