Info For Yous Atyap (Kataf) People The Aboriginal People Of Kaduna

The Atyap (Kataf) people  are Tyap-speaking people belonging to the larger Katab ethnolinguistic grouping occupying role of Zango Kataf  Local Government Area of Kaduna State. They are i of the nationalities of Southern Kaduna inwards the one-time Zaria  Province. The Atyap people whose reckon themselves historically equally the original people of Kaduna dry ground as well as are role of Nok culture, before the arrival of the Hausa people derive their cry from their language,Tyap, a descriptive cry important “the people who speak  Tyap”.

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FIGHTING MUHAMMAD'S WAR: REVISITING SANI YERIMA'S FATWA

Yusuf Yariyok, Ph.D.

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igeria is fast becoming the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan of Africa. However the Talabalinazation of the province is non a recent development. Since the Iranian Revolution as well as the emergence of Wahabi extremist doctrines of Islam, to a greater extent than or less Nigerian Muslims receive got wasted no fourth dimension inwards embracing such viscous, uncivilized brutality toward those who do non believe inwards their create of Islam. The terminal 20 4 years starting from 1976 receive got witnessed the most savage as well as unprecedented attacks on nonMuslims, especially Christians, their worship as well as work organisation places. These are the years inwards which nosotros receive got witnessed the most tearing religious crises inwards our nation's history. Muslims receive got reacted rather violently to issues ranging from the quoting as well as interpretation of the Quran (as inwards the example of Abubakar Bako, 1987) leading to the Kafanchan religious crises, the attempted shariatization of Kaduna State leading to the Feb 2000 crises where over 2000 people perished inwards Kaduna town.

The province was exactly recovering from the 2000 crises when to a greater extent than or less other senseless massacre of innocent Christians was unleashed citing the publication of an article purportedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) past times Ms. Isioma Daniel inwards ThisDay Newspaper. Muslims went wild over this article claiming it blasphemed Islam as well as that the Miss World Pageant offended Islam. To the dismay of all rational beings, it was hard to link the killings as well as destructions inwards Kaduna to something that happened inwards far away Lagos. Why would Muslims unleash violence against Christians inwards Kaduna when it had no connectedness to the so-called article or fifty-fifty the author? As I watched the mayhem on TV as well as read from the pages of newspapers, the questions that kept nagging my heed were, was it the publication that provoked Muslims or was it exactly to a greater extent than or less other phase inwards the grand pattern of Muslims to killed Christians as well as loot their belongings inwards the cry of Allah? Why was Kaduna their best selection as well as how could a mere publication receive got led to such monstrous murder of Christians as well as devastation of churches inwards Kaduna? It is this barbaric demeanour as well as wanton devastation of lives as well as belongings that aroused the involvement of the author on the topic.

To appreciate the writer's dot of view it is necessary to give a brief history of religious crisis specially inwards Northern Nigeria. The get-go of such confrontation started with the burning downwards of the Sabon Gari Baptist Church inwards Kano inwards 1976. From thence on Nigeria started witnessing religious crises of an unprecedented magnitude. Once Muslims discovered that they could destroy Christian worship places without whatever consequences it became a pattern. In 1977 Muslim students of Bayero University College, at nowadays Bayero University, Kano declared the academy an ipso facto Islamic university, threatening Christian students to move out or human face the wrath of Islam. This afterwards led to major crisis that engulfed the whole town.

The worst of Muslim lawlessness was yet to hold upward witnessed when Ibrahim El-Zakzaky so a pupil of Ahmadu Bello Univeristy led an laid on on Christians inwards Zaria inwards 1978 nether the slogan "Islam Only." During this mayhem, innocent motorist were stopped as well as their cars, buses as well as trucks painted with the words "Islam Only." Where in that location was resistance, they were smashed as well as the drivers dragged out as well as slaughtetred similar animals. Many people were maimed, killed as well as women raped all inwards the cry of Islam. Businesses as well as buildings, property, etc belonging to Christians were looted, destroyed as well as laid on fire. Zaria town was held hostage past times the jihadists for almost i calendar week piece every edifice on the roadway was painted with the words, "Islam Only." It was only when the Emir of Zaria was asked past times the authorities to telephone telephone the Muslims to lodge or should I say pacify them that lodge was restored.

It powerfulness involvement the reader to Federal Reserve notation that all these happened nether the picket of General Olusegun Obasanjo's armed services junta from Feb 1976- September 1978. The fact that nosotros are witnessing all these crises nether Obasanjo's civilian authorities i time to a greater extent than comes equally no surprise to whatever trunk familiar with the history of Nigeria. Muslims receive got discovered they could advance their Islamic agenda only nether weak governments controlled past times Christians. They got their way to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) nether so Col Yakubu Gowon armed services regime from 1966-75. They smuggled the Shari'a into the Constitution inwards 1978 nether Obasanajo's watch. There was no clamor for Sharia nether the Shehu Shagari authorities betwixt 1979-1984, inwards fact the topic did non fifty-fifty come upward up for give-and-take non minding the fact that Shehu Shagari himself was alongside the grouping of Muslims that staged a walkout during the Shari'a fence inwards the 1978 Constituent Assembly. Once he became the President the thing was buried. Never inwards the whole of Shagari's 4 years equally president did the number of Sharia come upward up; he at nowadays champions the Sharia drive because he knows when as well as how to play the game.

When Shagari was overthrown, Buhari came with a grand pattern to Islamize the province but was cutting curt past times Ibrahim Babangida. Before Buhari was overthrown the havoc had already hold upward done. He had upgraded the Sharia from Muslim personal police to Muslim police past times amending the 1979 Constitution, a phrase that was responsible for the fireworks inwards the 1989 Constituent Assembly. Buhari speedily began the procedure to register Nigeria equally a total fellow member of the OIC. Buhari's dictatorship was all the same truncated past times Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who, fearing the arrest of his wife, Mariam involved inwards the infamous Gloria Okon drug trafficking saga took over the authorities inwards a palace coup inwards August 1985.

Babangida, who inwards the eyes of the Muslim world was viewed equally a carnal Muslim moved swiftly to seek out his critics wrong. To perfect the Islamization procedure started past times Buhari, he surreptitiously as well as secretly completed the registration procedure began past times Buhari, thus registering Nigeria equally a total fellow member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) inwards Jan 1986. Babangida did this non necessarily because he was a devoted Muslim or fifty-fifty committed to the Muslim drive but only to delight Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as other Muslim countries that had doubted his commitment to Islam which was a status for their back upward for his government. He also figured out that a polarized Nigeria along religious lines would assist him perpetuate his remain inwards power. This muddied fob worked inwards his favor equally it shortly polarized the province along religious lines leading to the bloody Kafanchan Religious Riots of 1987 inwards which over 250 churches were destroyed inwards i singly day, Lord's Day March 6, 1987.

Babangida himself was so overwhelmed past times the amount of devastation that he described the riots equally a "Civilian Coup d'etat." To clear the smoking gun, Babangida so ready the Justice Karibye-White judicature to seek those identified equally the primary culprits. Only a few perpetrators where afterwards jailed for damage ranging betwixt i twelvemonth as well as 5 years. The Kaduna State Government White Paper indicted only Christians from the southern role of the province accusing them of masterminding the riots. The paper vindicated the Muslim students who attacked as well as held Christian students of the College of Education, Kafanchan hostage for over 5 hours piece declaring Rev. Abubakar Bako the primary speaker at the Christian programme a wanted person. Abubakar Bako, who himself was an ex-Muslim was defendant of quoting as well as misinterpreting the Qur'an. To date, Abubakar Bako remains a fugitive as well as is on the wanted listing of the federal authorities piece Aisha Mohammed, the primary culprit who jumped into the pulpit, seized the microphone from the speaker as well as started beating him was vindicated as well as remains a complimentary Nigerian.

Without whatever sort of condemnation or penalty to the Muslims, this unmarried deed past times the federal authorities as well as especially the Kaduna State authorities gave Muslims a clear indication that they could kill Christians at volition whatever where as well as at whatever fourth dimension without whatever repercussions. It didn't come upward equally a surprise to whatever i when Muslims attacked the peace-loving Kataf people inwards Zango Kafaf Town inwards 1992. This onslaught led to the consummate devastation of the town. To seek out their example that the riots were sponsored past times the Babangida government, the Kataf people piled upward the weapons used past times the Hausa-Fulani Muslims inwards the town's Central Mosque. These sophisticated weapons had labels such equally "NA/FGN" indicating the weapons were supplied to the Muslims past times the federal authorities since they had the Nigerian Army labels on them. On his see to Zangon Kataf, Babangida was so stunned past times the amount of devastation feigning ignorance of the weapons as well as promised to convey the perpetrators to book. Once to a greater extent than the Babangida authorities ready a mock judicature which was ordered to indict only the Kataf people.

To settle his long-term feud with General Zamani Lekwot, a prominent Kataf son, the judicature sentenced General Lekwot to expiry piece his younger blood brother was sentenced to 10 years inwards prison. General Lekwot as well as other prominent Kataf sons as well as daughters were defendant of planning the riots. The primary encephalon behind the crisis, i Alhaji Mato, uncle to the so Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Dabo Lere as well as cousin to Babangida's Secretaty to the Federal Government Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu was shielded as well as accommodated inwards the Kaduna State Government Guest House past times the governor. Many prominent Kataf people were fired from the Kaduna State civil service piece others languished inwards jail for nearly i twelvemonth without trial.

What so is the relevance of this long history? It is meant to institute the fact that the Nigerian authorities has done practically cypher to stalk the tide of Muslim laid on on other religions, specially Christians inwards Nigeria. It is an established fact that most Muslim-led Federal governments come upward with an agenda non to displace the province forwards but with a religious agenda that allows them to loot the treasury. When hither to individuals such equally Yerima Sani inwards Zamfara State who rigged elections to move the governor of the poorest province inwards province declare fatwa on a non-Muslim it comes equally no surprise to whatever body. What is genuinely surprising is the fact that President Obasanjo could non telephone telephone him to lodge for inciting as well as disrupting world peace. In civilized countries Governor Sani should receive got been asked to resign his seat as well as hold upward brought nether the total wrath of the laws of the federation for inciting world disorder leading to the murder of over 300 people. Sani goes almost his work organisation as well as is on his way to beingness reelected for a minute term. Voila, this is Nigeria where police as well as other don't work.

Sani as well as his cohorts deed on historical testify that if y'all are Muslim as well as are inwards ability y'all tin say as well as do anything as well as acquire away with it. Sani knows historically that Christians inwards ability are incapable of calling such fanatics to lodge neither tin they tackle the religious question. Obasanjo could non do it during his get-go fourth dimension equally a armed services caput of province neither does he receive got the political volition to do so now. Since his minute coming, Obasanjo has failed to boldly tackle the work of the application of the criminal aspects of the Shari`a. Rather, he has been issuing conflicting statements on the issue. He speaks boldly piece abroad as well as swallows his words i time he gets dorsum to Nigeria. He fifty-fifty prides himself inwards introducing the Shari`a inwards 1978 as well as claims it equally an inalienable correct of Muslims to hold upward governed past times the Shari`a law.

The reader powerfulness enquiry the relevance of this long history to the topic nether discussion. It is of import to give the history to justify the fact that the exercise of Islam especially alongside the Nigerian elite is untoward, unorthodox as well as a display of stack ignorance of the faith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). How could a governor declare fatwa without regards to the teachings of Islam? Thanks to the existent Muslims inwards Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islam Affairs (SCIA) inwards Nigeria that speedily reacted to the tilt as well as issued a abrupt rebuke on Governor Sani for his ignorance. The i thing that is clear from the Nov 22 riots inwards Kaduna is that Muslims receive got a correct to blaspheme Christianity as well as acquire away with it piece no i has the correct to utter almost Muhammad or the Qur'an.

It is an opened upward surreptitious that Nigerian Muslims hawk provocative sound as well as video tapes on every nook as well as corner of our major cities blaspheming the Person of Christ. There are such tapes played from loud speakers either on the streets or mounted on trucks as well as buses describing the Bible equally faux or abridged. Others say that Jesus is non the boy of God as well as that the Bible is non the word of God. Besides hawking provocative video as well as sound tapes, in that location are provocative sermons as well as lectures on radio as well as goggle box equally good equally vehicles with mounted speakers plying streets as well as villages all preaching provocative messages against Christianity, yet Christians receive got non taken arms against Muslims. The slow Abukabar Mahmoud Gumi i time described Christianity equally nothing, but a faith of paper. Specifically, Gumi said Christians move to church building on Sundays only to seem at beautiful ladies, sing, dance, as well as receive got pleasure. Gumi also said Christians don't pray piece Muslims pray 5 times a day. All such blasphemies would receive got been plenty to provoke Christians into violence but Christians receive got restrained themselves non equally an deed of cowardice but because the Bible does non encourage such violence.

How would Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) receive got reacted to Ms. Daniel's comment as well as what does the Qur'an say? It is a laughable thing that Nigerian Muslims volition move almost killing people unconnected with an lawsuit all inwards the cry of defending the drive of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). How did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) respond to his critics as well as blasphemers? Let's take away a seem at the Qur'an for answers.

Fatimah T. Sakr, a prominent Muslim scholar as well as married adult woman of a prominent as well as famous Muslim scholar inwards the US of America wrote: Fighting inwards the drive of God is i of the most misunderstood issues inwards Islam (Submission), fifty-fifty past times those who consider themselves Muslims. Many of the so called "Muslim" scholars receive got confused the number past times their personal view that has NO back upward inwards the Quran. Most of these deviant opinions originate from mistaken teachings found inwards the books of Hadiths as well as sunna. Hadiths as well as sunna books are a collection of fabricated stories almost prophet Muhammed that receive got all kinds of cruel inhumane as well as corrupted opinions that contradict the Quran, contradict itself, as well as contradict equally good whatever mutual sense. Most of the corruption nosotros reckon inwards the "Muslim" world today comes from these human made books that were collected over 200 years after the expiry of Prophet Muhammed. Prophet Muhammed himself never advocated whatever books but the Quran as well as fifty-fifty instructed his followers NOT to write or collect such books. Please reckon our Hadiths as well as Sunna department for details. Prophet Muhammed himself NEVER waged whatever state of war except for self defence as well as never lived except past times the peaceful words of God inwards the Quran.

She goes on to province that the Qur'an clearly defines for the believer what is expected of him or her inwards response to aggression. The Qur'an speaks against violence inwards 2:190-191. Even though Allah would sanction state of war inwards for certain circumstances but he does so only inwards self defense. The Qur'an states: Once the Sacred Months are past, (and they spend upward to create peace) y'all may kill the idol worshipers when y'all come across them, punish them, as well as resist every displace they make. If they repent as well as discovery the Contact Prayers (Salat) as well as give the obligatory charity (Zakat), y'all shall allow them go. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful (9:5). In this poesy God sanctions state of war only equally a way to defend Islam as well as it should non hold upward done inwards the calendar month of Ramadan. If the Muslim (believers) must receive got been attacked as well as their enemy has broken the truce he has made with them they are admonished to struggle to defend themselves.

The Qur'an teaches that the Muslim should resort to peace rather than violence. If they resort to peace, so shall you, as well as pose your trust inwards GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient (8:61). [9:4] If the idol worshipers sign a peace treaty with you, as well as do non violate it, nor band together with others against you, y'all shall fulfill your treaty with them until the expiration date. GOD loves the righteous (9:4). …if they move out y'all alone, refrain from fighting you, as well as offering y'all peace, so GOD gives y'all no excuse to struggle them (4:90). If i of the idol worshipers sought rubber passage with you, y'all shall grant him rubber passage, so that he tin listen the word of GOD, so ship him dorsum to his house of security. That is because they are people who do non know (9:6).

This poesy teaches that fifty-fifty the non-Muslim must hold upward granted rubber passage past times the Muslim if he seeks it fifty-fifty during war. Muslims are urged to defend themselves exactly equally whatever acre of the world equally inwards the example of the US fighting against terrorism. God gives the Muslim believer the correct to struggle inwards self-defense if every peaceful way has failed.

We tin reckon from the higher upward verses that the Qur'an specifically addresses the number of state of war as well as how the Muslim should respond. In all the laid on of Muslims against Christians inwards Nigerian, none of the weather condition prescribed inwards the Qur'an had been followed.

In regards to blasphemy, let's over again plow to the Qur'an for answers. Islamic Republic of Pakistan happens to hold upward the only province inwards the world that has a blasphemy law. Apparently the Nigerian Shari`a police was fashioned after that of Pakistan. It is defined inwards department 295-C of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Penal Code inwards the next words: "Use of derogatory remarks, etc. inwards honour of the holy Prophet (PBUH) past times word, either spoken or written, or past times visible representation, or past times importation, innuendo or insinuation, direct or indirectly, defiling the sacred cry of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as well as shall hold upward punished with expiry or imprisonment for life, as well as shall hold upward liable to discovery . . ." (Brigadier (Rtd.) Nazir Ahmad).

According to Ahmad, this concept of blasphemy as well as the prescribed penalty are both contradictory to the Qur'an as well as the Prophet's conduct. The Qur'an prescribes restraint, as well as distancing from the blasphemous persons or situations. The emphasis is on restraint as well as forgiveness. The Qur'an points out inwards the next verses what the Muslim should do inwards regards to blasphemy.

"When ye listen the signs of Allah held inwards defiance as well as ridicule, ye are non to sit down with them unless they plow to a dissimilar theme." [Qur'an 4:140]

"And when they listen vain talk, they plow away therefrom as well as say: "to us our deeds as well as to y'all yours; peace hold upward to you." [Qur'an 28: 55]

"Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but plow away from the ignorant." [Qur'an 7:199]

"Have patience with what they say, as well as move out them with noble (dignity)." [Qur'an 73:10]

"And the servants of Allah . . . are those who walked on the earth inwards humility, as well as when the ignorant address them, they say 'Peace'" [Qur'an 25:63]

"Allah is with those who bound themselves." [Qur'an 16: 128]

". . . But they uttered blasphemy . . . if they repent, it volition hold upward best for them, but if they plow back, Allah volition punish them." [Qur'an 9:47]

Depending on your understanding of the Qur'an, in that location are at to the lowest degree fifty-seven verses that receive got a direct bearing on the dependent area as well as to a greater extent than than 250 others which emphasize the demand for forgiveness, forbearance as well as pity inwards the Muslim community. In his lifetime, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was subjected to all kinds of verbal as well as physical humiliation. He narrowly escaped assassination as well as had to migrate to Medina (hijra). He was defendant of forgery " . . . nay, he forged it." [Qur'an 21:5], was stigmatized equally a human 'possessed' with evil spirits [Qur'an 23:70] as well as 'mad' [Qur'an 68:2]. How did Muhammad react to these? His personal reaction, equally good equally those of all his devoted Companions was a strict adherence to the teaching as well as alphabetic lineament of the Qur'an. Nasir Ahmad reports, "One of his regular tormentors, a adult woman (wife of Abu Lahab) i time had to suspension the daily ritual on work organisation human relationship of sick health. In obedience to the Quranic injunctions, he called on her to offering his services inwards her household chores."

The Qur'an sets strict limits on penalty for whatever as well as every law-breaking equally noted inwards the next verses.

"And if y'all punished, allow your penalty hold upward proportionate to the incorrect that has been done to you; but if y'all present patience, that is indeed the best course. [Qur'an 16:126]

"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto: but if a individual forgets as well as makes reconciliation, his vantage is due from Allah." [Qur'an 62:40]

"Twice volition they hold upward given their reward, for that they receive got persevered, (and) they avert evil with good." [Qur'an 28:54]

All the higher upward verses emphasize forgiveness as well as reform fifty-fifty inwards murder cases. If the Qur'an emphasizes forgiveness, forbearance as well as compassion, where does Sani Yerima as well as others that receive got a twisted notion of Islam derive their authorisation from? Does the blasphemy accuse against Isioma Daniel acquit on fifty-fifty the outer fringes of the alphabetic lineament as well as the spirit of the Quranic seat on the subject? I uncertainty it real much. Sani Yerima was quoted a few months agone after his shoes were stolen from the Government House Mosque inwards Gusau equally maxim that if as well as when the thief was caught he should receive got both his 2 hands as well as legs cutting off. Could the flare-up past times Sani Yerima as well as his cronies only hold upward termed ignorance or blasphemy against the real organized faith they claim to hold upward protecting? Why is it that the Council of Ulama as well as the Shari`a Council did non declare the utterances of Sani Yerima blasphemous? Could it hold upward maybe said that the learned cabals of Islam are hiding the truth from the public? I challenge them as well as the learned Qadis to ascension to the defence of the organized faith of Allah as well as his Apostle from beingness blasphemed past times those who usage it equally a tool to ascension to political power.

Unfortunate, the Secretary of the Council of Ulama, Dr. Dandatti Ahmed was the get-go to give notice upward Muslims to ascension as well as defend their organized faith inwards his press release on Ms. Daniel's article. He came curt of declaring a jihad on Christians if the authorities failed to act. But how could a democratic authorities receive got reacted to the aspect of complimentary spoken communication protected past times the real constitution they swore to protect? If whatever thing, the Council of Ulama bears responsible for the Kaduna Mayhem since they called on all Muslims to ascension as well as defend their religion. It was expected that the Council of Ulama (the learned mallams or mullahs) could receive got shown to a greater extent than responsible, cognition as well as wisdom of the organized faith of Allah as well as educated all Muslims on the stand upward of the Qur'an on the number past times urging Muslims non to take away the police into their hands. Instead they chose the ignoble path of beingness led past times emotions rather than seeking the advice of the Holy Qur'an as well as igniting the riots. It is piddling wonder thus that they could non telephone telephone such ignorant as well as blasphemous Muslims equally Sani Yerima as well as his cronies to order.

The Qur'an states, "My Lord has indeed forbidden trespasses against truth as well as reason" [Qur'an 7:33]. It does seem that Yerima Sani as well as his cronies blatantly transgressed against the Qur'an as well as should hold upward brought earlier the Shari`a council to work organisation human relationship for their sins. Failure to do so brings disrepute the organized faith they claim to protect as well as the world would similar to know if they are non deliberately distorting the organized faith of Islam for their ain selfish ends. The world volition also similar to know who is genuinely blaspheming Islam, is it Abubakar Bako, Isioma Daniel who was exercising her rights to complimentary spoken communication or the Shari`a apostles andtheir cronies? Under Islamic laws Sani Yerima as well as all the Muslims who participated inwards the Nov 22 killing of Christians transgressed against the Hadood Allah- the limits laid past times Allah as well as the Prophet's conduct. It is highly abominable for such Nigerian Muslims especially Shari`a advocates to insinuate that Allah as well as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) inwards whatever way are deficient or inadequate inwards dealing with blasphemy or to take away it upon themselves to seek to outdo them. This approach is non only uncalled for, but is inwards itself blasphemous.

It is coincidental that the jihadists of Nov 22, 2002 as well as other Muslim-sponsored murderous crisis for the terminal 20 years inwards Nigeria receive got oft quoted the Fatwa pronounced on Salman Rushdie to justify their acts of violence against Christians.What a shame that the skillful cry of Islam has been darkened past times the murderous directive issued past times for certain Muslim leaders as well as endorsed past times their supporters that Salman Rushdie must hold upward assassinated equally a outcome of his making blasphemous remarks almost the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) inwards his book, "Satanic Verses." The same ignorance is extended past times to a greater extent than or less Muslims inwards Nigeria who justify their murderous acts against Christians, Abubakar Bako (1987) as well as Isioma Daniel (2002). According to Nazir Ahmad, no i doubts the fact that Salman Rushdie is guilty of blasphemy but this is non an offence for which the expiry penalty is prescribed past times the Allah or Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) equally already noted above. There is no such didactics contained inwards the Holy Qur'an as well as I challenge the protagonists of the expiry judgement to come upward out with supporting testify from the Holy Qur'an to justify their claims. It is an anomaly that none of them calling for Salma Rusdie's, Abubakar Bako as well as at nowadays Isioma Daniel's heads, has quoted a unmarried poesy from the Holy Qur'an equally a footing of authority.

It is pertinent to province that those calling for the murder of Rushdie describing him equally an apostate from Islam are doing so of their ain accord without whatever authorisation from the Qur'an. The Qur'an genuinely gives the apostate the chance to repent as well as rejoin the flock. If the apostate individual chooses non to rejoin the organized faith of Allah, it is only Allah that has the authorisation to punish as well as volition do so inwards the world to come. Allah gives no such authorisation to humans. The Qur'an states: Those who believe, so disbelieve, so over again believe, so disbelieve as well as so growth inwards disbelief, Allah volition never forgive them nor volition He guide them to the correct way ( Qur'an 4:138). This poesy clearly expresses that those who renounce Islam receive got chance to re-enter if they chose to. The poesy gives no human beingness the ability to execute or pose to death, if this was the example or if expiry were an automatic punishment, in that location would receive got been no offering for an chance to furnish to Islam. In fact, in that location is no such cite of penalty past times expiry inwards Qur'an. If anything else, the Qur'an clearly states that God offers humankind the liberty of choice. There is no cite inwards the Holy Qur'an or anywhere else of whatever penalty for an apostate to hold upward meted past times humans. The consequences of his/her apostasy inwards this world as well as inwards the side past times side life prevarication alone inwards the hands of Allah. One is complimentary to take away or reject whatever beliefs i chooses. Allah says inwards the Holy Qur'an: There is no compulsion inwards organized faith (2:257). It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore allow him who volition believe as well as allow him who volition disbelieve (18:30).

Islam recognizes the correct of liberty of conscience as well as liberty of belief. As far equally one's religious beliefs are concerned, i is answerable to God alone. No human has the correct to punish to a greater extent than or less other for his/her selection of belief. There is absolutely no compulsion whatsoever inwards Islam as well as no penalty of whatever sort permitted inwards the Holy Qur'an for apostasy. The Qur'an indeed guarantees human rights, liberty of faith as well as conscience to all people, both Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In matters that convey disagreement betwixt Muslims as well as non-Muslims, God is the gauge as well as non man. My prayer is that our Muslim brothers as well as sisters inwards Northern Nigeria would take away to ticker as well as to a greater extent than seriously the prayer of the Prophet: Guide us on the Right Path (Qur'an 1:6) - Amen. (http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2003/feb/042.html)

References

Nazir Ahmad (Brig. Rtd): The Blasphemy Law of Pakistan
Reprinted from Vol. XXII, No. 1 Hamdard Islamicus, Karachi, Islamic Republic of Pakistan © 1998

Fatimah Sakar: Fighting Muslim Wars.

Muhammad Ali: The Holy Qur'an

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