The Chairman of Media and Publicity of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Federal University of Kashere Branch, Umar Al-Dukkawy, has condemned the growing incidents of shoe theft and the disappearance of copies of the Holy Qur’an in mosques, describing the acts as shameful and contrary to Islamic teachings.
Al-Dukkawy made the remarks while reflecting on recent cases of theft reported in places of worship.
According to him, stealing from fellow worshippers in the House of Allah undermines the values of Islam and tarnishes the image of Muslims.
“To those who steal shoes in the mosque, know that this act is a great disgrace for a Muslim. How can someone come to the House of Allah for worship and then leave with another person’s property?” he said.
He urged perpetrators to fear Allah and abandon the practice, stressing that the dignity and honour of a Muslim are worth far more than any material possession.
“Fear Allah and abandon this bad habit. The dignity of a Muslim is far more valuable than a pair of shoes. May Allah guide us all,” he added.
The MSSN spokesperson recounted an incident involving an elderly worshipper who discovered after the Isha prayer that his shoes had been stolen.
“A few days ago, an elderly man came out after the Isha prayer and discovered that his shoes were missing. We helped him search for them, but they were nowhere to be found. At first, he thought he might have mistakenly exchanged them with someone else’s, but that was not the case they had been stolen,” Al-Dukkawy explained.
He noted that the situation could have been more difficult for the victim if he had not arrived at the mosque on a motorcycle.
Al-Dukkawy also shared the experience of a friend who had recently purchased a new pair of shoes after spending almost all the money he had available.
“He found a nice pair and spent almost all the money he had on them. He even denied himself buying other things just to afford those shoes. Yet, only two days later, he told me, ‘They were stolen in the mosque,'” he said.
According to him, the incident left a lasting impression on his friend, who later avoided using the same mosque entrance where the theft occurred.
While admitting that the situation initially appeared humorous, Al-Dukkawy said it ultimately highlighted a serious moral concern within the Muslim community.
“The incident made me laugh, but it also saddened me. Honestly, this is a shameful act. As a Muslim, your religion should make you a role model, not someone who steals shoes or copies of the Qur’an from the House of Allah,” he stated.
He called on worshippers to uphold the values of honesty, integrity and respect for sacred places, while praying for divine guidance for those involved in such acts.
“May Allah guide us all,” he said.