Cross section of Nigerian Muslims have raised concern over the proposed plan to bury the late former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi at his Central Mosque in Oke Ado, Ibadan declaring such act as antithetical to Islam.
Since the announcement by his media aide, Mr Bolaji Tunji on the burial proceedings, Muslims have taken to the social media calling on the family not to bury the former governor in the mosque.
The Director, Imam IbnulQayyim Islamic Foundation, Ustadh Rasheed Haashim emphasised that burying a corpse in the mosque makes praying in the mosque prohibited and urge the family not to destroy his legacy.
According to him, “Islam strictly prohibits burying the corpse of a dead Muslim in the mosque. In fact, it will make praying in the mosque prohibited as well.
“I pray the only main achievement of Senator Abiola Ajimobi is not destroyed by irreligious family members left behind”.
The forner Oyo gubernatorial candidate, Associate Professor Abideen Olaiya postulates that building of mosque for the Muslim community is no longer a private property, noting that “Truth be told, Islam is against burying the dead in the mosque and mosque as an endowment is no longer private property”.
Another Muslim, Abdul Razaq Olatunji called on the Muslim leaders to enlighten the family saying “The Chief Imam of Ibadanland Agbotomokekere 1, Aare Musulumi, Alh kunle Sanni, Prof Naibi should enlighten Ajimobi family on his burial proceedings. Burial in Mosque is not allowed in Islam”.
‘The burial of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in a mosque’
When a social media user named Amzah, asked relating to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad sitting inside the Masjid Annabawiyy in Medina, another social media user, Abdul Wasiu responded stating that he was not buried in the mosque but inside his wife’s room.
“Wa alaykum salaam, not comparable sir. The Prophet (SAW) was not buried in the mosque but inside his wife’s room. The mosque was expanded during the caliphate of Umar. Please, they are not the same thing at all.”
Another added, AbdulGafar said, “Even at that, Prophets can not be compared with other human beings. They operate under special rules and regulations from Allah.
“Ours is to lend pieces of advice based on the little knowledge and experiences we have, the rest is left to you people in charge. May Allah guide us all aright. I’m off this discussion In Sha’a Allah. Jazakumllah khayran,” he added.
Islamic Ruling on Burying the Corpse at the Mosque
There is need for us to follow Islam rules,’ said Ustadh Miftaudeen, adding, “The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade burying people in the mosque and building mosque over graves; he also cursed those who do that. That was when he was on his deathbed and warned his ummah.
Quoting Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen in his Fataawa al-‘Aqeedah, p. 26, Ustadh Miftaudeen said;
“He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated that this was the action of the Jews and Christians and it was also a means that leads to associating others with Allah, because building mosque over graves and burying the dead inside mosques leads to associating the occupants of these graves in worship with Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, because people may come to believe that the occupants of these graves who are buried inside the mosque can bring benefit or cause harm, or that they have some special status which mean that people should seek to draw close to them by doing acts of worship and obedience to them instead of Allah, many He be glorified and exalted.
The Muslims must beware of this dangerous phenomenon and ensure that the mosques are free of graves and are established on the basis of Tawheed and sound belief. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the mosques are for Allaah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allaah” [al-Jinn 72:18].
The mosque should be for Allah alone, may He be glorified and exalted, and free of any manifestations of shirk, places where Allah alone is worshipped with no partner or associate. This is what is required of the Muslims. And Allah is the source of strength.
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