"And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment." (Surah al Baqarah 114)
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." ( Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. )
Nowadays, in the media world and in the popular imagination, since Islam is so strongly linked to violence, so much fighting going on in the world of Islam, not least of all in Nigeria, it is very important that the words of the revered Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III should not be misconstrued when he says, "Fight those who try to stop you from practising Islam".
He is certainly not saying that Muslims should take to weapons as a first resort - and fighting can take many forms, beginning with resistance in the heart - and from there speaking up against injustice...
On Sunday, 24 July 2016 23:34:50 UTC+2, seguno2013 wrote:
We need to verify the authenticity of this command of the Islamic spiritual leader, the Sultan of Sokototo know whether it emanated from him or not, or he was quoted out of context.It is important to let the Muslim faithfuls know that it is unconstitutional for anyone in Nigeria to take law into his hand.There are laid down provisions in the constitution for redressing any act of religious provocation.That is the moral and legal way to get justice. We need peace not conflict and fighting that we disrupt our unity.SOFight those who try to stop you from practising Islam – Sultan of Sokoto charges Muslims
The President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims to fight any body or group that attempts to stop them from performing their religious obligations.
This is as he cautioned Muslims in the country against forcefully converting people into Islam.
He made the statement while speaking at a conference organised by Da'wah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria.
The Sultan also warned Muslim clerics against preaching hate messages.
According to him, "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."
Sent from my iPhone
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