Saudi Arabia’s top religious scholar says gossiping on social media is a SIN

A top Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar has reportedly described social media gossiping as a type of sin which could incur the harshest of punishments.

The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, said social media was used to "spread and publish corruption in the land",

He also said anyone who takes to Twitter or Facebook to circulate rumours or tittle tattle is "lifeless, has no shame, and follows their misguided whims, lies and falsehoods".

In the Quran, Muslims are instructed to  or "on the earth" by subjecting them to "death, crucifixion, the amputation of an alternate hand and foot, or banishment from the land", although the exact wording of this passage differs in various translations of the original Arabic text.

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Although he did not call for all Facebookers to be nailed to a cross, the Mufti said social media was eating away at society.

"It is wrong to write everything on these social media websites, and those people who do that must be made aware and stopped,” the scholar added.

"These mediums have become corrupt to society and homes, and have destroyed morals and values in homes because of foolish people talking to people with no right, throwing insults and cursing them; all this is contrary to the religion of Islam."

The Grand Mufti issued some advice to anyone who still wants to use social media whilst sticking to the letter of Islamic law.

"Follow the truth and have a wise writing style, and to stay away from slander and not to lie, for this is not allowed, and that the way to become nearer to God is to have the knowledge and vision, and to spread rights and justices and to like for your brother what you would like for yourself.”

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The Grand Mufti shot to global fame last year after it was claimed he'd issued a fatwa which allowed men to eat their wives.

However, he quickly : "The fatwa attributed to us is wrong.

"It is nothing but lies ... It has been circulated to distort the image of Islam, which has elevated and granted a dignified status to men and women without exceptions."