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Forum / Politics / No compulsion in Islam..by: a real muslim Hannatu Musawa |
on: 10-08-2012 08:53 AM
| NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION: Hannatu Musawa Columnist: Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is not only a knowledgeable Islamic scholar; he exemplifies the character of a Muslim nurtured from an early age in a virtuous environment. Having been taught and raised by his late father, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, he serves as a role model for the spirit and virtue that Muslims can aspire for and attain. In the spate of the recent unabashed religious threats and violence by misguided elements, it has been necessary for notable and respected members of the Nigerian Islamic society to speak out on the outrageously arrogant, criminal and aggressive actions of people purporting to speak and act on behalf of Islam. Up until the recent sermons Sheikh Gumi has given, in which he has contradicted much of what these unsavory elements spew, hardly anyone within the Nigerian Islamic leadership order has had the courage and persuasion to speak out. Few Scholars have been brave enough to set the record straight on the fact that the individuals and groups presently attacking the peace and stability in Nigeria by claiming an Islamic affiliation are operating with a vile distortion of the noble and peaceful teachings of Islam. It is regrettable that Islam, a religion of peace, harmony, goodwill and brotherhood has been used by unruly and ghastly people to justify unwarranted acts of violence such as suicide bombings, threats and other forms of violence. At the very base of Islam is the quest for freedom, justice and equality and when a Muslim uses Islam to threaten and condemn another because they do not share the same faith, that discrimination is totally foreign to the pure teachings and doctrines of Islam. In the Quran, God bestowed honour on every single individual, no matter their background, race or tribe. Liberty and everything that emerges from it are some of the great favours God has given us and concepts such as kidnappings, threats and the kind of unprovoked violence we are seeing in Nigeria today towards people of a different faith to Islam, especially the Christian community, are not part of the true teachings of Islam. It is so shocking that people claiming to promote Islam can issue an ultimatum in which they threaten a Christian president to convert to Islam or face their wrath. How on earth can they give a Christian who believes in his religion as much or even more than they believe in their religion that kind of ultimatum? Under Islamic dispensation, it is clearly taught that “There is no compulsion in religion…” The Qur’an was very clear on the issue of forced conversion by stating, “Had your Lord wanted, all the people on earth would have believed. So will you force people to believe?” Throughout history, Muslims themselves were the targets of forced conversion during the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades and the Communist era of the 20th century and first hand Muslims understand how unacceptable and unreasonable such a notion is. Threatening people who don’t convert to Islam, persecuting non-Muslims and treating a society in the unjust manner that extremist elements have been doing most definitely is not what Islam is about. When one reads in the Qur’an that Allah encourages Muslims to deal kindly and justly with anyone of any faith who has not fought Muslims for our faith and driven us out of our homes because God loves the just, one wonders why anyone would want to put a negative interpretation to what is clearly a message of patience, peace.and harmony between different faiths cohabiting. The second source in Islam, after the Qur’an, are the statements made by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who in his lifetime gave a clear view on the persecution of non Muslims when he stated, “Whoever kills an innocent non- Muslim will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.” How could such statement possibly be compatible with the extremist ideal for Islam to force itself onto others? Instead, it makes it clear that non-Muslims should by no means be harmed by Muslims. The one doctrine that is used by extremists to lend credibility to the notion that Islam encourages violence is the concept of jihad. The word Jihad brings into play the vision of a marching band of religious fanatics with savage beards, short trousers and fiery eyes,brandishing swords, screaming in Arabic and attacking everyone and everything in their wake. However, the true spirit of Jihad in Islamic terms means to endeavour and strive in a noble way. Over time this meaning of Jihad has been eradicated or at least diluted. The critical juncture in the Islamic world requires reviving and recapturing the true and pristine meaning of Jihad. Jihad can be divided into two broad categories. First is ‘Jihad-e-akbar’. This is Jihad against one's own person to curb sinful inclinations, which is the purification of self. This is the most difficult Jihad and hence in terms of rewards and blessings is the highest category of Jihad. The second is ‘Jihad-e-asghar’. This is Jihad of the sword. This is communal Jihad and presupposes certain specific conditions. The Quran speaks of fighting only as a self defence and this is the very condition laid down in several verses of the Holy Quran. The so called verse of the sword in the Islamic scripture is often taken out of context as if it inculcates an indiscriminate massacre of all non-Muslims. The Quranic words such as “kill whatever you find them” apply only in cases of self-defence and a state of unprovoked war; they do not apply to provoked wars and battles. The Muslims who interpret these verses in any other manner commit a travesty of the lofty ideals of Islam. There is not a single instance in the life of the Holy Prophet where he offered the alternative of the sword or Islam to anyone. The Holy Quran does not make Jihad in context of an article of faith. The sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet render it into a formula for active struggle that invariably and incorrectly tended towards a militant expression. Suicide bombings, violent threats and killing those of different faiths just for the sake of killing are contrary to the purview of the real spirit of the Islamic Jihad. It is pure and simple mass murder. The presentation of Islam as a crude and barbaric religion which gives itself the right to cause unwarranted human and material suffering and destruction under the guise of Divine authority is not the kind of Islam we find in the precepts of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The basic unity of the followers of all faiths is emphatically stressed in the Holy Quran and the creation of discord and disunity by terrorism or otherwise has no place in Islam. Islam is an all- encompassing codes of values and conduct and with those values, those of us that practice it from the depths of our heart and soul must use its teachings as a ground of hope to progressively promote unity and accord in Nigeria rather than mischievously and maliciously using it as a justification for violence. The Holy Quran teaches that God has sent His revelation to all people from time to time. Jesus Christ and many of the Prophets of the Old Testament are mentioned by name and they are all honoured and revered by all true believing Muslims. Indeed, the Quran requires belief in the truth of all the Messengers of God and requires an affirmation in them all wherever they appear. And therefore it seeks to bring about reconciliation between the followers of different faiths and to establish a basis of respect and honour among them. The Quran says: “Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah (God) and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.” In the Holy Scriptures, the Qur’an, Torah and the Bible, both Christians and Muslims are taught that God is the Source of peace and the bestower of security. And since the doctrine of peace and security are ‘His’’, the establishment of that peace and maintenance of security must, therefore, be the constant objective of all Muslims and Christians alike. Those who choose to exact a campaign of hatred, violence and threats against others who have done nothing to provoke them, purely because others worship in a different way to them, must revaluate Allah’s message of peace and harmony and understand that, only through conformity to the spirit of peace, patience, conscience and the promotion of human welfare can we achieve a society where all can co-exist. If they don’t, they have only themselves to blame in the hereafter when they have to make the real account to the Almighty, All seeing and All Knowing. Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is a beacon to the inherent justice in Islam and a brave Scholar, especially when examined with the lenses of the present Islamic leadership in Nigeria. Like his father, he lives a life outstanding in its dedication to the cause of Allah. May God protect him and guide him to continue speaking out against those within the Muslim Ummah choose to distort the message and meaning of Islam. Nigerian Muslim, extremists especially, can learn from Sheikh Gumi when he explores them to follow Allah accordingly and advises them that there is no compulsion to Islam. Hannatu Musawa I invite you to follow me on Twitter - @hanneymusawa | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Mr David Bukka on a plane |
on: 30-07-2012 01:36 AM
| A Nigerian man and a white American guy were seated on a plane. The Nigerian man had a bunch of banana, while d white American guy had a monkey. The Nigerian man wanted to use d toilet, he said to the White American guy; please watch over my bananas, while am gone. He went, came back and found out that the bananas were all gone. The white American guy pointed at the monkey and said; your brother here, ate all of them. The Nigerian man said nothing. Minutes later, the White American guy said; please hold my monkey while i go pee. He went, came back and met the monkey, dead. He asked the Nigerian man what happened and he replied; this is a family matter, please stay out of it. | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Mr David Bukka on a plane |
on: 30-07-2012 01:36 AM
| A Nigerian man and a white American guy were seated on a plane. The Nigerian man had a bunch of banana, while d white American guy had a monkey. The Nigerian man wanted to use d toilet, he said to the White American guy; please watch over my bananas, while am gone. He went, came back and found out that the bananas were all gone. The white American guy pointed at the monkey and said; your brother here, ate all of them. The Nigerian man said nothing. Minutes later, the White American guy said; please hold my monkey while i go pee. He went, came back and met the monkey, dead. He asked the Nigerian man what happened and he replied; this is a family matter, please stay out of it. | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Mr David Bukka on a plane |
on: 30-07-2012 01:31 AM
| A Nigerian man and a white American guy were seated on a plane. The Nigerian man had a bunch of banana, while d white American guy had a monkey. The Nigerian man wanted to use d toilet, he said to the White American guy; please watch over my bananas, while am gone. He went, came back and found out that the bananas were all gone. The white American guy pointed at the monkey and said; your brother here, ate all of them. The Nigerian man said nothing. Minutes later, the White American guy said; please hold my monkey while i go pee. He went, came back and met the monkey, dead. He asked the Nigerian man what happened and he replied; this is a family matter, please stay out of it. | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Bukka d rastaman! |
on: 29-07-2012 09:19 PM
| A Jamaican Rastaman went to the hospital for treatment on his badly burnt ears and the doctor asked him: How did you get your ears so badly burnt? PATIENT: I & I a iron mi shirt and one eddiat bwoy caal mi upon mi cell phone,and insteada me ansa the phone, me pick up de iron and ansa it. DOCTOR: OK. That explains one ear. But how do you explain the other ear? PATIENT: The bumbastic eediat called me back..... | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Bukka d public enemy! |
on: 29-07-2012 09:16 PM
| A man sitting next 2 an absolutely gorgeous woman on a plane noticed she was reading a sex statistics book of Nigeria. So d man asked about it & she said: the book says that in naija Ijaws have d hardest manhood, d Hausas d longest, d Yorubas d biggest in diameter n Igbos have d most powerful n sweetest.... By d way i am Juliet, and u are? ...the man replied, "Ebitimi Alhassan Adekunle chukwudi. | | |
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Forum / FunnyHub (Jokes + Comedy) / Proudly a Moslem |
on: 29-07-2012 03:54 PM
| Islam, The Religion of Peace. **Muslim, I am, and I will die as one (Insha Allah) **Ignorance about the Faith. **Killers in the Name of Islam have a big place in Hell, they are not Muslims. My aim is not to apologize for my religion; I will not write as one who is ashamed of my way of life, and before you shout ‘Southern Muslim!’ like I’m certain you’re probably already thinking, let me inform you that Muslims all over the world are one and the same. Once, the Prophet (PBUH) was asked ‘who is a Muslim?’, his reply made it clear that anyone who believes in the Oneness of God and offers as-salat (prayers) regularly is a Muslim; I call this the ‘minimum requirement(s) into the school of Islam’, a School of which I’m a proud student. I have faith in the Oneness of God, I observe as-salat, I give Zakat (charity), I fast during Ramadan, and I hope to go on pilgrimage soon. Muslim, I am, and I will die as one (Insha Allah). Many times, I’ve had cause to dispel rumours about my religion (I do not conform to any form of stereotype, so I’ve had the privilege of hearing a lot of lies and conjecture). Once, on a bus from Enugu to Lagos, a preacher decided to get the attention of his ‘mobile congregation’ by misquoting and murdering verses from the Holy Qur’an. I respectfully waited for him to end his hateful sermon, then produced my Quran and read the actual verses to everyone in the bus. I even took time to explain what Jihad means, what it entails, and what led to it. Yes, I’m a woman; No, I’m not a scholar. But do you have to be male or a Reverend to understand the Bible? As you most probably already know, Jihad means Holy War. There are two forms of Jihad- the one you fight within yourself (this entails choosing between what’s right and what’s wrong), and actual warfare. Now, what led to it? When the Prophet (PBUH) began to spread the message of Islam, the unbelievers (pagans, idol worshippers) of that time decided that Muslims didn’t deserve to live; they attacked Muslims, took over their properties, killed them. Muslims were oppressed. Initially, they were asked to ignore the pagans and maintain peace, but when the situation became unbearable, God asked them to fight back. The first verse revealed with respect to Jihad (V 2:190) says ‘ And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors ‘. This verse is the ‘foundation’ of Jihad, it prescribes THE standard for warfare in the name of God. Fight against those who fight against you; God did not say ‘fight against those who piss you off’, He didn’t say ‘fight against those who you don’t like’. ‘Fight against those who fight against you’ means self-defence is the ONLY form of violence that’s permitted. ‘But do not transgress limits’; self-defence was the previously established limit. ‘Transgression’ would then mean fighting people who didn’t attack you first. This is termed ‘irjaf’. Irjaf and Jihad are two extremely different things. Before you judge the over one billion Muslims in the world by the actions of some hell-bound transgressors, kindly permit me to draw your attention to the Muslim Capital of the World; Saudi Arabia. Do Christians live there or not? How many times has a suicide bombing occurred there? How many times have some obviously deluded, highly misguided maniacs demanded that they all revert to Islam? This brings me to another issue- suicide. My Qur’an tells me that suicide is a one-way ticket to Hell. Couple that with aggression, and tell me what the outcome would be. This brings me, inevitably, to Boko Haram. Personally, I believe what happened in this case was a deliberate move by government to hijack a problem that should have been solved at inception, and turn it to a political tool for division. Nigerians have always had a penchant for tribalism; add different religions to the mix and the potion becomes even more volatile and potentially lethal. Just how lethal that potion is, is what we’re all experiencing now. Frankly, what this is about is speaking for myself and others like me, and most importantly, sparing Islam the pain of being seen as something it’s not. Claiming Islam encourages violence is akin to saying that Christianity or Buddhism or Zoroastrianism, or even Scientology, gives room for a vice that some of its followers have. Right now, I’m just so glad that Hitler and Truman weren’t Muslims. My point? PEOPLE are evil, PEOPLE kill, and taking up arms and killing little children is no justification. Boko Haram does not have the mandate of Nigerian Muslims to exterminate Christians. When Boko Haram killed Imams almost on a daily basis, there were no reprisals. Nobody said ‘Muslims have asked Boko Haram to kill the clerics’. When busy areas of Kano were bombed, no one said ‘Muslims are killing Christians again’. This selective anger, this selective pity, is what I do not like. My eldest sister is an evangelist, my niece bears the name ‘Chukwuamaka’, her father is an Igbo man. Why would I, a Muslim, then decide to send Boko Haram on a mission to kill Christians? Or why would I harbour murderous thoughts towards Christians at all? My Quran tells me that ‘……. he who takes a life will be judged like he killed all of mankind… he who saves a life will be judged like he saved all of mankind’ (5:32). If Boko Haram is following any sort of manual, it is not this Qur’an (or any other for that matter because there are no different versions. The Qur’an is the same anywhere in the world). Perhaps if we did the right thing and displaced those thieves and murderers from their seats of power, we would find copies of the manual beneath those seats. There’s a rule I abide by; ‘if you don’t know it, don’t say it’. Seventy-two virgins as reward for suicide? I’ve read the Qur’an from cover to cover countless times and not once have I come across it. The Holy Qur’an does not portray Paradise as a reward for suicide and/or murder. I pray that God gives all those who’ve lost their loved ones- Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists, free thinkers- the fortitude to bear the loss. | | |
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Forum / Naijapals Base (Metro life) / 20 why boko haram crisis may not end-up soo |
on: 29-07-2012 03:48 PM
| 20 reasons why Boko Haram crisis may not end soon Boko Haram crisis started like any other protest, but it seems to have come to stay. Why is it difficult for security agencies to crush the sect in few well-coordinated operations? It is not clear, but below are some of the reasons. 1. Extrajudicial killings: This is the primary source of the violence. At least, that is what the sect has continued to harp upon. Its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed while in police custody, and many members of the group have been killed by security personnel in a manner that has kept human rights organisations raising alarm. 2. Access to lethal weapons: The sect seems to have unfettered access to deadly weapons, including bomb-making materials in spite of the closure of Nigeria’s borders and the alertness of security forces. 3. Detention of suspects without trial: This is another argument by Boko Haram. They claim hundreds of their members are detained in various police cells and prisons without trial. There was a speculation that government may have built a special detention camp for arrested members of the sect. Boko Haram has asked for detained members to be set free by government. 4. Poor understanding of the sect by government: Close to three years after it went violent, there is no evidence that security operatives clearly understand the philosophy, the leadership structure and operational schemes of the sect. This is in spite of the fact that many supposedly leaders of the group are in the custody of security agencies. 5. Unguarded utterances by government agents: Top security chiefs in the country have made utterances that experts in the intelligence community have tagged as unguarded. Statements like ‘Boko Haram’s days are numbered’ have angered the group and, in response, Boko Haram has attacked sensitive locations across the country. 6. Lack of commitment to dialogue: Many elements have called for dialogue between government and the sect, but there seems to be no commitment on the part of government and the sect to discuss. For one, the group remains faceless and has continued to make impossible demands, like asking for the North to be ruled by Shariah. 7. Suspected complicity of security agencies: Though this has not been proved, there is the suspicion that some security agents may be associated with the group. President Jonathan once mentioned that Boko Haram had infiltrated his government. 8. Lack of trust for JTF: The group has thrived, mainly because the communities where it operates don’t trust the Joint Task Force enough to give it intelligence information. There are reports that some who gave security agencies information were killed, hence residents are afraid, not only of Boko Haram, but also of giving information to security agents. 9. Poor intelligence: This is associated with No.8. Security agencies don’t seem to have the kind of intelligence needed to tackle the sect, hence it is perceived that Boko Haram is always five steps ahead of security operatives. 10. Rivalry among security agencies: In spite of the concerns raised about this, there is still evidence that security agencies are not coordinated. The SSS, police, NIA, Immigration, may not be collaborating properly. The fact that government disputed a warning by the American intelligence that there was an imminent bomb attack on Abuja showed that the agencies were not working in tandem with the world intelligence community. 11. Support of foreign fundamentalist groups: There is the suspicion that Boko Haram gets support from other groups like the Al-Qaeda. Though this has not been confirmed, it is a strong hypothesis in the security circle. 12. Political suspicion: Government suspects that Boko Haram is backed by powerful politicians from the North. That has not been proved, but as National Security Adviser Azazi made an allusion to it in Port Harcourt at the weekend, this aspect seems to be foremost on the minds of those in government. 13. Greed: Unfortunately, Boko Haram crisis has become an avenue for few Nigerians to access government money. Both federal and state governments are spending a lot of money on the purchase of security gadgets and maintaining security forces. Those who benefit from these may not want the crisis to end quickly. 14. Different ‘kinds’ of Boko Haram: There seems to be political, criminal and real Boko Haram sects at the moment. This means anyone can claim to be Boko Haram, hence it’s possible for government to be dealing with the wrong group in the search for a solution to the crisis. 15. Porous borders: Nigeria’s borders have remained porous, in spite of emergency rule in over a dozen local governments areas and the closure of borders. This is evident in the suspicion that foreign mercenaries and weapons that aid violent attacks are coming in and going out of the country without let or hindrance. 16. Distrust for the elite in the North: Unfortunately, the sect does not seem to have respect for the northern elite, making it difficult to actually call Boko Haram to order. Traditional rulers, government officials and elder statesmen may have found it difficult to approach them because Boko Haram does not trust them. 17. Religious suspicion in Nigeria: Until recently, there has been religious suspicion in the country. Some Christians thought Boko Haram was an attempt to Islamise the country, while some Muslims feel marginalised. However, recently, there seems to be a resolve that the crisis is not primarily religious. 18. Disunity in the country: Unfortunately, many Nigerians do not see the Boko Haram crisis as a national problem. Many see it as a problem of the ‘Muslim North’. The way government attempts to solve it is perceived to be half-hearted. If government dialogued with Niger Delta militants and granted them amnesty, why wouldn’t government dialogue with Boko Haram? 19. Poverty: The poverty level in the North is high. It has led to massive unemployment and apparently, provided a huge number of youths who, when indoctrinated, become potential members of Boko Haram. 20. Strong conviction: Surprisingly, many youths who are members of the sect have a strong conviction that they are doing a noble job. It may take a lot of efforts to re-educate them to enable them understand the damage the group has done to the Nigerian state. | | | |