An endangered phrase
There are 46 African languages among the 500 that have been classified as “endangered” or ‘nearly extinct” languages in the world. While Pacific languages top the list with 210, European languages have the least number with only 12 endangered languages. The 46 African languages are shared among ten countries including Nigeria, which has 15 languages […]
There are 46 African languages among the 500 that have been classified as “endangered” or ‘nearly extinct” languages in the world. While Pacific languages top the list with 210, European languages have the least number with only 12 endangered languages. The 46 African languages are shared among ten countries including Nigeria, which has 15 languages currently threatened by extinction. It is sad to note that words and phrases are also not left out of the threatened subjects of concern. Certain expressions have seemingly become allergic to the tongues of many Nigerians resulting into the near extinction of such words, which are commonly but naturally found on the lips of an average human being. One of such expressions is the phrase “I’m sorry’.
Man, an infallible and imperfect creature, finds reasons once in a while to say “I’m sorry” to fellow human beings. While circumstances that call for the use of this expression continue to live with man, his linguistic milieu appears to have discarded it, which is though a phrase that practically symbolizes humility. The recent apology in the New Year message tendered by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua over government’s inability to deliver the much talked about 6,000 megawatts target of electricity by the end of 2009 was more of a bolt from the blue to many Nigerians than a conventional occurrence. Such uncommon act of humility has not, hitherto, been in the character of Nigerian leaders. With many unfulfilled political promises, political leaders in this country find it unnecessary to even give excuses let alone tender apologies in lieu of their shortcomings; to those whose mandate made them political office holders. Expecting a Nigerian political office holder therefore to say “I’m sorry” was like expecting a hen to grow some teeth in the mouth or a fish to grow some feathers.
Allah (SWT) commands us to be humble in life and thus states in Qur’an 15:88 “…But lower thy wing (in gentleness) to believers”. With a good and genuine sense of humility, we can always say “I’m sorry” when and it is desirous to do so. Saying so should not be the headache of any leader who considers his position as a privilege to serve and make sacrifices. Imam Bukhari (RA) relates on the authority of Al-Aswadi bn Yazid (RA) who said he asked the prophet’s wife, Aisha (RA), about what the prophet (SAW) does in the home and she replied; “he was always in the service of his people”. Prophet Musa (AS) had no problem apologizing to the servant of Allah (SWT), khidr, during their voyage on the sea. The former could not suppress his curiosity in his search for divine knowledge from the latter. We must, therefore, not only learn to apologize to people for our failures but likewise accept to do so at the right time, in the right place, and to the right people.
In our homes, it would be an act of chauvinistic arrogance if a husband after offending his wife would not be humble enough to say “I’m sorry” to her. Similarly, we consider it a classic act of contempt if a wife after misbehaving to her husband would refuse to apologize to him. The party at fault should be able to apologize to the other in a non-ridiculous manner. Children as a matter of moral obligation should apologize and say “I’m sorry” at any time their actions or inactions provoke the anger of their parents. Allah (SWT) commands us in Qur’an 17; 23, 24 to be kind to our parents and “…lower to them the wing of humility…” We should by the same token say “I’m sorry” to our neighbors whenever we fail in our duties obliged by neighborliness, without prejudice to religious or ethnic background.
In the school, teachers should be guided by a sense of responsibility to apologize to their students each time they fail in their duties for which they were employed. We expect a teacher/lecturer to say “I’m sorry” to his students if he goes late to the class. But what happens when some lessons/lectures were left untaught by such a teacher who again takes his full salary at the end of the month? This column though not a fatwah medium, considers this as tantamount to those described by Allah (SWT) in Qur’an 83:1-3 “Woe to those that deal in fraud; Those who when they have to receive by measure from men exact full measure; But when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due”. Correspondingly, a student should apologize in words and actions to his teachers whenever he is found wanting. Only a grossly indiscipline student would refuse to do that.
Amazingly, even the GSM networks in Nigeria, unlike other places, lack the act of contrition. The word “sorry” is always missing from all they have to tell you when the line you dialed is not available or reachable. Anyway, let us not reserve today’s apology for tomorrow if only to save the phrase “I’m sorry” from extinction in Nigeria! As we interact with others in the office, at the market, hospital, filling station, and even on the road, let us remember to say “I’m sorry” each time we offend others. Nigeria would have become ‘heaven’ on earth any day you hear an okada rider saying “I’m sorry” to other law-abiding road users. May Allah (SWT) have mercy on us, amin.