Al-Ilory chides suicide bombers, calls for peaceful co-existence

The Rector of Arabic and Islamic Training Institute (Markaz) in Agege, Lagos Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory has said suicide bombers would face punishment on the Day of Judgment as against the erroneous perception of making heaven.

“No paradise for Suicide bombers,” the Rector declared on Sunday during his keynote address to over 200 graduating students of the centre held at Kehinde Sofola Hall in the Institute, Agege.

Al-Ilory, popularly called Sheu Habeeb said there was no way a suicide bomber can make heaven, because it is against the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), adding: “Our Prophet said ‘By Allah, he is not a believer! One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil’ How can we now say a suicide bomber that killed his neighbours will enter paradise and marry beautiful unchaste ladies going by the statement of the Holy Prophet? It is high time we make known to whoever contemplating committing suicide that Hell fire awaits such person besides other grievous punishments. Is it not amount to madness by saying somebody who took lives of innocent ones will enter paradise. Quran never say that and we should not misinterpret the message of the Quran.”

The Rector warned the graduands to eschew extremism in their affairs, saying that extremism leads to terrorism.He said: “We have done our best to give you the knowledge that will make you be the best in the larger community if well put into practise. It is now your turn to be good ambassadors of this Institute.

“Remember, no teaching of our Holy Prophet allows you to treat your neighbour unjustly; Prophet Muhammad never encouraged shedding of innocent blood and Islam abhors it too. Do not because of money engage in act akin to terrorism because we do not teach anything related to it here.

“Know that riches come from Allah; it is true that many scholars engage in fetish and evil deeds because of affluence – they want to ride the best cars, build mansions without good source of income – they are doom for Allah’s punishment.”

Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola, urged the graduating students to go into the larger society and influence it in positive way.

Alhaji Babalola, the President-General of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) said terrorism is alien to Islam.“You can be a Muslim and engage in terrorist act. Where do you see such dastard act in the Quran or teaching of the Holy Prophet? If Islam preaches good neighbourliness and a supposed Muslim went to attack his neighbour, has he not contradict the teaching of Islam? Can we say that person is a Muslim?” he queried.

The MUSWEN President-General urged government at all level to create jobs for thousands of youth graduating from various higher institutions and those roaming on the street, saying that an idle mind is devil’s workshop.

“As a nation, we cannot afford the prize of allowing our youths wandering the streets jobless. The consequence is unimaginable,” he said.
Former minister of Mines and Steel Alhaji Sharafa Ishola, said Islam has nothing to do with terrorism.
Ishola urged the graduands to portray Islam well and be good ambassadors.