A View on 'Muslim-Converts' et al ...

I made a presentation in Yola this weekend. It was an expression of my views about conversion and how people who embrace Islam may be treated. You will find the complete paper at my other site on the ssrn.com network. However, a few points may be interesting.

I believe managing converts is not an issue. I believe all the people who convert to Islam are Muslims and are obliged to act accordingly. I believe all Muslims owe each other the obligation of treating themselves equally. I know Allah loves those of the highest piety. May we all be alive to our responsibilities.

Christ-like, yes, ... that is what I said!

This morning something pleasant happened to me. I visited my eye doctor to collect my glasses and went through a very interesting encounter. My eye doctor engaged me in a serious discussion on the issue of religion. She was particularly impressed by something about me that made her impression of, her attitude and thinking about Muslims change. She asked me if Muslims believed in Hell and Paradise. I said, we did. She said, meeting me had made her realise that there are some Muslims that MAY go to Paradise. I asked her to explain. She was incoherent, seeing that she was really unable to specify the exact thing about me that changed her thinking about Muslims. May be if I explained the events leading to this morning, I may succeed in conveying my astonishment and pleasant surprise.

I started wearing prescription glasses in 2003. My first set was the only one I picked after a thorough medical examination. So, when the eye started trouble, I had to go and see an eye doctor. I walked into this private clinic and there she was! She examined me and made her prescription. She charged me and showed me a number of frames. I opted for a nondescript piece and made a comment to the effect that I was not interested in a frame for show. As I left the clinic that first day, she asked me my 'denomination' but before I answered, I noticed her hesitation and then she asked if I was a Muslim or a Christan. I said am a Muslim. End of discussion.

The cost of the replacement glasses was something I could afford to pay in two installments. So, after a few days, I was able to make the first installment. She said they were expecting me, and we joked about the possibility of my failing to show up after the examination. I was to return after three days, but I said I may not be able to do so unless I raised the balance. I failed to show up. A week after, I raised the balance, and this morning, I walked back into the eye clinic. I noticed she was reading her bible.

By this time, you expect I would know her name. I still don't know. Today I confirm she is a qualified eye doctor not just a technician. Her interest in me was wonderful. She told me that since she saw me and observed my actions, she told herself I must be a 'good' Muslim. She asked me why Muslims kill other people. She also asked if I believed in Jesus Christ. I told her Muslims do not kill people, but politicians who are Muslims may have political reasons to kill - as in the Twin Towers - but no Muslim kills as a religious belief. I said all Muslims believe in Isa (named Jesus Christ) as an article of faith. I told her any Muslim who does not believe in Jesus Christ is not a Muslim. She said I acted like a Christian. I said I was acting CHRIST-LIKE but I am not a Christan. All Muslims are Christ-like because they submit totally to the will of Allah (arabic name of the Creator of the Universe).

Yes, I told this Christan eye doctor that I am Christ-like, but not a Christian. She agreed I showed something that made her think that some Muslims MAY go to Paradise (after those who call themselves Christian?) because she never believed Muslims were good. She said I changed her thinking in this direction. So, I must live my life the way I do - so that it continues to change people's thinking about Muslims and Islam.

If ...!

'If' reminds me of a novel I read (or was it a movie that I saw?) several years ago. Whichever. It was a futuristic thing contempleting things that would happen that were contingent upon the happening of some other or one thing. It was a thoughtful thing, that novel (or movie).

Today, it is if Obama wins! Obama, the Democratic Presidential candidate in the US elections. Tomorrow. Nov. 4th 2008. Would Americans elect a BLACK President? Would they elect a man likely to have an ear for the ARABS (Muslims?)? How long would the romance last? If, ... yes, if Americans were to elect the first Black President, things will not be the same.

How would they change, ... or refuse to change?

Censorship & Kano: Where Rabo Derailed!

I read his rejoinder to a Leadership newspaper story, also published in the Leadership newspaper. He should not have bothered to write at all. His sentiments are misplaced. I think he was of the view that sympathy will follow. Oh dear, if only we are able to assert that any person, as an individual or in association with others, can force compliance to their views, we would be deviating from the non-compulsion doctrine in Islamic Jurisprudence. Allah never said we could compel compliance. He (SWT) asked us to call with wisdom. Yet, we could choose to do as we pleased when in authority to force compliance.

You should read Rabo's position. He even cited the Hays Code. He failed to say that the Code has since been out of use. He failed to indicate that a subsisting US Supreme Court decision (JOSEPH BURSTYN, Inc. v. WILSON et al.) has since made 'artistic works' in films covered by that country's first amendment in respect of the constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

Rabo should rethink. However, it would appear that the bulk of the convictions which the Kano Censorship Board has obtained at the Magistrates' Courts is on non-compliance to regulations. So, Kano artists, be up to it. Obey the regulations. Challenge those which are unconstitutional. We can do it. Yes we can (ha .. ha... ha).

Cloning, sex change, seed improvement: Which of these is creating?

A few minutes ago, I sent an SMS message to two of my colleagues. One, the amiable Director of Public Affairs of the institution where I serve and the other, head of our web team. I wrote: 'oh, ... changing night to day is IMPOSSIBLE not even with all the electricity in the world ... abi? I did not expect immediate response. I should be lucky to be left alone, Monday, because these are people I know would require my elaboration.

You see, we were having a chat at the office and someone said 'nothing is impossible' or words to that effect. Then I responded: somethings are not possible; things like changing a man into a woman or a woman into a man. They said no. My attention was drawn to the sex changing going on every where around the globe. I conceded but insisted that it was not possible to do a sex change unless the person exhibited signs conducive for the change. They disagreed. Now, that is where the discussion stopped. I expect to return to it when my SMS is read. But I maintain the position that nothing that does not exist can caused into existence by any human being.

Does the cloning of Benny(?) the Sheep amount to creating a sheep? Does an improved seedling mean a seed had been created? Does a sex change mean that a woman or a man has been created? Creation is an impossibility for man. Man cannot create another being. Man can only 'improve' an existing being. Not even the best of them can last. Do you remember the life span of the cloned sheep? It is not for ethical reasons alone that the American government has refused government funding for these kinds of research. It simply is not possible.

So, there are somethings that are not possible.

So, the Pressident may die? Kulli nafsin zaikatul maut!

Two very unrelated(?) events occurred within the space of two weeks. The Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, an Ambassador and one time Presidential running-mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingebe was dismissed (sorry, replaced) and Channels Television, born of versatile tv journalist John Momoh, known as friend of the system, was asked off the airwaves. The television station lost its licence (it is said suspended is a better word) to the command of the National Broadcasting Commission. These two events are indeed related. Here is how.

Do you remember those days the Nigerian President was out of the country receiving medical attention? It became a sin to contemplate the demise of the no.1 helmsman. Yes, no one was to think the President may die. It is not because he is an immortal, but because, like the case of the North Korean Presdietn, Kim Il Jong, there were too many issues a vacuum in the leadership of the country would create. No one wanted to be 'taken by surprise' (really?). How then do we plan for death? Like General Sani Abacha? No, not really, you see, death will come when it will come, for it is the only constant in all humanity. Death is the only certainty.

Why would a broadcast station speculate that a President that is sick may resign? That must be a reason that is inconsistent with a broadcast licence. One of the provisions of the licences for broadcasting in Nigeria is 'not to cause public disturbances' which a claim like the one broadcast by Channels could cause. Certainly, no one can stop death - for every soul shall have a taste of death (kulli nafsin zaikathal maut).

I think, death is an equalizer. My uncle thinks otherwise. That is for another day. For now, be rest assured that no President will die before his time. Likewise, no President will resign before the time appointed for the end of his 'tenured leadership' as decreed (destined) by Allah expires. We should bear that in mind and remain confident. Allahu Akbar!

Usool at-Tafseer & Izraliyat: Matters that should arise.

Dear Uztaz Abubakar Assadiq. I missed the edition of your segment on 'Sahur Live' broadcast immediately after the one in which you cautioned about taking in, hook, line and sinker, all that we read in some tafseer. On that edition, you failed to mention which of the available and accessible tafseers you were making reference to.

Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, in his book, 'Usool at-Tafseer', the Methodology of Qur'anic Explanation mentions the tafsir (or footnotes) contained in Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation of the Qur'an as full of izraliyat. He was particularly critical of some explanatory notes because they tended to give weight to jewish traditional folklores which may taint the Qur'anic revelations. He praised other translations, especially that of Ibn Kathir. So, ya Uztaz, why did you hold your peace?

I am concerned your silence may create more problems than it would solve. But, if because I missed the subsequent edition of 'Sahur live' on NTA2 and missed your explanation, forgive me. Oh, by the way, I think your response to the views expressed about your wife reading the Qur'an on the programme was too harsh. Have you lost sight of the temperament of the Rasul (SAW) when faced with adversity? You have to realise that you are no longer a private person (so your wife cannot be a private person - and may Allah continue to reward you for the sacrifice you are making) and so have to be patient. No amount of stressing 'non-compliance' will stop the criticisms. What I think you should do is find subtle ways of making your point. Allah (SWT) knows your intentions. May He reward you and members of your family with aljanna firdaus.

Please uztaz, television is a personal medium. Be kind. Speak kindly and nicely. Those who disagree with you will not refuse to see your reason. You have Allah (SWT) to account to and not any human being. But please be kind.