LEMU trains Imams on funeral rites in Islam
T HELekki Muslim Ummah ( LEMU) has provided Muslim scholars in Lagos State with adequate knowledge about funeral rite so as to correct and discourage forbidden innovations ( Bidah) introduced to funeral procession.
Speaking during the seminar, the Chief Imam of LEMU Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, said the yearly Imams conference is a sort of ‘ train the trainers programme’ meant to enhance the knowledge of Imams and also foster unity among Muslim religious leaders.
He added that the programme also seeks to promote cooperation and fellowship among the Muslim ummah.
According to him, “the programme has held about five or six series since its inception. It has always been well attended and applauded by people.
“It is an avenue to promote knowledge among Muslims. It creates a platform through which Muslim scholars can have cross- fertilisation of ideas and get to know more about each other, create friendship and other benefits that accrue to it.
“The Imams are drawn from all parts of Lagos State: Ibeju- Lekki, Eti- Osa, Mushin, among others. We usually cooperate with the Lagos State Central Mosque whose Imam would instruct them to send delegates. We then provide buses in areas where we have a conglomerat of
Imams attending.”
He said their expectation from the programme is for Muslim leaders to be on the same page regarding funeral rites in Islam, and then go to their congregation to extend knowledge.
“We have so many practices that are inimical to Islamic tenets and are contradictory to the Sunnah of the Prophet ( SAW). We have been sensitising people about it from our own end. But if other Imams do not have that level of awareness about the Sunnah, whenever one Imam says something, somewhere and another Imam contradicts it, it creates confusion in the minds of our audience. But when Imams come together and see the true guidance on the matter, everybody is convinced about it and imbibes it. It, therefore, means that our congregation will hear the same thing when it comes to funeral rites and practices.
“Our expectation from the participants is to be convinced of the message and have open minds so that the message can be beneficial to them. And whenever they go back to their masjid, they should impart and disseminate this knowledge to them. Their congregation will also understand Islam better and these practices that are alien and dangerous to our faith can be abandoned.”