ISLAM In Focus By ACP Alhassan Yaqub PhD, Force Chief Imam
FHQ Jumu’at Mosque Abuja
Recently, the devastating and sorry situation in Sudan started from the price of bread. When the protests started the price doubled more than ten times. Even those that started it are already regretting and wishing to come out of it.
The evil consequences of protests and riots in Sudan resulted in total economic crisis; the protests became riots. Inflation, shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, economic losses, violent crackdown became the order of the day. Government response to protests resulted in deaths, hundreds were injured. Serious human rights abuses and political instabilitytook over the land.
In Egypt (2011-2013): Widespread protests and riots led to: Economic collapse (GDP shrunk by 10%), Increased poverty and unemployment, Breakdown of law and order, Military intervention and regime change.
In Syria (2011-present): Protests and riots escalated into a devastating civil war, resulting in: Massive human suffering (500,000+ deaths), Displacement of millions, Destruction of infrastructure and cultural heritage, Rise of extremist groups.
In South Africa (2015-2016): Student protests and riots led to: Destruction of university property, Disruption of education, Economic losses, Increased racial tensions.
In Libya (2011): Protests and riots led to: Civil war and regime change, Rise of extremist groups, extreme Human rights abuses and instability and chaos. May God protect our country from every evil and evil doers and turn their plots against themselves.
Servants of Allah, these few examples illustrate the potential evil consequences of protests and riots, including economic damage, human suffering, political instability, and social unrest.
O God, the Almighty, protect our country and all the countries from tribulations and trials, both apparent and hidden. O Allah, guide our leaders to what You love and are pleased with, and take them by the forelock to righteousness and piety. O Allah, make them a source of peace for Your allies and a source of war against Your enemies. O Allah, spare the blood of the people of this country.
O God, we ask You for all good, immediate and delayed, what we know of it and what we do not know. We seek refuge in You from all evil, both immediate and delayed, that which we know of and that which we do not know.
We seek refuge with Allah (SWT) from all types of calamities; all types of trials and tribulations, those which are known and evident, and those which are unknown and hidden. ameen.
Islam teaches Justice, tolerance, mercy and compassion, moderation not extremism. Mercy is one of the basic pillars of any Muslim society; it is the building-blocks of peace and stability.
While the security agencies are doing their best and re-strategizing to counter theses insecurity, the religious circles must turn to God in repentance and ask for his forgiveness from our sins. We must turn to Allah, the Almighty, in prayers with humility. The situation could be as a result of our sins. Allah does not change the blessings which he bestowed upon people until they themselves changed.
In the Qur’an, Chapter 16 verse 112 Allah gave us an example of a society that betrayed the blessings of Allah by committing sins, consequently Allah tested them with calamities. Thus:
‘And Allah sets forth the example of a society which was safe and at ease, receiving its provision in abundance from all directions. But its people met Allah’s favours with ingratitude, so Allah made them taste the clutches of hunger and fear for their misdeeds’.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith, “Each of you is a leader (in his own capacity), and each leader will be held accountable for what he has led.” (Al-Bukhari).
Umar Bn Khattab, leader of the believers (Amirul Mu’mineen) once said that he fears that if a sheep in his territory gets lost and died that Allah (SWT) question him about it and hold him responsible on the Day of Judgment.
The followers are expected to reason with the leaders and assist in consistent Duah for God’s blessings, help and support in their leaders. The wisdom of continues, constant positive prayers for leaders is that when things get better, the whole society benefits, on the flip side, when we curse, condemn or call for negative prayers for our leaders, when the punishment comes, it will affect the society in general. In Islam there is no any provision for insulting, cursing or invoking negative prayer on a constituted authority. But there is provision for guidance and extending humble advice as well as invoking positive prayers for the leaders so that the blessings of the positive prayers, if God answers will now permeate the society.
Abu Umamah (R. A) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: “Do not curse your leaders but invoke Allah to make them righteous, for their righteousness brings about your well-being as well.” This Hadith asserts the requirement from Muslims to advise their leaders and invoke Allah to make them righteous, just and fair.
Besides continues prayers and repentance, we must abide by the noble religious teachings and refine values as demonstrated by the Prophet (saw):
“A villager stood and started urinating in the Mosque. The people caught him but the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket or a tumbler of water over the place where he had passed the urine. The Prophet then said, “You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult.” [Bukhari]
An example of the value of moderation. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “This religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So, you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings and in the nights.” [Bukhari].
The Prophet did not suffice with just these refined values to solve the problem of violence and terrorism; he also stressed a set of ethics (dos and don‘ts) to block the channels that could lead to any violence.
He (Peace be upon him) warned against even frightening peaceful citizens in any way and said: “He who points a weapon towards his brother, the angels invoke curse upon him even if he was his real brother…” [Muslim]
During his speech, in the farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet (SAW) said: “Your blood, wealth and honour are as sacred as this day (the day of ‘Arafah), this land and this month (Dhu’l-Hijjah)” (Muslim & Bukhaari).
May God continue to protect us and all our families. May He expose any evil fashion against us and our country.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
