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Tag: Islamic cleric

  • Bandits abduct renowned Islamic cleric, 5 others in Katsina — Police

    Popular  Kano-based Quranic reciter, Sheikh Ahmad Sulaiman and five other persons have been kidnapped in Katsina State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isa, told reporters yesterday in  Katsina that the police were already on the trail of the kidnappers with a view to rescuing the victims.

    Isa urged the general public to continue to provide police with information on criminals and their activities with a view to safeguard peoples’ lives and property.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said  the victims were kidnapped on Thursday night on Sheme-Kankara road on their way back to Kano State after attending an Islamic event in Kebbi State.

    The State police command also confirmed yesterday, the the release of the mother-in-law to Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf by kidnappers.

    Hajiya Hauwa, the mother to one of the governor’s wives, Hajiya Binta, was abducted a week ago at her residence in Katsina metropolis.

    Gambo, in confirming the release said: “I am very happy to inform you that the old woman has been released by her abductors in the early hours of the day (Friday).

    ‘’She is hale and hearty, and has already been reunited with her family after necessary medical checkup.’’

    Meanwhile, the police have arrested an alleged  notorious member of a kidnap syndicate in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

    Isa said that the suspect attacked the house of one Mustapha Sani and attempted to kidnap his two wives.

    According to him, the combined team of police and vigilance group  members promptly pursued the suspect and succeeded in rescuing the two women.

    ‘’The command will continue to solicit for the cooperation and support of the public in the fight against kidnappers and banditry,’’ he said.

  • Cleric advises Muslims on regular visit to graveyard

    An Abuja-based Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised Muslims to cultivate the habit of visiting the graveyard to remember and prepare for life after death.

    Al-Yolawi, who is also the Chief Imam of Area 10 Garki Mosque in Abuja, gave the advice while delivering Jumma’at Sermon entitled “ Benefits of Remembering Death in Islam” on Friday in Abuja.

    The cleric explained that regular visit to graveyard would enable Muslims to prepare toward death before it was too late, adding that remembering death would reduce worldly materials’ inclination from hearts.

    According to Al-Yolawi, death is a reality in which all human beings accept and believe in but it is also a reality which most people like to keep out of their minds.

    He added that “in Islam, death is not an end to our existence; it is a passage, which takes us from this world to the next stage of life (grave) then to hereafter.

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    “ Whether we like it or not, death will certainly come to every one of us. Muslims Success or failure at the time of death depends largely on how much he prepared before that day.

    “ Preparing for death is a lifetime assignment which begins on the day one reach the age of adolescence, where
    he will be responsible for his deeds for the rest of his or her life.

    “ Once death arrives, the opportunity to do well or worship ends and it will be too late to repent and our final
    destination depends largely on the kind of beliefs and actions exhibited in this present life. “

    Al-Yolawi said any person who chooses to forget or rule out remembering death in his day-to-day life would
    find it difficult to repent his or her sins and devil would have total power over him.

    The cleric, therefore, admonished Muslims to inculcate the spirit of humility and humbleness in dealing with
    people irrespective of their religion or tribal background.

    Al-Yolawi also urged Muslims to be contented with whatever little they have, shun egotism and
    oppression of the less privilege.

    NAN

  • Alfa ‘rapes’ wife’s nine-year-old niece

    The police in Lagos have arrested an Islamic cleric, Alfa Abdul-Lateef Mustapha, 38, for alleged defilement of his wife’s nine-year-old niece.

    The man was apprehended by members of the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Somolu and handed over to the Bariga Police Station on Sunday.

    He was allegedly caught in the act the previous day by neighbours.

    It was gathered that the child had complained to neighbours that she was being sexually molested by her aunt’s husband, but they did not believe her. Neighbours, however, caught the man in the act on Saturday.

    The suspect, who claimed it was the first time he slept with the minor, apologised. He was, however, challenged by the victim, who said he had raped her more than three times.

    A source, who informed our correspondent about the incident, said the suspect’s relatives wanted to cover up the incident, but his wife and two others quickly alerted the CPN unit in Somolu.

    “The family wanted to fight the wife. They wanted the matter to die down. They threatened the girl and cursed her. They attempted to attack an activist, who invited the police,” the source said.

    Confirming the incident, CPN Head in Somolu Toyin Okanlawon said the victim had been taken to the Mirable Centre for examination.

    He said: “The relations came to the station in hijab and jalamia, pleading that the alfa be released. As it stands now, the victim is not safe in that house. She and her aunt slept at the station for safety following the reaction of the suspect’s relatives.

    “We have appealed to the Juvenile Centre at Alakara, Mushin to provide shelter for the victim. She was brought from Kano last January by her aunt so that she could be looked after properly, but the woman’s husband has turned a predator.

    “I hail the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bariga because he provided food for the victim and her aunt when he realised that they had not eaten. He also calmed the girl because she was tearful and traumatised.”

  • Islamic cleric sues for peace during polls

    A respected Islamic cleric, Dr. (Sheikh) A.A. Usman has appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace and not violence during the 2019 general elections. Dr. Usman made this appeal when groups of his followers from north, east, west, middle belt, traditional and religious leaders in Nigeria visited him at his Lagos mansion in Oniru Private Beach on Wednesday, 13th February, 2019.

    It was during their annual prayer congregation that the Sheikh told his adherents that Almighty Allah has revealed to him the winner of the presidential and some other categories of election of interest to most members of the congregation and he revealed their names to the congregation in confidence which attracted jubilations amongst them, saying that the revelations were in consonance with the politicians they want to win in the elections.

    Read Also: Polls shift: APDA backs INEC for credible election

    The congregation thereafter congratulated Dr. Usman for his good work and commended him for his trademark true predictions in matters of national interest and urged him to keep praying for the unity of Nigeria as he always does because the prayers of people like him have been keeping Nigeria together as against the naysayers who usually incite Nigerians against one another.

  • Adebule, Islamic cleric, ex-VC proffer solution to poverty, insecurity

    Zakat, the Islamic way of wealth redistribution, can be deployed in fighting poverty and insecurity, Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule has suggested.

    Speaking yesterday at the 14th Zakat Distribution Ceremony of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Adebule said Zakat payment would promote economic equality and love.

    About N142.9 million was distributed to 1,516 beneficiaries at the ceremony.

    Mrs Adebule, represented by Lagos State Chairperson of College of Nigeria Pathologists (CNP) Prof. Fatimah AbdulKareem, said: “When we take from the wealthy to distribute to the appropriate beneficiaries, there is constant circulation of wealth such that it is not concentrated in the hands of a few.

    “Zakat gives rise to relative equality among mankind. It fosters feeling of love and harmony as well as cohesion within the society. In the present day Nigeria, wealth circulates among a few, while the majority languish in poverty.

    “The few wealthy ones, unfortunately, don’t feel secure living among the majority who are poor, hungry and angry; thus the wealthy spend so much on security when all it takes is to give out 2.5 per cent as zakat.

    “It is economic inequality that results in increasing crime, hooliganism and other vices in the society.  Zakat is a means to prevent all these vices in the society by ensuring social security.”

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr. Abdullateef Abdulhakeem urged the government to give legal backing to zakat.

    He said: “Anyone who possesses wealth must realise that he/she is a distributor on behalf of the giver – Allah. There is so much wealth within the community, but because we have failed to activate our sense of generosity, many people are suffering.

    “Charity will do a lot to alleviate poverty in the society. Zakat is something that even the government should give legal backing to. It will be a form of Public Private Partnership that will assist the government to get funds to alleviate poverty.”

    Lagos State Chief Imam Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nollah advised Muslims to prioritise investments in areas capable of reducing poverty among Muslims.

    He said: “It is important for us to invest. There is no how we can get to the level that we want to be without investing. It is key for us to invest. Zakat is about enriching the poor so that they can get to the level that is sustainable. We have a lot of challenges in Nigeria to make us surmount the economic challenge.”

    Former University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Prof. Bello Rahmon, who chaired the event, said investments should be based on the people’s health needs.

    He said: “This is one of the few events to showcase the beauty of Islam. It is an aspect of our religion that must be put to use. The level of unemployment is high. You find hundreds and thousands of graduates roaming the streets. This results in crimes and zakat is one of the ways to get this resolved.

    “We must continue to consider the possibilities of setting up institutions that can assist in unemployment and health challenges. We need to set up clinics that attend to ailments in our society.”

    ZSF Executive Director Prince Sulayman Olagunju said the foundation was worried about the growing rate of poverty.

    He said: “We were deeply touched seeing the number of Nigerians wallowing in abject poverty, which has been one of the propelling forces driving us to step up zakat collections on a yearly basis despite the economic situation.

    “Today, with the support of our zakat payers, we are pleased to inform you that N142,938,905 is being distributed to 1,516 beneficiaries in Lagos State out of the N318,152,130 zakat mobilised for this year, as at October 31.

    “However, we still have a long way to go as many are still lacking in basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter. We appeal to Muslims to help us create jobs, by contributing their own quota to building an egalitarian society.”

    ZSF Chairman Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf appealed to Nigerians to join in the effort to reduce poverty.

    “Poverty can be eradicated in Nigeria. We are prepared to work towards its eradication. Poverty is not our own portion as Muslims, so we are not just focused on alleviating but eradicating.

    “Secondly, a programme titled KOSOSI Forum will be launched on December 23 through which we seek to equip our economic empowerment beneficiaries in such a manner that they become economically accountable and self-reliant.”

    Jaiz Charity Foundation Executive Director Imam Abdullahi Shuaib warned against the danger of not paying zakat.

    “Allah gave us the institution of zakat for specific purpose, but some of us are ungrateful elements. Some Muslims are capable of paying, but they won’t pay. Muslims should not be rich and poor at the same time.

    “Zakat is a means to bail us out. With the prevalence of poverty in our society, we must make it a habit to pay zakat. It is a potent tool for poverty alleviation,” he said.

  • Corruption: Cleric urges Nigerian leaders to emulate Justice Mustapha Akanbi

    An Islamic cleric has urged Nigerian leaders to emulate late former Appeal Court President, Justice Mustapha Akanbi for his uprightness and incorruptible nature, as panacea to the challenges militating against the growth and development of the country.

    The Abuja based cleric, Ustaz Abdulwahab Sharani, who made the urge Sunday evening in Kaduna, also tasked Muslims to use the remaining few days of holy month of Ramadan to pray intensively for peace and security to return across the country in the place of killings, herders/farmers clashes, kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery and other criminal acts that ha held parts of the country hostage.

    Speaking at a 8th day fidau prayer for late pioneer chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, organised by General Secretary of Textile Workers Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, Ustaz Sharani said Nigerian Muslims should constantly seek Allah’s blessings, because the blessings with Allah are in excess of humans needs.

    “Late Justice Mustapha Akanbi was an honest and just man who treats everybody equally. He would rather please an outsider than please a relation or family member.

    “Justice Akanbi was incorruptible and fair to everybody. Nigerian leaders should emulate and take after him by being just, fair and especially incorruptible, that is one way of regaining our lost glory as a people and as a country.

    Read Also: Cleric commends Ambode

    “Prayer is very important in life, Allah wants us to always beseech Him and He gets angry if we fail to seek His blessings. We should use the remaining days of Ramadan to pray for Allah’s abundant blessings, because His blessings is more than what all the people on earth needs.

    “As I was about to leave Abuja for Kaduna this afternoon, I was feeling somehow about the trip, so I asked my Islamiyya students to pray and we all prayed. The importance of the prayer was that upon entering Kaduna, I was involved in a small accident. The prayer warded off evil and minimised the impact of the accident. So, we need to constantly pray.

    “But my initial fear was the spate of kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna road, how to avoid the kidnappers. Let us pray intensely for God to remove evil from this country and grant us peace and security.

    “The Muslims should pray in the last days of Ramadan for Allah to bring an end to insecurity in the country and bring lasting peace to Nigeria.

    “Ramadan is like a cleansing period for Muslims to cleanse them of all their sins, grant them forgiveness and shower them with more blessings than they ask for.”

  • Cleric warns Muslims against fornication, adultery

    An Abuja based Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, on Friday warned Muslims against committing fornication and adultery.

    Al-Yolawi, the Chief Imam of Area 10, Garki Jummu’ah Mosque, gave the warning while delivering a sermon titled, “ Evil Consequences of Fornication and Adultery (Zina)’’, in Abuja.

    The cleric stressed the need for Muslims to stay away from anything that could stimulate their sexual desire and thereby lead them to committing fornication or adultery.

    He also admonished Muslims to avoid social media temptation and behaviours that might arouse desires such as touching, shaking, kissing, hugging, watching sex pictures and movies.

    “ All these are Haram and you will be asked about each one of them on the ‘Day of Judgment’, “ he warned.

    Al-Yolawi advised Muslims to choose and walk with only righteous friends and clean environment.

    “Allah says, keep your self-patient, by being with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening,’’ he said.

    He said that Islam forbids not only committing adultery and fornication but everything that could lead to it, such as mixing with the opposite sexes, immoral and lustful look.

    “ Allah says, do not come close to unlawful sexual intercourse.

    “ Allah also stated in the Holy Qur’an that do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse and whoever should do that will be penalised,” the Cleric warned.

    He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to create policy that would stop indecent dressing in public places across the country.

    The cleric said that government at all levels have a critical role to play in establishing descent moral standards in individuals within the community.

    Al-Yoawi decried increasing incidences of indecent dressing by both male and female, young and old people in the society, describing it as “an ugly situation.“

    “ You will never find an adulterer or fornicator who is pious, fulfills his promises, truthful in his speech, maintains friendship or has protective jealous over his wife,“ he said.

    Al-Yolawi, therefore, admonished Muslims to strengthen their devotion through praising Allah, reading the holy Qur’an and offering prayers.

    He said that frequent prayers would strengthen believers against immorality, wrongdoing, and make Muslims to always remember Allah in whatever they do.

     

  • Eid: Fear Allah, fulfil campaign promises, Cleric admonishes politicians

    Eid: Fear Allah, fulfil campaign promises, Cleric admonishes politicians

    An Islamic cleric, Prof. Abdulraheem Lawal, has admonished Nigerian politicians to always manifest the fear of Allah by fulfilling their campaign promises when they assume in public office.

    Lawal, a professor of Arabic studies and Chief Imam of the Isashi Central Mosque, Lagos, gave the admonition in his Eid-El-Kabir sermon at the mosque on Friday.

    “Politicians should all fear Allah and endeavour to fulfil their campaign promises when they get to public offices.

    “Promises are covenants between us and Allah, and it is sinful for our leaders, especially Muslims, to break their promises at will,’’ he said.

    Lawal said the purpose of the Eid el-Kabir was to express the fear of Allah, obedience to His commandments, and to worship him wholeheartedly.

    He described the Sallah celebration as a commemoration of Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) fulfilment of his promise to Allah and Ismaeel’s (Ishmael’s) obedience to Allah’s command.

    “Today is a day of worship, a day to remind us of Ibrahim’s Obedience to Allah and his readiness to fulfil his promise, even in very difficult circumstances.

    “It is a day to also remind us of Ismaeel’s patience and obedience to Allah; a day to imbibe the virtues like patience, obedience and respect to constituted authority.

    “Ibrahim made a promise to Allah and when he was called upon to fulfil the difficult promise, he didn’t hesitate, and Allah granted succour and lightened the burden of such a difficult promise on him,’’ he said.

    The cleric advised Muslims to be generous as they slaughter animals to celebrate the Eid.

    “Your rams should be divided into three parts: the first part is for you and your family, the second part is to be shared to neighbours and the third part should be used as charity, to feed the downtrodden,’’ he said.

    He advised Muslims to always obey the laws, and to pray for the progress of Nigeria and wisdom for our leaders.

  • Ramadan: Pray for Buhari, avoid watching television – cleric

    Ramadan: Pray for Buhari, avoid watching television – cleric

    An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Aminulahi Seriki, on Sunday called on Nigerians, particularly Muslims to use the opportunity of Ramadan to pray for quick recovery of President Mohammadu Buhari.

    Seriki, Assistant Imam, Ansarul-deen Mosque, Fadeyi, Lagos, made the call at an annual Ramadan Lecture, entitled ‘`The Impact of Prayers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was organised by Alhaji Moshood Salvador, a factional Lagos State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The lecture was held alongside `zakat’ – giving alms to the needy.

    The cleric, who said that God commanded prayers for leaders, urged Muslims to avoid watching television while praying to avoid unanswered prayer.

    “We should fully submit ourselves to God and concentrate when praying to Him.

    “You don’t watch television or look at things going on around you while praying; such things are the causes of unanswered prayers,” he said.

    Seriki said that Buhari needed prayers of Nigerians for restoration of his health and God’s guidance to rule.

    He also urged Nigerians to unite to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

    “I call on Nigerians to continue to pray for sound health for President Buhari so that he can quickly return to the country and continue the business of governance.

    “I want my Muslim brothers to use the opportunity of the blessings the holy month of Ramadan offers to pray for the president and for national peace.

    “God requires us, as believers, to always pray for our leaders because He gives power to them.

    “We should obey this command and pray for the president and his men so that they can lead us well.

    He said that most people did not have solutions to their problems because they underrated the power of prayer.

    Seriki said that prayer remained a medium of communication between man and God.

    He commended Salvador for organising the annual lecture, saying that it would go a long way to uplift participants spiritually.

    In his remarks, Salvador said that he had been organising the lecture and the zakat in the past 20 years.

    He said that the aim was to remind Muslims of the need to renew their commitment to God and extend a hand of brotherhood to the needy.

    The PDP chieftain said that the zakat would be expanded next year to include disbursement of empowerment items in Surulere, Lagos, and environs.

    He urged affluent Muslims to assist the poor.

    “I want to urge wealthy Nigerians particularly Muslims to always remember the less privileged.

    “Allah has commanded us to do so. If you help your brothers in need, you are fulfilling a religious obligation.

    “The clothes and food items we are giving to over 3,000 beneficiaries today are to ensure that people around us have a reason to smile especially during Ramadan,” he said.

  • Politicians brew terrorism for selfish reasons – Islamic Cleric

    Politicians brew terrorism for selfish reasons – Islamic Cleric

    The National Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Juma’at in Nigeria, Dr Mashood Aderinle Fashola Friday in Kano described terrorism as a struggle for political power in which politicians use to perpetrate themselves into relevance.

    Fashola, who is a renowned Islamic Scholar said this in Kano, during his inspection tour Ahmadiyya facilities, said that Nigerians should be wary of the antics of politicians, whose stock in trade is to deceive the masses.

    According to him, “politicians are fond of deceiving the people if they want to loot the treasury, as you notice them coming together, but if some of them fall by the way side, you see they are employing religious sentiments to curry favour from the public.”

    He further noted that, “the insecurity we are witnessing in the country today is the handiwork of politicians, who brew terrorism, to achieve their selfish political ambition, resulting in the ongoing insurgency.”

    Dr Fashola said that lack of moral discipline, selfish interest, and religious intolerance has been the major bane of the country, pointing that those, who claim to be Christians and Muslim leaders, only crave for wealth against fighting for humanity.

    The Islamic Scholar called on Nigerians to support and pray for the success of President Buhari’s anti—corruption crusade, pointing out that the only snag of this country is the lack of sincerity of purpose of believing in the sincerity of purpose of our leaders to pilot the country to another level.

    He also accused politicians of creating the hardship people are currently experiencing, adding that if Nigerians imbibe religious tolerance, “we will be able to fight politicians, who want to destroy the nation.”