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

 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.

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.”

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."

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