Chief Imam, Fouad Lababidi Central Mosque, Wuse Zone 3 Abuja, Dr. Tajudeen Adigun Bello, says Nigeria is currently under the grip of Shaytan (devil), warning that except the leaders and the led change their negative lifestyles and embrace righteousness, Allah may not change Nigeria’s situation.
The cleric spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the 2nd annual Ramadan lecture of the Forum for Islamic Guidance with the theme: “Freedom from the Slavery of Sin”.
The chief Imam, who was represented by Imam Mohammad Buhari Musa of Citec Mosque Mbora Estate Abuja, said corruption and injustice are retarding Nigeria’s progress, adding that Muslims and all Nigerians must turn back to Almighty Allah in sincere and total repentance if Nigeria must come survive the insecurity and economic logjam it has found itself.
He said, “Nigeria is enmeshed in all forms of sins where banditry, kidnapping for ransom, wanton killings and burning of property, injustice and corruption have become the order of the day.
“It is either Muslims submit to the total will of Almighty Allah which leads to freedom from all sins or submit to Shaytan (devil) which is a straight road to bondage and janam (Hell).
The guest lecturer, who quoted from the Holy Quran, said Allah has said He will not change the situation of a community or a nation unless the people change their ways of life.
According to him, “Nigeria is already enmeshed in sins and it is only Allah that will take us out of the quagmire we have found ourselves but the change must first start from us.
“Today Muslims are very far from the logo, flag and legacy of Islam bestowed on us by Prophet Muhammad. What we need now is attitudinal change from every Nigerian as the worst form of slavery is sin against our Creator.”
Another cleric, Sheikh Buhari Musa, said, “It is time to retrace our steps back to Allah, seek total repentance to reclaim and regain our country from the path of destruction. Allah loves this country but we are over stretching His mercies, we must not allow Him to visit us with more calamities.”
Amir FIG, Dr. Busari Issa Az-Zubair, in his remarks, said the lecture was put in place to assist the Muslim Ummah and the nation escape the bondage of sin with the sole purpose of putting an end to evil acts being perpetrated in the country.