By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja
Nigerians, of all faith, and Muslims in particular, have been urged to turn back to Almighty Allah in sincere and total repentance if Nigeria must come out of insecurity and economic downturn it has found itself.
The Chief Imam, Fouad Lababidi Central Mosque, Wuse Zone 3 Abuja, Sheikh Tajudeen Adigun Bello, said this at the 2nd annual Ramadan lecture of the Forum for Islamic Guidance (FIG) held in Abuja on Saturday.
Speaking on the lecture titled, “Freedom From The Slavery of Sin”, Adigun Bello said Nigeria is currently under the grip of Shaytan (devil) and warned that except the leaders and the led abandon their negative lifestyles, Almighty Allah may not change the situation in the country.
Represented by Imam Mohammad Buhari Musa of Citec Mosque Mbora Estate Abuja, Bello said Muslims have abandoned the logo, flag and the legacy left by the noble prophet of Islam, Mohammed (SAW), who through his traditions and hadiths, laid the right path for Muslims to follow.
The cleric added that Nigeria is enmeshed in all forms of sins where banditry, kidnapping for ransom, wanton killings and burning of property, injustice and corruption have become the order of the day. He said it is either Muslims submit to the total will of Almighty Allah which leads to freedom from all sins or submit to Shaytan which is a straight road to bondage and janam (Hell Fire).
Quoting from the Holy Quran, the guest lecturer said Almighty Allah has said He will not change the situation of a community or a nation unless the people change the way they live.
“Nigeria is already enmeshed in sins and it is only Almighty Allah (SWT) that will take us out of the quagmire we have found ourselves but the change must first start from us. Today Muslims are very far from the logo, flag and legacy of Islam bestowed on us by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). What we need now is attitudinal change from every Nigerian as the worst form of slavery is sin against our Creator. It’s time to retrace our steps back to Almighty Allah, seek total repentance to reclaim and regain our country from the path of destruction. Allah loves this country but we are over stretching His mercies, we must not allow Him to visit us with more calamities,” Sheikh Buhari Musa said.
He said Nigeria will only come out of its present situation when Muslims reassess the purpose of their creation, follow Allah’s dictates at all times and embrace the concept of justice to every citizen, as preached by Prophet Muhammad, irrespective of his tribal, political and religious background.
He nonetheless called for more parental care and affection as well as core family values for children to set them on the right path as leaders of tomorrow and move them away from sins.
The scholar called for deep soul-searching on the part of individuals, advised community to whip their children into line and advised government to dispense justice to every Nigerian citizen all the time and m leaders at every position of authority to shun all forms of corrupt acts.
Earlier in his remarks, the Amir FIG, Dr Busari Issa Az-Zubair said the lecture was put in place to assist the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large to escape the bondage of sin with the sole purpose of putting an end to evil acts being perpetrated in the country.
