By Taiwo Adeyemi
Claim: An X user shared a video claiming some Muslims in the North prayed against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Verdict: Misleading! Statements from Islamic scholars and related findings revealed that the Islam worshippers did not pray against Mr Tinubu, and the recitation of Surat Al-Qunut in the video was not a prayer against an enemy.
Full Text
Many Nigerians have faulted the Tinubu-led administration’s economic policies and decision to remove fuel subsidies. This development led to the recent nationwide protest against hunger and hardship, as many Nigerians condemned rising inflation and food prices in the country.
The protest was hijacked by hoodlums in some states in the northern part of Nigeria, which resulted in the looting of public and private properties. The nationwide protest, tagged #EndBadGovernace, commenced on Aug. 1 and ended on Aug. 10.
While the protest lasted, several misinformation circulated online as people tried to push various narratives.
One of the claims that circulated was a video shared by an X user, Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization. The handle had shared a video with the caption “Al-Qunut Prayer against President Tinubu and the APC ongoing in North.”
In the video, some Islam worshippers prayed and mentioned Mr Tinubu’s name. As of this report’s filing, over 32,000 users had watched the video, 500 users reposted it, and nearly 1,000 users liked it.
The video has been generating mixed reactions from many users.
A user, Akanni @kujembola_mike, who believed the video, taunted Muslims for protesting against Mr Tinubu’s government even though both the president and the vice-president are Muslims.
He wrote: “Muslims against Muslim-Muslim government, hunger and hardship nah your mate? Peter Obi kept repeating that ‘no religion buys food cheaper,’ but they claimed they would teach him lessons. Who is learning the lessons now? I laugh in Ijesha.”
Another user, Tayo Blessedhands (@tayoowode), commented that this was similar to how Nigerians once prayed for Buhari’s demise.
“Na so pipu pray for Buhari to kpai, but the man spent eight years as President. This one too no go work,” he quipped.
Mohammed Ibrahim @AlgoniIbrahim, for his part, said the Surat Al-qunut recited in the video was not against the president and should not be politicised.
“Please let’s make the record Street (straight). This Alqonot was not against the PBAT. It is for the nation and For God’s Guidance of the entire spectrum of our leadership at all levels. Please stop politicising our religious engagements.”
Due to the sensitivity of the footage, DUBAWA scrutinised it to ascertain its veracity.
Verification
To verify the claim, DUBAWA carried out a keyframe analysis of the video, which showed that a user had shared the clip on TikTok on Aug. 5, 2024.
DUBAWA also scrutinised the video’s caption, which reads, “Ya Allah, Kakawo Mana Sauki Akasarmu, Ya Allah,” which in English means “Oh Lord, give us a comfortable time.”
To establish what the worshippers said in the video circulating online, DUBAWA contacted some Islamic scholars for more clarification.
Dr Mahmud Danjuma of the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, told DUBAWA worshippers in the video were praying for Mr Tinubu and his advisers amid the country’s challenges.
The Islamic scholar quoted the worshippers as saying: “Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in your hand, his advisers are in your hand. God, help us over our enemies; help us over bad governance. God, we take cover in you from hunger and thirst. God, we take cover in you from famine.”
Mr Danjuma added that contrary to the viral claim, the worshippers recited Surat Al-qunut, a supplication offered during prayer at a specific point while standing.
“There was no part of the video where they prayed against the president. Rather they prayed for him and recited Surat Al-qunut, which is normal during prayers.”
Corroborating Mr Danjuma, Dr Mohammed Sanni of the Department of Arabic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Kaduna State, told DUBAWA that the Surat Al-qunut is a popular Surat that Muslims recite during prayers.
“I have watched the video again and again. What they are saying in Arabic is a prayer for the president and his advisers. Reciting Surat Al-qunut is a normal thing we do when we pray; it’s a prayer for comfort.”
DUBAWA discovered that Surat Al-qunut (sometimes referred to as dua-e-qunoot or qunut dua) is a special supplication mentioned in the hadith. It is often recited and known for its association with the Witr salah.
Al-Hasan ibn Ali (the grandson of Muhammad) said he was taught by the Prophet to say the qunoot dua as follows (translated into English Language):
“O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, pardon me among those You have pardoned, befriend me among those You have befriended, bless me in what You have granted, and save me from the evil that You decreed. Indeed You decree, and none can pass decree, and none can pass decree upon You. Indeed, he is not humiliated whom You have befriended. Blessed are You our Lord and Exalted.”
Conclusion
The viral claim that Muslims prayed against Mr Tinubu and the ruling APC is misleading. Findings showed they were instead making supplications to God to help the country and the Mr Tinubu-led government.