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“Al-Fitnah—insecurity, injustice, discord, dissension, civil strife, persecution, oppression, trial and torment—is worse than killing”; declares the Qur’an (Q2:191). All the above are among the meaning of fitnah; and they are all present in Nigeria. So, fitnah is worse than killing. The dead have had their fate sealed. It is either to Hell or to Paradise. Nobody disputes this but the atheists. Even among the atheists, there are those who were compelled to be convinced by the logic of reason that there must be accountability somewhere after this earthly existence. It does not make sense, to them, that an oppressed suffered oppression through out his life and passed away without getting justice.
Their sense of justice led them to the conclusion that there must be justice ‘somewhere’! That ‘somewhere’ is life after death about which Allah says, ““This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.” For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment” (Q5:119).
Insecurity is now a global issue. Nevertheless, there is a handful of countries who are somehow immune from this global insecurity—they live in peace in the present chaotic world. I have in mind those countries that enjoy high ranking as most peaceful and happiest in the world. In a previous article, it was argued that any country that ignores the injunctions of the Qur’an on how to promote peace; and hold the society together is bound to land itself in a mess. In reality, there are few countries and communities in the world today who live in peace but are neither Muslims nor do they recite the Qur’an.
However, they unknowingly shape their thoughts of social justice and live their material lives according to the Qur’an. It is their spiritual and moral existence that are, of course, not in conformity with the Qur’an. This might not affect their temporal (worldly) joy and happiness. When it comes to social justice, any country (whether ruled by Muslims or non-Muslims) that advocates for it, and establishes it shall live in peace. Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio asserted that: “A kingdom (nation) can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice”. Social justice, as an antidote to insecurity, is like a scientific formula, which when applied, gives the expected outcome irrespective of who applies the formula.
It is important to note that advancement in technology, economic development and industrialization are all elements and evidences of material progress; yet they do not necessarily guarantee security, peace and happiness. What guarantees peace and happiness is social justice.
This is why China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States (The Big Five) are not anywhere on top of the list of the happiest and most peaceful countries in the world. The concept of ‘Big Five’ is itself treacherously narcissistic; they are known to be neck deep in racial discrimination, religious intolerance, and capitalist exploitation; not to speak of moral corruption.This explains their entanglement in the web of insecurity despite being advanced economies.
However, according to the Institute for Economic and Peace (IEP) 2020, the 10 most peaceful countries in the world are: Switzerland (10), Japan(9), Czech Republic(8), Singapore(7), Canada(6), Denmark(5), Austria(4), Portugal(3), New Zealand(2) and Iceland(1). Note that what these countries share in common are; freedom of press, respect for human rights, low levels of crime, sound education, equality of all before the law, lower interest rates. In the case of Iceland, crimes are almost not in existence to the extent that police do not carry guns.
Even the President does not have bodyguard and the fastest you are allowed to drive is 90 km per hour (narrowing the possibility of accident). Denmark used to be a very peaceful country but fell from 2nd to 5th position. Its slide (in ranking) could be plausibly explained by its recent approach towards religious freedom.
It should be clearly stated that any attempt to force certain religion on particular group of people can only be counter productive and degenerate into chaos. Many adherents of the two major religions in Nigeria are culpable in this regard; but Islam frowns at it. It is in this wise that the Qur’an legislates that “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion” (Q2:256). “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion” (Q109:6).
In the realm of social justice, these top 10 countries are not in dispute with the Qur’an.
They are in harmony with it, hence, they live peacefully and happily; though they are not Muslims. No wonder, therefore, that there are countries and communities which majority of inhabitants are Muslims (ruled by Muslims), but are enmeshed in civil strife, not secured, and unhappy due to their dispute with the Qur’an. Their lives and property are persistently under threat. They turn away from the Qur’an—Allah’s legislation on social justice—and are then living miserable life.
This said, discrimination, injustice, religious intolerance, and mutual distrust are so pervasive in Nigeria as if they are articles of faith. An individual becomes an outcast (for life) because he/she practices a religion or belongs to a tribe that is different from the religion and the tribe of a particular community. Though they are always exemptions. There are Nigerians who see you as human (first) before whatever religion you profess or ethnicity you identify with. I pray this category of Nigerians keeps increasing.
Anyone who is familiar with geography and history of Nigeria will be mystified to understand why someone from Kano cannot be employed in Jigawa; why an indigene of Delta cannot own land in Edo; or why a man from Oyo cannot marry in Osun.
This is uncivilizedly disgraceful! It is against the teachings of the Qur’an. In Nigeria, you see students in higher institutions who team up to secure a room (in a school hostel) only to be occupied by their ethnic group; and they are only comfortable with lecturers who hail from their villages. How can we be just and happy with this kind of mind-set? How do we feel secured? Is this how to promote peace? Why can’t Nigerian be seen as a Nigerian anywhere in Nigeria?
All the aforementioned ugly acts and deeds are absolutely and forcefully condemned in the Qur’an. It says: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do” (Q5:8).
“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent—then it is those who are the wrongdoers” (Q49:11).
It further says: “the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (Q49:13). But in our case, the most noble are the most corrupt or the wealthiest even if the sources of their wealth are dotted with many question marks.
In conclusion, social injustice in Nigeria gave birth to the unprecedented insecurity which, for the first time in history, governors of the 36 states confessed they are tired and frustrated. If we adopt the Qur’an—or at least the verses quoted above—as guide in our affairs, everyone will be happy as no one would be cheated or feel cheated. We ask Allah to help put an end to insecurity and all other vices in Nigeria.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen writes from Gashua.
salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
@salahuddeenAbd
