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Time to return to the masjid By: Bello Hussein Adoto

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When COVID-19 came, we switched from receiving exegeses of the Qur’an and Hadith from masājid and physical gatherings of knowledge to virtual ones. We attended Facebook Live and Zoom sessions to listen to our favourite scholars. We followed their tafsirs on Mixlr, Google Meet, and Telegram.

These were supposed to be temporary solutions to the social-distancing mandate that COVID-19 imposed, but they have become a norm. It is about time we returned to the masājid to restore its beauty and secure the blessing of learning physically from scholars. 

This Ramadan is a great time to start.

Allāh says in the glorious Qur’an that “fasting “I did not create mankind and the Jinn except to worship me.” The masjid is central to this worship. We observe the congregation salat at the masjid, perform ‘Itikaf there, distribute the Zakah, and listen to explanations from our scholars.

Beyond worship, the masjid unites us as a community by bringing us together with our Muslim brothers and sisters as members of a shared community united by faith. In preserving this faith and community, we must find a way to restore the essence of our masajid, even in the age of online communities. 

Why should we return to the masjid?

Islam is not against technological innovations that would help Muslims. Indeed, we use microphones to project the adhan, telescopes to see the moon, and smartphones and other devices to spread the message of Islam beyond the masajid. Therefore, we are welcome to seek and adopt goodness from whatever source.

However, attending virtual lectures or learning at online madrasahs or Islamic institutes should complement, not substitute, listening to lectures in the masjid or learning physically at the feet of scholars. 

The masjid creates a veritable platform for teachers, scholars, and students to connect physically and leverage the elements of the surroundings, the sound, the sights, the mannerisms, and the divine blessings to achieve maximum benefit from the engagement. Besides, it is the most common place to connect as brothers and sisters and focus solely on learning and worship without distractions. 

So, how can we return to the masjid?

Start small

Returning to lectures at the masjid or taking physical classes would be challenging in the first few days. You are changing a routine, and you need time to adjust. 

So, start small. Instead of joining Twitter spaces for morning reminders, stay back for three to five minutes to listen to short tafsirs of the Qur’an and Hadith. If that is unavailable in your masjid, introduce the idea to the masjid committee. Then, you can listen to your virtual sessions on your way home.

Commit to optimizing Jum’ah sessions

The Jum’ah prayer is our weekly chance to gather in our numbers to worship Allah. Thankfully, Imams deliver khutbahs on salient issues that can provide us with a lot to ponder for the week. We can optimize our schedules to prioritise the Jum’ah sessions. 

Set out early to secure convenient spots. Those of us who sleep through khutbahs can nap before going for Jum’ah. That way, we are more likely to stay sharp till the end of the service and earn the full reward.

Leverage your local masjid

The scholars at the masjid you pray at may not compare with the exotic collection of scholars you can listen to online, but they offer a great platform to keep you grounded on your community realities. 

They speak your language, use local examples to explain Islamic concepts, and are easier to reach than the ones you listen to online. Physical sessions with these scholars and teachers also provide a social presence unmatched by virtual ones. 

The mere fact that they are live before you strengthens your connection and primes you to appreciate better the content and context of the lecture or discussion. So, start with your local masjid and see how a virtual platform can help you improve. 

Remember, the masjid offers more than learning 

Think back to the last time you were at the masjid. Perhaps you met a brother you have not seen in a while or made a new acquaintance. Whatever the case, you must have said tasleem, shook a hand or two, or even felt the warm embrace of your brother in the Deen. Such is the richness that comes with masjid, the one that strengthens our brotherliness and fetches Allah’s mercies.

We can listen to podcasts for hours and join Mixlr, Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook, or YouTube live sessions to follow our favourite scholars. Still, they cannot and should not replace our intimate experience of physical sessions. 

If anything, their many limitations – the distractions, the weaker connection between scholars and students, speakers and listeners, the transient sense of community that virtual platforms foster, and even the difficulties that come with setting up virtual sessions and following them – show that we need our masājid and our halaqah now more than ever. 

Ramadan is here. It’s time to return to the masjid. 

 

Refutation to ‘Read Your Qur’an’ By Bello Abdullah – KnowIslam Project

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Qur’an 9:32 states, “They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.”

Upon contemplation of this verse, it becomes evident that the polemics directed against Islam are nothing more than a heap of nonsense. Christian polemicists attempt to disparage Islam with their words, decrying and disdainfully representing it; however, Allah will invariably perfect His light. This paper is a response to a purported book penned by a self-proclaimed investigator of Islam, titled “Read your Qur’an” by Folarin Sunday. The author claims the book is powerful, enlightening about the Qur’an, yet a cursory perusal reveals it to be a collection of recycled arguments, lacking any advancement.

~ Bello Abdullah

Click here to download the refutation

Israel-Palestine: Remember Aaron Bushnell

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A tragic event unfolded at the Israeli embassy in Washington when 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, a member of the US Air Force, set himself on fire in what he described as an “extreme act of protest” with his last words being “Free Palestine”. He also said he would “no longer be complicit in genocide”.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 29, 000 have been killed since Israel began its genocide in Gaza last October.

In Deember, a protester used petrol to light themself on fire at the Israeli consulate in the US state of Georgia.

Before the act, Bushnell had sent emails to reporters, left-wing, and anarchist news websites, expressing his intent to protest against the alleged genocide of the Palestinian people. A video of the incident was live-streamed on Twitch, where Bushnell, dressed in military uniform, identified himself as an Air Force member.

No embassy staff members were harmed during the incident, according to a spokeswoman. The Pentagon termed the event a “tragic event.” A bomb disposal unit was deployed as a precaution due to concerns about a suspicious vehicle, but it was later declared safe.

The Atlanta Community Press Collective shared a copy of the email received from Bushnell, where he stated his decision to no longer be complicit in what he perceived as genocide. The airman, originally from San Antonio, Texas, had graduated from Air Force basic training in November 2020 and expressed a desire to transition into software engineering.

The Israel-Gaza conflict was referenced in Bushnell’s email, mentioning the events that led to the war and the casualties on both sides.

Authorities in Washington are conducting an investigation into the incident, collaborating with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Air Force did not confirm details of Bushnell’s service, citing family notification policies, but military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported his rank as senior airman.

Israeli genocide in Palestine has received wide condemnation but bodies like the United Nations seem toothless.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

Place Your Hand On Your Head – The Iseselization Of Islam and Christianity By Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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While those who criticize ‘imported’ religions claim that Africans, unlike most parts of the world, embraced and practice these ‘imported’ religions more than those who brought them, I have always asserted that Africans, unlike the rest of the world, embraced these religions and largely practice them by blending them with their own cultural practices.

By imported religion, they mean Islam and Christianity. However, when we study the history of these religions, we find that they were present in Africa before reaching Europe. However, that is not our focus in this article. Here, we will concentrate on daily occurrences that exemplify how Africans blend the so-called foreign religions with their culture.

In churches, especially Christ Apostolic Churches and the White Garment ones, it is not unusual to see a Pastor or ‘Man of God’ asking the congregation to place their hands on their heads while praying, ‘Ori mi gbemi debi’re,’ ‘Ori mi ma gbabode,’ ‘Ori mi je kin lowo,’ which some wrongly understand as ‘my head, take me to a place of success,’ ‘my head, don’t betray me,’ ‘my head, I wish for money.’ Even Alfas, Mallam, and Shehus are guilty of this.

‘Ori,’ which many take for head here, does not refer to the literal head; rather, we could loosely translate it as one’s guardian angel, a private orisha which one must worship and act in conformity with, and when things go left, an individual may be asked to appease it.

Now, one begins to wonder what the nexus is between Christianity or Islam with either ori as a deity or holding one’s head to pray. This has no root in their Bible or the Qur’an but is influenced by Yoruba Traditional beliefs and practices infused into Islam and Christianity.

As a Christian or Muslim, this is something to think about. When you identify as a Muslim or Christian and do this, it is just Syncretism at play.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

Urgent Request To Save Brother Raji from Hepatitis B – KnowIslam Project

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As salaam alaykum warahmatuLlahi,

Brother Raji Isiaka is in a critical condition due to Hepatitis B complications and urgently needs our assistance. He has undergone numerous tests, including the vital viral load and liver function Tests that cost #64, 000 naira.

 

The test aside, the hospital has said he needs to purchase drugs worth 15, 000 naira monthly to manage the Hepatitis B, we plan to cover six month worth of the drugs. With the test, treatment and drugs, the hospital is requesting for the sum of #500, 000 naira which according to the doctor is a matter of urgency to save his life.

Kindly make donations to 0113094562 UNION BANK KnowIslam Project Union Bank of Nigeria.

For more information:
Ameenah: +44 7424 486645

Mallam Ajisafe: +234 808 386 6414

Hafsah Ibrahim: +2349021800574

Raji Isiaka: 07030996525

Dr Emmanuel: 08033493110

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman: +234 701 577 9491

Palestine and a Valentine of Murder By Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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The world celebrated Valentine’s Day yesterday, a day dedicated to love and compassion. However, amidst the expressions of love, a stark contrast persists in Gaza, where the people, especially at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, are grappling with a humanitarian crisis that has gone largely unnoticed. The Israeli military’s intensified ground operations and siege have brought the medical facility to the brink, leaving thousands in a state of despair.

Catastrophic Conditions at Nasser Hospital: Nasser Hospital, once the largest functioning medical facility in the Gaza Strip, is now a symbol of the immense challenges faced by the Palestinian people. As of the end of January, the hospital has been under siege, with shortages of crucial resources such as fuel, anesthesia, and medical supplies. The situation inside is nothing short of catastrophic, as described by Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry.

Israeli Military Obstructs Access: The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the Israeli military, which is preventing ambulances and sick individuals from reaching the hospital. The toll of over four months of conflict has resulted in nearly 29,000 deaths and over 67,000 injuries in Gaza, with the majority being civilians. The siege on Nasser Hospital only adds to the suffering, hindering the hospital’s ability to provide essential care to those in need.

Desperate Pleas for Intervention: The desperate plea for international intervention is evident in the words of healthcare professionals and patients alike. Dr. Hatem Rabaa, an emergency room physician, describes the dire situation of waste disposal within the hospital, posing unprecedented health hazards. The inability to bury deceased patients outside the hospital has forced families to dig mass graves within the compound.

Patients Bear the Brunt: The impact of the Israeli siege is acutely felt by patients like Ali al-Akhras, who, despite surviving Israeli bombings, is now facing the prospect of death due to the deprivation of medications and proper medical care. The hospital’s encirclement by Israeli forces has not only disrupted medical treatments but also jeopardized the lives of patients who are unable to receive the care they desperately need.

Ahmed Abu Zariaan, 5, whose face has been disfigured is one of a growing number of children in the war-torn enclave to be registered as “unknown”, or under the acronym WCNSF – “wounded child, no surviving family”.

Ahmed’s family was wiped out in an Israeli air raid as they travelled southwards along Salah al-Din Street, a route Israel designated for safe passage from northern Gaza, in early November.

The Israeli army is preparing a ground invasion of Rafah, a designated “safe zone“, that has become the last refuge for displaced Palestinians.

People are now fleeing Rafah to avoid the military operation and to escape Israel’s ramped-up bombardment of the area, which kills dozens each day.

This raises the question posed by the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, who said: “Where will the civilians go? There is absolutely no safe place in Rafah anymore.”

Israeli forces are also engaged in military operations in central and northern Gaza, so any mass movement further north would be wrought with danger.

Palestinians in Israel’s designated “safe zones”, such as Salah al-Din Street, have been bombed, executed, forcibly disappeared, tortured and humiliated throughout the war.

International Response and Allegations: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that none of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are fully functional anymore, and attacks on healthcare have been alarmingly frequent. Israel claims that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, an allegation that human rights groups demand to be investigated as potential war crimes. The situation in Gaza, including the siege on Nasser Hospital, has drawn widespread condemnation.

Despite international criticism of Israel, they continue to murder Palestinians. Israel “must listen to its friends and the international community” that civilians cannot be made to “pay the price of defeating Hamas”, leaders of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada say.

As it turns out, the international community and friends of Israel can only act when they want to stop an African President or the Middle East.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

THERE IS MORE! (Ahmad Did-That) By Ahmad Holderness

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Guess who knocked on my door this morning?

Two female preachers bringing me the word of God.

Haa. I became excited.

Nostalgia.

I’ve missed those Jehovah’s witnesses knocking on my door on Saturday mornings in Lagos.

The preachers wanted to tell me God loved us.

They asked me about God’s plan and if I’m aware that there is an end to suffering.

Hahahah. I laughed.

This is not going to be a religious conversation. Its going to be all about logic and semantics. If only they knew who they were about to have a discourse with.

I told them there is no end. There is only a reckoning.

They agreed.

Then one explored my concept of reckoning.

I answered, you are judged for your actions and either get damned or get blissed.

She disagreed.

She said God is not wicked. That the concept of God’s damnation is in conflict with his love. That we are God’s children.

My daughter chose to rear her head at that moment.

Would you punish your daughter for eternity if she sinned? She asked.

I said No. But I’m not God, and God is not my father.

Then I asked, what if her child was Hitler?

…………………….. she smiled.

She started to realize it was going to be a long morning.

Would you love him after all he’d done?

She sidetracked. I’ll dissociate myself from him.

I accepted the answer.

This allowed her to further her point. You know, God Can’t punish us for eternity because there is Satan and other distractions that sway us from His ways.

I asked, is Satan eternally damned? She says yes.

Did God create Satan? She said yes.

Is God Satan’s father?

She saw where I was going.

So if a man is aware of God and Satan through the scripture and a man firmly chooses the way of Satan, shouldn’t he be treated like Satan?

She saw the logic.

Then she chipped in, but we inherited Adam and Eve’s Sins.

I said how and why? And if that’s the case, why haven’t we inherited Adam and Eve’s way and be the same like them. If we inherited their sins, why didn’t we inherit their faith?

Another wall.

But punishing someone for eternity is wickedness, she chipped and God is not wicked.

You’re starting to sound like an atheist. I said.

No, my bible says God is love.

I say yes, I believe that. I just also believe that God is more.

There is action and consequences. And there is precedence. Satan’s crime was pride.

So if you were on the road driving a car and oversped by a little, your punishment is different from if you oversped dangerously and at court, if you were remorseful, that’ll be factored, and if there were extenuating circumstances, that would be factored, and you if you stole a car and then were drunk driving and then killed people and were not remorseful, that would be something deserving of life imprisonment.

She agreed.

So your body is eternally damned for commiting a crime of the body.

So your soul can be damned in the same way after your body dies, if you had the same pride that Satan had in terms of following God’s commandment.

She agreed.

The morning wasn’t too cold, but I could sense they needed to exit. I could do this for three days in a row before I drink a glass of water. Lol.

We just wanted to share God’s love.

Thank you. I already know about it, I’m only telling you there is more to it.

We also wanted to let you know there is an end to this suffering, like hunger and pain etc.

God has provided all we need as humans. Air, water, shelter. The amount of food wasted can feed millions of hungry people. And pain is a response.

So again, God will use all we do as evidences against us, to determine if we deserve His love and mercy and for how long. Perhaps, this is what is meant by God creating us in His Image. (I thought, a reflection should mimic the body in front of a mirror. Life is the mirror. How would you feel if you raised your right hand and your mirror image refuses?)

Anyways, we just wanted to tell you what the Bible says.

Thank you, but as you can see, I’ve not disputed many things you’ve said. I’ve only asked what if there is more?

More like?

Like the Qur’an.

It was then it dawned on them, I was a Muslim.

I saw a shift in their body language.

We only know the Bible and it is enough for us.

Perhaps, but what if God out of his love for you has led you to my door to learn about the Qur’an.

They laughed.

It’s clear that I know more about the bible than you know about the Qur’an.

They agreed.

So why not find out if there is more to God’s word and love, it doesn’t mean you need to be a Muslim. But you’ll certainly be more enlightened.

But the bible is sufficient for us.

Perhaps, but how can you come to that conclusion when you’ve not read the Qur’an?

One said, when you work in CBN, they teach you about real and fake Naira.

Haaa. Perfect.

Imagine that person believing Naira is the greatest money, until they hear about Dollar and Pounds. Imagine the person then exchange their original Naira for fake Dollars? That’s how you are, when you bring your message of Love to me. It is an exchange. You think your Naira is original, and want me to give you my 1 pound for 1 Naira . You and I both know that can’t work.

Phew. Which kain man be this!

Let’s look at it from another angle. If you wanted to do a cesarean section now, and I offer you a doctor using 18th century medical syllabus and another using 21st Century syllabus, which would you choose?

21st century.

Then you can imagine the disservice you’ll do to yourself if you’re not aware of the 21st century syllabus? And note, there is no compulsion in even using the 21st century syllabus.

Well, the one who talked the most said, all I know is what the bible says.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3, 15-17.

I say, you see how the Lord works in mysterious ways! He has inspired you to actually listen to what I have to tell you.

It says ‘All scripture’. Not, ‘This scripture’.

Phew. She realized I was right.

Tor. Odabo. Till we meet again. What your name please.

Ahmad.

S A N D A L I L I By Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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There are popular rhymes and songs that many Nigerians have sung for ages, but the lyrics distort the original words. Some recognize this distortion after decades, while others may never realize it. These songs are learned in schools, social gatherings, religious houses, etc.

From “Sandalili,” meaning “Standard Living,” to “Jangolova epo motor,” which is “jingle over like a motor,” to “osingo singo praise the Lord,” actually “O sing my soul and praise the Lord,” and even “Old MacDonald had a farm iya iya o,” which should be “E I E I O,” among many others.

This isn’t specific to Nigeria alone; it happens when information travels from place to place. This phenomenon explains why fables have different versions across various countries and continents; tortoise stories and Cinderella are examples. The distortion and corruption of original works underline the need for methods of preserving literature and ideas in their original form for ages.

Criticism of the religion of Islam often centers on Muslims performing their daily Salah in Arabic, reciting the Qur’an in Arabic, and new converts needing to learn how to read the Qur’an in Arabic. It’s noteworthy that while Muslims are encouraged to learn to read the Qur’an in Arabic, selected verses have been translated into 114 languages, and the entire book has been translated into 47 languages, and possibly more. The Qur’an is the most preserved book globally, the only one that has gone for over a millennium without additions, insertions, or editing, remaining in its original state.

Many who have read William Shakespeare’s works written between 1589 and 1613 haven’t read the original works. Even though they were originally written in English, the modern English renditions may miss out on some details present in the original works.

Examining the Bible and Christianity, there are several versions of the Bible that impact the average Christian’s understanding of their religion. Translations like NIV, RSV, and NWT of Acts 3:13 and Acts 3:26 refer to Jesus as a servant, while other versions like KJV call him a son. The translation of John 1:1 also varies between versions, with NWT asserting “the Word was a god.” This debate revolves around translating Greek words, “Hotheos and Tontheos,” and becomes more intricate when these words are translated differently in other passages.

Isaiah 7:14, with the Hebrew word עַלְמָה‎ ‘almāh meaning “young woman of childbearing age,” was translated as παρθένος parthenos, meaning “virgin” in the Koine Greek Septuagint. This translation was then used in the gospel of Matthew as a messianic prophecy of the Virgin birth of Jesus. Different Bible translations read “virgin” or “young woman,” impacting the interpretation of the prophecy.

Today, the Qur’an has been translated into several languages, yet all Muslims and non-Muslims have access to the original text. Islam and Muslims deserve respect, not criticism, for adopting a method that preserves the original text. Works before and after Islam have undergone distortions and corruption, but no book has remained as intact as the Qur’an for a millennium.

Muslims know Allah is Allah, and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is Muhammad, unlike those who call Jesus a name he wasn’t called in his lifetime. Had we followed the same path, Muhammad would be called Mohamet.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

Is Suicide Immoral, Ungodly or Both? By Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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A few days ago, a bank staff committed suicide, having written a note that says economic hardship is a contributing factor to her act. As usual, people reacted with the popular view, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” When people commit suicide, people are quick to say how suicide is not a solution, which may not always be the case. How true?

As it turns out, not all problems are temporary. Problems like incurable diseases are permanent, shame and loss of dignity can be permanent. Hence, suicide could be a permanent solution to a permanent problem. Logically speaking, by suicide, you are only making quick a reality that will dawn on you later. Some say suicide is cowardice, but what bravery can be more than making your quietus with a bare bodkin, a poisonous substance, a thrust in your own gut, a bullet in your own head, or break your own neck dangling from the noose? Herodotus wrote:

“When life is so burdensome, death has become for man a sought-after refuge.” Schopenhauer affirmed: “They tell us that suicide is the greatest act of cowardice… that suicide is wrong; when it is quite obvious that there is nothing in the world to which every man has a more unassailable title than to his own life and person.

The moral correctness has been a subject of debate for centuries with some arguing for and others against suicide. Immanuel Kant, a proponent of categorical moral reasoning, strongly asserts that humans should never be treated as mere means to an end. For instance, enslaving individuals for pyramid construction is deemed unacceptable, as human life is considered sacred and deserving of respect. Kant argues that taking one’s own life, in a similar vein, equates to using oneself as a means to an end, violating the principle that humans are ends in themselves. Thus, a man cannot take his own life as a means to end his own pain.

There are two main reasons why Suicide is seen as wrong:

– The afterlife: In religions like Islam and Christianity, suicide is forbidden. Islam states emphatically that those who take their own lives will be in hell. So, why go from a temporary pain to a perpetual pain? This reflects the soliloquy of Hamlet when he pondered over whether to be patient with the troubles of this world or end it quickly? What then if we end our lives we think we’ll sleep forever but alas! In that sleep, there could be a dream, maybe bad dreams. So, the fear of something after death makes us cowards. If there is no life after death, how many of us will actually deal with troubles of this life? The heartaches and the thousand natural shocks, the pangs of deprived love, the law’s delay, the proud man’s contumely, the injustice, etc…

The fear of death prevents many from committing suicide. How shall we run from ills we know to those we know not of?

-The Worth of a Human life: Other than life after death, another reason is the regard for human life which is still linked to why suicide is forbidden in religion. Pico Dela Mirandola wrote an oration on the dignity of man citing that man’s autonomous nature makes him special. The same thing has been said by Immanuel Kant and is the fundamental basis of the law that says no one has the liberty to take the life of another. This is because human life is sacred, human is autonomous, he is different from other creatures. So, you can’t take this magnanimous life and that life includes your own. We might call it yours, we do not give you a right to disrespect it. It is sacred, violating it by ending it is the same as violating another life. This perspective corroborates with Qur’an 5:32 that says, “whoever saves a life is as if he has saved it and whoever kills a life unjustly is as if he has killed the whole of mankind”.

Suicide would be logically consistent only in a world where there is no God. Outside of religion, arguments against religion will always end in a paradox or approve utilitarian perspectives where the human becomes a commodity.

Life is short, but life’s tragedy could make it appear longer than it is. The journey yonder is a reality of its own. Shall we run from ephemeral pain to a perpetual state of lamentation? What if one thinks death is the end only to discover that death is actually the beginning of an end?

Your life is not yours to end; you’ll account to God who gave you Life.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

TB JOSHUA: Another Charlatan like Grigori Rasputin By Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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The BBC released a three-part documentary about TB Joshua titled, “Man of God? Or Predatory Cult Leader?”. The groundbreaking investigation is a chronicle of rape, abuse, torture, forced abortions, and fake miracles performed by TB Joshua. Sadly, people continue to fall prey.

On November 19, 1978, Jim Jones of the People’s Temple led 918 of his followers to commit mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. The poison was prepared, and all 918 were made to drink from it! Imagine!

We have seen videos of people drinking fuel, eating grass in churches, being conned and impregnated by Shehus in Ibadan… Pastors and some Alfas have more authority over someone’s wife they didn’t pay the bride price for… A full-grown man saying, “Yes, daddy, yes, daddy” to a man that’s not more than 10 years older than him!

If you won’t use this brain, why not just deposit it in a museum? If what will save you from being slaves to ‘men of God’ is believing every man is an ordinary man, so be it. His nakedness is as yours, organs the same. Birthed as you were birthed, eats just like you, and even sleeps and will die.

It is on the premise of this mental slavery in guise of religion that some would agree with the notion that religion is the opium of the masses.

If a Christian is not licking the shoes of a Pastor in the Church, one Muslim is somewhere waiting for the morphing of his Sheikh in the clouds or bows to apparitions. In the name of God, people subject themselves to beating and humiliation.

Sadly, there are those who continue to pray for and idolize TB Joshua despite the documentary and evidence bringing to mind that deceiving people may be easier than setting them free.

Despite the several numbers of Miracle-working ‘Men of God’ in Nigeria, Yinka Ayefele is still in a wheelchair, and Mr. Ibu’s leg has been amputated. Yet you believe these charlatans! Their miracles only work for those we do not know.

Miracles happen, and only God does miracles. When someone begins to advertise miracles, asking you to come for miracles, you have only been invited to a circus, and you will be a part of the cast.

Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman

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