The Muslim Ummah, not only in Nigeria, received the sad news—with submission to Allah’s decree—of Mufti Yaks who passed away on the first day of June, 2014 (few days ago) at the National Hospital in Abuja. He was a young, vibrant, and rare-to-find Islamic scholar. He was also a motivational speaker known for his imitation of a global renowned scholar, Mufti Menk. He also travelled widely beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Mufti Yaks was only twenty when he departed this transient and worthless world. Nothing is worthy, the Prophet SAW taught us, in this world—abode of toil and trial—save the remembrance of Allah. It is that remembrance of Allah that Mufti Yaks embraced as a way of life. It is hard to find, in this increasingly morally degenerating world, a youth at such prime youthful age who preoccupies himself with da’wah (Islamic missionary work).
Poor me! I am not aware of this young scholar until his demise. I wish I had known him before now; I would have known him better and he would have merited a befitting encomium from me. I hope those who are much more familiar with him and his da’wah activities will fill the gap.
So why am I writing this? I am writing in response to some lunatics who habitually rejoice when Muslims, all over the world, mourn the death of their much-loved scholars. Demise of top Muslim scholars gives them joy. It is becoming a trend. These lunatics claim to be salafists.
A Facebook post by one of them goes thus: “You immitated (sic) Mufti Menk instead of immitating (sic) the prophet (sic) when you were alive, Now (sic) that your Data has expired, you go explain tire if they ask you about the prophet (sic). Indeed we are relieved with your death (sic).” I will come to this soon.
The word “salafist” comes from the Arabic word “salaf” which means “predecessors.” In principle, salafists are to practice Islam by emulating the Prophet, his companions, and the three first generations of Muslims. The sane and normal salafists are, of course, not oblivious of the dynamics of place and time as they try to emulate the salaf—the righteous predecessors. They, in practice, follow the salaf reasonably. With this understanding, every Muslim who prioritizes following the Sunnah (the Prophet’s way of life) is a salafist.
However and unfortunately, we have in our midst some so-called salafists who are too primitive—and pathologically backward in thought—to understand that Islam is not just a religion; it is also a civilization. Thus, they are essentially rigid on every aspect of life as if everything about Islam is ritual. One must provide a textual evidence, for instance, that the Prophet wore starched cap that has become cultural heritage among the Hausa in Nigeria. Failure to provide evidence might render prayers observed with such caps invalid. These lunatics can be this ridiculous.
So, what is their problem with Mufti Yaks? Why does his demise bring them joy? Why are they relieved by his death? Their first issue is his imitation of an innovator. Mufti Menk, to this backward thinking guys, is an innovator that must be avoided like a plague. I am not Mufti Menk’s fan, but I know he is a scholar and a global motivational speaker par excellence. Plus, he is personable, loveable, and forward thinking. They claim he has some shortcomings. But this claim only validates his scholarship. Allah has refused to create a flawless scholar; let alone a perfect layman.
The second issue they have with Mufti Yaks is that only the Prophet should be imitated. Even to recite the Qur’an and give spiritual talk, these lunatics think, we have to imitate the Prophet’s voice. This is serious! These lunatics should please avail us with any recorded voice of the Prophet’s recitation of the Qur’an or his khutbah (sermon) so that we can recite the Qur’an with the Prophet’s voice. Then, we shall stop imitating Mufti Menk and Shuraim. This is the damage which the fanatical following of the manhaj (methodology) of the salaf has done to the thinking faculty of these people. They are bereft of critical thinking. If this is not intellectual developmental disorder, I don’t know what is.
Mufti Yaks did not only imitate Mufti Menk, I watched a viral video of his, where he imitated about ten world renowned Qur’an reciters. Ma sha Allah! He did so with ease and near perfection. Only Allah knows how beneficial this young Mufti would have been to the Muslim Ummah if he had lived longer. While we do not question the decree of Allah for taking this blessed soul at this point in time (as He knows best), it is sad to know that some lunatics are rejoicing his demise. They are known for celebrating the demise of scholars who do not belong to their malevolent sect. However, their inability to suppress their joy at the demise of this harmless and innocent young Mufti is an evidence of the depth of their rabid stupidity and religious fanaticism.
I know the parents of Mufti Yaks are in pain. I am also in pain. Any sane human being, not necessarily Muslim, would naturally sympathize with the parents of this late young scholar but the lunatics. May Allah grant his parents, lovers, and the Muslim Ummah the strength to bear this loss.
His father was a former Chief Judge of Niger state, Justice Aliyu Maiyaki. He once opined that holding a Quran or Bible while taking oaths of office and allegiance by public office holders is unconstitutional. That is true. It is not only unconstitutional, it is probably un-Islamic especially when the oath takers do not have faith in the Islamic system of justice nor do they practice the justice that the Qur’an mandates. How can one even take an oath with the Qur’an to uphold democracy? This is an abuse.
O Allah, forgive Mufti Yaks whose real name is Abdullateef Aliyu Maiyaki and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Be merciful to his parents and the rest of us.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen
salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
