Controversial Nigerian singer, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has addressed his critics, urging them to separate his personal choices and actions from his religion, Islam.
This statement comes in the wake of ongoing backlash following his recent testimony at the coroner inquest into the death of his late signee, Mohbad. During the proceedings, Naira Marley strongly denied allegations that he had bullied or harmed the late singer in any way.
Taking to his official X handle, the singer shared a thought-provoking message emphasizing that while Islam as a religion remains "perfect," its followers, like all humans, are not immune to mistakes. He called on critics to hold him accountable for his personal actions rather than attributing his behavior or lifestyle to his religious faith.
“Islam is perfect, Muslims are not. If I make a mistake, blame me, but not my religion,” he wrote, in an apparent effort to distance Islam from the controversies surrounding him.
His post quickly gained traction online, sparking a flood of reactions from netizens. The comment section was filled with diverse perspectives, with some supporting his statement while others remained critical of him. Within hours, the post had garnered over a thousand responses and millions of impressions.
A user, @Mr_Lasdon, shared his perspective, writing, “This is why Muslims are encouraged to act according to the teachings of Islam. We should always reflect and be good ambassadors of our religion.”
Another user, @Olumachoo, backed Naira Marley’s point, commenting, “Well said! Islam, like any faith, is pure. It’s people who fall short. Judge individuals, not the religion.”
However, not everyone was in agreement. A critic, @MD_Jatta, took a more direct approach, stating, “Oh no, you’re the perfect representation of your religion—flaws and all. By the way, if you can read actual Arabic (which I can), I’ll pick a song from your terrible playlist and torture my ears with it all day long.”
Adding to the discourse, another netizen, @ObinnaCEO, provided a broader take on the issue, remarking, “No religion is perfect, just as no human is. Faith is meant to guide, not to claim superiority. What matters is how we live, treat others, and strive for truth.”