ISLAM AND PARTY POLITICS

Man in the real sense is surrounded with social, physical and chemical environment; the social environment of man is His religious and political organization

However, there is indeed an age long association between politics and religion as both are products of man’s physical and social environment. Religion essentially was borne out of mans’ crave to understand the supernatural in the context of a world he lives in. Politics on the other hand results from the compelling necessity of man’s association with other men within the society. Thus, man is both a religious and political being. As society grows, so also is the complexity and pattern or religious beliefs while both continued to influence each other. Read more

Muslim body, MURIC, questions Jewish symbol on new N100 note

JEWISH SYMBOL ON NEW N100 NOTE: MURIC DEMANDS EXPLANATION

23^rd November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

JEWISH SYMBOL ON NEW N100 NOTE:

MURIC DEMANDS EXPLANATION

The Federal Government (FG) on November 12, 2014 unveiled the new design for the N100 commemorative centenary banknote which will be officially issued on December 19.

However, the office of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been inundated with calls for action on the Jewish symbol on the new one hundred naira note slated for flag-off in December. Nigerian Muslims are complaining that the Arabic writing in Hausa language (the Ajami script) that read ‘Naira Dari’ (i.e. one hundred naira) on the N100 note has been removed and replaced with the Jewish symbol, the Star of David.

As a faith-based human rights organization which believes in the dialogue option, MURIC is duty bound to articulate the demands of Nigerian Muslims particularly on matters which have to do with imbalance in governments’ (Federal or state) treatment of the adherents of the different religions.

MURIC recalls that Arabic inscriptions which have always been on Nigerian currency since independence were unceremoniously removed in 2005 from N5, N10, N20 and N50 denominations. They remained on N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations.

Nigerian Muslims regard the latest action, namely, the supplanting of Arabic with Jewish symbol from the new N100 as a continuation of the campaign of elimination by substitution against Arabic language and, by implication, against Nigerian Muslims. It is well known that a large section of the Nigerian population use the Arabic Ajami and removing it from the new note will deprive millions of users of the Arabic Ajami of the ability to recognize, identify and use the new currency.

Furthermore, putting the Jewish symbol on the new N100 falls short of international standard as currencies worldwide are designed to suit each nation’s culture and history. Where does the Jewish symbol fit in? Which Nigerian community speaks the Jewish language?The insertion of the Jewish symbol is therefore clannish and parochial. It is tainted with undisguised religious fanaticism.

There is nothing wrong for our president to like Israel as a nation but it is another thing entirely to openly and brazenly promote Zionism at the highest office in this country when we are still struggling with the last vestiges of colonialism. Nigerian Muslims are becoming increasingly suspicious and very uncomfortable with the actions and inactions of President Jonathan.

Firstly, in spite of the preponderance of Muslims in the South West, he appointed no single Muslim as minister in the whole region for almost four years.

Secondly, he marginalized Muslims in the deliberations which took place in the National Conference by appointing a meager 189 Muslims as against 303 Christians. What kind of leader pursues such gross imbalance in his policies by giving a higher number of delegates to a minority group? How can deliberations of such a conference receive popular acceptance?

Thirdly, Mr. President saturated the security system in Aso Rock with Israeli security operatives, a nation well known for its animosity towards Muslims. The supplanting of Arabic language with Jewish symbol is the fourth among Jonathan’s anti-Muslim policies.

The above are daring, divisive, reckless and highly provocative steps. They get Nigerians wondering where President Jonathan is taking this country. But if once is happenstance, if twice is a coincidence and if the third time is enemy action, what do we call the fourth time?We are sick and tired of our president’s hatred for us. He openly confronts Muslims and goads us to challenge him.

But we will not be provoked. Neither shall we be intimidated by executive maladministration. As apostles of dialogue and advocates of peaceful coexistence, as tax-payers, voters and citizens of this country, we hereby ask President Jonathan to explain the Jewish symbol on Nigeria’s money.

We also demand to know why the presidency could not employ security experts from neutral countries like Britain or France instead of Israel which is a sworn enemy of Muslims. Mr. President may also deem it fit to tell us if there is no correlation between the Israeli security experts in Aso Rock, the Israeli caught with Nigeria’s N9.3m arms money in South Africa and the Jewish symbol on the new N100 note.

Mr. President sir, are you not gradually selling Nigeria to Israel? And are you sure this will not attract the wrath of Israel’s enemies to our dear country? Can this also be partly responsible for the viciousness of the Boko Haram phenomenon?

MURIC appeals to Muslims nationwide to await President Jonathan’s response to the above questions and to remain calm and law abiding. Islam teaches tolerance (Qur’an 3:134) and obedience to constituted authority (Qur’an 4:59).

We must also eschew violence as stipulated in Qur’an 2:190. Instead of using illegal and unconstitutional means, we charge Muslims to explore every opportunity offered by the Nigerian constitution and the Nigerian democratic process to protest against Jonathan’s oppression of Nigerian Muslims. Tyrants can be taught lessons of their lives in times of elections.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

The Importance of Parents

When asked about the people who taught us the most, who were there for us through hardships, who laughed with us during the good times, who put up with us on our off days, most of us think immediately of our parents. And it is true: our parents are the ones who have been with us through almost everything in our lives. Our mothers carry us for nine grueling months before we are born, and for at least eighteen years afterwards, our parents, to list a few things, take care of us, teach us, help us, and provide for us financially and academically. Without them, most of us would not be in the places we are today.

Unfortunately, however, many people do not treat their parents in the manner they deserve. Teenagers fight relentlessly with their parents, often over extremely trivial topics. Other young people ignore their parents, rather spending time with their friends or online. As we get older, we tend to forget that our parents are growing older as well, and they are pushed aside to living on their own or in nursing homes while we start our own families. Not only is this disregard unfair to our parents, it is also strictly forbidden in Islam. God has commanded us to treat out parents with utmost respect, no matter the situation we are in.

Respecting parents is one of the most significant aspects of Islam. God says in the Quran:

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (17:23)

 The first decree in this verse is to worship none but God. This is the first and most important pillar of Islam, and enjoining partners with God is the only unforgivable sin. The order right after this is kindness to parents. There are other major sins in Islam that could have been mentioned here, but the one God has forbidden us against here is disrespect to parents. We are told not to speak contemptuously to them: the word given in Arabic is “oof,” and even this simple groan of scorn is forbidden. Instead, God has told us to address them with honor and deference.

The next verse tells us: “And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood’” (17:24). The phrase “lower to them the wing of humility” has been interpreted as an image of the way birds spread their wings out of protection and love for their young. Our treatment of our parents is shown in the same way: we should be humble, respectful, and loving towards them.

Moreover, the prayer in this verse (“My Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood”) is extremely powerful, and many scholars say that Muslims should say this after every prayer. It is truly a beautiful prayer, as we are asking God to bestow mercy on our parents, as they were merciful to us when we were young.

Holding one’s parents in high esteem is so important that, even if they tell us not to obey God’s command, we are still to treat them kindly. God says in the Quran,

But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration). (31:15)

Even if our parents strive to make us commit the worst act in Islam, we must still treat them with justice. There is no concept of leaving our parents in Islam, even if they are disbelievers. To further elaborate this point, there is a saying from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), narrated by Asma, the daughter of the Prophet’s good friend, Abu Bakr. Asma once asked the Prophet (pbuh) how she should treat her mother, who was a polytheist. The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Treat your mother well.”

While we should obviously respect both our parents, our mothers are given special treatment in Islam. This is because our mothers carried us for nine months, and were our primary caregivers when we were children. In one saying of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), a companion asked him who deserves the most good treatment and respect. The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Your mother.” The companion asked again, and again the reply was “Your mother.” The companion asked a third time, and once more the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Your mother.” When the companion asked for the last time, the Prophet (pbuh) then answered, “Your father.”

Our mothers deserve the utmost respect and good treatment, and there is no excuse otherwise. We are told this three times over. In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that paradise lies under the feet of the mother. This further reiterates the fact that our mothers are to be the most revered and cared for people in our lives. In yet another saying, we are told that a man did the entire pilgrimage, Hajj, with his elderly mother on his back. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told him that this did not even repay his mother for a single kick the man gave his mother while she was bearing him in the womb.

This is not to say that our fathers do not deserve respect. The story of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in the Quran tells us that his father was ready to kill him for destroying religious idols and abandoning the pagan religion. Abraham, instead of losing control, merely prayed to God to have mercy on his father and to help him find the truth. Many youth today shout obscenities if their fathers give them a stern lecture. From our prophet we learn that this is never acceptable, no matter the situation.

Finally, there are many ways to fix our relationships with our parents. First and foremost, of course, we must recall the importance our parents have in our lives, and the various verses that remind us to be kind to them. There are also many sayings from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that teach us how to act with them. In one narration, he likened caring for parents to fighting for the cause of God, the best deed a Muslim can do in his life. In another, we are told that smiling kindly at our parents is as though we have done the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj. We should make it a habit to do these small things in our daily lives. Talking to our parents on a day-to-day basis, no matter our age, is also a way to close any gaps we may have with them. Lastly, it is always important to remember to pray for our parents. We have been told that several people’s prayers will always be answered, and among these is the child’s prayer for their parents.

May God help us all to be more respectful to our parents.

By Nageen Khan

 

DEALING WITH DEBT: AN ISLAMIC APPROACH

The Islamic view is that the creditor and debtor can lend or borrow but must do so ethically and fairly.  This means the creditor is not obliged to lend to the debtor but does so at his own free will.  If the debtor is struggling or unable to repay then the creditor must be willing to allow more time or in the worst case write off the debt; this is the risk he takes.  Of course the debtor must make every effort to repay the debt as no doubt he would be accountable in this life or the next.  

Unfortunately these values have been forgotten and instead replaced with the notion that the creditor must benefit from this transaction and secure his risk and profit before lending.  Should the debtor default or refuse to pay, the creditor would have a right of recovery and be able to charge for late payment. This practice is what we call usury or riba and is strictly prohibited in Islam for reasons which we will discuss further below.

If we consider some of the most leading and developed nations in today’s world; UK, USA, Japan, China, Russia, France and Germany, we will find that all these countries, regardless of their economic standing, are heavily indebted and all because of riba.

They have borrowed huge loans from the banking system with extortionate repayment terms and high interest charges which they cannot possibly repay.

As a result they have defaulted and been forced to take out further loans from the banks.  Inevitably this has led to a nation in debt and enslavement for the masses.  This is why today the US dollar has collapsed and the pound has lost its strength whereas the price of oil and gold has sky rocketed. This issue is not affecting only Developed Nations as mentioned above, it is the death killing the Underdeveloped or the so call developing Nation like Nigeria. In the 60s Nigeria Naira has more value than the America Dollar and two naira is equivalent to one pound. Now a dollar is over N160 naira and a pound is over N250 naira because we are heavily indebted and all because of Riba (Interest on loan).

By accepting such unreasonable loans, every government has made its people pay by way of increased taxes, bills and living costs.  While most economists would argue that only the principal portion of the debt should be repaid and not the interest portion, which should be written off, the banks insist on full repayment and have taken measures to safeguard their returns.  

So while the bankers take home huge bonuses for a job well done, elderly people are having to choose between a good meal or keeping warm in the winter, families are having to work extra hard in order to meet their living costs and young people are having to graduate with huge debts.  The end result is an increase in petty crime and unemployment.  All this because of interest based lending or riba.

The Holy Quran prohibits riba in the following verse:  ‘O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for interest, if you are indeed believers. If you do not, take notice of war from Allah and his Messenger, But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums; deal not unjustly and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly’ (Qur’an 2:278-279).

So severe is the warning not to deal in riba that Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) have declared war on us and now we know why.  Aisha (RA) narrated that Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) used to invoke Allah in the prayer saying, ‘O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all sins, and from being in debt.’ Someone said, O Allah’s Apostle! (I see you) very often you seek refuge with Allah from being in debt. He replied, ‘if a person is in debt, he tells lies when he speaks, and breaks his promises when he promises.’ (Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 41, Number 582).

Debt has destroyed many lives, forced some to steal while others have had to sell their body to make ends meet, it has caused undue financial hardship and breakdown in marriages, it has led to stress, anxiety, misery, lies, deceit, high crime, unemployment the list is endless.

The banking system has led the way on riba based lending and made ‘halal’ what Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) declared haram.  Today almost every loan is encumbered with interest and extortionate repayment terms and penalty fees making it difficult for us to tell the difference between riba and trade as if we are looking at a black ant on a black stone on a black night.  It is high time we wake up and stamped out riba.

We should therefore take all immediate steps to get out of riba and debt and there are many ways in which we can do this.  To begin with, we can choose to review our existing loans and really ask whether we need them.  For example, if we have a mortgage we can ask for the terms to be changed from interest payments only to capital and repayment which is the principal debt. 

 We could also consider whether having additional homes on buy to let mortgages is a necessity, after all we are all accountable for how we earn our living. Do we really need a high end luxury vehicle which requires more maintenance and high insurance or can we do with a cheaper alternative. 

Where we cannot make changes to our existing loans or way of life, then perhaps we can look to consolidate all debts and freeze the interest so that we are only paying the actual debt as opposed to the compounded interest portion. 

 If the situation is rather grave then perhaps we may want to consider bankruptcy rather than suffering in silence.