Forcing people to become Muslims is illegal, un-Islamic’ BY ABIODUN FAGBEMI,

A PROFESSOR of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin, Yasir Quadri has described as heresy any attempt by any group or individual to coerce anyone into Islam.

According to Quadri, the Qur’an and Haddith (sayings of prophet Mohammed) and the Nigerian Constitution do not make the issue of religion a compulsory one. He nevertheless did not condemn evangelism through the peaceful spread of one’s religion.

Therefore, in his views, members of the Boko Haram group who seemed to have taken religion to the point of extremism leading to intolerance are doing what offends both the Qur’an and Constitution of the country.

The don, who spoke at the weekend in Ilorin while delivering his inaugural lecture entitled “All In The Name Of God” said the provision of the constitution of the country on religion is in line with that of the Qur’an, noting that demands and mode of operation of the Boko Haram group are not Islamic.

He stated: “The stand of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution agrees totally to the view of the Qur’an on multi-religious community. Qur’an 10:99-100 makes it clear that it is the wish of Allah not to make everybody a Muslim. He has given everybody the choice to choose which religion he/she wants to adopt.

“Qur’an 2:256 is emphatic on the issue of freedom of religion. It reads: “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path.”

Quadri stated that “from these Quranic verses, it is clear that Boko Haram cannot claim to be an Islamic organisation. Neither can it claim to be guided by the Tradition (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad.”

He added that Qur’an forbids waging of war in the name of religion to coerce others to accept a particular faith or ideology, saying “it is live and let live.”

Quadri who disclosed that evidences from the tradition of Prophet Muhammad do not support the affiliation of Boko Haram to Islam said suicide bombing which is the major weapon of attack of the group against its target is condemned in Islam.

He said: “Qur’an 4:29 warns Muslims against committing suicide while Qur’an 2:195 instructed them against involvement in self-destruction. Prophet Muhammad too, condemned any Muslim who commits suicide and declared him an inmate of Hell-fire, where he will reside eternally.”

The Islamic scholar said that Boko Haram members are not justifiably fighting in the name of Allah and expressed suspicion that they are being used for certain political ends by some politicians as he noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had blamed politicians for religious crisis in the country.




Guardian