A renowned Islamic Scholar, Dr. Abubakr Imam Aliagan, has
warned the President Muhammadu Buhari government, the Sultanate Council and
Muslim authorities, not to shut down mosques in Nigeria over coronavirus.
Aliagan is a Professor of Islamic Studies at the University
of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
He spoke on Wednesday while reacting to the suspension of
congregational prayers at Saudi Arabia.
Saudi had on Tuesday stopped the performance of the
customary five daily prayers and the weekly Jumuat (Friday) prayer at other
worship centres excluding the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madina.
But Aliagan told PRNigeria that Nigerian Muslim males should
be allowed to observe their compulsory prayers in mosques.
He claimed that Muslims have already been endowed with a
natural immune system to fight coronavirus.
Aliagan stated that health officials advise people to wash
their hands which Muslims do five times daily before observing their obligatory
prayers.
“Again, our sisters are always adorned in Hijab, some even
use Niqab and gloves. So, we the Muslims already have a potent immune system
against coronavirus. That is to say that we don’t have any problem.
“Even in France, I learnt that those that are completely
free from contacting coronavirus are Muslim ladies and women who cover their
face, use hand gloves and don’t shake hands with people,” he said.
The cleric, who is also an Imam of a Jumuat (congregation)
Mosque, noted that the action of the Saudi Government is in line with Islamic
teachings on preventing the spread of an epidemic in any area.
He said the Holy Prophet specifically mentioned that if
there is an epidemic at a certain location, people should not go close to that
danger area or place.
“While those that are living there should not come out until
the epidemic is wiped out. The prophet, by implication is saying we should
avoid the spread of epidemics with necessary precautionary steps.”
Aliagan argued that the Saudi authorities’ directive is only
aimed at forestalling the wildfire spread of the disease.
“I don’t think the Muslim Ummah and its authorities in
Nigeria should toe the line of Saudi by banning congregational prayers in
mosques.
“The situation in our country is quite different from what
we have in the Arab world or even at some western countries. The killer scourge
easily ravages their immune system and body. However, I am still saying we
should go along with what the Prophet counselled.
“Which is that we should not take epidemics or any killer
disease for granted. We should take all necessary precautions. Any advice from
health officials should strongly be adhered to and abided by,” Dr. Aliagan
added.
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