Barely days after renowned Muslim scholar, Amir Qamarudeen Ajala admonished Femi Adebayo over his promotion of alcohol, the Nollywood actor, again defied the warning to sign an endorsement deal with another alcoholic company, Kubanah Whiskey.
The actor, who performed the 2022 Hajj, announced on his Instagram page on Wednesday, July 27.
The announcement of the new deal read: “Month of July ending on a promising note. Glad to be joining @kubanahwhiskey family as a brand ambassador.”
His new endorsement is coming days after Amir Qamarudeen Ajala called him to stop promoting alcohol, saying it is one of the greatest sins in Islam.
In the video titled, “Sincere advice to Brother Femi Adebayo to stop Promoting Alcohol”, the Islamic scholar and TV Presenter called on Femi Adebayo, a Muslim, to halt advertising alcoholic content.
“This is sincere advice to our brother,” Amir Ajala said in the 33 minutes recording that has gone viral on social media, adding, “We aren’t doing this video for fame or popularity or to criticise him, but it’s our duty as Muslims to remind our brother of the danger of promoting alcohol.”
Amir Ajala noted in his admonition that it doesn’t befit a Muslim actor of Femi Adebayo’s caliber, who has performed Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage on several occasions, and Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, to be promoting alcohol.
According to him, “We have seen our brother performing umrah countless times. We also saw him at the just concluded Hajj. Back home in Nigeria, however, he is the same person that promotes an alcoholic drink (name withheld). He also invites other celebrities to promote the same alcohol.
“Maybe he doesn’t know the Islamic verdict on what he is doing. It’s, therefore, our responsibility to let him know since he identifies with Islam…”
Islam on drinking, dealing with alcohol
Muslim News Islamtainment findings revealed that consumption of alcohol and other forms of intoxicants are not only forbidden in Islam, direct association including promotion and advertisement is not permitted.
Dealing with intoxicants (such as beer, whiskey, gin etc) is one of the greatest sins in Islam, alongside the game of chance, idolatry, divining arrow, and according to Quran 5: 90, they are considered as the handiwork of Shaytan, “So shun them so you may be successful”.
Femi Adebayo as an ambassador of a beer brand
Although the respected Islamic cleric did not mention any alcoholic drink, investigation carried out by this medium showed that the Ilorin, Kwara State-born script interpreter did not only sign a deal with Kubanah Whiskey, he is also one of the ambassadors of premium lager, Trophy beer.
Since his unveiling in 2015, the former Special Adviser to the Kwara State governor on Arts, Lifestyles, and Tourism has been promoting the liquor drink, with his pictures on the brand’s billboards in many cities across Nigeria, including Ilorin, a city reputed to be the home of Islam.
Muslim News Islamtainment gathered that some Islamic scholars in Ilorin metropolis were not pleased by the actor’s alcohol billboards mounted in some strategic locations in the city, thereby reportedly met and convincing him to stop promoting beer in the area.
In February 2018, Multiple media reported that the actor, a law graduate heeded their advice following the replacement of his pictures with other brand ambassadors on the billboards.
“However, the actor is still modeling for the brand as his photos are still in use in other parts of the state”, Nigerian Films was quoted in part.
After the incident, we can reliably confirm that “Jeli Oniso” as the actor is fondly called by fans was among the celebrities that performed at the Trophy Beer Concert held in April 2018 in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
While on stage to entertain fans and danced to the viral street song, Shaku-Shaku, the actor was seen in the video collecting a can of trophy beer and drinking from it, as he continued his performance. In the comment section of the post on Facebook, one user, Aderibigbe Sulaiman said, “Femi Adebayo Don shark trophy”
Femi Adebayo is also the host of the premium lager’s weekly show on TV tagged: Honourable Tungba season 3, which commenced in May, 2022. The show features music and comedy performances from notable musicians and comedians, including leading fuji acts like Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Alhaji Sule Alao Malaika and Alhaji Wasiu Pasuma, who equally went for the Hajj 2022.
When contacted on Saturday, Amir Ajala urged the actor, Femi Adebayo and other Muslim celebrities who either drink or have relationship with alcoholic brands to discontinue, saying there is a great reward for those who shun what Allah has forbidden in this life and the hereafter.
He also called on the Muslim scholars close to him and other celebrities to admonish them on Halaal (lawful) and Haraam (unlawful) in Islam.
May Allah ease his and our affairs by granting us halaal earnings. Ameen Ya Rab.
