A former Grand Khadi of the Shari’a Court of Appeal in Ilorin, Kwara State, Justice Salihu Muhammad, has cautioned Nigerians against public condemnation of their leaders.
The retired jurist and preacher, who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, maintained that Islam prescribed prayers and constructive advice for leaders, instead of staging protests or abusing them.
Justice Muhammad who described political office as a trust from God, said citizens have a duty to respect and guide those in authority through lawful means.
“Government offices are a trust from Allah and the people. Leaders must discharge them with sincerity. But as followers, our role is to pray for government and guide them with advice. Condemnation and abuse are not the way of Islam,” he said.
He maintained that even when government fails to meet expectations, public protests and criticisms were not sanctioned by Islamic law.
“Peaceful protest or whatever name you call it is not recognised in Islam. You pray for guidance for those in power,” he stressed.
Muhammad equally urged the government to establish a regulatory framework for religious preaching across faiths.
“The moment you can say ‘Allahu Akbar’, people call you Mallam. That is wrong. There must be law and regulation for both Christian and Muslim preachers. It should be a national policy,” he declared.
The UN peace ambassador also distanced Islam from terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes, describing them as signs of the end of time.
He urged Nigerians to begin addressing the menace of violent crimes from the family level, by guiding their children early.
Muhammad, who earned his UN peace ambassador title after a presentation at a Baptist Convention in the United States, recalled mediating in conflicts in Sudan, Gambia, London, Malaysia and the United States of America.
He said his experiences reinforced his belief that constructive dialogue and mutual respect were the foundation of peace.
