- Say cursing political opponents un-Islamic
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Council of Imams and Ulamas, Kaduna State chapter on Monday warned politicians in the State against unguarded utterances, saying placing curses on political opponents are ungodly and un-Islamic.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on the State nation, the Council regretted a situation where; “Politicians employed all means ethical and unethical means to intimidate and demean their opponents, using foul language, political thugs, physical attacks and destruction of properties.”
In a recent gathering of the governing All Progressive Congress, (APC), where flags were handed over to its candidates in the Saturday, May 12, 2018 local government elections, Governor Nasir el-Rufai was quoted as saying that God will punish the three Kaduna Senators for refusing to support the State government’s $350 million loan request from the World Bank.
Against the backdrop of such outbursts and hate speeches among other issues, the Council lamented that the State is seriously lacking in qualitative and responsible political leadership due to selfishness and inordinate ambition of those holding political offices.
In a statement jointly signed by Sheikh Usman Abubakar Babantine and Imam Musa Tanimu, Chairman and Assistant Secretary respectively, the Clerics said; “The discernible sense of disillusionment of the masses was clearly seen during the just-concluded intra party local government primary elections in many states in the country which resulted into rioting, use of weapons, massive killings and vandalism. This shows that we are still lacking qualitative and responsible political leadership.
“In a prophetic Hadith by Abu Zaid Ibn Dhahak narrated, the Prophet (S.A.W) said a person cannot offer as a vow that which does not belong to him, cursing a believer is equal to slaying him (Buhari and Muslims).
“In another narration, the noble prophet says: when a person curses something, the curse ascends to the heaven and all the gates of heaven are closed against it. Then it descends to the earth and the gates of the earth are closed against it, it turns right and left and when it finds no exit it turns to the one who has been cursed and attaches itself on him if he should be deserving of bit, but if not, it returns to the one who uttered it” (Abu Daud).
According to the Council, “The recent utterances by a leading politician (well known for reckless statement) from Kaduna state by use of harsh language, calling names and cursing of political opponents is very unfortunate and may likely trigger violent actions, counter reactions and portents a lot of danger to the country, the extent of which only Allah could tell.
“This type of political terrorism is against the teachings of Islam and contrary to the provisions of the constitition of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and common sense.”
The statement urged those involved in taking innocent lives to desist from such dastardly acts, maintaining that they should have the fear of God in their hearts, repent from their evil ways and seeks for forgiveness because Allah is all forgiven.
Also, the council challenged the federal government to adopt proactive implementation of its economic policies on agriculture, industrial and manufacturing development towards improving the welfare and quality of life for Nigerians. “Government should adopt deliberate policy to propel the economy through massive injection of funds”, the council said.
The religious leaders therefore charged preachers to fear Allah and adhere to the stipulated preaching guidelines during the month of Ramadan and after.
