Killing of innocent people with no just cause is against the teaching of Islam, an Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Salah Al-Budair, has said.
He blamed the growing trend of indiscriminate killings across the world on extremist elements who are bent on forcing unwholesome innovations down the throat of the Muslim world.
Sheikh Al-Budair spoke through an interpreter when he received a 250 member delegation from 10 African countries including Nigeria in Madina on Umrah (lesser hajj) under the auspices of the Saudi Arabia government.
"Bid’ah (innovation in religion) is a great affliction on the land. It causes transgression and killing of people in the land," he said.
The Imam said deviant groups over the centuries have been responsible for the shedding of innocent blood which are not part of the teaching of Islam.
He warned Muslim scholars against making hasty pronouncements but to be patient with one another and spread the message of love and unity.
Sheikh Al-Budair said: "It’s our responsibility to spread the true word of God. Do not be quick in giving fatwa (religious verdict) but exercise restraint in managing your differences of opinions. Such differences shouldn’t be vehicle for the spread of hatred and disunity among the people."
The countries with delegation in the Umrah program which is been overseen by the Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Islamic Affairs include Nigeria, Cameroon, Mauritania, Ghana and Mali.
Others are Tanzania, Congo, Niger and Benin Republic.
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