A kaduna stae Chief Imam, Dr Muhammad Aliyu, during a sermon at Kofar Gayan Low-cost Eid Praying Ground, said Islam makes it compulsory for every Muslim to learn skills to become self-reliant.
The Islamic Cleric spoke on: “The Islamic Perspective on Trades/Skills Acquisition and Self-reliance” in the sermon.
Aliyu, who is also the Chief Imam, Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Juma’at Mosque, Low-cost, Zaria, said life on earth was a preparation for permanent life in the hereafter.
Taking his text from Qur’an and Hadith, the Chief Imam said many Qur’anic verses, as well as tradition of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him), emphasised the need for a Muslim to be self-reliant.
Aliyu cautioned people against laziness and begging as a source of livelihood, stressing that Islam had never on any point encouraged dependence on others as a way of life.
He said in view of the importance of trades/skills acquisition, God had never sent a prophet unless such messenger had something doing.
“Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) was a merchant, Prophet David was a blacksmith, Prophet Zakaria was a carpenter and Prophet Abraham was a herder, among other prophets of Allah.
“No trade or skills acquisition is considered unlawful, except those specifically spell-out by Islam as unlawful.
“Therefore, it is a mistake to say a particular trade or skills acquisition is unlawful without supporting evidence from Islamic perspective.”
(NAN)