Video: Satellite dishes, women in politics are not haram, Sheikh Ilory refutes claims

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Mudir (leader) of the Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Agege, Lagos State, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory, has questioned those who were initially opposed to the use of satellite dishes in homes as well as the idea of women driving cars or participating in politics.

Video link: Satellite dishes, women in politics are not haram, Sheikh Ilory refutes claims

The Islamic cleric noted those who quote the Quran to back up their claims have little or no understanding of the Quran.

Sheikh Ilory stated that the world is evolving, and women now participate in politics and are even allowed to drive cars, including in Saudi Arabia.

In a now-viral video, the cleric noted that people would not go to hell simply because the world is evolving.

Sheikh Ilory said, “Anybody who uses a satellite dish and hangs it on the roof of his house and dies will not enter paradise because he/she committed ‘haram’.

“If a woman drives car or participate in politics it’s haram. But women are not fighting for the right to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, and it’s no longer haram. When I said it earlier in 2010 that women can be involved in politics, people criticised me. Not long after my statements in 2010, Saudi Arabia allowed women to vote and participate in politics.”

However, he pointed to current developments in Saudi Arabia, including the training of women in the military and changes in dress codes, as evidence of evolving Islamic norms.

“Presently they’re training women in military in Saudi Arabi and they now wear trousers.

“One Alfa who criticised this evolvement was quoting a part of the scripture I believe he has no understanding of what he said,” Ilory added.