KUALA LUMPUR: Instigating and slandering other people will not guarantee a person a place in heaven, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic).

Najib said the Prophet Muhammad highlighted the importance of paying zakat (tithes) as one of the ways for a follower to enter heaven.

"The Prophet was asked what are the ways for a Muslim to be closer to heaven.

"He said do not associate Allah with another being. Perform your prayers. Pay your zakat. And lastly, take care of the silaturahim (relations) amongst Muslims," he said at a ceremony to present contributions to the poor under the Wilayah Persekutuan Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) in Serdang.

Najib said there was no point for a Muslim to pray five times a day but continue to instigate other people.

"Slander, instigating, ruining harmony, would not guarantee you a place in heaven," he added.

Najib said the country's improving economy as stated by the Fitch Ratings was due to the Government's effective policies.

This was reflected in the positive improvement in the Muslim community's economy as the Baitumal collected RM585mil in zakat this year, RM53mil more than last year.

"If our policies do not bring positive improvements and good results, the Muslim community's economy wouldn't be improving positively like this," Najib said.

On Wednesday, Fitch maintained Malaysia's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at A- and local currency at A, with the outlook revised to stable from negative previously.

"I'm not the one to say our economy has improved but Fitch. The country's good economic management was recognised by the international rating agency," Najib said.