“Fight anyone who tries to stop Islam” – Sultan of Sokoto tells Nigerian Muslims
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has told Nigerian Muslims not to fight anyone over religion except…
“The only thing that will make me to act or ask you to act is only when somebody or a group or some other nations decide to stop us from performing our religious obligations. That is the only way we can fight somebody.”
Abubakar who is also President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs did not state whether those fights should be waged in law courts or on the streets with sticks, daggers and guns.
The sultan’s comments coincide with the burial of Eunice Elisha Olawale, a Nigerian Christian woman believed to have been murdered by Muslims allegedly angered by her megaphone evangelism.
Another woman was also killed in Kano for allegedly insulting Islam’s Prophet Mohammed with President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim offering a widely condemned “let’s respect each other’s religion” condolence message.
Religious tension are at a high in Nigeria.
The sultan’s comments come at a time Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is trying to ban public preaching so there would be peace in the state, a move Christians also criticised.
It’s uncertain if Abubakar’s comments would resonate with the hearts of Muslims in Kaduna. One thing is clear: Nigerian Muslims do not take the Sultan of Sokoto lightly.
Sultan Abubakar made the comments while speaking at a conference organised by Da’wah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria.
He cautioned Muslims, who profess to practice a “religion of peace”, against violence but added a “but” clause.
He said at length:
“When somebody or a group or some other nations decide to stop us from performing our religious obligations, we must never take laws into our hands. We must not be law officers. We do not do that in Islam.
“We do not force anybody to join Islam. There is no compulsion in Islam. Our good deeds, good actions and good interactions as Muslims will give that very bright light to everybody what Islam is and that is what brings people to join us
“Those who do not want to come as Muslims are free to stay with us and continue working with us to make this country a much better place. Whoever wants to fight you, do not fight him; leave him alone. Be very patient.
“The only thing that will make me to act or ask you to act is only when somebody or a group or some other nations decide to stop us from performing our religious obligations. That is the only way we can fight somebody.
“But if I am allowed to pursue my religious obligations, say my prayers and pay my zakat and so many other things, I have no problem with anybody. To you, your religion and to me, my religion.”
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