Coronavirus: Sultan cautions Muslim clerics against misleading followers

Coronavirus: Sultan cautions Muslim clerics against misleading followers

- The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has berated some Islamic preachers claiming coronavirus does not exist

- The sultan said anyone denying the existence of the global pandemic is not worthy of being called a scholar

- The northern emir urged all Muslims to undertake fasting in this month of Sha’aban to seek Allah’s help in ending the virus

The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has cautioned Islamic preachers against misleading their followers over Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Sultan gave the warning in a press statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, on Monday, March 30, through the JNI’s secretary-general, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, The Nation reports.

“The JNI under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, is saddened with the unfortunate developments of misleading the Muslim Ummah by some sections of Ulama (preachers) over the coronavirus prevalence.

Read also

Reactions as Abuja pastor is arrested for holding service despite coronavirus pandemic

“We must as an Ummah avoid a repeat of the current trend in Italy, which was partly due to non-adherence to expert advice over the pandemic.

“Allah, the Most Wise says ‘…So ask those who know if you know not’. “Therefore, we should all bear in mind that knowledge is an Amanah (Trust) and must be safeguarded and delivered as such, thus the need for this statement," the statement read.

Coronavirus: Sultan cautions Muslim clerics against misleading followers
Sultan cautions Muslim clerics against misleading followers over the coronavirus pandemic
Source: Depositphotos

Sultan noted that the action of some of the clerics clearly depicted their myopic worldview, stark ignorance of genuine knowledge and medical scholarship.

He regretted that the negative actions of such preachers had incited innocent Muslims who are unaware of the serious health implications of the pandemic.

“Nonetheless, it should be noted that the issue of plague and/or pandemic is not new throughout human history, either at various times or places, the Muslim world inclusive.

“It is thus sheer monumental ignorance to falsely claim that the pandemic of the coronavirus does not exist and that it is a lie and a shadow of a ghost," the sultan said.

Read also

Despite rising casualties, Nigerian cleric claims coronavirus pandemic is all lies

He explained that anyone uttering such lamentable statements “is not worth being called a scholar”.

“For the information of discerning minds, there were prominent incidents of plagues and epidemics in Islamic history, which caused monumental mortality.

“As a result of which various safety steps were taken, so as to curtail the spread of such viruses.

“Such steps extended to the stoppage of congregational prayers including Jumu’ah Friday prayer with an interim halt to the performance of Hajj pilgrimage.”

The statement said that the Sultan is urging all Muslims to undertake fasting in this month of Sha’aban, to seek Allah’s help in ending the virus.

It urged health personnel to be cautious while discharging their duties.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

In another similar report, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, said on Sunday, March 29, that the current COVID-19 outbreak ravaging the world will end soon.

Read also

Breaking: Aso Rock is on partial lockdown - Femi Adesina

The respected man of God said only those “whose time has come” will die of the coronavirus disease.

Pastor Adeboye who addressed his congregants via a live broadcast on a topic, ‘Peace, be still’, said only those whose time had come would lose their lives to the current plague.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!

Сoronavirus: 6 outrageous lies about the disease | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nurudeen Lawal avatar

Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.

Tags: