THE Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem, has described somebody who purports to be a Muslim but is lacking awareness of the teachings of Islam as the greatest enemy of the religion.
Abdul-Hakeem, who is also the Chief Imam of the state House of Assembly, said this in a lecture he delivered at the ninth annual Iftar and Ramadan lecture at the Gbagada praying ground, Bariga Lagos, organised by the Chief Whip of state House of Assembly, Honourable Rotimi Abiru, for Muslim members of his constituency.
According to him, “anyone that claims to be a Muslim but fails to learn Islamic teachings would always be an element of chaos and instability in society as his or her character would negate what Islam preaches.”
The commissioner, speaking on the topic “Peaceful Coexistence and Harmonious Relationship: Islamic Perspective,” stated that irrespective of religions and tribes, Nigerians should learn to tolerate one another.
The cleric, relying on Chapter 10 verse 99 of the holy Qur’an, noted that if God had wanted, He would have created the world as one community.
“It is, therefore, necessary to note that you can’t force anyone to follow Islam. Inviting people to Islam, according to the teaching of holy Prophet Muhammad, should be done through showing good examples, courtesy and kindness and being at the vanguard of displaying sound character,” he said.
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