Popular Islamic singer, AbdulKabir Alayande, popularly known as Ere Asalatu, has explained why he sang a Christian hymn during a church performance, saying the Jesus mentioned in the song is Prophet Issa, whom Muslims also recognise.

Asalatu explained his decision during an interview with actress Biola Adebayo on her podcast, published on Friday. His comment came after some Muslims criticised him over a video of him singing the hymn, “Jesus is the only true friend,” in a church.

Explaining why he sang the song, Asalatu said the Jesus referred to in the hymn was the same Jesus recognised as Prophet Issa in the Quran.

He said, “This Jesus we are talking about is Prophet Issa in the Quran, the child of Mariam. Is he no longer your friend? He is your friend, he is my friend. Prophet Muhammed didn’t deny Jesus Christ. Is Jesus no longer your friend? Was he not sent to you?”

Asalatu also said Islam did not teach Muslims to oppose Jesus.

“Islam didn’t tell us to go against Jesus. I don’t know where they found theirs,” he said.

The singer said he had initially decided not to speak publicly about the issue but later agreed to answer questions about it.

“Although I said I won’t grant any interview on this issue, but as it is… anyone who refuses to answer a question when asked is a stupid person,” he said.

Asalatu said some Islamic leaders had contacted him privately and encouraged him to continue his work despite the criticism.

“I want to appreciate the true Islamic leaders who had called me and encouraged me to continue doing my work that the people dragging me on social media don’t know what they are doing,” he said.

Describing the leaders, he said, “These are people who are true Islamic leaders who know the Quran in and out and are also intelligent.”

He also thanked those who supported and criticised him, saying the criticism helped him identify areas where he needed to make corrections.

“Although your hatred has done nothing to us, but you also made impact. We were able to pick out of the hateful words to make corrections because no one is perfect,” he said.

The singer said he remained committed to Islam and would continue to preach the religion.

“Islam is a good religion and I will continue to preach Islam till my old age,” he said.

Asalatu described Islam as a religion that teaches modesty and guides Muslims on how to live.

“Islam is orderly. Islam preaches modesty in dressing. The religion explains how to live life,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as overzealousness among some Muslims.

“Some people are over zealous. That’s who they are,” he said.

Asalatu questioned why some people would try to force others to follow certain religious practices, especially when they were not responsible for their financial success.

“You didn’t force me to make it in life. You didn’t force me to come eat from your source of income. You didn’t force me to make money but you want to force me to make heaven. Does that even make sense? No, it doesn’t,” he said.

He also questioned the idea of forcing someone to attain a particular conception of heaven.

“Which heaven? Your own or which one? Your own heaven or which one?” he asked.

Asalatu also spoke about a threat he said he received over the controversy.

“You can’t go to heaven if you are not dead. Do you want to kill me?” he said.

The singer said one of those criticising him had allegedly said he deserved to be beheaded.

“One of those dragging me said I am supposed to be beheaded. I am even trying to get the person’s number so I can tell him to come to my house to cut off my head in the presence of my children,” he said.

Asalatu called for religious tolerance, saying people should be allowed to practise their faith in their own way.

“Everybody should serve their God in their own way. Call your God however you can. Everything we do has a reward,” he said.

He also questioned criticism of photography and video recording, saying the two were related.

“One of them said whoever takes picture will go to hell. Meanwhile, video is an upgraded version of picture and you are there making video and everyone is posting you on social media, yet, you are not against them,” he said.

Asalatu also challenged claims that music had no place in Islam, saying some songs could contain knowledge.

“Some people said there is no music in Islam. We read in one of Muhammad’s Hadiths where he said there is knowledge in songs. If he wanted to condemn it, he won’t say there is knowledge in songs,” he said.

He also referred to Quranic teachings on musicians and said the issue required further interpretation.

“The same God who cursed the musician in the Quran. God said curse be unto all musicians. It is written in the Quran but if you read further, he said, except those who sing with the fear of God,” he said.

Defending his songs, Asalatu asked whether his music had insulted anyone or denied the existence of God.

“Did I abuse your mother with my song? Did my song say there is no God?” he asked.

He said Muslims should also be careful about messages that could make people lose interest in religion.

“I know a Muslim who lost interest in Islam. He lost interest in all the religion,” he said.

According to Asalatu, the man had been told that calling God “Eledumare” instead of “Allah” made someone an unbeliever.

He rejected the claim, saying, “Help me. The difference is just the language.”

Asalatu maintained that Islam promotes unity, love and peace and urged Muslims not to allow social media arguments to affect their understanding of the religion.

“Islam is not a troublesome religion. Islam is not a religion that kills. Islam is a religion of unity. Islam is a religion of love and peace,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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