Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said he was more concerned over the possibility of injustice, questioning the country’s readiness to fulfil the requirements of shariah law.

“Some people think that when we don’t cut the hands off a thief, then it is halal (allowed) to steal.

“But theft is still haram (forbidden). It is still wrong and will be punished by God.

“What we are questioning now is whether the conditions to implement the proposed amendments are sufficient. God requires us to be responsible.”

Asri was speaking at a forum to discuss the understanding of hudud held here today.

He expressed concern that without proper enforcement requirements, the implementation of hudud may be biased.

“I’m worried that those who steal a car will have their hands cut off, but those who steal billions of ringgit won’t.”

Asri also did not reject the possibility that some may have used hudud for their own political interests rather than for the sake of religion.

“Back in the 1980s, people couldn’t discuss hudud without labelling others as kafir (infidels), to the point that they claimed you can’t eat animals slaughtered by those who reject hudud. But it’s not like that now.

“When religion is politicised, we see the narrative is no longer meant to stimulate the rational mind for discussion purposes.”

He pointed to the likes of Sudan, Lebanon, Pakistan and Nigeria, which had stopped enforcing hudud law, not because they thought the law was improper but because human behaviour had changed.

He also rejected the perception of some who thought they could make Islam beautiful by cutting off the hands of thieves or whipping those who committed pre-marital sex.

“This is a wrong image painted by some people, including IS.

“This has only supported US President Donald Trump’s claim that the Islamic world is a violent world.”