A professor of Islamic Studies at Gombe State University, Safiyanu Ishiaku, has said Islam does not permit the forceful conversion of people to the faith or violence against non-Muslims, stressing that such acts are clear deviations from Islamic teachings.
Ishiaku made the remarks while delivering the university’s 26th inaugural lecture titled, “Islamic Principles of Tolerance Toward Non-Muslims: A Panacea to Peaceful Coexistence in Multi-Religious Nigeria.”
The don argued that many violent conflicts in Nigeria are wrongly portrayed as religious crises, noting that political, ethnic and economic interests are often disguised under religious identities.
According to him, “Most of the so-called religious violence in Nigeria is religiously framed. Whenever people have misunderstandings arising from other interests, religion is employed to protect those interests because of the high level of religious sensitivity among Nigerians.”
He maintained that only a few major conflicts in the country’s history had direct links to religion, while many others merely exploited religious sentiments.
The professor emphasised that the authentic understanding of Islam must be sought from the Qur’an and the verified traditions of Prophet Muhammad rather than from the conduct of individuals.
“If you want to understand Islam, go to the Qur’an. If you want to understand Islam, go to the authentic Hadith of the Prophet. Islam is a religion of peace,” he said.
Ishiaku also expressed concern that some people pursue ideological followership instead of promoting the true teachings of Islam.
He noted that the behaviour of some Muslims had created misconceptions about the religion among non-Muslims.
“Unfortunately, non-Muslims often assess the integrity of Islam and Islamic law through the attitudes of Muslims. They do not distinguish between an ignorant Muslim, a deviant Muslim and the actual teachings of Islam,” he said.
The professor stressed that Islam upholds freedom of religion and rejects compulsion in matters of faith.
“There is no compulsion in religion. Islam requires sincere conviction. Any attempt to force someone to accept Islam is against its teachings and cannot be regarded as a genuine conversion,” he stated.
He further explained that God granted human beings the freedom to choose their religion, adding that diversity of faiths was part of the divine plan.
“Allah could have made the whole world one community or followers of one religion, but He chose to give mankind the freedom to choose,” he said.
Condemning violent extremism, Ishiaku declared that insurgents who kill or compel people to embrace Islam are acting contrary to Islamic principles.
“The insurgency we are witnessing today, where people are forcefully converted to Islam or non-Muslims are killed in the name of religion, is never the teaching of Islam. It is deviation, misunderstanding, misconception and misperception. Islam has nothing to do with forcing people to accept it,” he said.
He urged Muslims to embrace the principles of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect as prescribed in Islam, saying these values remain essential for sustaining peace in Nigeria’s multi-religious society.
The management of Gombe State University stressed the need for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, describing the theme as timely as the country approaches another election season.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sani Yauta, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Danladi Umar, said the inaugural lecture was particularly significant because it addressed one of Nigeria’s pressing national concerns.
He said, “Today we are taking another inaugural lecture from the Department of Islamic Studies, which is very, very crucial at this time of our national development.”
According to him, the lecture’s focus on religious tolerance is relevant as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle.
“It is very essential, especially now that we are getting closer to a very critical season—election season—for the nation. We need peace, and we also need to understand the best way to coexist,” Yauta stated.
He urged participants to pay close attention to the lecture, adding, “On behalf of the University Council, Senate, staff, students and the Vice Chancellor, I call on us to listen closely to the lecture, and I wish us all the very best.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the University Ceremonies Committee, Prof. Mohammed Gurama Dukku, described inaugural lectures as a vital academic tradition that allows professors to formally present their scholarship after attaining the pinnacle of their careers.
He said the event was the 26th Professorial Inaugural Lecture of the university, the eighth from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the second from the Department of Islamic Studies since the separation of the former Department of Religious Studies.
“This event is very important. It is crucial for every university professor to be inaugurated as part of reaching the apex of his or her academic career,” Dukku said.
“It is also the opportunity that university professors, whether newly appointed or promoted, have to, so to speak, profess their discipline.”
Commending the inaugural lecturer, Dukku expressed confidence that the audience would benefit from the presentation.
“I’m sure you don’t have to be from Religious Studies to be interested in this very important and exciting topic. Every one of us, whether Muslim, Christian or whatever one believes in, will learn a few things,” he said.
He added, “I’ve had the privilege of going through this lecture before now, so I know there is a lot in it, and I’m sure every one of us will leave with something from this important lecture.”
