Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Allah (the Exalted) deserves our unflinching praise and glorification, not only on our existence on the platter of goodness but also the guidance that keeps us aligned in the blessed way leading to everlasting prosperity. In the same manner, unquantifiable blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SallaLlahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and his entire genuine followers till the Day of Resurrection. This edition is apt particularly on the current trend of events in Yoruba land with special respect for the focus of Islam as one of the tripartite formations through which Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) is observed. Granted that this definition of religion is called on several formations but Islam stands tall as a way of life.
Yoruba land is spectacular in terms of unique focus of inordinate mixture of religions and this mostly dictates the religious takes when issues of cosmopolity is considered. The recent years witnessed sporadic political tussle between adherents of Christianity and Islam regarding equity of sharing of political offices such as Gubernatorial and heads of ministries and parastatals. As often witnessed, the ratio accrued to both Christians and Muslims have always been far-cry from equity in favour of the former. The aspects of other benefits appear on the verge of 'If you are not in office you are not entitled, and if you are not there you risk total deprivation.' The aspects of various appointments such as Traditional leaders appear to be skewed in favour of non-Muslims in the polity despite that there exists Muslims among the presented contenders. Ogbomosho and Oyo cities, which are historical cities in Yoruba land had fallen victims of this mis- normal and the trend continues rearing its ugly heads in several ways. All at the instance of the incumbent political leadership of the State. That of Eruwa, another town in Oyo State is also in the offen following the same trend.
The prime among numerous infiltrations of Muslims' frontiers include a supposed appointment of Chief Imams by Traditional leaders. The point of concern here remains 'What rights has a Traditional leader who is susceptible to various inclinations in appointing a Chief Imam?'. Secondly, 'Is the Traditional leader entitled to the sole appointments of Bishops and Priests?' If what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, where is equity at play if not cheer attempt to subvert the Muslims away from the line of progress and development? Traditional leaders of whatever category should be neutral in entirety for his office covers unalloyed goodwill should be enjoyed from the Traditional Ruler.
Why should an Imam, a leader of Muslims be an appendage of royalty in the first place? The answer to this question includes but may not be limited to calculated attempt to Christianize principalities of leadership. What justification is it for a Traditional leader to query a Chief Imam on permission to perform Hajj (holy pilgrimage) to Makkah and Madinah? But if not for attempt to cage the Muslims in Oyo city, waiting for the newly crowned Alaafin to select and appoint the Oyo Chief Imam is rather an aberration to the generality of the Muslim.
Have you forgotten the ordeal of Sultan Dasuki of Sokoto who came to power in 1988 during the regime of the Military President general Ibrahim Babangida and deposed in 1996 during the reign of General Sanni Abacha on the ground of insubordination and alleged causing rift in the caliphate? It is ironical that Saturday 14th September, 2025, twenty years after the demise of the dethroned Sultan's demise, the Government of Sokoto State released a white paper exonerating the Sultan of the allegations for which he was dethroned and the family to be compensated for the inconvenience. This shows that the office of an Imam should rather not be exposed to politicization in appointment and steward. The Muslims of Oyo city are potential nominators and ratifiers of most qualified contender to Imam office and that the onus of the office of Traditional leader remains giving his goodwill to the Imam's office.
Another equally important to the prospect of Islam in Yoruba land is the sharp decline in faith (Iman) in the name of liberality. This has put most people in a way of mixing faith with idol worship. Most of the happenings in recent time point sharp to the rather downward trend of faith preached by Islam as striking difference between adherence of divine religion and artificial formations posts difficulty. Against the background of the Prophetic Hadith which says: 'Granted that Islam began strange and it shall soon be estranged. So, congratulations to those who stitch to its status', syncretism had finally found its way into faith in modern time.
We are not oblivious of the fact that the last one month of the Traditional worshippers' shenanigan in Yoruba land reflects several onslaughts against true adherence of faith. Similar occasion in 2023 brought before us an occultic Islamic Scholar who dish out the popular Protective Khutbah (Incantation) of Ya Hayyu Ya Dafi'u' with accuracy, dictions and precisions. The Social media is inundated with several assaults, affronts and insults on Muslim faithful by Masquerades of various categories. It becomes more worrisome seeing a masquerade posting as Imam leading Salat and the boys lined up behind him mimicking the Muslims in public. Not only that, several other misgivings were occasioned such as beating up of other people appearing in Muslim attire and causing severe accidents. These and others unmentioned may not be far from the fact that the masquerading prayer performers claim to be Muslims. Yet, it may not be our doctrinal prerogative to declare masquerading elements in this category non-Muslims, but our displeasure is registered towards their manners of coordination.
Nonetheless, a Muslim siezes to be in the way by contranting the following ten things. Ascribing partners with Allah in belief and worship even if it is infintesima. Such acts are as ostentatious and sacrificing for or on behalf of anything other than Allah (Qur'an 4:48, 9:65). Taking intermediary in intercession between him and Allah, asking and relying on it for intervention. Another area is inability to refer to pagans as non-believers, doubting and authenticating their practices. Not only that, having in mind that something outside the fold of Islam is best prefered is ultra vire. In the same manner, having hatred for anything brought by the Messenger is capable of rendering him non-believer.
Others include making mockery of any aspect of Islam being equal to doing that to Allah as deposited in Qur'an 9:65 saying: 'Say: Is it Allah, His signs or the Messenger you are mocking?' All manners of magic and sorcery performed or believed in is incriminating as far as Islamic doctrine is concerned (Qur'an 2:102). In the same token, aiding, abetting and collaborating with non-Muslims over Muslims amounts to being part of them in principle and practice (Qur'an 5:5). Also, indulging in something outside the Shari'ah-approved framework takes toll on a Muslim is as heinous as staying completely as non-believer (Qur'an 2:208). Above all, acting contrary to Allah's way is regarded as highest level of criminality. To this end Allah (SWT) bears serious warning: 'And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the signs of his Lord, and who then turns away therefrom? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) retribution (Qur'an 32:22).'
It is against this background that steadfastness by Muslim individuals and generality should be addressed as a matter of urgency. As part of the Prophetic morals is to show good example from oneself which diffuses to immediate family and from there to the entire society. Yoruba Muslims must address individual, social and corporate responsibilities with all sense of business-like and this include matters of religious practice. If Governor Bago's recent action of officialising religious stewardship in Niger State to curtail excesses of misnormal would be proactive, taking clue from that to stem tides around Islam and Yoruba Muslims' outlook would be a thing of admiration. This would not only de-market the recent profiteering in the name of Islam culminating in various onslaughts on social media and other fora but also would increase Islam admiration. By way of suggestion, Yoruba land is in dire need of potential authority which could centralize the activities of Muslim Clerics through recognizable identification, certification and of course remuneration. Summarily, the civilization of a people is a whole lot of skills embeded in the curriculum implemented in the area. The curriculum of Arabic education is not only due for overhauling but also total re-engineering of the sector is long overdue if Islam is to redeem image in this part of the clime. Till we meet again in the next edition, thanks for being there and Jum'at Mubaarakah.
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DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. https://www.slaipaclass.com ©Copyrights 2025.
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