By Amidu Arije
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerians who corruptly enriched themselves to seek forgiveness and refund stolen funds to the government coffers before the end of Ramadan.
The Islamic advocacy and human rights group spoke, on Tuesday, in Lagos, via a press release issued by its founder and director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.
According to MURIC, the process of securing forgiveness for looters involves genuine repentance by the looter, refunding the stolen money or property or diverting it to non-profit public use and finally, refraining from further stealing.
The Islamic group advised that looters should seize the opportunity in this month of Ramadan because it is the month of forgiveness to refund stolen funds and refrain from further stealing of public funds.
“We advise looters to repent in this Ramadan because it is the month of forgiveness. The train of mercy is leaving now. Purchase your own ticket before the month ends. Ask Allah to forgive you and He will do so because He is a Merciful God.
“So we have brought the three R’s this Ramadan: Repent, Refund and Refrain. Looters are asked to repent. They must refund stolen funds after repenting and finally, they must refrain from further stealing after refunding what they stole.
Stating further, Akintola said:“Allah frowns on corruption because it is a cancerous tumor which must be removed from the anatomy of every society lest it spreads and consumes the whole. It is an established fact that no good surgeon will hesitate to amputate an infected part of the human body.
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“As a religion which promotes human welfare, Islam seeks to create an egalitarian society where there is no palpably visible wide gap between the rich and the poor. This is where corruption and Islam stand poles apart. The former compartmentalizes society into the stupendously rich and the terribly poor whereas the latter seeks to raise the standard of living for all.
Akintola said Islam forbids everyone from taking or receiving kickbacks.
“This is why Islam forbids every man or woman from taking or receiving bribes and kickbacks or engaging in over-invoicing,” he said.
To avoid the travails of the here after, MURIC asked looters to seek forgiveness.
“The way out is to repent. Looters must repent before they die or they will burn in hell. Fast everyday of your life if you like. Go on pilgrimage every year if you so desire. Perform Umrah every month or bring the whole city of Makkah to your expansive hilltop mansion and underground palace. You will burn in Jahannam (hell fire) if you steal our common patrimony and you still fail to repent, refund and refrain,” he said.
The Professor however said that there is hope for the sinners if they genuinely repent from their evil acts and turn a new leave.
“There is every chance that Allah will forgive looters if they manifest genuine remorse. That sincere remorse can only be exhibited by the looter if he surrenders the loot.
“We therefore advise looters who are seeking Allah’s forgiveness to surrender their loot after seeking forgiveness.
“There is double assurance that Allah will forgive because He is the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful,” he said.