An Islamic scholar and preacher, Dr Abdullahi Bala Lau, has enjoined Nigerians to desist from insulting traditional rulers, clerics and political office holders on social media and other platforms.
Lau, the West African president of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, said God is the one who puts people in positions of authority and can remove them at the appropriate time.
He spoke at a programme organised by the Federation of Ahlus-Sunnah Organisations of Nigeria, tagged: “Public Da’wah initiative themed ‘Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and Peace among kings on the throne in Nigeria,” held on Saturday in Lagos.
Lau said, “We should respect the clerics, traditional rulers, and political office holders. They were ordained to be in these positions by God. Respect them, and God will do what you want for you. It is necessary for all of us to recognise the oneness of God. We should not rely on anybody. Rely on God for everything you want.
“We live in a world full of uncertainties. If you see people, the majority of them are searching for unity. So, what is the solution? We should not associate partners with God.
“Do not abuse clerics, traditional rulers and political leaders. Do not abuse them on social media. Nobody knows when this world will come to an end. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
“Our dear kings and clerics should come together.
The kings are in need of the scholars, and the scholars are in need of the kings.
“So, each of us should endeavour to maintain and sustain peace and harmony wherever we are.
The whole message of Islam is about the oneness of Allah, and it preaches unity.
“Islam brought all of us together, all of us are united by the belief in the oneness of God. We should not worship idols. There should be no intermediary between us and God”.
