Imam Shaykh Munuf Muhammed yesterday called on Muslims not to take the law into their own hands when a wrong has been committed against them. They were instead advised to report their injustices to the police.
However, Muhammed said if the aggrieved person fails to get satisfaction from the law, they should leave everything in Allah’s hands.
Muhammed made the call yesterday at the Janazah of Thomas “Hamza” Sharpe at the Caroni Mosque in the presence of a small group of mourners, many of whom were young men dressed in shemaghs and sunglasses which hid their identities.
Sharpe, 31, a known member of the Unruly ISIS gang, was killed by Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis on Sunday at the latter’s business at Freedom Street, Enterprise. Alexis was also killed as he returned fire at Sharpe and other members of the gang who came out of a car shooting at him. Kevin Escayg, 43, was also killed in the shooting and his son was injured.
Addressing those who came to bid Sharpe farewell, Mohammed said as an Imam his duty was to promote peace in society.
“If a person chooses to live his life otherwise then the Imam has no control over the actions of people. If you have a problem with someone, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed.”
If anyone should take the life of an innocent person, Muhammed said, in the sight of Allah it was as if you had taken the life of all of mankind, he said.
He also urged mourners that when they knew of a wrong and were silent about it, “do not take things in your own hands. No! That is not what Islam is. If you are living in a Muslim state it is un-Islamic if you take the law into your hands. It is not correct.”
Muhammed said if a Muslim had a misunderstanding with someone, they should go to the police and report it.
“If you are not satisfied and you feel you have not gotten justice... we must also understand that there is a day when we will all stand up in front of our Creator, where there will be justice, whether we are Muslims or not. Your Lord is not unjust to anyone. This is the teaching of Islam.”
The Imam said a person should never feel malice, hatred or animosity against another, because that did not reflect Islam, which propagated peace.
“It is not a part of Islam. It is satan and devil that is coming and we have to rid ourselves from these mean qualities.
“One thing, Muhammed urged Muslims to hold strong to was the Holy Q’uran. You would never go astray,” he added.
Describing Islam as a tranquil religion, Mohammed said when people came into the fold of the religion and they did “crazy things... it also happens in other religions too... people do things in the name of their religion and what happens in the long run, is that everyone belonging to that faith now has to suffer. They suffer because people have the wrong impression and understanding of what this faith is about.”