- By Razaq Bolawaye Uthman, Ph.D
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
All praise is due to Almoghty Allah (SWT) for the endless favour transiting to the devoted and pious worshippers. For tolling the line of oppression, due punishment is meltable to the obstinates. Abundant blessing be the portion of the nible Messenger, his entire household, Companions and dutiful followers of the vuidance till eternity. Ruminating on the trends of discourse is selected for this edition in view of the proximity to the most shattered celebration of Maolud n Nabiyy in one place and for the Ummah to reflect on the title beyond the immediate causes of distraction.
The crop of Muslims occupying this part of the clime in the view of this writeup, could be tagged being Muslims than Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is possibly premised on sheer imitation of non-Muslims in their ways of prosletisation or for other reasons not coverable here. Several nations like Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon adopt some other menial but mild ways of doing that. For simple reason among others, the manner in which Islam was introduced to us as giving lacuna for tessellation of initiatives to drive in the motive of evangelism. Approaches differ according to environments and people living there.
In Yoruba land for instance, Da’wah methodology metamorphosed lfro localised to medieval and digital methods. Da’wah recognized phases like using gaslight to mobilize participants in an environment. Such mobilzation featured ‘Lawoya ni o se waasi o; Omo Alojanbah jade wa. Lokunrin l’obinrin; Omo Alijannah jade wa.’ Meaning; You are all invited, male and female to the public preaching by Lawoya Qur’anic School.’ Comparative lectures were also organized by iterant lecturers such as Alhajis Ajikanle, Salaudeen Maye, Azeez and many others sequel to which the Zumratul Mumin (Ina Gedegbe) picked up the mantle. Sooner the stage was represented by audio recorded lectures and among the magnates include Late Alhaji Muhyideen Ajani Bello, Muhammad l Hadi Akilapa etc. Television recorded lectures as related on States and private owned Television Stations in cities occupied by the Yorubas. This later gave way for weekly, monthly and quarterly comparative lectures. The emergence if Da’wah organizations harbinger Halqah, Mu’tamar (mini conferences) and later on the social media explorations for Da’wah.
The last factor in the nomenclature of Da’wah did more of exposing the dual-edged horizons of propagation, no doubt. In fact, the best and worse things that had happened to this Ummah in civilization appear the use of social media. Knowledge automation and explosion dealt more blow to the unity of the Ummah even though this writeup may not be oblivious of the knowledge as a stream of civilization prune to dynamism. The much of the Fitnah witnessed today may not be far from unhealthy rivalry, pomp, masterminding the opponents all in the bid for self-interest and chauvinism.
Moreover, the painted scenario presents vehement and wide range of enmity between the locals and the trainees abroad. Two factors are responsible. One, the abroad returnees seem to be armed with necessary support including capital and source material resources. The locals that initially trained them before the travel opportunities are seen as making do with derivative materials under the authorship of the established Institutions.
Such formations also appear enlisted for periodic financial support at the expense of the locals. Superiority complex in the garb of acting and preaching odd against the focus of the locals became evident. However, most of the bookish materials authored by local scholars could hardly bel published in places of training by the diaspora trainees and this appears a minus on the part of the locals. LContrarily, fanning the ember of disunity among the duo is the stiff policy on importation of book materials from nations whose alliance are given to the local Institutions. While on the contrary the diaspora training nations appear as giving free hand to their products in the aspects of materiall and projects transfer. The looming danger in the visionary thoughts of right thinkers appears from the utter undermining the disposition, efforts and focus of the locals. It is obtainable however, that when arguments ensue superior argument would have the day arising from the availability of source materials as against sources only linked to the local scholars which may not have been fielded in the International levels.
The area of concern on the trends of unhealthy rivalry going on is probable and proximity of attack on one another which would ultimately result on not only shortage of informed scholars but also sharp dwindle in the useful knowledge in circulation. The locals appear imbued with more than enough soldiers loyal to their respective Institutions and venerated Scholars. Marching this with the diaspora trained, the quality of internally trained scholars from this formation may not be a game. Aside, the question begging for answers remain ‘on what basis is the unnecessary rivalry? Are we sure of having enough scholars necessary for the ICT-driven challenged? What does the Ummah stand to gain from self-imposed scholarship other than diverting the mindset of the entire Ummah?’
Allah (SWT) warns in the glorious Qur’an 8:25 that, ‘And fear the trial which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict in punishment. Though as self-explanatory as the Ayah sounds, the reported Hadith fro Abu Hurayrah (RA) elaborates the scope. On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (SAW) maintains: ‘My Community will be affected by the disease of the group. On enquiry, he explained: awful disposition with impunity, stomach aches, inordinate compilation of wealth, unnecessary rivalry in life, annoyance, jealous untill it becomes wickedness and abandonment among brethren.’ It is in the same token that unnecessary envy is viewed with utter disdain as reported in the following line of poetry: واظلم من في الارض من كان حاسدا # لمن بات في نعماءه يتقلبMeaning: ‘The worse of human on earth is jealousy; Among those who reside and enjoy their favour.’ However, envy is particularly of three categories which are I. Expecting fall of someone’s favour, II. Emulating the path to someone’s glory (Ghibtah) and III. Jealous of his favour is another form which is more dangerous. It must be expressed that we have not had enough scholars and the few ones on ground should, as a matter of fact, make Islamic enclave more obscure.
However, issues are better discussed but proffering possible solutions is absolutely necessary. 1. We have passed through various stages of Da’wah formations which to a large extent solved momentum issues. This Khutbah suggests floating academia comprising outstanding Institution Students and like minds of others for discussing fledging issues. The outcome of the discuss would present far-reaching stand whereas the Institution head still reads out the outcome but it is conglomerate of views and research of all others in the Academia. Historically, Aristotle Stagira, Plato and many more authorities saved their face with such formation. II. Da’wah methodology enables a Da’i to vary approaches to precautionary, existing and preventive measures in human circle. The system that built existing structure must not be criticised or castigated outrightly because dealing with human beings is far-cry from dealing with books and paper of any kind.
III. The Umbrella Body in charge of Islam in this part of the nation should act fast to convene Conference of Mudarau and Wukalau of Institutions to address the main focus of the Institutions to align with knowledge explosion and ICT demands. This would not only put the products on better pedestal of economic success but also boost the frontier oft the Institutions.
One cannot be doing ordinary but expects extra-ordinary result. III. Serious cautions must be exercised on unhealthy rivalry and attack while the cause of unity must be charted at all cost. IV. Claiming exclusive Ahlus Sunnah sounds more particularistic in nature. It insinuates the exclusion of some others. Insinuating that they are Ahlul Bid’ah brings about problem among the Ummah simply because of talking to some Spects of Sunnah than others. V. Self interest, pomp and behaving with impunity should be discouraged if only Islam is worthy of working for. VI. Ideological and power struggle should be played down. VII. Nepotism should be discouraged in totality.
VIII. Creating divisions Among Muslims can only benefit external sponsors against the existing structure in the way the current Saudi Arabia authority was sponsored to have upper hand among the three contenders in the early 20th century. Till we meet again in the next edition thank you for being there always, stay blessed.
Dr. Razaq Bolawaye Uthman, Imam & Missioner Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Of Nigeria Ipaja Branch Lagos State Nigeria.
