Baba Khalifa Dikwa Phd wrote this note 2 years ago. On this Maulid day, I think those in doubt of the celebration need to go through this piece and be well informed. MAULID Celebrations: Unnecessary Emphasis on Minor Differences to Disunite Muslims. By Khalifa Dikwa Phd: Whereas peace and security remain the prayers of every Nigerian, the ultimate guarantee to sustainable PEACE is by repenting and addressing the socioeconomic imbalances created by the few members of the elite in the various fields of Endeavour in other words provide equal opportunity for all to appreciate good governance at all levels. Aujourd’hui (today), my contribution is on the danger of amplifying little differences among Muslim sects to the satisfaction of the invisible saboteurs who unrepentantly use their foot soldiers to pull down good things from happening anywhere in the World except little where they control the leadership and resources. To achieve their permanent interests, they create intra-religious crisis in a mono-religious setting and inter-religious misunderstanding in a bi- or multi-religious society. They derive benefit and pleasure out of humanitarian, economic and political crisis. They are at the forefront to fund influential individuals and organizations to fight decent role models or leaders who are useful to their people. They are so smart to infiltrate where they are least expected. On the subject of the day, I dare say that by my training and professorial emeritus title of Shettima Ilmube, I listen and tolerate all shades of scholarly opinion with the aim of fostering unity in order to hold fast to the rope of the CREATOR. By this, I don’t appreciate divisive views and tendencies based on magnified little differences. I may not make sense to those who condemn scholars for their slightest human weakness. I continue to appeal to Muslim Clerics to apply wisdom and take into cognizance the circumstances and traditions of our society as against the challenges Islam is going through. Therefore, Islamic scholars should condemn what Allah and His Prophet have condemned ab initio and leave the rest to scholars to weigh and reach a consensus (Ijma and Qiyas) on the advantages and disadvantages of acts that were NOT experienced during the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is where the Ummah should be able to identify and neutralize the challengers of the religion of God. They should try to create additional occasions or festivities at which some notable scholars from different sects to give talks and identify statements and insertions that create divisions or protests among the authentic Hadeeth especially those emanating from some Arab and Muslim countries where our youths go to study. It is high time for those who are rigid on their stand to have a rethink so that they tilt towards unity rather than pulling down any unifying factor. Islam is simple, scientific and has practical solutions to all human problems as Allah (SWT) does not place any burden above the capacity of the individual. Thus, it is safer for one with limited knowledge not to indulge into great scholars’ arguments who respected the views of one another. Agreed, the Prophet and his companions did not celebrate their birthdays (Maulid) out of modesty so that it does not become mandatory. Therefore, it is strategic for Muslims to create more interactive forums to proffer solutions to their problems and tolerate those who celebrate Maulid with the objective of teaching the great characters of the Prophet and his companions, to exchange views and enlighten the Ummah to overcome the many challenges which are doggedly supported by the Western media. As I said on many previous occasions that we should encourage gathering than can bring Muslims together as an opportunity to pray for unity, peace, development and progress. Others include interpreting the Qur’an, rights to practice one’s religion, History (Siira) of the Prophets sent to different people with specific rule for a limited period as well as the Qur’an as the final and non-modifiable Scripture updating all the previous divine Books (Zaboor, Torah and Bible) that suffered many alterations from the anti-Christ and anti-Islam governments which had and continue to have an overbearing influence in World affairs until the appointed time which have already commenced when one looks at the election of persons ruling countries under whose reign Arab, Muslim and coloured leaders are arm-twisted to undermine their outstanding cultures, deceive and terrorize their own people. Such leaders are forced into occultism to ignite wars by undermining peace and tolerance so as destroy their historical sites, libraries and cultures leaving millions of refugees. By occultism, i mean presidents pretend to be good Muslims or Christians while in actual sense they believe in the Satanic power. For example, to them, the number 11 represents a powerful occultic number and it stands for, among others destruction and death of men. By now, you and Americans are more enlightened on 9/11, that is when you add up 9+1+1=11. Similarly, whether it is a coincidence or not, President Jonathan after imposing the Davidian Star on the Nigerian 100 Naira note, went ahead to declare his intention to re-contest on 11/11/2014. If you add up 1+1+1+1+2+0+1+4= 11. You may recall that during the reign of King David and King Solomon, devils were controlled by the Kings and openly used as workers and help others perform miracles. Their magic performance was displayed by those who opposed Prophets Musa (Moses), Messiah Jesus (AS) etc. peace be upon David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus). Back to our theme, i suggested that creating additional forums will enable Muslims and Non-Muslims alike to know the differences between Islam and other religions, identify clerics who use their status to preach what is not in the Scripture and take care of the 4 Ds I mentioned in my Lecture at Arewa House on the longtime planned destruction of Northern Nigeria on 11th January 2013. The 4 Ds are Deceit, Disease, Disaster and Death wherein enslaved leaders are seen to normalize the abnormal even to the animal kingdom. It is therefore strategically necessary to understand why some individuals are nominated and imposed by foreign lobby groups and governments to hold key positions in our governments as cronies and devil’s advocates. They are remotely controlled to impose anti-religious, deceitful anti-people economic policies such as those of IMF particularly in African governments in terms of SAP, subsidy removal, tariff increase, throat cutting school fees in order education and good living to the majority. They usually subvert religious, tribal and regional harmony rather than allowing you to agree with you in the divine Law of religious tolerance (laa ikraaha fiddeen/ lakum dinukum wa liya diin). Therefore, woth due consultation, we suggested that the whole month of Rabiyul Awwal (3rdHijra month which is also the birth and death month of the Prophet of Islam), then the 1st day of the month of Muharram (1st day of the month of Hijra Calendar) as well as some days out of the 4 great months be chosen as forums to teach our youths the History of Islam and qualities of the Prophet and his companions as they peacefully co-existed with Jews and Christians. To my mind, additional forums will go a long way to checkmate the overwhelming vices in movies and other social media. However, If we refuse to be proactive in creating avenues and innovations simply because they were not practiced by the seal of all Prophets, then others will brain- wash our children with other programmes such as the history of footballers, film actors and short cuts to acquire wealth by any means without the least fear of God. Let our children know more about the impeccable characters of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his Companions and religion as well as the fear of God, tolerance and selflessness exhibited by scholars of blessed memory like Imam Malik, Sheikh Muhammad Laminu Elkanemi, Sheikh Usman bin Fodio, Sheikh Abdullahi bin Fodio, Sheikh Abba Aji, Sheikh Abubakr Mahmood Gumi, Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmood Adam, Sheikh Usman Bida of Borno and others too many to mention (may Allah’s mercy and peace be upon them). We should also celebrate the sterling qualities of leaders of the 1st Republic like Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, Sardauna, Kashim Ibrahim, Aminu Kano, Waziri Ibrahim, Ibrahim Imam, Waziri Junaidu etc. Let’s celebrate them so that we and our younger ones can emulate them. Therefore, I implore you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of gatherings like Maulid, naming , wedding, conference, workshop etc. as long as such traditions and culture are not counter-productive to the religion of Islam and the well being of the people. For instance, the advantages of having a prayer carpet or rosary (chasbi/ sibhah) around by far outweigh those of holding a mobile phone to browse or scroll for text messages throughout the day. Let’s please ask ourselves the question that between a rosary (chasbi) and handset; which one is likely to remind us of daily prayers and other prayers for our daily problems. Furthermore, let me reiterate the importance of knowing, managing and tolerating the little differences, instead of magnifying them as if they are serious enough to divide us rather than behaving like the 4 Schools of Thought (Malikiya, Shafi’iya, Hanafiiya and Hanbaliya) that respected one another despite some of their differences in opinion on various issues. That is why it is more advisable to celebrate Maulid and create other occasions to be alert and discuss contemporary issues. Moreover, I wish to say that Muslim scholars should always consider the level of their audience and make their lectures inter-active and dynamic. They should normally discourage young students from criticizing other scholars or laying to much emphasis on scholars’ disagreements over minor differences in view of the excessive conspiracies against Islam. For instance, some of us repeatedly said the concept of karabka, or kungia (association) should be guided by the day-to –day needs in various communities rather than insisting on a blanket uniformity while adopting consensus (Ijma) and balancing (Qiyas) with current trends, so as to judge arguments along with circumstance or context to avoid rigidity in interpretation which is capable of negating their teaching on unity and mutual respect among scholars and Muslim Ummah. For instance, the best dress (white jallabiya) of a man in Sudan, Chad or Arabia is not appreciated as national regalia in northern Nigeria while the Sudanese lady’s big veil (laffaaya) is highly respected as it covers her robe and wrapper from head to ankle. Therefore, associations, organizations or clubs should be guided towards achieving specific purposes such as daawa, teaching of the basics for new converts, Arabic for beginners, health tips, sanitation etc but they should ALWAYS keep in mind the UNITY ROPE Q.Aali Imran chapter 3 verse 103 ‘watasimu bihablil lahi jamian wa la tafarraqu….la’allakum tahtaduun’ ( hold tight to the ROPE of Allah and do not create differences ...) over minor differences that cannot invalidate one’s worship or faith. If such great scholars had agreed to disagree, we should also not force people of any given community to, immediately do exactly what is practiced in another environment without teaching them the advantages or otherwise. Unlike the teaching of Sheikh Mahmood Gumi, Sheikh Usman Bida, Sheikh Abba Aji, Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmood Adam, etc. the approach of the Izaala movement was alleged to be in a hurry to change long historical habits or traditions rather than threading the prophetic wisdom path of giving enough time for preaching to gradually shed optional or unwanted culture (Izaalatul bid’a) hence creating a stiff rivalry between them and the Tareeqa leaders especially in Northern Nigeria. Izaala was said to out rightly go for the immediate ‘demolition’ of anything not seen in authentic Prophetic traditions as innovation (or bid’a)in a Taliban way without weighing the contextual advantages and disadvantages thereby ignoring that every community has touristic sites and values not disposable overnight. Similarly, some Tareeqa leaders were accused of downplaying the direct connection between man and God as sometimes the leading sheikhs enjoy being addressed with attributes of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his guided successors (khulafaa’ul Raashidun). They were also alleged of creating unnecessary protocol and slowness in the propagation of Islam. The emergence of Izaala in the 1980s broke the monopoly of knowledge by the Tareeqa Movement with young brains visiting villages and town across the country to teach rather than the traditional way of waiting for Ramadan, Maulid and a few other occasions to preach. Let us quickly indicate that there are two categories of bid’a as optional to tally with the situation and others unnecessary that have been found to be among the young Izaala Movement and longtime Tijaniya and Kadiriya Movements in Nigeria. For instance, Borno remains the longest reigning Islamic Kingdom with an unbeatable record of tolerance and peace in the whole West Africa (over 1,200 years) as against most of the Northern Nigeria kingdoms which recently celebrated their 200 years of existence with the exceptions of some kingdoms like Zazzau, keffi etc. existing for over 500 years. It took a lot of wisdom to avert a crisis when radical scholars discovered that there were 360 churches in Borno state alone as the figure 360 has historically noticeable in the History of Makkah despite the fact that there were only 3 small locations in Borno that had a colonial Missionary influence ( a few Marghi from Lassa, a very Chibok, a few Bura from Marama in Hawul LGA who are connected to their kith and kin of Garkida in Adamawa, as well as a few traditionalists and pagans from Gwoza LGA), all the rest are Muslims. Historically, Kanem-Borno stretching between River Nile and River Niger (bainal Bahrain) and from Fezzan (Libya) to almost all the Northern States of Nigeria up to Egba land in the South West as it was the only Kingdom that survived wars in West Africa as the few traditional practitioners (no Christians before the arrival of colonial missionaries in the 19th Century) had been fully assimilated after they willingly converted to Islam without any forceful conquest (Jihad) henc e the Fulani Jihadists had found no smaller chiefdoms to convert or conquer in Kanem-Borno Kingdom and that the wars were for political expansion. Therefore, the Mujaddadi Shehu Usmanu Dan Fodio had teachers from Borno and he was a contemporary of Shehu Al-amin El-Kanemi with whom he exchanged ideas and respected each other. Borno had a historical edge of well over 1000 years prior to all other kingdoms and that all these kingdoms were under Borno under the Yemenite Saifawa Leadership (Saif Dhi Yazaan) irrespective of their backgrounds as Arabic was the language of administration and instruction. Thus, the Kanuri language is over 75% Arabic (Dikwa 2006). In short, the Kanuris are a mixture of Arab Yemenite ancestry who had married from nomadic Saharan people such as Kanembu, Tubu, Zaghawa, Wadai etc., and north African Berbers hence their appellation in the Arabic simile Kannuri ‘like light’ meaning 100% believers in one God Allah and Muhammad (SAW) as His Prophet. So, the El-Kanemi dynasty took over from Saifawa dynasty who had ruled Kanem-Borno for over 1,000 years (one thousand). First, it is very important to appreciate the propagation activity the Izaala movement has been doing in northern Nigeria since it was introduced in the 1980s by modest and great scholars like Sheikh Abubakar Mahmood Gumi to complement what the Tareeqa Movement has been doing barely few years after Islam reached West Africa in the second half of the 7th Century through Borno. However, some opinion leaders accused Izaala Movement of not adopting enough of Sheikh Gumi’s wise strategy when the Izaala Movement in the 1980s when it was introduced to northern Nigeria on the necessity for gradual shedding of expensive and less useful traditional norms which were not known to the original Sunnah that made Islam a very simple religion wherein Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), his Successors, Companions, followers and scholars who did not apply compulsion in faith as ‘Allah could have created the entire mankind of the same faith, tribe or language if He had wanted to (lau sha’allahu laja’alakum ummatan waahida…laakin yahdi man yasha’ ). The safest way for Muslims to avoid sectarian frictions is to stick to the grand ROPE of Allah (hablul Lah) than to wholly lean on any particular scholar or religious organization (karabka or kungia) having known that the differences were not serious enough to create confusion in the young brains in a hurry to be called Malam, Sayidna, Sheikh etc. without going through the traditional tutelage of traditionally modest teachers chiefly found among scholars who attended Borno Sangaya schools. Therefore, we generally agree that students don’t have to register like members of a political party to belong to a particular side or scholar. Rather, they should learn a particular subject from one scholar and proceed to learn another subject from another expert in a different field. Thus, as a neutral Shettima Ilmube, i should stand for bridge building and discourage frictions on little differences among scholars. Therefore, after acquainting myself with the minor differences, I always listen to all shades of opinions with a view to advising preaching scholars not to join issues or lay emphasis on small differences such as the controversy generated by paragraphs like salaatul Faatih over and above salaatul Ibrahiimiya. Thus, inquisitive students should worry about the basics and leave those with advanced knowledge to search for their authenticity or otherwise known as the 2 Sahihen ‘Sahih Buhari and Sahih Muslim’ and any verse of the Quran with reference to a small book titled: ALFIRQA AN NAAJIA criticizing JAWAAHIR AL MA’ANI. Head or tail, scholars should be tolerant with one another and leave the traditional but unnecessary innovation (bid’a) to fade out with time. We should therefore read between the lines and carefully interpret certain traditions that are smuggled into the Hadith in some Arab countries, just for the sake of creating di sharmony. Muslims should weigh the advantages and disadvantages and avoid arguing over the birthday which is also the death day of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Do what unites Muslims and gradually teach them what is acceptable yet an alien culture to the environment like marrying a sister from the same parents when a wife dies to keep the family intact, a family of father, mother and children eating together as applicable in some Arab countries rather than in our way with the father, male children, neighbours and passers-by while the mother and her daughters eat inside with hand rather than holding a spoon with the left hand as the devil like using left hand etc.. It is obvious that enemies of Islam use our natural and ideological differences, politics, ethnicity and material life to magnify little differences in order to create disharmony among Muslims via some non- contextual Hadith provisions rather than applying learned consensus (ijma’ or Qiyas). Again, immediate departure after the 5 daily prayers without seeking divine rewards in shaking hands denies Muslims from seeking Allah’s help for their basic defense ( addua) such as the keeping or use of reminder items like the counter /chasbih/ sibha) for which i said owing to our present circumstances where youths watch films, football, Internet browsing etc. from evening through the night up to 12.30 when they enjoy free phone calls and comparing the holding a GSM handset throughout the day and keeping a rosary (chasbih) in your car or bedroom, and not having it at all around you: which one is likely to remind you to recite astaghfirullah, hasbunallah wani’mal wakil, la haula wala quwatta illa billaahil azeem etc. especially, when one doesn’t spare a few minutes to do addua after each of the mandatory 5 daily prayers? The same goes for qabd or wad’u (folding of arms or leaving them at ease while standing for prayer) or female veil (hijab) or face covering (niqaab) which created controversy in Europe with the pretext of security or freedom of women as against blocking the attention of alien eyes etc. As part of International Politics to create more problems for the rest of the World, certain weak Hadeeth provisions are made big and smuggled in by some international organizations hiding behind some civil societies wherein many scholars innocently play into their gallery of controversies. The Qur’an is protected by Allah against insertions or deletions; it is a perfect Constitution with answers to all social questions on human and environment of the past, present and future. Those who fight the Laws of God achieve their temporary objective by promoting sectarian and anti-religious activities, where young brains mostly fall prey to rigidity in the interpretation of verses and Hadeeth in order to disturb PEACE (means shalom/ salaam) from which it derives its name Islam ( peace and submission to divine rules) with prophets as Leaders and Teachers. To derive home, I personally predicted 20 years ago the current unfortunate situation in northern Nigeria along with the dichotomies both intra-religious and inter-religious as well as rivalry among Muslims Scholars especially for which I suggested a panacea to have a neutral Islamic Regulating Body or LAJNA under Jama’atu Nasril Islam and Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs that will have the power to, occasionally convene a conference to sort out little differences by inviting Scholars from within and outside Nigeria to give sermons (Fatawa) rather than allowing rivalry between the progressive and conservative Ulama to weaken the Ummah. I am happy to note that many Islamic Scholars I met in different states heeded my appeal for tolerance and unity. In fact some promised not to join issues on minor differences again especially on salaatul Fatih, Maulidi, sibhah, qabd or gathering for naming ceremony to witness and pray for the new born, or try not to over explain Allah’s position on the Great Thrown(al-Arshul Adheem) so as not to pave way for unnecessary crossfire between scholars. On salaatul faatih and Maulid celebrations, I said there is nothing wrong in their wordings but scholars should teach their audience the origin and it should NEVER be considered above any a single verse of the Qur’an, not to talk of the whole Qur’an or make the phrase more perfect than what was said by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) numbering 33 or so. assalaatu alan Nabiyi (Allahumma salli ala Sayidina Muhammad….kama sallaita ala Sayidina Ibrahima…) for detail they should be referred to Hadeeth Jawaahir ul Ma’ani) or Alfirqan Naajiya, then search for fatawa on them or connect them with scholars to satisfy their curiosity. In short, scholars should refuse to be pitched against other colleagues. That they should establish phone contacts to take care of rumours. On niqaab and Hijaab: I said that it is recommended during lectures organized for women, during congregational prayers especially when a woman knows that she is so attractive to men ( it is okay provided she can cover her ears, lips, hair, top dress that does not expose her body or the shape of her breasts, legs, buttocks etc) but people should bear in mind that any action is judged according to intention as covering cannot prevent a corrupt woman from communicating if she so wishes even in the presence of her husband. To the few preachers who are not time to search for consensus( Ijmah and Qiyas) as they always say the Prophet (SAW) did not say or do this instead of being emphatic on what the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prevented etc. They should distinguish between the big and small shirk (believing in another god apart from the Creator God) as well as the big kufr and small kufr (.disbelief). The big shirk is a one-way ticket to hell fire which is the only sin Allah does not forgive. On the use of Rosary ( sibhah instead of the uncharismatic little toy to count) I said Umul Mumin used it with big grains or seeds ( to play a similar role of the modern sibhah and that the Prophet Companions Abu Huraira (RA) and Ibn Mas’ud ( RA) used both their fingers and sibhah to count) but I strongly advise against the current excessive addiction of our youths to GSM phones, TV, Internet etc. sibhah is more convenient and advisable to keep in sight to remind us to pray at all times, to check all our attention being taken away by scrolling handset or browsing internet etc. However, it is very important for Muslims to note that sibhah is a counter that replaced the erstwhile grains or seeds the way a plane replaced donkey, horse or camel to travel to Makkah and Madinah for pilgrimage. So, it has no power to add anything to the prayer except for counting and reminding, nor is it faster than the use of fingers. Consequently, If any event can be videotaped and kept, what prevents sibhah from testifying in the hereafter? Finally, I humbly beg our scholars and students to stick to the ROPE of ALLAH by downplaying little differences as normal. Let’s maintain and build more PEACE bridges through discussions and allow superior arguments to prevail. It pays to be prayerful and tolerant. Friends, your comments are welcome provided you bear in mind the purpose for which I sat down as an oppressed teacher to write this piece which is unity and harmony for Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide to appreciate that Islam is a religion of Peace and guided Life. And Allah knows best.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:50:39 +0000
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