Grand mufti: Beware of social media perils

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has warned against attempts to spread propaganda through social media platforms and attacking and faulting the state for what it does in the service of Islam and Muslims.
“They seek to undermine the social fabric and they are platforms for malice that promote misleading doctrines,” he said, while delivering a lecture to a large gathering at Taibah University. He said people should not remain preoccupied with the issue of women driving.
“The objective behind not allowing women to drive is to protect society from evils,” he explained.
To drive home his point, Al-Asheikh reminded the audience that the Holy Qur’an urges citizens to obey rulers who are in charge of the state.
He cited verse 4:59, which reads: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”
The lecture focused on urging youth to try to follow the right path.
“Good Muslims must therefore provide counsel to their brethren to warn them against evil. They must unite in order to stand up to those who intent to destroy the Muslim society and who continue to attack Islam,” he said.
“It is the duty of citizens to obey those who are in authority. People out to undermine society will find it difficult to do so if we are united,” the grand mufti said.
He answered questions from the audience following the end of the lecture.