By Ishola Balogun

I will start with this verse of the Holy Quran: “With every hardship there is ease, with every hardship there is ease.” (94:5-6). In the early days of Mecca, there were many problems and difficulties. At that time, Almighty Allah assured them (the believers) by revealing the verse.

The challenge for good governance in this mordern times cannot be overemphasised. The paradigm shift that occured in some parts of the world recently, – the Egyptian revolution, the Tunisian new order, the Libyan episodes et cetera, are quite instructive. The abject poverty ravaging millions of Nigerians coupled with the disconnect between the leaders and the followers are enough to stoke the fire of revolution.

Good governance is essential for the peace and stability of a country. In essence, it must ensure the fulfilment of two fundamentals for the populace, at all costs. Security of lives and property; and enabling environment to go after means of sustenance with minimal difficulties. In this contemporary Nigeria, these two are conspicously missing.

The overwhelming burden of searching for the daily bread was compounded by the fear of insecurity, making the already bad situation worse for greater number of Nigerians. Like the paraphrased statements of Karl Marx – “Religion is the opium of the people”, those who are grossly affected have helplessly resorted to religious solution to the problem. Before now, many have been hoping and praying for God’s intervention.

But we have come to realised that that alone is not enough without the concerted efforts of the people. Even in Islam, the Quran teaches us that it cannot be achieved through wishful thinking or prayers alone, but with concerted human efforts.

This is very much confirmed by Allah in the following two verses of the Qur an: “Verily, Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change it by themselves (with their own souls)” – Q13:11; “And that Man can have nothing but what he strives for” – Q53:39

These two verses reflect the need for positive change on the part of both the leadership and populace to engender good moves towards good governance. If our leaders would not change, we should change our attitude of suffering in silence by asking questions and by demanding the amanah trust that we imposed in our leadership. That typifies what happened in most part of the country from January 2 – 16.

The Muslim Ummah was not left out in the struggle. In Lagos for example, last Friday, Muslims gathered under the ages of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO). They held the jumat service there. The sermon was given by the National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad who also led the Jumat prayer.

The million-man special Jumat service was organised to achieve two things. One, to disclaim the killings by Boko Haram in some part of the country and linking their activities with Islam; while also using the aupicious moment to lend their voice agaisnt the anti-people policy of the federal government.

It was very important for Muslims to let their voices and views be heard much clearer and louder in respect of the gruesome killings and attack to Christians and Churches in the country, so as to help correcting the false image about Islam which prevails among the non-muslims.

Be that as it may, we have reached a point where we have to hold our leaders accountable for every of their actions. Both the leaders and the followers have important roles to play in making the society work. But the onus of this rests upon the leader because he will first the held responsible for whatever goes wrong in the society.

Protesters

Dear brethren, let me share with you the epistle of Ali (r.a.) to Malik al-Ashtar. Malik was a famous companion of Imam Ali (r.a) who was sent as Governor of old Egypt which at one time witnessed one form of misrule or the other. He was sent there to replace Muhammad bin Abi Bakr.

The letter is a summary of the principles of administration and justice as dictated by Islam. It deals with the duties and obligations of rulers, responsibilities, rights, dispensation of justice among others. In it, Imam Ali (r.a) advises Malik to combat corruption and oppression amongst the officers, to control markets and imports and exports, to curb evils of profiteering, hoarding, black-marketing.

It also explained the stages of various classes in a society, the duties of the government towards the lowest class, how they are to be looked after and how their conditions are to be improved, the principle of equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities, orphans and their up-bringing, maintenance of the handicapped, disable
d persons and the aged and all other issues neccessary for a functional society.

He said to Malik, “Men will scrutinize your actions with a searching eye, even as you used to scrutinize the actions of those before you, and speak of you even as you did speak of them. The fact is that the public speak well of only those who do good. It is they who furnish the proof of your actions.

Hence the richest treasure that you may covet would be the treasure of good deeds… Develop in your heart the feeling of love for your people and let it be the source of kindness and blessing to them. Do not deal with them ruthlessly and do not appropriate to yourself that which belongs to them. Remember that the citizens of the state are either your brethren in religion or your brethren in kind.

Remember that God has given you the position of a leader in order that you may look after those under you and to be sufficient unto them. And you will be judged by what you do for them. Respect the rights of God and the rights of man, and likewise, persuade your companions and relations to do likewise.

For, otherwise, you will be doing injustice to yourself and injustice to humanity. Nothing deprives man of divine blessings or ignites divine wrath against Him more easily than cruelty. Hence it is, that God listens to the voice of the oppressed and deals with the oppressor.

Let that be a food for thought for those in leadership positions.

May Almighty Allah guide us to the right path, let us make right decisions and give us the wherewithal to overcome our adversities. Amin.

‘Nigeria has no business with poverty’

A Massive crowd of Muslims last Friday turned the Gani Fawehinmi Park otherwise called Freedom Park, Ojota in Lagos to Tahrir Square, a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt where the Egyptian revolution protest was held.

Various Islamic associations under the banner of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) gathered for the special Jumat prayer.

Tagged ‘a million-man special Jumat service,’ it was an effort to drum home support for the Nigerians masses against the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to the CIO coordinator Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, the million-man special Jumat service was aimed at denouncing the claim that Boko Haram is an Islamic sect.

Shuaib said the objective of the people behind Boko Haram is to set Christians against Muslims in a war of attrition.

The large congregation were led by the National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad; Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I; Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Dr Is-haq Akintola; National Missioner Fatiu Quareeb Society of Nigeria Sheikh AbdurRahman Adangba and Missioner, Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Sheu AbdulMajeed among others.

Lecturers in various higher institutions at the event include Dr Abdul Wasiy Gabadeen – UNIABUJA; Dr Ismail Bidmus – YABATECH; Mrs Ganiyat Adenle – LASU; Mr Ismail Adegbite – UNAD; Mr Oluremi Olaleye –LASPOTECH and hosts of others.

Sheikh Ahmad who delivered the Jumat Sermon and led the prayer said Nigeria has no business with poverty.

The nation, he said, has been adequately blessed by God with various natural resources, manpower and intellect.

The revered scholar identified corruption and greediness among the Nigerian leaders as the bane of the country.

Nigerian leaders, he said, do not think of meeting Allah one day to account for their deeds, hence their selfish actions.

“Allah has given us a city that is harmonious and endowed with various opportunities. But in the midst of plenty, poverty becomes our lots. What do we lack in Nigeria?

“We have water, natural resources, we have everything. There is nothing Allah has not given us in this country. Nigeria has no business with poverty. Nigerians have no business living below the poverty level. Allah has blessed us,” he said.

Sheikh Ahmad warned Nigerian media to stop referring Boko Haram as Islamic sect.

“The Muslims are not anarchist, the Muslims are not terrorists, the Muslims are peace loving people, and the Muslims are progressive and nation builders.

Make people-friendly policies – Cleric tells Jonathan

A clarion call has gone to President Goodluck Jonathan and other political leaders to evolve policies and programmes that would ameliorate the poor living conditions of Nigerians. This appeal came from the Leader of Mahdiyyat Congregation Worldwide, Ashraf Kamarudeen Otubu.

He made the call at the 70thtanniversary of the advent of Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mahdi which took place on Monday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He expressed his disappointment over the kid-glove manner governments at all levels are handling the security matters in Nigeria.

He therefore called on government to improve on their safety measures so that Nigerians would have respite from all manners of threat to lives and property. Ashraf Otubu commiserated with the victims of bomb blasts and prayed that God will touch the minds of the perpetrators of the evil act.

Also speaking, Alfa Mufasir, Ijebu-Ode, Alhaji Bashir Elewuetu, made it known that all the political unrest, insecurity and economic meltdowns are among the signs of end time accompanying the appearance of the Messiah.