By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The tragic murder of Miss Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, allegedly at the hands of an Islamic cleric, Alfa AbdulRahman Mohd Bello, has once again brought to the fore the urgent need to regulate the activities of self-styled religious leaders. This heinous act is not only a crime against humanity but also a betrayal of the principles of Islam, which upholds justice, peace, and lawful conduct.
Islamic scholarship is a noble calling, one that is meant to guide society toward moral and spiritual enlightenment. The Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188) explicitly warns against acquiring wealth through unjust means, stating:
“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].”
Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 5027)
From these teachings, it is evident that the primary roles of Islamic scholars should be confined to education, leadership in worship, and religious guidance. Unfortunately, some individuals posing as clerics exploit their religious status to engage in fraudulent activities such as soothsaying (Jalabi), ritual killings, and deceitful money-making schemes.
Islamic Clerics Must Earn a Lawful Living
In many Muslim communities across Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, Islamic scholars sustain themselves through legitimate means. In South Africa, for instance, scholars work as educators, lecturers, Imams, and administrators in Islamic institutions, earning salaries like their counterparts in secular fields. The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) of South Africa ensures that Imams and religious leaders receive proper training and employment, preventing them from resorting to illegal activities.
Similarly, in Egypt, Al-Azhar University—a globally respected Islamic institution—produces scholars who contribute meaningfully to society as teachers, authors, and legal consultants. This structured approach prevents clerics from engaging in unlawful activities to sustain themselves.
Regulating the Role of Islamic Clerics in Nigeria
To prevent the rise of fraudulent and criminal acts disguised under the banner of religion, Nigerian authorities, in collaboration with respected Islamic organizations, must establish a regulatory framework that:
1. Defines the roles of Islamic clerics – Scholars should either work as teachers, Imams, or legal consultants on Islamic jurisprudence.
2. Provides financial support for Imams – Just as teachers receive salaries, Imams appointed to lead congregations and conduct religious ceremonies (such as naming ceremonies and burials) should be paid by recognized Islamic bodies.
3. Prohibits soothsaying and fraudulent spiritual activities – Any individual claiming to be an Alfa but engaging in fortune-telling, ritual practices, or other deceptive means should face legal consequences.
4. Enforces stricter penalties for religious crimes – Those caught using religion as a front for criminal activities, such as ritual killings, abductions, and financial scams, should be prosecuted and punished according to the law.
Islam does not condone unlawful means of livelihood, nor does it tolerate violence in the name of religious practice. The Qur’an (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32) states:
“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
This verse underscores the sanctity of human life and the severe consequences of unjust killings. If Nigeria does not take decisive steps to regulate religious leadership and enforce justice, more innocent lives may be lost to unscrupulous individuals parading as clerics.
A Call for Government and Islamic Bodies to Take Action
It is high time the Nigerian government, Islamic councils, and traditional rulers intervene to curb the unlawful activities of self-styled Alfas. This intervention should not be limited to arrests and punishments alone but should also include public education on the dangers of patronizing fake spiritualists.
If Islamic institutions in South Africa, Egypt, and other parts of the Muslim world can effectively manage religious leadership, Nigeria must not lag behind. Every true Islamic scholar should either be an educator, an Imam, or a consultant in Islamic law—all of which are honorable professions.
AbdulRahman Mohd Bello and others caught in similar criminal acts must face life imprisonment or death by hanging, as stipulated under Nigerian law. Justice must be served to ensure that Islam is not used as a cover for criminality.
The time to act is now.
