Emulate Prophet Muhammad, show love to Christians at Christmas, Shiite cleric counsels Muslims

A Shiite Islamic cleric and Secretary-General of Rasulul-A’Azam Foundation (RAAF) in Nigeria, Sheikh Sale Sani-Zaria has called on Muslim faithful to join Christians in celebrating Christmas to foster peace, unity and progress in the country.

Sheikh Sani-Zaria who spoke during the foundation’s celebration of this year’s annual Maulud of Prophet Muhammad in Gombe, said, “saying congratulations to the followers of Christianity is not prohibited in Islam according to our understanding”.

He called on Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammad by accommodating Christians and live in peace with them saying, “We are calling on Muslim to emulate Prophet Muhammad who accommodated the Christian clergies and permitted them to perform their religious duty within his Mosque”.

According to him, “Giving them gifts or accepting their gifts and being happy with them are all acceptable in Islam. Even in simplifying living condition in the society for bringing more peace among the people, it’s good to celebrate”.

Sani-Zaria called on all people to unite and look at followers of other religions as their own brothers and sisters saying, “ Christmas day is for celebrating the birth day of prophet Isa ‘Jesus’ hence the need for Muslim to celebrate together to show love to one another as was done by the Prophet Muhammad”.

Founder of the foundation, Sheikh Muhammad Nur-Dass, urged Muslims to also emulate the practice of Prophet Muhammad in their daily activities for more rewards and blessings from God.

He said if any person stays on the right path, his life would be beneficial in this world and hereafter as well as rewarded with paradise. He added that, there is need for people to control themselves so as not to be misled by the devil.

He advised Muslims to shun corruption and evil in whatever form having in mind that they must give account before God.

Also speaking at the occasion, Malam Bashir Lawal, called on clerics to always preach the truth to their followers and make them understand the right directions and to have peace and unity in the society.

“Islam is very simple and straight forward as whatever you do, you must account for it in the Day of Judgment. You have nothing to fear if you emulate the practice of Prophet Muhammad”, he said.