Terrorists are not Muslims, Sheikh Zuglool insists
By Motolani AbdulGafar
Director of Academics, Daaru-d-Da’wah Arabic and Islamic School, Isolo, Sheikh Is-haq Zuglool, has called on Nigerians to desist from ascribing terrorism to Islamic religion, insisting that terrorists are not Muslims.
Sheikh Zuglool made the call during the public Ramadan lecture organised by the Muslim Community of Low-Cost Housing Estate, Ejigbo.
While giving a lecture on the topic ‘Terrorism: Islamic Point of View’, the Islamic scholar absolved Muslims of terrorism as he strongly condemned the act, saying anybody who involves in terrorism is anti-Islam.
Sheikh Zuglool said there is a need for the Islamic scholars to continuously enlighten the Muslims and the non-Muslims as well on the teachings of Islam which preach and promote peace in the society, to correct the wrong notion by some people about Islam who see Muslims as a terrorist group.
He said terrorists should not be seen as Muslims even if they claim to be, emphasising that the religion of Islam was brought up on the basis of peace while cautioning the society to avoid tagging Muslims as terrorists.
“Technically in an Islamic perspective, terrorism is any act that people engage in to cause discomfort to others. It is the use of violence against innocent citizens. Our religion was named by Almighty Allah as a religion of peace which is what we promote.
“In everything, we portray and promote peaceful coexistence, our greeting to people, the last words after solat, the Muslim names, the name of the paradise which is our final abode and many more all have the word ‘peace’ in them. To be frank, it is very unnatural for anyone that practices this religion to engage in critical demoralising acts in the society at large,” he said.
He further clarified the misconception of the non-Muslims about jihad in Islam, saying it was a fight back after some enemies attacked Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
His words: “We do not dispute the fact that jihad was practised by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) but, it should be noted that it was practised after preaching in Mecca for 13 years in pain, discomfort and agony before moving to Medina where many conspiracies were made against him by the Meccans in order to overthrow him. He only fought back to repel the attack and to restore human dignity.
“Allah has created mankind in the best fashion and has also elevated us amongst all other creatures so, I see no reason the world need to belittle or demoralise us by falsely stigmatising the Muslims as terrorists.”
Also speaking, Dr. AbdulHameed Sholate, the keynote speaker, advised the Muslims to take advantage of the holy month to increase their faith and pray for the nation.
