DEFYING THE SULTAN AND EMIR OF ILORIN ON MOON SIGHTING

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

2nd Shawwal 1446AH (31st March 2025)

It is particularly sad that some of those who lay claim to knowledge fasted yesterday defying the directive of our recognized leaders (i.e the Sultan, Emir of Ilorin and others) just to display loyalty to the leader of their group. They didn't hide the fact that they were fasting yesterday and today, their pictures and videos will be everywhere celebrating their own 'Eid. They even claimed they sighted their own moon yesterday when it was clear even from the scientific evidence their leader claims to be following that the moon seen yesterday was more than a day old. Now, some members of the Muslim community who think the Ahlus Sunnah or Salafis have been unnecessarily harsh against these people can also see how dangerous they can be. 

With this, I have no doubt that another sect has emerged. A sect built upon the ideology taqleed (blind imitation) of a leader of an institution regardless of his erroneous stance. No matter how glaring his evil is, his followers and associates will find a way to follow it and defend it. Even if it will make them look foolish, they don't care. This group is not the first to be on this path. They have their bearing in some of the past deviant sects. But the way this new sect has evolved over the years out of blind hatred for the Sunnah and its adherents is significantly unique.

As the Salaf used to do anytime dangerous sects appear in their times, it is incumbent on our scholars to speak against the evil of this new sect and warn the Muslim Ummah against them and their evils. In Sha Allāh , those of us who are writers will continue to write against their evils, albeit with caution so that Muslims in our time and subsequent generations can know them, their traits and the cardinal principles of their misguidance. We need to unite against them and we are united against the "Jabata" group who are known for their erroneous Tabdee' and Takfeer (i.e. Excommunication of Muslims).

This is not a time to be indifferent. The principle of Al-walaa wal baraa (loyalty and disavowal) should be invoked. 

May Allāh guide us and save us from all forms of misguidance.