Explaining his interpretation of the Quranic verse, the cleric said those who engage in armed violence against innocent citizens are regarded in Islam as waging war against Allah and His Messenger.

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr. Ridwan Jamiu, has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to adopt the Quranic punishment for terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and armed robbers, urging authorities to execute those convicted of killing innocent people while carrying out their crimes.

The Islamic cleric made the appeal during his Friday sermon, where he cited Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 33 of the Holy Quran as the basis for his position.

According to him, individuals who take up arms, spread terror and unlawfully kill innocent people should face the death penalty after being apprehended and found responsible for such crimes.

"Anyone who is a bandit, a terrorist, an armed robber, or a kidnapper, anyone who commits treason and seeks to spread chaos—once they are apprehended, if their crime involved killing innocent people, if they carried weapons and killed people unjustly, then they should also be put to death. This is in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 33," Imam Jamiu said.

Explaining his interpretation of the Quranic verse, the cleric said those who engage in armed violence against innocent citizens are regarded in Islam as waging war against Allah and His Messenger.

"God says that everyone who wages war against Allah and His Messenger—those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger are those who join armed groups, carry weapons, and use them to spread terror. In Islam, by doing that, you are considered to be fighting against Allah and His Messenger.

"You are causing corruption. God says that when such people are captured, there are four prescribed punishments. Whoever does this should be executed. Or they should be crucified after being killed. Or their right hands and left feet should be cut off (opposite limbs amputated). Or they should be banished from the land—sent away or imprisoned in exile. That is what the scholars have explained."

The cleric further stated that, according to his interpretation of the Quran, the punishment should depend on the nature of the crime committed.

"Anyone who is a bandit, a terrorist, an armed robber, or a kidnapper, anyone who commits treason and spreads terror—if, after being captured, it is established that they killed innocent people while armed, then they should be executed. That is, if they killed people and also seized people's property."

He continued, "They should be put to death. If they are to be crucified, they should remain on the cross until they die, after which they may be taken down for burial according to their religion."

Speaking further, Imam Jamiu said those who only stole property without killing anyone should receive a different punishment.

"If all they did was steal property without killing anyone—if they only committed robbery—then when they are captured, their right hand and left foot should be amputated. That is the punishment for them."

He added that individuals apprehended while carrying weapons and spreading fear, but who neither killed anyone nor stole property, should be imprisoned.

"If they neither killed anyone nor stole anyone's property, but they were caught while spreading terror and carrying weapons, then they should be banished from the land and imprisoned.

"That is what the Quran says.

"These are the punishments prescribed in Islam for anyone who is a terrorist or a bandit. Islam is not a religion of terrorism. It is a religion of peace."

Addressing the Nigerian government, the Chief Imam urged authorities to implement what he described as the Quranic solution to the country's worsening insecurity.

"I appeal to our government: adopt this ruling from the Holy Quran and implement it in our country, Nigeria. All the problems we keep complaining about — you will see them disappear. There will be no more fear. God has already provided solutions for every problem we face; it is we who ignore them."

He reiterated his appeal, saying, "I plead with our government: take this ruling from the Holy Quran and apply it in Nigeria, then see what happens. We will have peace.

"This is what we see that God has ordained for us. God desires peace and tranquility among us."
 

 Source: SaharaReporters