By ISHOLA BALOGUN

Muslims all over the world have been crying out loud and clear that the activities of these daredevils Boko Haram are not in sync with islam and there are not the handiwork of Muslims.

Recently, the Grand Mufti and one of the leading Imams in Saudi Arabia not only condemned the act but went ahead to say these people perpetrating these acts are not Muslims.

Islamic law doesn’t preach the killing of non-believers (or the infidels) indiscriminately. Force or any kind of coercion is not acceptable in Islam. Muslims are to live harmoniously and to deal justly with non-Muslims. This is confirmed in Surah al-Mumtahinah (60) verse 8.

It is also very well documented in Islamic History that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent ambassadors to the non-Muslims to invite them to Islam. Islam did not fight any war except those initiated by the unbelievers and they responded only after Allah had commanded them to defend themselves.

Again, the permission to go to wars that is after all avenues and mechanism for peace have been exploited have strict codes and rules. You don’t hurt any un-armed person, including children and women. Where in Quran is the killing of un-armed person, women or abduction of children is allowed? Where is raping and forceful marriage of young girls encouraged in Islam?

Islam doesn’t accept the killing of innocent people, as against what the unbelievers who call themselves Boko Haram. In al-Ahzab, verse 58

states: “And those who hurt believing men and women undeservedly, bear on

themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.” The fact that Muslims and non-Muslims have been victims of these evil shows also that it is not supported by Muslims and Islam.

Nevertheless, the activities of Boko Haram is anti-Islam because the obligatory need for education in Islam is not accepted by the ignorant terrorists. Knowledge in Islam is compulsory as exemplified by the saying of the Prophet: “tolabul-ilimi faridotun ala kuli-l-Muslimeen” meaning; the pursuance of knowledge is compulsory for all Muslims.

It does not refer only to Islamic knowledge as he cited China (albeit philosophically) as limit to obtain knowledge. Of course the perpetrators of these heinous crimes know they are not representing Islam.

The mere fact that they read and recite the Quran or speak Arabic language does not make them Muslims. Most importantly, their background as people who read the Quran has no any iota of impact on them. The devil (Iblis) before he revolted against Allah was knowledgeable and devoted in the worship of Allah.

Only recently we heard of a non-Muslim who asked his members to dress up like Muslims with the customary Muslim turban and attack a church using some fireworks in Ikofin, Osun state.

They were apprehended after the act and upon interrogation confessed to the act. Muslims and Islam would have been indicted or crucified again. The Boko Haram group are the offspring of satan who despite their ability to recite the Quran revolted against what they read in pursuance of their ulterior motive.

What else could have been more devilish in killing over 5000 innocent people; abducting over 200 minors; forcing them into marriage to themselves and their cohorts and causing undue pain to their parents than these? It is satanic and huge crime against humanity.

In so far as you cannot follow the ordinances of Allah and the hadiths of the prophet, you are not a Muslim. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger” ( 4:59)

The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses, “Obey Allah and obey His Messenger”. A true Muslim should only follow the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith.

Allah Almighty knows best.