Why Islam urges silence as golden character, Sheikh Kasolayo
By TUNJI WAHAB
Quoting copiously from divine books, Kasolayo reminded that, “Obedience to God, His messengers and those at the helms of communities’ affairs is an injunction directly from God,” explaining that, “It is when such leaders are suspected to be deviating from their assigned duties to humanity that they can be redirected peacefully and respectfully.”
Founder and Chief Missioner (worldwide) of the Zawiyatul-Sofwatur-Rahmatil-Islamiyyat (ZASRAM), Ota, in Ota Local Council Development Area of Ogun State, Sheikh Abdur-Razaq Onaolapo Kasolayo has said that in some instances in Islam, silence is more golden that verbal expressions.
The Osun State-born cleric made this clarification during his Friday sermon where he proved with divine statement that, the Almighty Allah prefers that man should keep quiet in some instances so as to avoid utterances that constitute sins before God.
Quoting from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Kasolayo said, “The Messenger of God (pbuh) urged us to say the truth or keep mute,” explaining that, “keeping quiet is far better than engaging in falsehood.”
Buttressing his point with a Yoruba adage, the youthful cleric said, “We cannot keep quiet and commit verbal mistake,” pointing out that, “rather than allow our mouths to run diarrhea, keeping mute is the best option so as not to attract sinful acts to ourselves.”
While relating the sermon with the unfolding event in Nigeria currently, Kasolayo said, “Keeping quiet is far golden than wishing any fellow being dead,” asserting that, “what God expected from us as human beings is prayers and words of encouragement for anybody on a sick bed.”
Wishing anybody dead, according to him, is antithetic to Islam and as such very ungodly and unacceptable, pointing out that, “Whether we like it or not, the Almighty Allah that created all of us will kill us by Himself one day.”
Sheikh Kasolayo reminded the Jumat congregation that, “We shall all die and render accounts of our stewardship to our Creator, we should bear it in mind that wishing our fellow human beings dead is criminal and sinful before Allah, our Creator.”
Though the cleric did not mention names in the course of his sermon, the import of the sermon was not lost on the congregation that interpreted the Imam’s thought to mean the evil wish of people against President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently holidaying and resting on the advice of his doctors in Abuja House, Nigerian High Commission in London, United Kingdom.
The congregation was proved right when at the tail end of the sermon, the ZASRAM Imam called for fervent prayers for President Buhari who is currently holidaying abroad and going through medical checkups.
Quoting copiously from divine books, Kasolayo reminded that, “Obedience to God, His messengers and those at the helms of communities’ affairs is an injunction directly from God,” explaining that, “It is when such leaders are suspected to be deviating from their assigned duties to humanity that they can be redirected peacefully and respectfully.”
Against this background, the Chief Missioner therefore urged the people to be patient with their leaders and assist them by offering useful advice that can make the society better.
