Prof Abdufatah Speaks on the Importance of Unity of the Ummah
Dauda Nalado reports-The Afternoon session of the unity week schedule featured a speech on
Importance of Unity by a professor of Islamic jurisprudence and sociology from University of
Maiduguri in the person of Abdulfatah A. Olayiwola.
He deliberated on the need for unity in Muslim Ummah. He recalled that he had once visited
Sayyeed Zakzaky (H) as far back as 1992 to discuss on the issue of unity among Muslims. The
presentation was done in English.
The speaker, however, made a brief Hausa summary afterwards. In his introductory notes,
Professor Abdulfatah tried to explore the definition of Islam. He stressed the fact that unity in
Islam is an obligation. He backed this by verses of the Qur’an and some prophetic traditions. He
noted that people amplify trivial issues to cause disunity. The basic tenets of Islam are common
to all schools of thought. The differences, which are minor, are magnified, he re-emphasized.
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Prof Abdufatah Speaks on the Importance of Unity of the Ummah
He identified both internal and external sources of disunity. The internal ones, he said, are as a
result of selfish interests and ignorance. The external ones, which affect not only Nigeria but
other countries in the Muslim World, are being perpetrated by Europeans. Unfortunately some
insiders help them in this direction. Discussing on the consequences of Disunity, the Prof noted
that they could be grave and would continue to multiply if not checked. He then explained some
political, social, economic and religious consequences of disunity. Prof Abdulfatah mentioned
manifestations of disunity which, among other things, include absence of a single recognized
leadership; takfir (mutual accusations of kufr- infidelity); differing times of holding religious
activities; proliferation of unnecessarily multiple mosques; tribal stigmatization; proliferation of
associations and finally introduction of discord into new areas that need to be exposed to Islam.
After his analysis, the Professor suggested the following as the way out: Central independent
and non sectarian strategic planning body to address unity issues should be established.
Similar centers should also be established at the state and local levels. Traditional institutional
roles and titles should be re-Islamized. More tolerance needs to be exercised among Muslims of
various inclinations. Scholars and followers should exhibit maturity in correcting errors. Muslims
should leave any ambiguous issues for God to judge in the hereafter. Due to time constraint, the
usual remarks of Sayyeed Zakzaky were postponed. Maghrib and Isha’ prayers were
conducted.
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Prof Abdufatah Speaks on the Importance of Unity of the Ummah
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