* Urges govt to introduce poverty reduction policies
* We’re committed to interfaith harmony: Gov Abiodun
A former Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has said that there is no place for extremism in Islam.
Hassan, who spoke as a guest lecturer at the 2025 Annual Special Ramadan 1446 AH Iftar programme hosted by the Ogun State Government on Saturday, March 22, said what Islam preaches is moderation in the everyday life of Muslims.
“Any Muslim who is not moderate is not working under the dictates of Allah (SWT),” former Hajj Commission boss said at the event that had in attendance Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; Speaker State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide; Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; State Chairman, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yemi Sanusi, among other dignitaries.
The President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, Sheikh Sikiru Babalola, who also doubles as Imam Yewa Muslim Community, led all the leading imams and scholars in all the divisions in the State to the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, for the special Iftar, with the theme: “Islam and the rejection of Extremism”.
Some of the dignitaries including Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice (Dr) Mosunmola Akinola Dipeolu; Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central constituency; Former Military Administrator of Bauchi and Baba Adinni of Egba land, Navy Captain Rasheed Adisa Raji; Ex-Deputy Gov, Ogun State, Alhaji Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka; Secretary-General, Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde and Consultant on Islamic religion for Ogun State government, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal otherwise known as Sugar.
Speaking further, Alhaji Hassan said: “Allah enjoins moderation. He said in Suratul Baqarah (Qur’an 2: 143), We have made you a moderate nation so that you may be witnesses over humanity, and that the messenger may be a witness over you.”
Calls for moderation in worship
The Islamic scholar and former National Amir of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, cited instances where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) called for moderation in worship, stressing that there is no basis for extremism among Muslims.
“A man was reported to the Prophet (SAW). He prayed all night and fasted all day. They asked him why, and he said it was because he was very pious. Of course, he is pious. The complaint went to the Prophet, and he asked him why he was doing that; praying all night and fasting all day. The man said he loves Allah. The name of the companion is Abdullah Bn Amr. As a matter of fact, in the cause of this extreme worship, he abandoned his conjugal responsibility. Then, the Prophet (SAW) told him that he was the Prophet, and he didn’t fast every day and didn’t pray all night. A true Muslim, therefore, must do things in between. In that case, the Prophet told him to stop the practice.
“There was another companion of the Prophet (SAW) called Muadh Bn Jabal. He used to pray with the Prophet, but there was a time when he was sent to another town to lead the salat. A complaint came to the Prophet that whenever Muadh leads the Ishai prayer, he reads Suratul Baqarah, arguably the longest chapter in the Qur’an. The Prophet then directed Muadh that he shouldn’t put the people on trial, and whenever he wanted to lead the salat, he should recite the shortest surah. Don’t make them not want to observe salat.”
Whoever chooses to follow Allah’s law is not an extremist
Alhaji Hassan, who was the Chairman/Amir Hajj of Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board also explained that whoever chooses to follow the laws of Allah to the best of his abilities cannot be tagged an extremist.
“For example, a Muslimah can choose to cover herself using the niqab or not. But because you can’t cover your own face, you can’t call the person doing it an extremist,” he said.
He said poverty fuels extremism in people as he alluded to the case of Nigeria’s terror group, Boko Haram.
“The twin combination of injustice and poverty helps extremism the most. Why is it that there is no extremism in Saudi Arabia? Why is it that there is no extremism in the United Arab Emirates? Why is there no extremism in Qatar? Why don’t we have extremism in Bahrain? These are Muslim countries. It is because where there is poverty, it breeds contempt for those who are in leadership. A clear example of this is Boko Haram.
“In Nigeria, possibly a place where Muslims have existed for almost 1000 years is the Kanem Borno Empire. There is a dynasty called the Safwa dynasty. It was a dynasty for about 800 years in Borno. For all these years and centuries, there was no problem in Borno. In fact, many of our peers who studied in Maiduguri did tell us that they used to travel at night (around 12 midnight) from Maiduguri to party in Sokoto. This was even up to a few years back.
“Then what happened? The problem arose due to the combination of what I call economy, ecology and the elite manipulation of the polity. Before they knew it, external influence came in, and Boko Haram became something beyond what anybody could manage. The cause, indeed, was that the economy was bad, there were more poor people, and they were growing in numbers.
“Unfortunately, Lake Chad used to be the one feeding the entire neighbourhood, but it started receding, which affected the economy. The politicians decided to use some of these Boko Haram elements as their working tools, and they couldn’t eventually manage them,” he stated.
Urges govt to introduce policies that’ll reduce poverty
Alhaji Hassan urged the government to introduce and strengthen policies and programmes that continuously reduce poverty in society, noting that it goes a long way to tame the trend of extremism.
In his remarks, Gov. Abiodun congratulated Muslims in Ogun State and around the world for being alive to witness the sacred month of Ramadan.
“Ramadan is a season of reflection, devotion, and spiritual renewal and upliftment,” the Governor said.
Gov. Abiodun thanked Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan for honouring the invitation of the state to serve as a guest lecturer at the event.
He said Ogun State takes pride in the exemplary leadership and achievements of the former NAHCON chair.
“Your unwavering dedication to the propagation of Islamic knowledge and contributions to the advancement of both Islamic and Western education have been eloquently represented in your lecture. You are an inspiration to many,” he added.
The Governor said his administration remains committed to promoting interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Ogun State.
“This special iftar of our administration continues to grow significantly with each passing year,” he noted.
“We deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of our Muslim brothers towards building a just, inclusive and progressive society.”
Muslims are duty-bound to reject ideologies that promote division
Speaking on the topic of discussion, Governor Abiodun said Muslims are duty-bound to reject ideologies that promote division, hatred, bigotry or violence in society.
“Balance is the soul of the Islamic faith. It calls for moderation in belief, conduct, and in our dealings with others,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the beautiful message of Islam has often been distorted by a few, who seek to promote extremism in the name of religion.”
He charged Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan as an opportunity to deepen their faith and reaffirm their collective commitment to peace, unity and discipline.
Speaker commends Governor for consistency
Also speaking, State House of Assembly Speaker, RT. Hon Elemide commended Governor Abiodun for his consistency on the special iftar programme.
He advised participants to adhere strictly to the lessons of the lecture, noting that the hallmark of religion is character.
Awujale preaches brotherhood among/of Muslims
For his part, Oba Adetona said Muslims should always look out for one another and imbibe the culture of supporting the less privileged, which is part of the teachings of Ramadan.
“I congratulate our Governor for bringing us out again in this way as he has done a couple of times before. I congratulate our religious leaders too. May Allah not deny us the rewards,” the respected monarch said.
Fasting unites rich and poor Muslims
State APC Chairman, Sanusi said fasting unites both the rich and the poor in the pains of hunger.
He said it was even more instructive that both Muslims and Christians are observing various fasts this season.
“As we are fasting, the major thing is to seek God’s forgiveness and mercies,” he said.
One of the highlights of Saturday’s gathering was the rainfall that began just as prayers were ongoing. As taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), supplications made during rainfall are among those that are never rejected by Allah. It was truly a beautiful and blessed moment.
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