Only those who lack knowledge oppose the Shari’ah Panel. Southwest Muslims have been exhorted to turn away any candidate for governor who does not pledge to establish Shari’ah courts in their states.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sheikh Dr. Ridwan Jamiu, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, had this opinion in response to the pointless disputes surrounding the creation of Shari’ah panels in certain southwestern states.
During his Jum’ah Khutbah (sermon) on Friday, February 7th at the Lekki Central Mosque in Lekki, Lagos, Dr. Jamiu stated that candidates must be held responsible for their positions, particularly with regard to Shari’ah courts. “Elections are coming, and any governorship candidate seeking your vote must be committed to establishing Shari’ah courts,” the Chief Imam said, urging Muslims to carefully consider their political choices.
Nigeria is not a secular state, according to the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, who emphasized that the constitution acknowledges Nigeria as a multireligious country and grants all citizens the freedom to practice their faith both publicly and privately. He claims that the establishment of Shari’ah courts in the southwest is long overdue and that it is a fundamental entitlement.
“In the north, Shari’ah is practiced.” Has it created issues for the local non-Muslim population? Why is it so hard to get for Muslims in the Southwest? It does not apply to non-Muslims; it is exclusively for Muslims. You must teach any non-Muslim who is denouncing Shari’ah because he is ignorant. He doesn’t know the law. They are exempt from it, much like the hijab issue.
“We need to stand up for our constitutional rights now. The southwest states have long overdue shari’ah courts,” he continued. The esteemed Muslim scholar went on to provide examples of how Shari’ah is recognized by the constitution, referring to Sections 38 and 40, which protect freedom of religion and association.
He asserts that Shari’ah is recognized by the Nigerian constitution! The word “shari’ah” appears in the constitution roughly 73 times. It acknowledges the rights of Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim population. Both individual and collective religious freedom are recognized under Section 38. the liberty to spread and advocate one’s faith.
Citing Qur’an 45:18, where Allah states, “Now We have set you ‘O Prophet on the clear’ Way of faith (which is Shari’ah), so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know ‘the truth,'” Sheikh Jamiu further stated that the application of Shari’ah is mandatory for all Muslims. The method we worship is one facet of Shari’ah; other aspects include giving zakat, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and performing the Hajj. We have to follow Allah’s laws.
The Imam of the Lekki Central Mosque clarified the function of Shari’ah panels by stating that they are Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms that can be set up in any state.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
