I really appreciate the comments from readers on the last edition on ‘The brotherhood of Ansar’. Though more of the comments were complimentary while a few others were apparently directed by non-muslims to chastise this column, but there serve a great deal of encouragement and sharpen our resolve to continue to put Islam in the right perspective, teach those who dont know and correct the misrepresentation especially by non-Muslims on Islam.  I have decided to let our other readers enjoy some of these comments and contributions this week.

One says: “Of the 73 sects prophesied by the Noble Prophet, only those on the original path of Ahlil Sunnah Wal Jamaah are on the true and right path.  To condemn Sunni brand of Islam is wrong unless one is of Shia heretical path.  You rightly said Islam abhors violence of all sorts.  Do not however limit such misguided actions to any one sect especially that adjudged to be only straight path.  May Allah bless your rightful efforts.”

“I am not a Muslim but a Christian of a Catholic Faith.  I have been a great and constant follower of your publication. Facing The Kaaba’.  I found the article to be very educative and helpful to both Muslims and non-Muslim.  Whoever reads your message will never do things contrary to the teaching of the Prophet.  A christian will be bold and free to live in peace and  unity a Muslim. May God give you more wisdom to teach the truth. God bless you. Henry Udemeh. Asaba, Delta State.”
On this, I can only say thank you and God bless you.

Another one states:”in your Friday message, you talked about a Mosque bombed without reference to so many churches bomed and thousands of christians killed.  Your brotherhood is violated when a Muslim is killed….”  Obviously this person did not read the piece before sending his comment.

“May Allah bless and continue to enrich your knowledge.Theres no place in Islam for those killing innocent souls.Its unislamic to kill anyone because they are not Muslim,there’s no compulsion in religion.Its against the prophet teaching”

Another comment sent by one anonymous person  says:  “Whoever changes his religion, kill him” quoting (Sahih Bukhari 4:52:260)

The person quoted the hadith out of context.  The hadith in question narrated by Ikrima says: Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn ‘Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s Punishment. ‘No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.’

First of all go through it again to see what the prophet was reported to have said. That Do not punish anyone. The problem with the unbelievers is that thay do not know the circumstance and context to which some of these hadiths came and so, they are quick to give it their own meaning. You cannot understand Islam this way except you give out your time to learn.

Besides, Sahih Bukhari idea which is also prone to error as mortal is that by killing the person who has commited the sin for leaving Islam, you might save the person from hell because he has a “past islamic life with him”, which might earn him al-janah.  So by killing him now, he will die with Islamic good deeds.

Some fanatics believe that the person who committed apostasy  might not have the opportunity to return to Islam again.  That is also faulty because only Allah knows what no one knows.  It is possible for anyone who has committed apostasy to have a change of heart and revert back to Islam, live a better life and still gain paradise.  That is one of the omniscience side of Allah.

Another point is that Bukhari is not the Prophet and we should know that as human being we are liable to errors.  It is only the Allah that is infallible. Allah also did not give the kind of inspiration, wisdom and knowledge he gave to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to any other person.

Allah has said in the Quran, an untainted book of life that “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” (Q2: 256). So, that belief is contrary to the commandment of Allah.

Allah says:  Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth in their entirety would have acknowledged. Would you force the people to make them acknowledge? is it hard for you!

God  has given us the freedom of choice. Those who decide to reject the truth, later in their lives are condemned to dogmatism and bigotry (13:11; 18:29; 42:13; 46:15; 57:22).

Besides, Sahih Bukhari is not the Quran or any extract from it but only some of the practices and sayings of the Prophet.  If you compare this sentimentally influenced idea with the above verse of the Quran which emphasises ‘No compulsion in religion’, you will come to terms with the philosophies of the Islam.

Once again, I thank  all those who keep sending their comments and contributions every week.  May almighty Allah forgive us where we erred and grant us His mercies here on earth and hereafter. Amin.

Lagosians and the practice of Islam
By Harun Rasaq

The practice of Islam started in Lagos as early as 1775 and was practiced at the palace of Oba of Lagos few years after its introduction. But, the Muslims were able to gather in congregation in 1841, made an open call to prayer on Friday for Juma‘ah prayer.

The growth of Islam in Lagos led to its spread to outlying districts such as Eti–Osa local government area. There are views that Islam may have reached some of those villages even before 1812 C.E when the first mosque was built at Ajah. The fact that there was no proper documentation makes people to hold different view on the emergency of Islam in the area.

The more plausible and acceptable view on the emergency of Islam in Eti-Osa, is that of those, who uphold that Islam is as old as many villages in Eti-Osa, because of the fact that the founders of those villages are Muslims.

Eti-Osa as said earlier is a Riverine area and serves as a major route for traders and travelers to Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Epe, cotonou, etc.

The un-relented efforts of the Muslim Bales and scholars in the denunciation of idol-worshipping enhanced the spread of Islam in Eti-Osa. The initial reaction of the indigenes toward Islam was cordial and they did not see Islam as a threat. This was due to the fact that most of the Bales were at the same time the Imams of their different location. They were the first people to embrace Islam and as a result, most of their subjects embraced Islam along with them, with the exemption of some staunch traditionists who opposed Islam..

Islam could not have been fully established in Eti-Osa but for the efforts of Muslim leaders who had several meetings and came up with strong resolution that every Muslim should send their children to Quranic schools in order to learn Arabic and Islamic studies.

Furthermore, the development of Islam in Eti–Osa was possible with the efforts of the Muslim scholars and missionaries from out side the area. The second categories of scholar were the indigenes of Eti–Osa who propagated Islam in their own environments. Today, in Eti-osa, Muslims and mosques increased in number on daily basis, the religion of Islam enjoys wide and popular support even among the royal families.