No scholar has monopoly of knowledge, concerned clerics caution, as they condemn inciting messages capable of stirring unrest
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
A coalition of concerned Islamic scholars in Nigeria has raised alarm over what it described as the persistent use of inciting and derogatory language by Ahmad Yelma’e Yusuf, popularly known as Asadu Sunnah, in his social media preachings.
The group, speaking under the banner of “Concerned Islamic Scholars for Peace and Unity,” accused Yusuf of using inflammatory words against respected clerics in the South-West and inciting his followers to verbally attack them online in the name of propagating Islam.
According to the scholars, Yusuf’s controversial style of preaching goes beyond internal disputes within Islam, as he has also been accused of openly abusing practitioners of other religions. They warned that such actions, if unchecked, could fuel religious tension and create an atmosphere capable of triggering unrest.
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“We are calling on the Federal Government, respected Islamic scholars, and notable institutions to urgently caution Ahmad Yelma’e Yusuf,” the group said in a statement. “Preaching should be a call to faith and peace, not an avenue to insult, abuse, and sow seeds of division.”
The group emphasized that Islam, as practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was built on tolerance and peaceful coexistence. They recalled how the Prophet exemplified patience, dialogue, and harmony both in Mecca and later in Medina, urging Yusuf to emulate these principles.
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They further cautioned against labeling fellow clerics with ungodly names, stressing that disagreement among scholars should be handled with wisdom, knowledge, and humility.
“No cleric has the monopoly of knowledge,” the scholars noted. “We must avoid words that could lead to enmity or war. Nigeria cannot afford another crisis in the name of religion.”
The group also appealed to Yusuf’s followers not to take his provocative words as a license to disrespect senior clerics or attack adherents of other faiths. Instead, they urged the younger generation to embrace the spirit of brotherhood, which remains the bedrock of Islam’s message.
The Merit Newspaper reports that Nigeria has had a history of religious conflicts in several regions, often sparked by hate speech or misinterpretation of teachings. The concerned scholars said their warning was meant to prevent the escalation of another avoidable crisis.
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They reiterated by calling on Islamic organizations, traditional rulers, and government agencies to intensify efforts in promoting religious tolerance and curbing inflammatory preaching, warning that silence in the face of Yusuf’s style of propagation could embolden others with similar tendencies.
