Controversial Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said terrorism should not be associated with genuine Shari’a scholarship, arguing that authentic Islamic education does not promote extremism.
In a Facebook post on July 29, 2026, Gumi stated that prominent figures linked to terrorism, including Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Mohammed Yusuf, Abubakar Shekau, and Bello Turji, were neither trained Shari’a scholars nor graduates of recognized Islamic universities.
According to Gumi, the greater threat comes from religious activism that lacks a sound foundation in Islamic teachings. He argued that a superficial understanding of Islam leaves individuals more vulnerable to manipulation, radicalization, and terrorism. He also cited the situations in Palestine and Syria as examples of conflicts that could be exploited to influence susceptible individuals.
Gumi emphasized the need to distinguish authentic Islamic scholarship from politicized religious activism, maintaining that terrorism is driven by ignorance, manipulation, and the distortion of religious teachings rather than Shari’a. He also reiterated his longstanding position that while military action is necessary, dialogue should remain part of a broader strategy to address insecurity and restore lasting peace in Nigeria.
