The Chief Imam of Lagos State University, Prof. Amidu Sanni, on Monday urged Muslims to emulate the life of Prophet Muhammad to be able to impact society positively.
Sanni gave the advice in his Eid el-Maulud message to Muslims.
He said that Muslims should at all times uphold their faith and responsibilities to a just and better society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government declared Monday a public holiday to mark Eid el-Maulud – birthday of Muhammad.
Sanni said that Muhammad was a role model for humanity, urging that Muslims should exhibit such a quality.
“Although many Muslims around the world celebrate his birthday, only those who adhere strictly to his teachings and precepts in their personal and communal lives can legitimately lay claim to belonging to his mission.
“Religious leaders who are fervent protagonists of the prosperity doctrine, traders in human parts and organs, percentage takers from kidnappers, Yahoo-Plus promoters and human traffickers, cannot be taken as genuine followers of Prophet Muhammad nor any true prophet of God,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to shun corruption and other vices.
He called on the Islamic community worldwide to support genuine efforts at ending loss of innocent lives, insecurity and destruction of public facilities.
The cleric said that the flood disaster in some parts of Nigeria called for proactive and sustained measures on the part of governments and other takeholders.
“We call for unconditional release of genuine protesters against hunger and corruption in public and private institutions, speedy prosecution of truly culpable suspects, reduction in overcrowding of correctional facilities, rehabilitation of released inmates, and redemption of suspects in custody who have spent more than they would have even if convicted.
“We pray for divine guidance to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government of Lagos State and the management of Lagos State University under the leadership of Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,” he prayed. (NAN)
