National Mosque Imam, Sholagberu urges Muslims to unite irrespective of sect beliefs

The Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate and Imam at the National Mosque in Nigeria, Abuja, Imam Sheikh Dr. AbdulKadir Al-Salman Sholagberu, has said that the true way to a country’s development is through unity, peaceful coexistence among religious groups, and religious scholars.

SolaceBase reports that Sholagberu affirmed this while giving his Inaugural Jumat Prayer and lecture sermon at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday.

He noted that it is through unity, and righteousness, of preachers and scholars of the nations that people of a nation will be happy, and attain progress, resulting in successful progress and development of such nations.

“And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ, except whom your Lord has given mercy. And for that He created them…” Al-Hud/ 118119.

“Scholars of the nation, it is time to unite ranks, an era of rapprochement between parties and sects, no party  is better than  the other, remember your Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, who said: “If a man says, ‘People are doomed,’ then he is the most doomed of them.” Narrated by Muslim. And may God bless the one who said:

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The Imam explained that if God wants a nation to awaken, He inspires it with the awakening of individuals, noting that preachers need to clarify the part before setting in.

“Our preachers must clarify the path before taking it, and become aware of it. They should clear the way before entering, and light up with the lamp before night time.

He urged preachers, and scholars of the nation to learn from one another while also forgiving each other for there to be advancement and progress of society and the nation at large.

“Scholars of the nation, why don’t we excuse each other, learn from each other, and forgive each other.

” Isn’t it correct according to Sharia and belief, or is it not among the established principles of religion, that we cite the words of someone who has made a mistake? And if our answer is “No” it is not permissible!! Then you should not benefit from the knowledge of many of the scholars of Islam, nor from the authentication of the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by these scholars, such as Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Imam Muhyi Al-Din Al-Nawawi, Jalal Al-Din Al-Suyuti, Ibn Al-Jawzi, and Al-Haythami. You should also boycott their books such as “Fath Al-Bari”, “Sharh Muslim”, “Fayd AlQadir”, etc. And if you do this, then peace be upon Islam,”

“Preachers of the nation, cast hatred behind you, and follow the path of the great imams in exchange, taking and giving. Look at Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his students citing the statements of those who had some innovations and some errors, so they cited the statements of al-Juwayni, Ibn Hazm, al-Ghazali, and others, may God have mercy on them all.

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“My fellow preachers, the truth is accepted from any source, and whoever says it. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, accepted the truth brought by Satan in reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, cited the words of the poet Labid when he was an unbeliever: “Behold, everything except Allah is false.” So if the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, accepted from Satan and cited the words of an unbeliever… then what about a Muslim who has made a mistake! Why do you hate and criticize him just because he does not follow your school of thought, and it may even go so far as to expel him from the religion!! What will you say to “There is no god but Allah” when it comes to you on the Day of Judgment?

“My brothers in the call, feel your responsibilities and diagnose yourselves in a way that befits your position. There you will discover that you are the core of society and that you are its pivot. You are like teachers in schools and doctors in hospitals. Without you, society would not be a society. From you, to you, in you, and with you will come the advancement and progress of society. It is time for you – may God protect you – to rearrange the papers of the call, unifying the ranks, and bringing together the parties and religious sects (Has not the time come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of God and what has come down of the truth? And they will not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened, and many of them are wicked) Al-Hadid/16 My fellow scholars… Excuse me, perhaps I have hurt you, but do we let the patient not take medicine for fear of disturbing him??!! And do we leave the wound without stitches for fear of causing him pain??!!

“So excuse me, O preachers, if I have hurt you, for you know that the skillful, honest, and firm doctor is the one who cuts open the stomach of the afflicted, cuts off the hand of the leper, and stitches the wounds of the wounded, and does not pay attention to groans or heed to screams. May God bless the one who said:

“If the wound heals on corruption # It shall be known of it neglect of The doctor. If the wound heals on corruption # the sickness will spread to the patient’s stomach,” said Sholagberu.

He urged Muslims to make up for what they owe from the past Ramadan as they await the coming of Ramadan and also refrain from hide grudges, hatred, lies, hypocrisy, drinking alcohol, adultery, embezzlement, and false reports.

“May God let me and you reach Ramadan, accept our offerings in it, and may God return it to us and to you for many years and times,” prayed Sholagberu.

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Similarly, the former Grand Khadi of Kwara State and Executive Secretary Kwara State Council of ulama, Salihu Mohammed, who represented the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Council of Ulama affirmed that Imam Sholagberu is up to the task and urged everyone to give him their support.

“He can perform, he would be performing, we want you all to please give him your support so that he can succeed.”

Muhammed further said that Muslims and Christians need not fight. Quoting the words of former president Ebere Jonathan where he said if given the opportunity at the presidency, he would like to mend fences among the Muslims, the Christians and other non-muslims, because without unity muslims cannot go to Christians, and without peace Christians cannot go to Muslims. So there is a need for us to synergise and work for visible coexistence.