In Retrospect This article is not new. It was first published in this column in March 2013 as a reaction to a fortuitous incident that required a fortuitous reaction. Sometime early in January 2010, a rumour flew around in Nigeria through the e-mail and mobile text messages. It warned people against what was called an […]
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Very few people knew that the late Aare Abdul Azeez Arisekola-Alao had a twin brother. Those who knew that fact either took it for granted or did not duly acknowledge it. Like most human beings, the colossus was not born all alone. He was accompanied by another child who twinned with him into this mortal […]
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Preamble This is a season which some Muslims celebrate as a festival. They call it Eidul Mawlid (meaning festival of birth). Their intention is to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This, in Islam, does not anyway enhance the great Prophet’s achievements. If anything, it trivialises such achievements. No man in history is as […]
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Preamble Controversy is a Nigerian. It occupies a delicate but vintage position in the hearts of most citizens and revolves incessantly around trivial matters often to the detriment of serious and meaningful issues. In no other country of the world does controversy thrive as much as it does in Nigeria. Nigerians take pride in the […]
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Prologue The title of this article is quite symbolic. Islam is the most worthy message that requires a worthy messenger to propagate. And the messenger in this case is any worthy Muslim who is supposed to propagate that divine message in a worthy manner. Invariably, the quality of the message is often vividly reflected in […]
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Preamble An article entitled ‘Hijab: “Muslims against Muslims” which appeared in this column penultimate Friday drew an unprecedented array of reactions from readers. A follow up to that article last Friday in this same column also attracted torrential reactions. Apparently, both articles struck the touchy parts of readers differently. And their simultaneous reactions, accordingly confirmed […]
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Preamble This article was scheduled for Friday, January 15, 2016 to coincide with the 50th year remembrance of Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello’s assassination in Nigeria’s first military coup d’etat. However, since man only proposes while Allah disposes, the plan to publish it that day had to change due to an exigency that required an urgent […]
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Preamble It couldn’t have been an idle talk when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) expressed an axiom of all ages and generations. After all, the Almighty Allah had told us in Qur’an 53 verse 3 that this greatest man that ever lived “never talked out of sheer whim; any utterance he made at all must have come […]
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Preamble This article is not new. It was first published in this column in 2008. Its repetition here is in response to demands made by many readers who heard of it but were never privileged to read it. The recurrence of its relevance must have influenced their demand. The situation that warranted its publication in […]
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Is it they (human beings) who would share out the mercy of Allah (to others)? It is We (Allah) who share the possession of those bounties among them as their means of livelihood in this temporal world. And it is our duty to elevate some of them over others in ranks and in statuses. So […]
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There are good men in every land; the tree of life has many branches and roots; let not the topmost twig presume to think that it alone has sprung from the mother earth; we did not choose our races by ourselves; Jews, Muslims, Christians, all alike are men; let me hope I have found in […]
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Prologue Time flies. It was like a dream ten years ago when this column named ‘The Message’ debut in the great newspaper called The Nation. By then, this columnist (being a journalist) had written Islamic and sundry other columns for about 24 years in various Nigerian and foreign daily newspapers as well as weekly magazines. […]
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History is for human self-knowledge. The only clue to know what man can do is what man has done. The value of history, then, is that it teaches us what man has done and thus enables us to know what man is capable of doing”. By R. G. Collingwood Preamble The title of this […]
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Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable of Pleasant Word like a splendid tree which roots are firmly entrenched in the belly of the earth while its branches sprout gorgeously into the firmament of the sky yielding fruits every season by Allah’s grace? Allah talks to men in parables that they may […]
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Whoever amongst you sees something wrong should endeavour to correct it with his hand (by removing it). If he is incapable of correcting it with his hand, let him correct it with his tongue (by condemning it). If he is still incapable of doing so let him effect the correction with his mind (by praying […]
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Hold fast the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you […]
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Preamble
The title of today’s article is not a coinage of this columnist. It is rather the title of a book jointly written by 14 likeminded world class Nigerian lawyers of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) cadre and Professors of Law.
This is therefore an unconventional review. The book which contains 468 pages and 11 chapters is a compendium of well-researched articles authoritatively written by the contributing gurus.
It is about the monster called corruption, its genesis, its causes, its varieties, its devastating effect on the society and the possible solutions to it.
Preface
In the preface to the book written by its Editor, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, of Al-Ghalib Chambers, it is stated that corruption which is as old as formation of the society by man has been promoted to state craft and described as the single most debilitating cankerworm eating deeply into the fabric of the nation and destroying it almost endemically.
Mallam Ali quoted former President Olusegun Obasanjo as saying at the inauguration of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in 2001 that:
“With corruption, there can be no sustainable development, nor political stability. By breeding and feeding on inefficiency, corruption invariably strangles the system of social organisation. In fact, corruption is literally the antithesis of development and progress.”
And quoting the Transparency International, he also writes in the same preface as follows:
“Corruption corrodes the fabric of society. It undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems, institutions and leaders. It can cost people their freedom health, money-and sometimes, their lives.”
Mallam Ali then reveals a disturbing instance of corruption perception index released in 2015 by the same Transparency International in which Nigeria was rated number 136 of 167 countries with a score of 25 per cent and concluded that the publication of such frightening reports contributed to the thought leading to the writing this book.
Foreword
The foreword to the book is written by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, who states inter alia as follows:
“This book (Anatomy of corruption), no doubt provides the appropriate reference to the conceptualisation of corruption, casting a glance to the past of this menace, identifying the present state of affairs of the cankerworm and projecting the death of the cancer should be doing in order to finally nail the coffin of corruption in Nigeria, and give it the desired burial”.
He writes further thus: “In our fight against corruption in all its ramifications, all hands must be on deck and we must collectively save our country from the jaws of the corrupt. All sectors of the society must be fully and totally committed to the anti-corruption crusade.
“The Nigerian judiciary will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption by ensuring that the cases brought to the courts are determined with dispatch; to this end, there is in place a fast-track mechanism to ensure that cases of corruption are determined with little or no delay.
“There are challenges of infrastructure, resources and manpower but we are resolved, as an arm of government, to play our part and write our names in gold when the history of this struggle in Nigeria is chronicled.”
Recommendation
Observing that the contents of the book touch almost all Nigerian professions, including academia, artisanship and business concerns, Justice Mohammed says: “I recommend this book to all Nigerians (home and abroad), especially jurists, legal practitioners, academics, media practitioners, students, politicians, business people and indeed, all lovers of our dear country, Nigeria.
We must all stand to be counted in this battle to rid our nation of this destructive menace called corruption”. Genesis
Comment
No one can say, with precision, when corruption began on earth or where it emanated from. But we came to learn that as far back as the time of Egyptian civilisation, the Egyptians used special preservatives to spare their dead from complete corruption and that corruption of the upper class in the Roman Empire led to the collapse of that Empire.
We also learned from history that the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, was put to death because the ancient Athenians believed that he was spreading corruption among their youths.
When the late vociferous lawyer and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, made a queer but thought-provoking statement in a public lecture at Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo, in 1974, he hardly envisaged today’s situation of Nigeria.
He said: “It is criminal to be law abiding in a lawless society”. By what currently obtains in the country, sheer impunity seems to have put that statement in the front burner with unintended authority. Thus, it can be concluded that corruption is the tap root of a poisonous tree with no depth measure.
Foreign Perception
Appraising the foreign perception of Nigeria in relation to corruption, one of the contributors to this book, Adebayo O. Adelodun, (SAN), succinctly captured the comment of a Singaporean journalist who covered the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Nigeria in December 2003 as follows:
“Blessed by nature but undone by man, Nigeria has been described as the Cinderella who never made it to the ball. Corruption is endemic in this West African nation. Corruption stifles economic growth. A country’ position on the corruption table is closely correlated to its poverty rating. Hence Nigeria is among the poorest countries in the world. It is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil, yet, most of its petrol is imported…Those in official positions squeeze the people. Even when the government decides to help out, the poor don’t benefit. The money set aside doesn’t get to the people as it is hijacked along the way.”
Prescribing his own solution to the cancerous social virus called corruption, Adelodun writes:
“In fact, it is high time for Nigeria to adopt the Chinese and Saudi Arabia models for punishment of official corruption. The penalty is death sentence. This may appear drastic but we all agree that the situation in Nigeria requires drastic suggestions and measures.
“The Nigerian legislature is expected to borrow a leaf from those countries. We must reform our laws on corruption and input provisions to protect and reward whistle blowers and informants. We must insist on minimum standard on moral behaviour in public offices.”
He also has advice for Nigerian citizens as follows:
“The citizenry should be encouraged to see corruption as a stigma on their reputation. Focus should change to the fact that corruption makes us poorer as a people. The little resources (available) can go round if not for corrupt practice of greed and selfishness.
“The citizens must be ready to play the role of whistle blowers and informants for the agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of combating corruption”.
Head knock for Nigerian Judiciary
In his own contribution to the book, Adebayo Olanipekun, S. A. N., gave a painful knock to the judiciary on the head for being an aiding factor in making corruption a monster that it is in Nigeria.
He states that: “Our criminal justice system is skewed in a way that it does not deter corruption but rather has the opposite effect of encouraging it.
Situations where a poor boy who stole a hen is sentenced to two years imprisonment and a high-ranking public officer who embezzled N23 billion is given an option of paying N250, 000 fine cannot be said to deter corruption”.
He quoted a onetime Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, where the latter, at the SERAP’s 9th Roundtable conference in 2012 gave a keynote address as follows:
“…When the rule of law is weak, corruption will remain a nagging problem. Corruption in the Justice sector is a keystone to corruption throughout the society. Without an honest criminal justice system, the wealthy, especially the corrupt, can escape the consequences of their crimes.
Impunity reduces the perceived cost of corruption. The risk that corrupt activities will result in imprisonment and accompanying public humiliation is minimal. The gains of corruption are therefore not discounted and there is thus, little reason beyond personal integrity not to engage in corrupt acts”.
Talking about the importance of the Judiciary in the fight against corruption, he quoted Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke, as saying: “Nigeria is sick and needs urgent treatment. The judicial system is the only method by which erring members of the society can be made accountable and be made to pay the penalty of any wrong doing. Yes, there is corruption in the land and only the court can purge the society. But alas! What about the judiciary itself”.
Role of the media
And commenting on the role of the media in fighting corruption in the society, Adenipekun says: “Nigerian Media are manned by Nigerian citizens. As watchdogs of the society, Journalists are expected to bridge the gap between the government and the society”. He quoted a London Times editorial of 1851 which articulated the role of the Media as follows:
“…The Press (being a professional whistle blower) lives by disclosures…for us with whom publicity and truth are the air and light of existence, there can be no greater disgrace than to recoil from the frank and accurate disclosure of facts as they are. We are bound to tell the truth as we find it, without fear of consequences-to lend no convenient shelter to act of injustice and oppression, but to consign them at once to the judgment of the world”.
Other contributors to the book are as follows:
Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN); Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies; Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad (Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria); K. K. Eleja & Co Chambers; Professor Mojeed Olujimi Alabi of the University of Ilorin; Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), of Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State; Prof Wahab Egbewole of the University of Ilorin; Awa U. Kalu (SAN) of the University of Lagos/Abia State University, Uturu; Justice S. D. Kawu, Chief Judge of Kwara State and Dr. Hammed A. Hannafi.
Though quotations from their writings cannot be accommodated here, all of them are nevertheless veritably quotable in their respective fields as they will be found in their respective contributions to the book.
Public Presentation
The book: ‘Anatomy of Corruption’ will be publicly presented at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.
The Chief Guest at the occasion will be the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
The Chairman of the occasion will be the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON.
The Guest Speaker will be Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate while Chief Presenter will be the Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Otunba Tunde Ayeni.
The book will be reviewed by Prof Ademola Popoola of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and the Chief Host the President of Nigerian Bar Association, Augustine Alege, SAN.
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And hold fast to the cord of Allah and do not be disunited. And remember the Mercy of Allah upon you when you became adversaries to one another and Allah saved you from falling into the quagmire of Hell by reconciling your hearts with love. That is Allah’s way of illustrating His signs to you that you may be grateful”. Q. 3: 103
Preamble
This article was meant for publication in this column on Friday, April 29, 2016. That was about five days after the second General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) was held on Sunday, April 24, 2016.
That the article was not published as scheduled was not the fault of yours sincerely.
The venue of the General Assembly was the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan. More than 350 delegates, including the Chairmen and Secretaries of the six States’ Muslim Councils/Communities in the Southwest and a sizable number of prominent guests from the region were in attendance.
Roll Call
The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Senator Ishak Abiola Ajimobi, was ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Lekan Ali.
A onetime World Court Judge and Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice, His Excellency, Prince Abdul Jabbar Bola Ajibola, who is also the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees was present.
Also, a former Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith and a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Najeem Awodele were among the prominent personalities present at the occasion.
Among other prominent personalities present were a former Deputy Director-General of the Stock Exchange, Alhaji Rasak Oladejo, a onetime President of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Sulaiman Owoyemi and the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of the Southwest, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as well as the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.
Also present were a retinue of professors, including T. G. O. Gbadamosi, Lateef Hussein, SHA Malik, AF Ahmad, M. O. Abdul Rahman, K. K. Oloso, Taoheed Adedoja and others too many to be listed here.
There were others like the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyyi Ajigbotomokekere as well as Baba Isale Adini of Ibadan, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.
It was not all an men affair as some frontline Muslim women in the region were conspicuously present.
These include Iya Adinni of Yoruba land, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Dr. (Mrs.) Lateefah Durosinmi (a former national Amirah of FOMWAN), Alhaja Surura Oyero, the current National PRO of FOMWAN; Alhaja Simiat Ogundiran, the Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State, Alhaja Faosat Aliu, Amirah of FOMWAN, Ondo State; Alhaja Medina Akanni, Amirah of Criterion, Oyo State; Alhaja Rafat Momoh, a former Amirah of MUSWEN, Ondo State and many others that cannot be accommodated here.
Opening Remark
In his opening remark at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Prof D. O. S. Noibi gave a brief situation report of MUSWEN’s first General Assembly held in 2015 and the secretariat activities sequel to that event.
He also relayed the various MUSWEN’s achievements in the year ending and seized the opportunity to project the expected achievements in the year ahead.
The Chairman of the GA’s 23 member Planning Committee was Professor Muhib O. Opeloye while the Secretary was Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, the Assistant Director, Programmes and Corporate Services of MUSWEN
Life like weather
Life is like weather. It changes posture from season to season. If the weather is too hot in summer, let no hope be lost. A clement weather may be experienced in winter. There is no weather without effect. Nigerians are currently in an uncertain economic weather in which nothing is predictable with precision.
This was the situation that influenced the theme of MUSWEN’s second General Assembly held penultimate Sunday. That theme was ‘Zakah and Poverty Alleviation’.
Nigerian Muslims have been perennially facing two fundamental problems. One is poverty, the other is ignorance. A solution to one can automatically proffer a solution to the other. But the failure on the parts of the concerned stakeholders to search for any solution at all has consistently remained a spectre tormenting the faith of most Muslims day and night.
The president’s welcome address
In his welcome address, at the occasion, the President of MUSWEN, His Excellency, Dr. Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola OON said inter alia that:
“….Despite the fact that we are operating in a particularly difficult time in the nation’s history, MUSWEN has recorded a number of accomplishments since our last General Assembly, especially with efforts that were geared towards deepening and widening relations with stakeholders within the Ummah both within and outside the region”.
“With effective coordination by the Secretariat, the active collaboration of the other organs of MUSWEN and the State Councils/Communities as well as the critical support of other stakeholders, it is heart-warming that MUSWEN has continued to serve as the rallying point for Muslims in the region”.
State of the Nation
Talking about the state of the nation as at the time of the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN said:
“It is especially significant that inspite of the fears that we all had early last year, Allah helped us to survive the negative predictions about the 2015 general elections…. There is no gain saying the fact that our dear nation, Nigeria, is passing through a difficult time. In the last few years, the socio-economic climate has been tough. People are daily faced with hard choices. Insecurity, corruption and poor economy have continued to plague the nation”.
“It is gratifying, however, that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is making frantic efforts to get Nigeria out of the woods.
The battle against insurgency in the Northeast is giving Nigerians the hope that, in not too distant future, that part of the country would regain its peace that was shattered some years back”.
“A sad development arising from the dastardly act of insurgency was the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.
It is worrisome that for over two years now, the Chibok girls have remained in bondage. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to do all it could to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families. But more importantly, let us fervently pray to Allah for the safety and return of the girls”.
“In the same vein, the fight against corruption could not have come at a better time. Given the amount of information about the level of corruption that Nigeria had sunk into, one can only say that we are really fortunate that Nigeria is now on its way back to sanity and global respect.
To this end, the President and his team need the support and prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians, including Muslims, as they strive to reset the nation on the path to progress and greatness”.
State of the Region
Appraising the situation of the Southwest region, Alhaji Babalola made the following observation:
“The Southwest region of Nigeria is blessed by Allah with abundant human and natural resources. What’s more, the region is noted for setting the pace in matters of progress and development. It is not for nothing that this region is home to Nigerians from diverse backgrounds who seek means and ways to fortune and personal progress….”
“While I must acknowledge the challenges faced by the state governments in the region in their desire to develop the region, our people have no reason to be poor.
I, on behalf of Muslim stakeholders in the region, therefore, wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our political leaders in the region to pool their resources together and make genuine effort to revamp and integrate the economies of the states for the greater glory of the region and our people”.
He continued thus: “In the same vein, I am delighted about the atmosphere of peace and religious harmony that continues to exist among our people irrespective of their religious affiliations. This is a tradition that has earned the Southwest region the respect of other people. However, experience has shown that more still needs to be done.
Of particular significance is the need for more accommodation of Muslims in the political structure of Ekiti State. Muslims in the state deserve a better deal. The principles of equity, fairness and inclusive leadership need to be adequately respected in multi-stakeholder settings like ours”.
And in conclusion, the President of MUSWEN said: “I must not end this address without recognising the critical support of the State Councils/Communities, the League of Imams and Alfas, major Muslim title holders, Islamic organisations and other stakeholders whose sustained commitment has continued to make the idea of MUSWEN a pleasant reality: “K’ajo kan l’awa nse” (to be one united body is our objective)”.
The BOT Chairman
In his own remark, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Prince ‘Abdul Jabbaar Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE, CFR, LLD, DLitt, FNIALS, after welcoming the delegates and guests to the second General Assembly, commended the Presidency of MUSWEN for cooperating with the Board of Trustees in working for unity, welfare and progress of the Muslim Ummah saying:
”As the custodians of the shared values of our organisation, the BOT has followed with keen interest and a sense of satisfaction the various indicators of progress in MUSWEN since the last General Assembly.
The BOT is particularly glad to note that MUSWEN has been successful in reaching out to an increasing number of corporate and individual stakeholders within the Ummah and beyond.
There is no doubt about the fact that this is surely the best way to further strengthen the organisation for the benefit of the Ummah.
Deputy President-General of NSCIA
The support of the stakeholders to the BOT in the course of consultations on the nomination of a new candidate for the position of Deputy President-General (South) of NSCIA is particularly commendable.
This Second Assembly should, therefore, be regarded as an opportunity for us to resolve to build on the successes recorded so far in this and other regards. The various organs of NSCIA should, on the other hand, resolve not to rest on their oars but to do more for the benefit of the apex body.
About the theme
In view of the importance of the theme of the Second Assembly – Zakah and Poverty Alleviation – the BOT wishes to commend all of those who have been supporting MUSWEN financially, believing that Allah will continue to reward them most richly in fulfilment of His promise. It is my hope that the theme will deepen our collective consciousness to support the cause of Islam financially for the general good of the Ummah.
Keynote Address
The Keynote address was delivered by yours sincerely on the neglected pillar of Islam called Zakah vis a vis the overwhelming poverty threatening the lives of majority of Nigerian Muslims. The contents of that address as well as the general report of the Central Working Committee of MUSWEN and that of the first General Assembly held in 2015 cannot be brought here because they are too lengthy to be accommodated in a one page article. There is hope that both and some other related issues, will be published in this column in a foreseeable future.
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Guests, everywhere in the world, are of different types. Some are of honour and treated with integrity because of their acknowledged dignity. Some are bereft of honour but merely tolerated for their nuisance value. Each time we talk of guests, people invariably think only of humans in the erroneous belief that no other creature could be qualified for that title. What they don’t seem to know is that humans are just a fraction of Allah’s creatures. There are millions of others not often noticed by man. One of such creatures is environment of which season is a part. The phenomenon called season comes in different forms with different intensity and at different times of the year.
Similitude of Seasons
Seasons are like the tides of an ocean. They roll out spirally in quick succession and reshape the world’s environment from time to time. They come in multiple of months. No one measures a season in the absence of months as there can be no seasons without months.
Europeans have so much respect for seasons that when they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’. The month of August is the peak of summer season and the most comfortable month of hospitality for the Caucasian race of Europe hence the term.
In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan. Its visiting time is not restricted to any particular season or Gregorian month. Its arrival in the world may coincide with that of any season. It is therefore a guest of all seasons.
With Ramadan as a special guest of honour, not only the Muslims but the entire humanity is consciously or unconsciously engaged in hospitable activities. Those who cannot fast in it do take advantage of its presence to sell or buy some relevant needs and wants. Thus, there can be no indifference to the awful presence of Ramadan in any part of the world.
Once every year, Ramadan creeps into the world like the early morning light. It moves kaleidoscopically into an arena where the centre becomes its stool. It lifts its veil and beams a focus on the world with an arresting attention in the days just as it envelops the nights in a shroud of a divine covenant linking the dream of man with his fulfilment.
Its journey
No one knows Ramadan’s port of embarkation. No one knows its destination. All we know of it is that of a guest that is so vividly present in our world and yet so invisible. Its arrival is often heralded by a retinue of envoys. The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate escorts that alert us of its imminent arrival. Like the sun in the midst of stars, Ramadan ascends the throne in full regalia and all other months, (lunar and solar) quickly take their bow.
Call it the king where other months are chiefs and you will be dead right. Call it the doctor in a world of sick people and you will not be wrong. Call it the sage among the novice and you would have hit the nail on the head. Call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity and you would have spoken the truth. Call it the reformer of human soul; the sterilizer of human spirit as well as the purifier of human body and you will not be disputed. In its entourage are equally invisible ministers like piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.
Definition
Deriving its name from a natural healing phenomenon, this ninth lunar month is truly baking in effect. The word: Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramd (meaning baking). The name had been in existence before the advent of Islamic calendar. It was coined from a baking summer that immediately followed a freezing winter. Ever since, Ramadan has been perceived as a pivotal agent for firming up all loose ends in the life of man. And it does that with a touch of perfection.
Its mission
The entire month of Ramadan which consists of 30 or 29 days is spent in fasting from dawn to dusk. Such fasting is not about abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It is also about self restraint from all sinful acts. It is about repackaging one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.
Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins. It was in this glorious month that the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began.
In this month, all gates of paradise, according to the Prophet, are open while those of hell are closed. The first ten days in it are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need blessings and seek for them. The next ten days personify forgiveness for those who realize the gravity of their sinful acts, repent on them and resolve never to return to such acts again. Thus, Ramadan is far beyond a month. It is a season.
Its anchor leg
The last ten days of this sacred month form the anchor leg of Ramadan which is meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a new born baby arriving in a new world with a tabula rasa (clean slate).
In these last ten days is a particular night (Laylatul Qadr) in which the secret of human destiny is encapsulated. It is otherwise known as the ‘Night of power’. Meeting that night consciously and spiritually is like securing the key to one’s own apartment in Paradise. But one needs to remain awake throughout those nights to be fortunate to meet the D night.
Allah did not disclose even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which particular night it is. But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet has helped us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains controversial?
Also, during the last ten days of Ramadan, some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), do go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, to reaffirm their total submission to Allah. Following this is a session of charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to give to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given in the very early morning of Ramadan Festival Day or the night before it to enable the poor and the needy celebrate the festival with the Ummah in a festive mood.
Anticlimax
The first day of the month of Shawwal that immediately after Ramadan is the anticlimax of expectation traditionally spent in great celebrations with rejoice and observed as the ‘Festival of fast Breaking the (Eidul Fitr).
Where else can one find a guest like Ramadan? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his hosts and heals them of ignorance and diseases? It was probably more to Ramadan than to man that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred when he said: “whoever believes in Allah and the ‘Last Day’ should venerate his guest”. That guest is Ramadan. That is why Muslims often say in this unique month: ‘RAMADAN KARIM’ which means ‘Venerable Ramadan’.
Preparation
To start or end fasting in Ramadan, sighting of the crescent is just symbolic. The indices of recognising when to start or end the month are naturally vivid to those who care.
Ramadan is preceded by two glorious lunar months of Rajab and Sha’ban for fun. The number of days in those two months is to enable any serious Muslim know the time of arrival of Ramadan and prepare for it. No lunar month exceeds 30 days and none is less than 29 days.
Crescent or no crescent, it is very possible and easy to know when to start Ramadan every year. The confusion often created by the sighting of the crescent is therefore avoidable. If Rajab is 30 or 29 days, no one looks for the crescent before starting Sha’ban. As soon as Rajab ends, Sha’ban starts.
Dynamism
Islam is a dynamic religion and nothing should be rigid or dogmatic about sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan. Sighting the crescent is not the only condition for starting the great month. After all, the new crescent is not necessarily visible to all eyes at any given time in any locality at a particular time. That is why a few people who may be privileged to sight it are implored to invite some others to witness it and then inform the recognized authorities who will in turn, announce the arrival of Ramadan to the Muslim community in the locality or region.
Besides Faith (Iman) and Hajj (which are the first and last pillars of Islam), nothing else is really globally uniform in practical terms with regards to timing. The variation in the geography of the earth has legitimized the variation of time in the observance of Salat, Sawm and Zakat. Iman is global because it resides permanently in the hearts of the believers irrespective of their localities. Hajj is equally global because it is performed in only one place at a particular time.
Geographical factor
Where a gap of about nine to eleven hours exists between one part of the world and another, talking of global uniformity in starting or ending Ramadan can only border on sheer ignorance. For instance it is impossible for the Australian Muslims living in Australia and their South American brethren residing in Brazil or Argentina to start Ramadan on the same day. Even within Nigeria, all Muslims can start Ramadan on the same day, only if they have equal access to information. And even with that, it is not possible for them all to start or end daily fasting at the same time of the day. That is why the announcement or publication of Ramadan timing according to the various localities is necessary.
That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate. Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world. And time variation in worship or celebration of festivals is not peculiar to Islam. Even in Christianity, neither Easter nor Christmas is globally celebrated in one day. And, there is no media noise about it.
What is global about Ramadan fasting is the month and not the time. Dawn and dusk vary from locality to locality. It is therefore possible for the Muslims in one part of the world to be breaking their daily fast at a time when their brethren in another part are commencing theirs. Thus, the genuineness or otherwise of Ramadan fasting is not to be judged by man. That is why Allah is reported by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying in a sacred Hadith (Hadith ul Qudsi) that: “Fasting is mine and I am the One to grant rewards on it.”
Welcome to the coast of Ramadan. This sacred ‘ship’ must not leave the coast without you on board. Ramadan is like an institution of learning. A good Muslim must not just pass through it he must also allow it to pass through him. Who knows when the last time to witness the month will be?
Where is Gawat?
Retrospectively, July 10, 2012 (a Tuesday) can be described as a shocking day for Nigerian Muslim Ummah. That day, the Nigerian electronic media waves throbbed with a shocking and unbelievable news saying: the popular Islamic programme (e dide e mu sari je) presenter was missing. The waves added that whoever knew his whereabouts or heard any information about him should report to the nearest Police Station or any other relevant authorities. The breaking news sent jitters to millions and puzzled millions of others. Here was a well known human being and not a chattel. Where and how do you start looking for him?
Brothers and sisters immediately took up the matter as a knotty task which must be unraveled. Text messages and phone calls, e-mails and face-book communications began in earnest. Yours sincerely was busy with a project in Ilorin when the sad news came through text messages. In less than one hour after the outbreak of the news the entire world had known of it. And that evidently confirmed the global village created by the modern technology. Thus, the search for ‘a golden fish’ in a turbulent ocean became a task for all and sundry.
Unfortunate Rumour
Thereafter, the Nigerian factor set in. Rumours began to fly across boundaries as evil agents added their inputs. First, we heard that Gawat had been found and taken to his family. Then came the devilish rumour that the episode was a complicity in which his wife’s hand was vivid. The evil rumour mongers even had the audacity of sending text messages to me saying that his wife was already in Police gulag. I immediately called the wife to enquire about her whereabouts. And when she told me that she was at home with the children I heaved a deep sigh of fervent relief. It was one moment of embarrassment at its topmost height.
I had known Razak Gawat since 1984 as an amiable gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour. He was humble, respectful and magnanimous in appearance, utterances and actions. When I met his wife a couple of years later I believed that a compatible couple was in the making with potential model. And it actually turned out to be so.
Imagination
One can now imagine Hajiya Fatima’s life without Alhaji Razak Aremu Gawat. It is possible to be dead suddenly for whatever reason but the body will be seen. And in a jungle like Nigeria called a country, it is possible for a prominent person of Gawat’s status to be kidnapped for a ransom by hoodlums and their godfather. But in this case, none of these occurred. What is unimaginable and which remains a puzzle is for a person of Gawat’s personality to suddenly disappear mysteriously with his car within the city of Lagos without any trace. Now, all said and done, four years after that agonizing episode, the question still being asked, despite the acclaimed security in the country, is: ‘where is Gawat?
Well, the evil doers might have done their worst but let not those behind this devilish episode feel that the deed has been finally sealed. Yes, to man it may look so. But to Allah, nothing is ever hidden as the divine repercussion of such an episode is just a matter of when and how. We pray Allah to protect and stand by Gawat’s family.
Watch Out for Ramadan Guide
The usual daily column often written by yours sincerely in the month of Ramadan will start in this newspaper on Monday, June 6, 2016 when Ramadan is supposed to commence. Please, watch out for it as it will be quite interesting. RAMADAN KARIM!
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Preamble
Here is the month in which the revelation of the Qur’an began. The revelation of the sacred Book in this sacred month called Ramadan is quite symbolic as it confers the entire habitat of human existence. It is the Qur’an that enables humanity to know the significance of the month called Ramadan. Thus, the relationship between the Qur’an and Ramadan is as symbiotic as the one between the egg and the hen. It is difficult for the one to claim an origin that is different from that of the other. Ramadan brings the Qur’an into life just as the Qur’an gives Ramadan its divine identity.
The word Qur’an means continuous recitation. It is so defined because of its inimitable origin which makes it a compelling daily recitation throughout the world, across nations and centuries. Qur’an contains the unsurpassable words of Allah not only in the grandeur of its diction and splendour of its rendition but also in the depth of its meaning, substance and profundity.
Revelation
The revelation of this sacred ‘Book’ to mankind through an unlettered desert Arab, Muhammad (SAW) the son of Abdullah and Aminah, began in 610 CE. It lasted 22 years and three months (12 years in Makkah and12 years plus three months in Madinah). The book contains 114 chapters and 6236 verses (not 6666 verses often erroneously quoted by most Nigerian Muslim clerics). Of these 114 chapters, 86 were revealed in Makkah and 28 in Madinah. But the 28 chapters revealed in Madinah constitute two thirds of the Book. And this is because the Makkah chapters are short and rhythmic while those of Madinah are long and prose-like.
Although the Qur’an was revealed orally, its writing began as soon as its revelations commenced. The writing was however done on primitive materials like wood, animal hide, back of trees, tablets of rock and others of the like which were then readily available. It was only a year (633 C.E) after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), that those writings were rendered into a book form not in a foreign language as in the case of the Bible but in Arabic which was its original language of revelation. And one of the wonders in documenting the Qur’anic revelations is the classification of those revelations into chapters and verses by the Prophet himself despite his unlettered status.
Manner of Presentation
The manner of presenting the Qur’anic revelations is simple and direct. It employs neither artifice nor conventional poses. Its main appeal is to man’s intellect, feelings and imagination. It does not only touch the anecdotes of previous Prophets and nations in different ages and even the accounts of earlier revelations, it also covers the entire period of human existence from the beginning of creation to the very last Day of Judgment.
Besides the above, the Qur’an also gives insight into some natural phenomena like spherical objects and revolution of the earth (Q. 39:5) the formation of rain (Q. 30:48); the fertilization of the wind (Q. 15:22); the revolution of the sun, the moon and the planets in their fixed orbits (Q. 36:29-38); the aquatic origin of all creatures (Q. 21:30); the duality of the sex of plants and other creatures (Q. 36:35); the collective life of animals (Q.6:38); the mode of life of the bees (Q. 16:69) and the successive phases of the child in the mother’s womb (Q. 22:5 & 23:14). It is only in the Qur’an, of all revealed Books that all these can be found. Or can anybody point out anything similar to these in any other revealed book?
Yet, the purpose of this Qur’an is not to teach history, astronomy, philosophy or sciences. It is rather to guide mankind in their pursuit of knowledge towards achieving the benefits of each of these fields throughout human odyssey.
Language of the Qur’an
Most Muslim clerics recite the Qur’an in its original language (Arabic) without understanding what they are reciting because they do not speak that language. Some read it as a means of solving their imaginary problems thus taking the Qur’an for a charm which must yield result if manipulated towards their whims. The Qur’an is not meant for that purpose. It is rather the manual of life for man by which he lives his daily life and conducts his daily affairs.
The word Qur’an means continuous recitation and understanding. It is so called because of its inimitable origin which makes it a compelling daily reading throughout the world and across ages. It contains the unsurpassable words of Allah not only in the grandeur of its diction and the splendour of its rendition but also in the depth of its meaning, substance and profundity.
Proof of Originality
That the Qur’an is the only revealed ‘BOOK’ in the world today that has consistently retained the originality of both its language and contents for over 1400 years is enough a testimony to the proof of its divine origin. That also confirms not only the genuineness of the prophet-hood of Muhammad (SAW) as a Messenger of Allah but also the lucidity of Arabic as one of the oldest languages in the world today. Thus, just as there can be no proof of the identity of a messenger without the authenticity of the message so can there be no proof of the genuineness of the prophetic mission of Muhammad (SAW) outside the proof of the originality of the Qur’an.
Proof of Divine Origin
It cannot be strange to see anybody who perceives the immortal God in the image of a mortal being to perceive Islam as a mere dogma like any other religion. It is such people who keep asking for the proof of Qur’anic revelation as if other revelations before the Qur’an do not need proof. In reason and logic, asking for the proof of the Qur’an after all the manifest evidences in its contents is like asking the sun to prove its rays. However, it is the nature and character of unbelievers to deny the truth and refute the obvious. But does it really bother the sun that a blind man denies its existence? Or can a brook be bothered in anyway if the herds boycott its water?
Features of the Qur’an
Qur’an leaves no aspect of life untouched just as it leaves no secret unrevealed. Problems and solutions; history and lessons; crimes and penalties; justice and righteousness; discipline and courage; friendship and trust; leadership and governance; education and methodology; marriage and divorce; widowhood and orphanage; childhood and inheritance; poverty and wealth; opinion and logic; facts and figures; life and death; darkness and light; war and peace; leadership and power; angel, jinn and man; heavens and earth; all these and many other matters relating to man and his environment form the subjects of discussion and guidance in the ‘Divine Diary of Life called the Qur’an’.
Profile of the Qur’an
The revelation of this Book to mankind through an unlettered desert Arab, Muhammad (SAW) son of Abdullah and Aminah, began in the month of Ramadan in year 610 CE. It lasted about 23 years (10 years in Makkah and12 years plus a few months in Madinah). The book contains 114 chapters and 6246 verses (not 6666 verses often announced by most Imams and Alfas). Any individual can verify this by checking the number of verses in each chapter and adding them together. It does not take more than one hour to do this.
Of the 114 chapters contained in the Qur’an, 86 were revealed in Makkah and 28 in Madinah. But the 28 chapters revealed in Madinah constitute two thirds of the entire Sacred Book. And this is because the Makkah chapters are short and rhythmic while those of Madinah are long and prose-like.
Writing of the Qur’an
Although the Qur’an was revealed orally, its writing began almost immediately the revelations started. The writing was however done on primitive materials like wood, animal hides, back of trees and others of the like which were then readily available. It was only much later, after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), that those writings were brought together and rendered into a book form.
One of the wonders of recording the Qur’an in writing is the classification of those revelations into chapters and verses by the Prophet himself despite his Inability to read and write.
The manner of presenting the Qur’anic revelations is simple and direct. It employs neither artifice nor conventional poses. Its main appeal is to man’s intellect, feelings and imagination. It does not only touch the anecdotes of the past Prophets in different ages and nations as well as the accounts of earlier revelations, it also covers the period from the beginning of creation to the very last Day of Judgment and beyond.
Qur’anic References
Not only that, Al-Qur’an also gives insight into some natural phenomena like sphericity and revolution of the earth (Q. 39:5) the formation of rain (Q. 30:48); the fertilization of the wind (Q. 15:22); the revolution of the sun, the moon and the planets in their fixed orbits (Q. 36:29-38); the aquatic origin of all creatures (Q. 21:30); the duality of the sex of plants and other creatures (Q. 36:35); the collective life of animals (Q.6:38); the mode of life of the bees (Q. 16:69) and the successive phases of the child in the mother’s womb (Q. 22:5 & 23:14). Yet, the purpose of this Book is not to teach history, astronomy, philosophy or sciences.
Qur’anic Lessons
In this glorious Book are practical lessons such as the great deluge, the cataclysm of Sodom and Gomorrah, the defeat of Jalut (Goliath) by Daud (David), the doom of the tyrannical Pharaoh, and similar catastrophes that had afflicted iniquitous people of the past. All these are taught to man through the Qur’an that he (man) might know how to re-assess himself continually and properly akin to the guidance of Allah.
Apart from the facts mentioned above, many other devices were adopted from time to time, by Allah, to remind man of his mortality and to see him through a successful sojourn on earth. But unfortunately, man has always been blind to genuine divine guidance just as he has been deaf to warnings and deviant of reason as much as he has persistently been insensitive to rightful thoughts even as he remains unreceptive to positive ideas. In his choice to form freemasonry with Satan, man has ignorantly and continuously strayed into a quagmire of sorrow. Taking Satan for his best friend, he refuses to use the long spoon with which he is provided through the Qur’an by Allah to dine with the damned Lucifer.
Testimony
To Muslims who understand the teachings of Islam through the Qur’an, all the genuine Messengers including Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) are from Allah and all the divinely revealed ‘BOOKS’ are series of the same Allah’s ‘MESSAGE’ to mankind. They are like Ambassadors of a nation to another nation. Changing them from time to time does not change the constitution of nation from where they come or the foreign policy of that nation. This fact has been firmly established in the Qur’an itself thus:
“The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad (SAW) believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord; and every true believer also believes in Allah, His Angels, His revealed Books and His Messengers. We do not discriminate against anyone of them (those Messengers) as they say we hear and obey (the contents of the revelation). Oh God! We seek your forgiveness. To You is our return” Q. 3:285-286
Discipline
It is evident that true Muslims are not known for maligning any Prophet or genuinely revealed ‘BOOKS’ that have not reflected any traces of human tampering. Right from its very first day of revelation, the Qur’an has come with undeniable proof. But it takes only a divinely cleansed heart to comprehend such proof and acknowledge its authenticity. Qur’an itself is the master proof of all other celestial messages that preceded it. It is the final divine revelation which has no human interference or tampering.
Neither Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who brought this Sacred Book to mankind nor any of his companions (or disciples) had a say in it. The Book contains no chapters or verses according to anybody. And unlike some other books no one speaks in the Qur’an on behalf of Allah in the name of revelation. Even the personal expressions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about mundane life which are generally known as Hadith were not to be mingled with the verses of the Qur’an despite his endowed divine inspirations. And where such expressions seem to contradict any part of the Qur’an they automatically become superseded by the contents of the latter.
The Qur’an as Mirror
Qur’an is the extraordinary compendium in which the activities of man from the very beginning of human existence to the end of human life are chronicled. It is the eternally concrete ‘MIRROR’ through which the descendants of Adam and Hawau can see life in its past, its present and its near and far future. This ‘MIRROR’ is the spectacle that heals the blind, the natural manure that fertilizes the human brain and the greatest treasure in the possession of mankind.
For the rightly guided mind, the Qur’an is the eye with which to see, the ear with which to hear and the sense with which to reason. It is the bridge across the valleys of life; the insurance against any damnation; the passport for salvation and the only reliable redeemer of mankind.
For any divinely tamed mind therefore, life begins and ends with the Qur’an, Allah’s own tradition and the only authentic fountain from which man can draw and sip the living spring of wisdom. The sense that reasons with the Qur’an makes no mistake. Any mind that thinks with the Qur’an can never be devilled. Any eye that sees with the Qur’an can never incur sore. Any tongue that talks with the Qur’an can never stammer. Any power that genuinely rules with the Qur’an can never fall. Meanwhile, the Almighty Allah warns in this non-such Book (the Qur’an) thus: “But whosoever deviates from My guidance, verily for him is life of subjugation and We shall raise him up a blind person on the Day of resurrection” (Q. 20: 124).
Controversy
Meanwhile, there is a raging controversy among Muslim scholars over the first and last revelations in the Qur’an. Much as this controversy is unwarranted, it may be necessary to clear the coast here (without claiming authority) if only for the purpose of authenticating history.
It is almost a consensus that the first revealed chapter in the Qur’an is Suratul ‘Alaq (Chapter of the Clot). But the very first revelation reaching Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Angel Jubril is ‘BASMALAH’ (In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful) which precedes every chapter in the Qur’an except one (Suratut-Tawbah) .
As a Messenger of Allah to another Messenger of Allah, Angel Jubril couldn’t have commanded Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to read anything without doing so in the name of Allah who sent him with the message. Thus, Suratul ‘Alaq, as preceded by ‘BASMALAH’, could only have been the first revealed verse but not the first chapter. And that is logical.
As for the last revelation in the Qur’an majority of Nigerian Muslim scholars believe that it is chapter 5, verse 3 of the Qur’an which says: ‘’Today, I have perfected your religion for you and completed my favour on you. And, I am pleased with Islam for you as religion’’.
That verse of the Qur’an that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at ‘Arafah while performing his farewell Hajj couldn’t have been the last revelation because came 81 days before the demise of the Prophet (SAW). Another revelation came thereafter which about nine days before the Prophet fell sick and died. This can be found in Qur’an 2: 281 which says: “And fear the day when you shall all return to Allah; the day when every soul shall be requited according to its desert and none shall be wronged”.
CLARIRFICATION
The earlier verse was an accentuation of Hajj as the last pillar of Islam. And that was why it came on ‘Arafah Day. The latter is a reminder of man’s final destination and the account of his worldly activities. These and many more are what readers of the Qur’an should know inside out. But the big question is this: who will teach them when the supposed teachers have sold out to money and ignorance? To Muslims who are conscious of their spiritual affinity and retain their conscience for the day they will meet their Creator and account for their deeds on earth ‘The Message’ says RAMADAN KARIM!
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