KUALA LUMPUR – The controversy surrounding Pasir Puteh MP and PAS Ulama council member, Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh, deepened after his remarks on the lives of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions sparked widespread criticism.
Mohamed Sukri Omar, Selangor Pas Youth chief, publicly criticised Nik Zawawi’s comments, saying the companions were not ordinary figures but chosen by Allah to live alongside the Prophet and defend Islam.
“They are the generation chosen by Allah to live with the Prophet, receive revelation directly, defend Islam with blood and tears, and uphold the mission of the faith when the world opposed the truth,” Mohamed Sukri wrote on Facebook.
He emphasised that the companions sacrificed homes, wealth, families, and even lives for Islam, through migration, battles, and persecution in the early days of the religion.
When asked in the comments, Mohamed Sukri confirmed he was referring to Nik Zawawi’s lecture.
“This response is to YB Dr Nik Zawawi. I will not defend anyone who surpasses the Prophet and his companions. Wrong is wrong; YB Dr Nik Zawawi must repent and correct his statement,” he said, as quoted by a local news portal.
The remarks have circulated online, including videos of Nik Zawawi allegedly describing Abu Bakar as a "Ceti" ("loan shark") and portraying Umar as immoral before converting to Islam. The lecture reportedly took place during a political talk in Kuala Terengganu over the weekend.
Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali, Deputy Chairman of Umno Ulama, also criticised Nik Zawawi, urging that historical facts about major Islamic figures be conveyed accurately.
“Umar bin al-Khattab never committed adultery during the Jahiliyyah period. Abu Bakar al-Siddiq was a businessman, not a ‘loan shark’. Historical facts about the companions must be corrected,” Khairuddin wrote on social media.
Dr Muhammad Yusry Affandy Md Isa al-Hafiz, Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, added that the MP’s statements contradicted authoritative sources such as Ibn Hisham and Ibn Kathir, local media reported.
He explained that the companions were known for their strong character and devotion to Islam, with no record of the misdeeds attributed to them in the lecture.
“Mistakes in recounting the companions’ actions can mislead the public. Given his position as a leader and scholar, Nik Zawawi should rely on verified sources and correct any inaccuracies,” Muhammad Yusry said.
So far, Nik Zawawi has not responded to the criticism, which continues to generate debate among social media users. - May 12, 2026
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