Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) has underscored the crucial role of Muslim clerics in reshaping the country, urging them to leverage their position to ensure positive change in the society.
At the 2024 yearly Imams Conference, A book, ‘Da’wah Etiquette from the Prophet’s Guidance’ written by the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu was unveiled at the well-attended seminar graced by imams from within and outside Lagos.
The President of LEMU, Alhaji Abdulganiy Labinjo, said the Imams have a pivotal role to play in reshaping the Nigerian society which is currently ailing.
“So many things are happening in the world today which are not right. If we follow the sunnah and what Islam teaches us, society will be in a better place. Since the Holy Prophet (SAW) is no more, we look up to the imams and alfas for guidance.”
He noted that society is not well today because the imams are either not passing the right message or people are not getting the message.
“So, there is a need for the imams to know in order to connect with the society appropriately. If they get it right and we receiving the message also get it right, there should be a better ummah,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr. Ridwan Jamiu, urged imams to see Islamic da’wah as a voluntary act of worship, for which they cannot enrich themselves.
He said imams should be decent in seeking wealth, and not explore ways that will tarnish their image in the society.
“Propagating Islam has to be a voluntary act of worship. Some other times, it may be compulsory. The compulsory one, you don’t need to charge any money for it. The compulsory one is for members of your family, you have to admonish and guide them. It’s still da’wah. For every other person, it’s a voluntary act, and you are not also expected to charge anything for it.
“Scholars should see themselves like every other person, especially in Nigeria where Islamic scholarship is not recognised. We are doing a thankless job. In Islamic countries, they know the worth of scholars. They can place them on salaries through waqf (endowment). But in Nigeria, that’s not the case. So, scholars should look for ways of finding their means of livelihood which must be halal. If they have the opportunity to preach, that will be great. But if they can’t combine, they should go for whatever is convenient for them. However, we should not use this as a cover to do what is forbidden and commit sins. We have to look for means of livelihood.”
The guest lecturer, Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii’, suggested the establishment of a council in Lagos State to end the perennial tussle generated by contest for imams’ seats.
The council, according to Sheikh Shafii’, should include the Chief Imam of Lagos State and other divisional Imams who will be charged with the responsibility of appointing the imam of a mosque when the position becomes vacant.
“The solution to the perennial controversies over who becomes the imam in my own view, especially in Lagos State, is for our respected Chief Imam and other divisional imams to have a council that will be charged with appointing imams in our mosques. We should select qualified people from the households that produce the imam. It’s about knowledge and scholarship. They can introduce interviews to the process,” Sheikh Shafii’ said.
He charged all Imams to live up to their billing, saying the organisation of the masjid lies with them.
“Our imams should lead by example, demonstrating great qualities for their followers to emulate.”
Also speaking, the second facilitator, former Chief Imam of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Muritala Bidmos, stressed that the Nigerian society needs the imams to perform their duties for it to progress.
He noted that imams need conferences like the one being organised by LEMU to update their knowledge and improve their performance.
“The imams are already in their various mosques doing da’wah, but they need this type of orientation from time to time to update their knowledge and improve their performance.
“The society we are in today needs imams who will guide the people. We have the problem of spiritual bankruptcy in Nigeria. The imams are the ones to wake up our spirituality. If they can do this successfully, then all other problems like insecurity, economic crisis will go away. People create other problems because they are not thinking about God.
“We have to give the imams their respect in the society. The imams are the spiritual leaders; they should be allowed to dictate the tune so that our society can make progress. Society cannot make progress if we do not allow imams to call the shot.”
