LAGOS, NIGERIA — The National Da’Wah Officer of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Worldwide, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Raji, has strongly dissociated the Islamic faith from the activities of terrorists and bandits, declaring that such individuals are not Muslims and do not represent Islam.
Speaking at a public enlightenment session on Tuesday, the Islamic cleric emphasized that criminal groups operating under the guise of religion are acting entirely outside the boundaries of Islamic theology. He noted that the core tenets of Islam strictly forbid unjustified violence, kidnapping, and the destruction of human lives.
The Quranic Verdict on Compulsion
To reinforce his position, Raji cited specific scriptural mandates from the Holy Quran which guarantee human agency and freedom of conscience. He maintained that the resort to force by criminal elements directly violates divine law:
- No Compulsion in Religion: The cleric referenced established Quranic verses explicitly stating that faith cannot be forced upon individuals through coercion or violence.
- Preservation of Life: He reminded the public that mainstream Islamic jurisprudence treats the protection of innocent human lives, regardless of faith, as an absolute priority.
- False Ideologies: Raji asserted that the doctrines used by bandits and terrorists to justify their crimes are distorted interpretations designed to achieve political and material gain, rather than spiritual compliance.
A Call for Unity Against Criminality
The NASFAT leadership urged the public and the media to stop linking Islamic identity with criminal enterprises, warning that mislabeling bandits as Islamic actors plays into the hands of those seeking to create deep sectarian divisions in Nigeria.
The society called on Muslim communities across the nation to remain vigilant, report suspicious ideological teachings, and continuously project the peaceful, developmental, and charitable values that define true Islamic practice.
