RECITATION OF THE HOLY QUR'AN ON THE RADIO BY SHEIKH IBRAHIM NYASS (may Allah sanctify his supreme secrets)
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In 1954, there was a debate in Northern Nigeria on whether Qur'an should be read on the radion. The situation compelled the then emir of Zaria, Alhaji Ja'far, who was also a member of the Northern Nigeria Radio Board, to write a letter to the emir of Kano Alhaji Sunusi.

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asking him to give specific references from the legal texts, or to offer proofs from the Qur'an itself, or from the Hadith or from the consensus of scholars.

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He stated clearly that the then Ulama of Nigeria can not find proof from any of the sources. Infact, the Ulama have discouraged people from reading the Qur'an over the radio because it will breed a lack of respcet for the Qur'an.

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When emir Sanusi recieved the letter, he sent it directly to Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass at Kawlakh for a reply. While in the meantime, reading Qur'an on the radio was suspended by the then Northern Nigerian Government because of the complaint of the emir of Zaria.

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Below is the translated reply of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass. God is the one who makes speech righteousThere will be a time when a disbeliever will be a source for strengthening Islam...

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There has been a question directed to the people of Kano about whether it is legal for the Qur'an to be read over the radio.
Innovation may be divided into five parts: Necessary (Wajib), recommended (Mandub), Permitted (Ja'iz), reprehensible (Makruh) and forbidden (Haram)
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Whatever is an aid to Islam must be considered good, in the light of the Qur'an. If it would strengthen the law of Islam, then it must be considered a necessary innovation. What is good but not an aid to Islam may be considered recommendable.

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An innovation that is not harmful to Islam should be permitted. An innovation that weakens the traditions of the Prophet is to be discouraged. An innovation that leads people away from Islam must be forbidden.

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The innovation of the radio, if not necessary is at least recommended innovation.
Learned people have also established printing presses for the spread of knowledge and these presses may also be regarded as necessary or recommended.
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In these modern times, there are many such innovations, for example, loudspeakers and radios, which through them we may aid and help Islam. The number of pilgrims to Mecca increases each year because of the aeroplane, praise is to God.

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How can large people follow their Imam without a loudspeaker in the mosque? We have seen how ships, lorries and aeroplanes and other means of communication such as the telephones have played an important role in the development of Islam.
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This should be good for the Mallams and all Muslims. There is a tradition of the Prophet that says "Make things easy don't make things difficult. Be a bearer of good news, not a bearer of bad news.

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NB:my community will not hold a view which will lead them astray. May God help us and may we love him, Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam
Immediately the Sheikh's reply got in touch with the people concerned,

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reading of the Qur'an and Islamic lectures on the radio were restored. This shows clearly that Sheikh was looked upon to given solutions to esoteric problems as well as exoteric ones.

©Anatomy of Sufism

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