The Katsina State Shari’a Commission has urged residents to conduct themselves in peaceful manner to elect candidates of their choice without violence or harassment.
The Chairman of the commission, who is also the state’s Grand Khadi, Dr Muhammad Abubakar, made the call on Wednesday in Katsina at a news conference.
Abubakar said in Islamic perspectives, elections and electoral process were meant to give citizens right and allow them to exercise their civic duties in electing leaders and representatives of their choice.
He said they were therefore bound to ensure that they exercise such rights and choices in a peaceful manner.
The chairman referred to the saying of Allah in the Qur’an, Chapter 2, verse 195: “…..And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good”.
He further said that Islam is totally against violence, transgression, hooliganism, thuggery and any activity aimed to intimidate, harass or cause public nuisance.
Abubakar added that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be opun him) said: “It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his brother Muslim in contempt.
“All things of Muslims are inviolable for his brother Muslim: his blood, his property and his honour”.
He explained that political parties, politicians and voters were bound by the Electoral Laws, the Rules and Regulations governing the elections and the Security Challenges Containment Order signed by the governor.
This, he said, is in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction contained in Chapter 4 verse 59: “O you who believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority.
“And the Prophetic tradition which said: “It is obligatory upon a Muslim to listen to the ruler and obey whether he likes it or not, except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing”.
The chairman also said that Islam does not encouraged people to take laws into their hands, no matter how they were aggrieved.
“O you who believed! Stand out firmly for Allah, witnesses in justice, and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do”, he quoted Qur’an Chapter 5 verse 8.
The chairman further directed all members of Da’awah Committee throughout the state to intensify efforts in sensitising the public to be disciplined and law abiding during the general elections.
”Bear in mind that everyone is answerable to the the Almighty Allah on whatever he does,” he said. (NAN)
