We don’t appreciate our Armed Forces enough – Sanusi

14th Emir of Kano and Grand Khalifat Tijaniyyah in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, has said Nigeria as a country does not appreciate its Armed Forces enough. He said the contribution of the Armed Forces to the peace and stability of the country cannot be over-emphasised, noting that without them the entire country would have […]

14th Emir of Kano and Grand Khalifat Tijaniyyah in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, has said Nigeria as a country does not appreciate its Armed Forces enough.

He said the contribution of the Armed Forces to the peace and stability of the country cannot be over-emphasised, noting that without them the entire country would have been a theatre of war.

Sanusi spoke at the Lagos Secretariat Central Mosque where he led the Juma’at Prayers as part of a programme to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The Islamic scholar also explained that Islam is not a “religion of swords” as being insinuated in some quarters, saying there is nowhere in the holy book where Muslims were asked to attack others unjustly.

At the Secretariat Mosque was the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamza and Senior Military Officers, members of the Nigerian Legion, among others.

Shortly after the two-rakat Juma’at prayers led by the Khalifat Tijaniyyah, dignitaries moved to the Secretariat Hall where a special programme was hosted by the State Ministry of Home Affairs to commemorate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Sanusi who was the Special Guest at the programme in his remarks and explanation of Qur’an 22 vs 39-40 which was recited prior to the commencement of the programme, said the concept of Jihad in Islam has been misunderstood.

He reiterated that Islam enjoins the Muslims to be just, kind and generous to non-Muslims.

He explained that the battles fought in the history of Islam were triggered by sheer persecution and previous attacks on Muslims.

He said, “Allah does not prohibit you from dealing with those who have not attacked you for your faith, who have not expelled you from your homes, Allah does not prohibit you from being kind to them and treating them justly because Allah (SWT) loves those who do justice.”

“The verse (Qur’an 22) explains the meaning of Jihad in Islam and the circumstances of war.
So for many people who claim that Islam is a religion of the sword, there is no verse of the Qur’an that tells you to attack people for nothing.

“In other words, you are permitted to defend yourself when you are attacked because when you are attacked, you are victims of injustice. And who are these people, these are people who are expelled from their homes, expelled from their families, persecuted for no reason other than saying Allah is my Lord. And this has been the story before the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and all prophets.”
Facing the military officers, he commended the Armed Forces for their devotion and sacrifice in defending the nation, saying those who died defending their nation are Martyrs.

“We like, on this day, to celebrate our Armed Forces. These are men and women who have devoted their lives in defending us…

“When we do not have Armed Forces like this, who would defend us? Our mosques would be destroyed, our churches would be destroyed, our homes would be destroyed. He who dies defending his country is a martyr. So those who died

“We like to remember all those who passed away in the wars in this country, all those who were victims of attacks by bandits and terrorists, all those who died in service. I would like to pray for those who remain in service that God gives them the wisdom, the strength and the courage to defend this country, to stand and continue to protect us.

“I always say that we do not appreciate our Armed Forces enough. These are people who are ready to die so that we can all live. We like to appreciate you Generals and other officers. We like to thank you on behalf of Nigeria and pray that God protects you and protects our country.”