Should Muslims follow Sultan of Sokoto's advice?
Many Christian families have seen unprovoked violence in the hands of the northern Muslims, who have made it obvious that they do not have tolerance for any other religion except Islam.
They have proved this on many occasions. The most recent was the stabbing of a man for eating during the just concluded Ramadan fasting.
Intolerance has been a key expression in this composition, explaining the only reason why Muslims should consider killing a Christian.
It is yet to be seen if the so-called "northern Muslims" intend to disobey an order from their supreme head, who directed that there should be a stop to the killing of people who practice other religion.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'adu Abubakar, has called on Muslims to be patient in their practice of Islam, as the religion embraces tolerance.
Abubakar, who is the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, advised his fellow religious counterparts not to force anyone to become a Muslim.
He also observed that Islamic clerics should dissociate themselves from preaching hate messages while speaking at a conference organised by Da’wah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria.
“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 leader noted that Muslims should only consider retaliation when their right to worship is being challenged by a group or persons.
According to him, this is a good cause to fight.
“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.”
His speech is coming at the heels of the recent killing of a Christian preacher, Deaconess Eunice Elisha Olawale, in Kubwa, Abuja.
It was alleged that an Islamic cleric gave an order that the woman be stoned to death.
The deceased was buried on Saturday, July 23, 2016.
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