The Muslim Rights Concern has commended the recent verdict of the Upper Sharia Court of Kano for sentencing one Abduljabbar Nasiru to death for commiting blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad of Islam.
Religion Nigeria had reported that the cleric was sentenced to death by the presiding judge, Ibrahim Yola, for blasphemy.
Reacting to the development, MURIC said that the Supreme Court affirms Sharia Law on blasphemy.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chairman, MURIC Sokoto branch, Muhammad Aliyu Esq.
The statement read, “MURIC Sokoto chapter commends the Upper Sharia Court in Kano which sentenced Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara to death by hanging for his many blasphemous utterances.
“It is instructive to note that the judgement as well as the consequential orders given by the court after sentencing him to death which directed the Kano State government to seize his two mosques and ordered all media houses to desist from using any of Abduljabbar’s teachings and pictures. It is a well known principle of law that under the Shari’a, death sentence awaits anybody who insults, defames or brings disrepute to the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him). This position of law was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Kaza v. State [2008] 7 NWLR (Pt. 1085) 125, ratio 15, where it says thus: Under Sharia, any sane and adult Muslim who insults, defames or utters words or does acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium or contempt the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death. However, Islamic law has not left the killing open in the hands of private individuals. The offence alleged has to be established through evidence before a court of law.
“The people of Kano also deserve to be commended for not taking the law into their hands when the incident happened. Rather they allowed the government to take action in accordance with the teaching of Islam.
“Also in 2018, a panel of seven justices of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) categorically in the case involving an Austrian woman held that insulting Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) should be a punishable offence and would never be counted under ‘freedom of expression’. Available at: <https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2018/10/25/European-court-rules-insulting-Prophet-Mohammed-not-freedom-of-expression->.
“The life of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) was dominated by a superior morality, good habits, noble and gentle feelings and superior skills, all of which are characteristics that help prevent people from commiting sin and to serve mercy to mankind. He is a role model to the weak and the lonely, the conqueror and the victorious commander, the teacher and the student, the rich and the prosperous, the poor and the needy, the ruler and the ruled, the preacher and the mentor, the merchant and the craftsman, the employer and the employee.
“In other words, every sort of person can find truths in Prophet Muhammad’s life that constitute an example for them to follow. Therefore, attacking his personality is a criminal offence worldwide, hence, every right thinking person is expected to avoid it.
“Finally, we urge Muslims to always allow the law to take its course, whenever, an issue of such nature arises without taking the law into their hands. May the peace and blessings of Allah continue to be upon the noble prophet Muhammad (SAW).”