A butcher named Usman Buda was killed by an enraged mob in Sokoto after being accused of making blasphemous comments about Prophet Muhammad.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident and initiated an investigation into the matter, as stated by the spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai.
In another incident, Deborah Samuel, a student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, was lynched by fellow students on blasphemy allegations in May 2022.
Following the arrest of some suspects related to the gruesome killing, protests erupted. While some Muslims strongly condemned such barbaric actions, others supported them, citing the need to respect their religion and the Prophet. This situation raises the question of Islam’s stance on these issues.
Islamic cleric Raji Abdul-Ganiyy criticized the recent killing in Sokoto, emphasizing that it resulted from a misunderstanding of Islam’s principles. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Abdul-Ganiyy condemned the killings and stated, “They are misunderstanding Islam; they are engaging in what we call jungle justice, which is not known in Islam.”
According to the cleric, there is no Quranic verse that instructs killing or advocates intolerance for blasphemy. He also highlighted the murder of Deborah Samuel, a female student who faced a similar fate due to alleged blasphemy.
The Secretary of the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) Mission Board expressed that the practice of Islam should be embraced willingly rather than forcefully imposed upon people.
Abdul-Ganiyy said, “People have to accept Islam out of conviction, and if somebody chooses to renounce Islam, they probably have a reason to do so.” He emphasized that even in regions where Sharia is practised, there must be a proper legal process before any punishment is administered. Simply renouncing Islam should not be a justification for calling people to kill, stone, or harm someone.
The cleric clarified that the Quran does not support seeking revenge against those who renounce or blaspheme Islam. Instead, it advises believers to disassociate themselves from gatherings where blasphemy occurs.
Abdul-Ganiyy expressed his concern about the rise of religious hypocrisy and urged followers to embody the teachings they receive during religious gatherings.
He argued, “Many people have failed to grasp the true essence of religion. There is a significant difference between claiming to be religious and genuinely embodying the principles of religious practice.” He emphasized that individuals who engage in acts of violence, theft, or other immoral behaviour after attending religious services have failed to internalize the true teachings.
Having addressed these concerns, it leads to the question of whether there are two interpretations of the Quran. The support shown by certain sects and influential figures within the Muslim community towards such barbaric acts, as witnessed during Deborah’s stoning, raises doubts about the existence of different sects within Islam.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the government to address such issues effectively. However, challenges arise when advocates of these barbaric acts hold positions of power within the government.
