Re: Degenerate, religious fools

So, last week’s column was written with the understanding that I may lose a lot of readers, friends even.  Therefore, some emails I received railing against the article were entirely expected.  But as a Muslim, I’m well connected with the concept of liwajhillah i.e. for Allah’s pleasure only.  What we say, what we do and […]

So, last week’s column was written with the understanding that I may lose a lot of readers, friends even.  Therefore, some emails I received railing against the article were entirely expected.  But as a Muslim, I’m well connected with the concept of liwajhillah i.e. for Allah’s pleasure only.  What we say, what we do and what we write should be for the sole purpose of being rewarded by Allah.  So we can’t, for the sake of our friends or brothers, stand aside while people wreak havoc in the name of Islam.
This is not to say the column itself was faultless.   The title, for example, could do with some editing.  As one of my uncles (and an ardent follower of this column) told me in a phone conversation after reading it, “many would say you regard callers of prayers as fools.” 
Although some of the reactions I received confirmed his fear, it would be the wrong part of the article on which to focus; because it’s a part that didn’t exist – not in the column at least.  To remove all doubt, there’s nowhere the article denounced the muezzin or the athan.  However, I, and many right thinking Muslims are against those who disturb sleepers at night while thinking they’re doing good.  Some, I’m told, blast their tape recorders to wake us up, while they themselves would go back to sleep.
Following is a selection of other readers’ responses.
Zainab Birma:  “If it’s not justice, it’s not Islam”. That says it all.
Dr. Garba Ibrahim:  My brother, you are welcome home. Sorry it has become like a mad house where piety is measured in appearance and clamour.  Just wait till we enter Ramadan! This month of forgiveness and mercy is turned into bedlam. Radio and television, the mosques and any open spaces become pulpits where competing sects struggle to outdo each other. But, please, whatever you do, do not complain. That would immediately identify you as an enemy. So, please, take heed. Once again, welcome home.
KassimAdefolajuGbadamosi:  Good! Serious re-awakening Ibraheem, we need thinkers for our immediate environment to challenge various thoughts and approaches in our milestones to pristine Islam and NOT importation of values and ideas from other environment; no matter how Islamic we presumed they are. That does not really address our problems, rather projecting personal brandishing, taking us away from true spirit of Islam in accordance with the practice of Muhammad(S.A.W.).  [You championed] invaluable world view and harbinger of happiness to humanity.  #Thumbs up Dooba Ibraheem.
Dr. Mahmoud Sodangi: Completely accurate Doc. Jazakallahukhairan, amin.
Qasfat: The Quran and sunnah are sufficient for the Muslims; and I do agree with all your observations, whether in Bida, Minna, Abuja or elsewhere. But the title of your piece is non sequitur to the exhortatory act enjoined on all Muslims. Are you interested in change? That gutter title, am afraid, may not be favourable. Many do not know what you know! To say nothing of those who think  they are doing the right thing.
Hassan Khalil: I like it, you really spoke my mind on this issue sir. Thanks.
Ral Mustafa:  That’s true; Prof. Sleeping well is the first step to living well. And Islam does not encourage what leads to illness-whatsoever.  Eliminating or reducing sleep problems will improve both your health and well-being. There are many factors that can affect your sleep.
The quality of your sleep may even be affected by your surroundings, the way it happened to you! Most People do that out of ignorance, thinking that it’s even more rewarding and Islamic to wake people up one to two hours before even the first a’azaan. Islam does not encourage that at all, even if people of other faith around you do something similar just to provoke you or frustrate you while sleeping! May Allah give us to the good understanding of the Deen.
Ishaku Bashir Yakubu:  It baffles me a lot. Well said Dr.
Abu Idris: Jazakallahubilkhair sheikh- prof.
JibrinDanwawu: Prof, You got it wrong, it is allowed in Islam to call prayers onthe
last part of the night (1/6th),whether you are sleeping or awake. Two, the wife also has the right to encourage her husband to pray with wisdom and nice preaching. Three all these problems can be solved through dialogue without branding people as fools; and have you ever viewed the conditions of that man doing it for free without your assistance? He might not be literate.  So is your judgment just?