The Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission has demanded Sheikh Idris Abdul’aziz Dutsen Tanshi, a popular Islamic cleric in the state to appear before it over comments against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during one of his Ramadan Tafseer presentations which are interpreted by a section of Muslims “blasphemous.”
Sheikh Abdul-Aziz is a leading Imam of the Dutsen Tanshi Juma’at mosque in Bauchi metropolis where he presents annual Quranic programs during the month of Ramadan.
In Islam, it is usually blasphemous for anyone to engage in acts or utterances that can subvert the personality of the Prophet Muhammad.
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An invitation letter signed by Ibrahim Musa Yisin, the Chairman of the commission addressed to the cleric on Thursday, demanded the cleric’s presence for an interactive session to clarify his alleged utterances that was characterized as “indecent.”
Sheikh Abdul-Aziz, during one of his Ramadan Tafsir presentations, told his congregation to hold on to the doctrine of monotheism and demand assistance for protection only from ‘One God’ and not from any saint including the “Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”
His position, however, sparked wild reactions especially in Islamic avenues and on social media platforms with several critics describing the utterances as “blasphemous” against the Noble Prophet.
“Anyone that needs one that can help him, let him hold on to Allah because he is the Protector and the best of Protectors. We don’t want the assistance of Nyaas, we don’t want the assistance of Tijjani, we don’t want the assistance of Abdulkadir, we don’t want the assistance of Shehu Usman (Danfodio). In fact, we don’t want assistance from the Prophet of Allah (SAW); we only want Allah’s assistance,” the cleric had said.
“The Prophet (himself) said that if you are seeking assistance, seek from Allah, if you are seeking for protection, seek from Allah,” he added.
Following the intense reactions from the Islamic camps, the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission summoned Sheikh Abdul-Aziz to appear before it on Saturday, April 8, for clarification of his utterances.
The statement dated April 6 read: “I am under instruction to formally write and invite you to an interactive session (Munakasha) for clarification over your utterances made during Ramadan Tafsir in which you said ‘Kai! Na Manzon Allahn ma ba mu son taimakonsa karewanta kenan.
“Your kind response will go a long way to de-generating the ongoing tension among the public for the peaceful coexistence among the Islamic religion faithful.”
The cleric’s utterances came barely four months after the Upper Sharia Court sentenced the Kano-based Islamic cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, to death by hanging after he was found guilty of a four-count charge that borders on indecent comments against the Prophet (SAW).
