Late on Monday, a video of Saudi preacher Ali Al Malki, allegedly dancing to music at a private event sparked controversy on Twitter. 

The footage went viral on the platform after it was shared by popular Saudi Twitter accounts and led to a heated debate among tweeps, many of whom said that music is 'haram' (unacceptable) in Islam.  

However, according to Sada News site, people who were attending the event said Al Malki wasn't dancing to music, adding that someone must have edited the original footage.

"People seated next to Al Malki at the event revealed that the cleric was actually performing a traditional Saudi dance called 'Al Khotwa.' The performance often sees men dancing to poetry delivered without music," the news site wrote

Nevertheless, the backlash continues

Even after tweeps pointed out the fact that the video might be fake, the backlash continued to intensify on social media

Many are angry

"Love for the holy Quran and for music can't unite in the heart of a believer." 

And do not believe the video is fake

"I dare people who think this footage is fabricated to share the exact same video without music. It isn't fabricated." 

Others are raising this point

"He's free to do what he wants, but those who do the same things they forbid people from doing, shouldn't be allowed to give out religious edicts."

Not everyone is taking a stand against the cleric though

Many are defending him

"I am exhausted by this society's vanity!! A man got up and danced and all hell broke loose!! Even if he did dance to music, he was excited and happy to be with his family."

And are insisting that the now-viral footage was indeed edited

"This is the original footage. The now-viral video shared by several popular Twitter pages is edited."  

But even if he did dance, what's so wrong with that?

"It's clear that music was added to the video. But even if he was dancing to music, it might have been at a relative's wedding. Let him be happy, there's nothing wrong with that." 

"This is a traditional, tribal dance that isn't performed to music"

Al Malki indirectly responds to the controversy on Twitter

Amid the intense backlash on Tuesday, Al Malki shared a Tweet that saw him indirectly respond to those attacking him. 

In it, he wrote: 

"Prophet Mohammad was right to say: (Part of perfection in Islam is for a person to leave what does not concern him)."

"Let us let go of that which does not concern us," he added.