The Chief Imam of DaaruNaim Central Mosque in Lagos, Sheikh Imran AbdulMajeed Eleha, has shed light on why some extremists shout “Allahu Akbar” while committing acts of violence, clarifying that such actions are a distortion of Islam. He spoke with The Punch about insecurity in northern Nigeria, misconceptions about the religion, and the motivations behind violent groups.
Sheikh Eleha traced the phenomenon to historical precedents, citing the Khawarij—an extremist group mentioned in Islamic history that misrepresented the faith. He recalled an incident during the Prophet’s time when a man falsely accused the Prophet of injustice. While the companion Umar wanted to retaliate, the Prophet intervened, teaching that wrongdoing by individuals should not be equated with Islam’s principles.
“The Prophet then said, ‘A time will come when the descendants of this man will pretend to be Muslims and will kill fellow Muslims and others,’” Eleha noted. “They are from Hellfire and are not Muslims.” He emphasized that those who invoke “Allahu Akbar” to justify killing are acting as criminals, not true followers of Islam.
Eleha clarified that Islamic law does not permit individuals to take lives on their own. Even in cases of legal death sentences, only the state has the authority to execute such punishment. He compared modern-day terrorists to the historical Khawarij, stressing that they should be treated decisively under the law once apprehended.
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