By Patrick Idowu
Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo, the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, has stirred controversy by advocating for the death penalty for anyone who renounces their religion, defending a Hadith that calls for the execution of apostates.
In a provocative statement shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday, Jalingo expressed strong support for the Hadith, which prescribes the death penalty for those who change their faith.
He launched a fierce theological rebuttal against critics who argue that this Hadith contradicts the teachings of the Qur’an.
Jalingo labeled those questioning the Hadith as “ignorant” and “fabricators,” accusing them of misunderstanding Islamic teachings.
He reaffirmed the divine authenticity of the Hadith, equating it with the Qur’an and claiming that the two sources of Islamic guidance are of equal authority.
The cleric pointed to various verses from the Qur’an to support his stance, including Surah At-Tawbah, verse 5, which he said legitimizes the killing of apostates.
Jalingo also declared that the widely quoted verse on religious freedom, “There is no compulsion in religion,” has been abrogated by later verses that allow for the killing of non-believers.
While his post has received support from hardline followers, it has sparked fierce backlash from human rights advocates and some Muslim voices, who condemned the comments as dangerous and inflammatory.
The debate over Jalingo’s stance is likely to intensify, with critics warning of the potential consequences for interfaith relations and religious freedom in Nigeria.
