Use your skills to do good, uphold Islam, MAIWP officer urged scammers

SHAH ALAM - Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) officer, Fahmi Rusli advised fellow Muslims to gain wealth through permissible means rather than corrupt practices or illegal means.

"A good muslim or a mu'min does not only perform prayer, or umrah but they also safeguard their property that came from permissible sources.

"Islam prohibits us from taking money from any corrupt activities, usury (riba), frauds or scam as there are other legal ways of making money in Islam,” he said.

Fahmi was speaking at the Wacana Al-quran programme called ‘Jenayah Scammer: Kenapa Masih Terperangkap’ (scams: why are people still falling for it) hosted by Sinar Harian yesterday.

He also said that the scammers should put their skills to good use such as doing business to gain income legally.

"Muslims are taught to always follow the guidance from the Quran including when we are facing with frauds. Firstly, we have the option to reach out to the higher authority for them to take action and we should not keep quiet when we are facing challenges,” he explained.

Commenting further, he also said that Islam also taught the believers to always be careful with who we are dealing with by analyzing the situation and not to trust easily.

"If we are able to practice this, God willing, we are able to reduce the crime,” he said.

He also cautioned scammers to repent and be cognizant to Allah SWT as fraud activities can lead to destruction as well as advising them to use their skills to uphold the religion.