Allah says:
O you who believe! Take not for Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) those who take your religion for mockery and fun from among those who received the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before you, nor from among the disbelievers, and fear Allah if you indeed are true believers.
And when you proclaim the call for As-Salat [call for the prayer (Adhan)], they take it (but) as a mockery and fun; that is because they are people who understand not. (Q:57:58)
Introduction
Incontrovertibly, Muslims in Yorubaland need to be up to the task. If the hypocrites want to flatter us, they would say, Yorùbá Muslims are very welcoming and hospitable. When we check it very well, most times it’s all lies, deceptions, and more pathetically, hypocrisy—sitting on the fence. I don’t understand why we would subject imamship in Yorubaland to the ratification or endorsement of the traditional king. This is a decision that should be taken by the Council of the Ulamā. The incessant interpolation of these traditional rulers with Islamic affairs is disgusting, sincerely. On what grounds would a traditional ruler be the one to endorse an imam? This is the reason why some of these people are just misbehaving. Let me cite three cases of this issue:
Ogbomoso Town: We are aware of the frustration they are giving the Grand Imam of Ogbomoso Land, Dr. Teliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara II. Just a few days ago, the Imam came back from Hajj, and ‘all’ the entire Muslim community trooped out to welcome their dear Imam. Lo and behold, the King of Ogbomoso Town, Oba Ghandi, served the Grand Imam—I mean, the Leader of the Muslims—in the entire nook and cranny of Ogbomoso with a Query Letter. Why? I learned the query says the Imam traveled to Hajj without seeking the approval of the king before going. How does this sound to you? Funny right? That’s the same way it sounded funny to me, too. Furthermore, they also reported that the query letter says that the Imam also gave religious titles to some people without the consent of the king. How does it sound to you again? Is it not funny, Ni? It’s hilariously ridiculous, sincerely. Now, on the issue of Hajj, it is just like saying the Imam should get approval from the king five times a day before praying that Salat or before the commencement of Ramadan. As funny as this issue sounds, there’s fire on the mountain for Muslims in Yorubaland. Secondly, the religious titles ‘they’ said the Imam gave people—these are matters of the Muslim community—are of no concern to the Palace! Even if the Imam would inform the king, it’s just simple courtesy, but issuing a query letter in that regard is highly ridiculous. It is an aberration for the entire Muslim community. The entire Muslim community in the Southwest must kick against this sinister agenda and development. If care is not taken, _Pa sàn tí afi na Iya’lé nbẹ lórí aja fún Ìyàwó_ (What goes around, comes around). Pardon my translation.
Oyo Town: This is another pathetic saga. There’s a similar case in Oyo town. For over two years since Àlàáfín Ọba Lamidi returned to his Lord, they have not sorted out the issue of who becomes the Imam. Do you know why? Because they have not chosen the new Àlàáfín, and whoever becomes the Àlàáfín must endorse the Imam. For Allah’s sake, who did this to us in Yorubaland? Why do we have to tie the affairs of the Muslims to who becomes king? Aberration!
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Agbowa Town (Lagos State): Something around 11 or 12 years ago, I followed one of my senior brothers in MSSN Lagos State Area Council to Agbowa town for Ileya. This was because I did not travel to my hometown, Ìjẹ̀bú Isiwo. On Eid day, the Eid praying ground of the town was just opposite the Eid praying of Ansarudeen, I guess. We were opposite each other. As if that were not enough, we had already finished praying Eid when Balogun entered with his entourage. The Imam instructed the members to stand up and pray another Salatul Eid for Balogunt as a mark of honor for him. It’s funny, abi?
This is where we are in Yorubaland; we need to stand up to the task. We should shun the habit of sitting on the fence. Yoruba Muslims are liberal kini kan kini kan, _na hypocrisy dey der_ (It’s all hypocrisy).
Conclusion
The current practice, where traditional kings and rulers ratify Imams, undermines the authority of the leaders of the Muslim community. Without a doubt, there is a need for Yoruba Muslims to separate religious authority from traditional political authority. The interference and influence of the traditional rulers on Islamic affairs is an aberration that needs to stop!
May Allah forgive our excesses and unite the Muslim Ummah.
Mustapha Ridwan O.
