Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has advised people who corruptly enrich themselves to seek forgiveness before the end of Ramadan, the muslim month of fasting.
The Islamic advocacy and human rights group spoke on Tuesday a press statement by its Founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
According to MURIC, the process of securing forgiveness for looters involved genuine repentance by the looter, refunding the stolen money or property or diverting it to non-profit public use and finally, refraining from further stealing.
The organisation advised that looters should seize the opportunity in the month of Ramadan because it is the month of forgiveness.
The statement reads in part: “We advise looters to repent in this Ramadan because it is the month of forgiveness. The train of mercy is leaving now. Purchase your own ticket before the month ends. Ask Allah to forgive you and He will do so because He is a Merciful God.
“So, we have brought the three R’s this Ramadan: Repent, Refund and Refrain. Looters are asked to repent. They must refund stolen funds after repenting and finally, they must refrain from further stealing after refunding what they stole.
“Allah frowns on corruption because it is a cancerous tumour which must be removed from the anatomy of every society lest it spreads and consumes the whole. It is an established fact that no good surgeon will hesitate to amputate an infected part of the human body.
“As a religion which promotes human welfare, Islam seeks to create an egalitarian society where there is no palpably visible wide gap between the rich and the poor. This is where corruption and Islam stand poles apart. The former compartmentalizes society into the stupendously rich and the terribly poor whereas the latter seeks to raise the standard of living for all.
“This is why Islam forbids every man or woman from taking or receiving bribes and kickbacks or engaging in over-invoicing (Glorious Qur’an 2:188; 4:29-30). The Qur’an also condemns the accumulation of wealth (102:1-8; 104:1-9).
“Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) condemned cheats, bribe-takers and looters. This is very clear in his numerous pronouncements on corruption. Examples are, ‘Whoever cheats us is not one of us.’ ‘The curse of Allah is on both the givers and takers of bribe.’ ‘Gifts accepted by public officers are ghuluul (i.e. ill-gotten gains).’”
MURIC also spoke about the implication of corruption on looters.
“The Glorious Qur’an warns that those involved will be punished in al-Akhirah (the Hereafter), ‘They take usury and collect bribe even though it is forbidden. They devour people’s money wrongfully. Verily indeed We have prepared a grievous punishment for unbelievers’ (4:161),” MURIC added.
