STOP BASHING!!!
It is disheartening when people who lay claim to knowledge of the Deen take to bashing, tantrums and name calling in the name of Da’wah. Till date, we haven’t seen an ayah of the Qur’an that says let there be Da’wah without Adaab but “call to the way of your Lord with good wordsand wisdom”
I was on my way to the hospital when I saw an article shared by Professor Ishaq. Akintola (MURIC) as regards FUNAAB banning the Niqob. As someone who is conversant with the attitudes of people, I told my brother Ibrahim Adepoju that “Yeee, they will fire prof. o” (Thanks to what the Saudi-Qatar earned me 😂).
Not more than 48 hours, I started to see different articles on the FUNAAB issue, all these articles were written against the prof. When brothers and sisters at Knowislam.com.ng sent some of these articles to be published, I raised the question,
* Who called Prof. Ishaq as regards what he wrote?
* Must we wash our dirty linen in public?
I called Professor. Ishaq this morning and we talked at length. I told Prof. that his statement, ” The wearing of niqab by some female Muslim students in higher institutions often complicates issues for us in the dawah field. While we are still pursuing the issue of hijab and grey areas still remain, niqab complicates the matter in a way.” cannot be understood by an average Muslim except there is a clarification because I do not also understand why Niqob (an aspect of the Deen) complicates issues for another aspect of the Deen (Da’wah).
The prof. started to explain that he received many messages that were abusive and insulting. He said someone called him perforated head, ignorant, empty barrel etc… SubhanAllah!!!
The prof. went ahead to explain that his statement is not for the press and it is his own personal opinion hence MURIC should not be under fire for this. Of his explanation is that he is not and can never be against the Niqob neither does he support the decision of FUNAAB.
Taking from what I learnt during the Saudi Qatar issue, I told professor Ishaq Akintola that it is sometimes safe to keep personal opinion to oneself and he stressed that there is no way he could have been silent as he is going to be disturbed on the issue. According to him, he is even being silent as he did not make any press release on the issue. He is also surprised as people can take to insulting him not minding what they share in common and also called for people to be rational in their criticisms.
This may not necessarily be in defense of the prof. but he is indeed someone who is very humble. There are ways we can write on issues without attacking one other – name calling, tantrums, insults, curses, labelling etc.
Niqob does not complicate issue in Da’wah field, what he intended is that we are still fighting for Hijab, raising issues with Niqob is complicating.
We should try to understand our differences, making criticisms constructive and objective. There are lots we share in common.
On another note, what we need now is SOLIDARITY not insults or pointing out what is mandatory or not. If all Muslims question the fundamental rights of the Muslims which includes freedom of religion, the problem will be minimal compared to highlighting what is mandatory or not, that only gives more strength to the haters of Islam. Instead of asking sisters to throw the Niqob in a place, we can stress the fact that they have the right ( constitutionally) to use it.
Allah says;
Surah Al-Burooj, Verse 10:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِيقِ
Surely (as for) those who persecute the believing men and the believing women, then do not repent, they shall have the chastisement of hell, and they shall have the chastisement of burning.
If only we take to saying what is good or remain silent. May Allah ease our affairs and guide us. Ameen. Allah’s aid is sought.
Bashir Lucas Samson Lukman
English 