Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
The last edition ended with some golden advice on fairing well with minimal rocking the boat at cross-cutting avenues of relationship. In an exact premise, neighbourliness is shielded from acrimony, backsliding, corruption, envy, grudges hypocrisy, injustice, jealous, libel, malice and slander. From the micro (family) unit to the general macrocosm of the society, a level playing ground approach strikes in the background of social cutting edge welfare as the main arrows for peaceful co-existence. Praise be to Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) for the infinite mercy and the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and the entire followers of his guidance till eternity.
This edition might not be seen as a rejoinder to series of clips and comments on Social Media most of which bothers on Islam-phobia on the current national insecurity matter in the country. Efforts in this edition would tend towards charting causes of peace and harmony necessary for optimum security and peaceful co-existence. Islam as a way of life disregards shenanigans in all terms contrary to fervent projection and propagation of harmony. Allah (SWT) declares categorically that: 'Allah invites unto the Home of peace: He does guide whom He pleases to a way that is right (Qur'an 10:25)'. The Ayah is self-explanatory.
In the same token, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) enjoin: 'You might be away from entering Al-Jannah until you believe, you might not be considered believer unless you share love. Can I direct you to one thing that draws you closer to loving and being loved if you do it? Spread (message of) peace among people (Muslim reported).' To this end, At-Tabariy theorized that: 'Spreading peace inherits love which causes completion of religion. Loving and being loved brings about togetherness among the Muslims which invariable is the source of strength and raising the banners of Islam.'
Against the backdrop of banditry, kidnap and terrorism currently experienced in the country, it can be deduced that the perpetrators are locked out of the mercy which is the watchword of a genuine human being and this is the indication of the Prophetic statement 'Being merciful on people attracts extra mercy from Almighty Allah.' The exact interpretation of this is encompassing. To be frank, perpetrators of grievous and heinous acts in session fall not within the confine of the symbolic genuine members of the Prophet's followers. For the Messenger admonished: 'He is not of us an elder who dishonours young ones; and a young one who disrespects elderly ones.' There is no value for particularistic tendency in a multi-cultiral, multi-religious and multi-institutionalised environment.
The current trend of terrorism has no place in the philosophy of Islam... In the anthology of Islam, the noble Messenger as a shinning example was reported to have always sued for peace irrespective of who tends to benefit from it. During the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, for instance, despite that the Messenger experienced the highest level of insult on his personality as a result of submitting towards unbelievers' stance to return and come back for 'Umrah the following year. The initial attitude of the Sahabah who were well prepared for the rites of 'Umrah was redeemed for better on the good counsel offered by Ummu Salmah, the Messenger's wife. His earlier order to loose garment and head- shave turned to deaf hear was heeded when the Messenger was advised to call one of them to help him shave his head. This worked like magic while the Sahabah were soon seen following suit. However, that Allah commands patience does not indicate adequate preparation for the eventuality. Meer propaganda - in the least measure - should me met with higher factual and knock-out solidified ground force to demystify onslaughts. Allah says: 'Prepare for them whatever you are capable in kinetic energy and horse power...' The fact that sueing for peace should not catch the other party napkin in case of any eventuality. Is is not high time Muslims employed more Media engagement in order to lay commensurate measure of hype against the opposing party. 'Al-Harbu Khud'ah' strategies is the bey key to an onslaught means failure to strategise is outright failure in all.
The humanity in us calls for dignity for human life. 'We are all from Adam, and Adam is from dust.' It is to this end that asserts categorically that: 'There exists no distinction for an Arab on non-Arabs, nor for white on dark people except on the pedestal of piety.' This is a symbol of unity and uniqueness of humanity above the barriers of colour, ethnicity, religion and other divides. It is on this basis that the noble Messenger (SAW) was able to bring together people of various astute in Madinah through the instrumentalisation of a common document which stands tall the world over in terms of pluralistic administration which remains unequalled. It must be mentioned here that most of the human rights documents in the world today received treatment in one way or the other from the above-mentioned Madinan Constitution of the 7th century CE.
In the meantime, the concept of equity, justice and righteousness entrenched and bandied around in human rights corridor were key extracts from the document. More importantly, the Magna Carter (famous document) of the late 17th century took after the 57 article pattern of the Madinan Constitution. These are based on the principle of )البينة لمن ادعى و اليمين على من انكر) meaning: 'It is for complainant to explain and the plaintiff to vow' i.e an important legal principle in Islam.
It incorporates mutual tolerance and fair hearing by all parties involved without prejudice. For instance, a Jew and a Muslim during the time of the noble Messenger disputed over a land and it was settled, based on evidence, in favour of the Jew. In another instance, a Jewish boy employed by the Messenger was sick and Prophet Muhammad visited him on sick bed. An attempt to make him accept Islam was dropped when the boy looked straight to his father's face, and the Messenger asked him to dance to his father's tune.
The current security imbroglio was resultant from factors among others including ignorance of the bond of humanity. We are human first before being Muslims, Christians of Atheists. Another factor prompting the insecurity appears the spirit of opposition. Hatred, economic and political interest also form parts of the unnecessary raisin de tat for the current misfortune.
The fact that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was once reported to have stood up in respect for a corpse which was later confirmed to be a Jew cement the degree of tolerance. When he was asked for the reason, he queried: 'Is the soul that departed him different from. yours?' This and many more narratives put human beings at the center of gentility, goodness, humane, humility, kindness, restive and virtuous disposition to human elements in the society. The spirit of wickedness culminating in gruesome killing of human beings appears animalistic and should be buried for peace and harmony to return to Nigerian circle. Meanwhile, all nefarious elements who took delight in perpetrating heinous crime of murder should be cultured by the authority concerned. Till we meet again in the next edition, stay blessed. Jum'at Mubarakah.
#Peacefulcoexistence
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DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSINER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOICIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. ©2025 https://www.slaipaclass.com
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