* In Islam, everyone is equal before Allah, King of kings
Several Muslims on social media have backed the action of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, noting that exposing his head is a major rite of Hajj and religious obligation.
The Muslims, who carpeted the monarch’s critics for their ignorance and mischief, were reacting to the report published by The Punch Online, on Saturday, June 15, with the title, “Oluwo under fire for exposing head in Mecca “
The Muslim netizens, however, schooled the newspaper and its ignorant followers about the rites of hajj, saying that in Islam, everyone is equal before Almighty Allah, the King of kings and Creator of the universe, irrespective of their worldly status.
While defending the king’s actions, Muslims on social media added that exposing the head when in ihram (sacred state a pilgrim must enter before carrying out the rites of hajj and umrah) is a major commandment during lesser or major pilgrimage in Islam.
They said the Oluwo of Iwo has every right to observe all the etiquettes of hajj, which restricts all men, irrespective of their status from covering their heads upon wearing ihram cloths during hajj or umrah.
Muslim News gathered that Oba Abdulrasheed is among the over 1.8 million Muslims from across the world, currently undertaking hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
After sharing a video of himself (where his head was exposed) along with his wife, Queen Firdaus, offering prayers in the holy land, critics, many of whom are non-Muslims, attacked the influential monarch for his appearance without the crown or a cap.
Ogunkoya OA said, “Is kingship now slavery or bondage? If he (Oluwo) wants to bathe, he will not open his head, abi…”
For his part, another commentator, Aremu Ahmed, remarked thus: “Even the most influential in the world cannot cover the head during hajj. It is a religious tenet.”
Another Muslim, Ola Oladokun said if the US president went for Hajj, he would also expose his head.
“That’s a proof that we’re all the same in the presence of our creator, Allah… Even if the US president were here, that’s how he will dress… Alhamdulillah ala matil Islam,” he wrote.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Dawud Alkane commented, “That is Islam! No matter who you are or whatever position you hold, you must follow the due process while praying!
“The Prophet (pbuh) himself performed hajj according to the teaching of Islam. Then, who is Oba or King or Emir or whatever? That’s how Islam taught us and he must bear it accordingly.”
Umar Faruk Abdullahi said, “There’s no way he can perform hajj without removing the cap on his head. May Almighty Allah accept your ibadah. Amen.”
Another comment by Musa Sabo read: “When you are in Mecca, you are also equal to other people who assemble for the hajj. The white clothe/wrapper (Ihram) he wore to cover his body does not require anything (cap) to be put on the head.
“Allah (SWT) decreed that those who are performing pilgrimage in Mecca are His guests and no discrimination amongst the rulers or ruled, rich or poor, young and old, black or white, among other social attributes. So if the Oba should put on cap on the head while wearing Ihram (white cloth), it would invalidate his act of worship.”
The 2024 Hajj climaxed on Saturday with the gathering of close to two millions pilgrims from around the world at Arafat.
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