Umar AbdulMutallab: Product of a confused generation

First, we sympathize with the AbdulMutallab family over the unfortunate episode that is not only embarrassing to them but also disappointing to Nigeria as a nation. Such is not too unusual in this phenomenal world, especially in societies where modernity has taken the place of religion or morality in the life of contemporary man. Scriptural […]

First, we sympathize with the AbdulMutallab family over the unfortunate episode that is not only embarrassing to them but also disappointing to Nigeria as a nation. Such is not too unusual in this phenomenal world, especially in societies where modernity has taken the place of religion or morality in the life of contemporary man. Scriptural texts give testimony to instances of the past in which children grew up to become a complete negation of their parents. When Prophet Noah (AS) called upon his son, who had disassociated himself from the former’s call to embark on the Ark for guidance; the son replied that he would climb up to some mountain that will save him from the water. Certainly, a recalcitrant and disobedient son who breaks away from the traditions of and by which his family is identified in things that matter, like Faruk did, ceases to share in the privileges of the family.

Inspite of that which has happened and the trauma through which the Mutallabs are passing, it is natural for the parents to have travelled to the United States of America. Like all men of God, Prophet Noah (AS), too, was kind-hearted and thus sought Allah’s mercy for his son even though he was told that there can be no compromise with evil. Allah (SWT) reminded Noah (AS) and states in Qur’an 11: 46 “He said ‘O Noah! He is not of thy family for his conduct is unrighteous. So, ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant”. We hope the Mutallab family would take the sad event in good faith, in the manner Noah (AS) acknowledged the reproof from Allah (SWT) over his son’s case.

Second, whether the attack allegedly attempted by Faruk is a hoax or not, it points to the collective failure of Nigerian elites who by their leadership roles in governance contributed in their individual capacities to the total collapse of the education system in Nigeria. One may wish to note that suicide bombing is a revolutionary trend that is foreign to the cultural pattern of violent crimes in Nigeria. So, whether Faruk had attempted to blow up an airliner or not, it is not unexpected that a young man like Faruk who had spent most part of his study-years in foreign schools from Togo to the United Kingdom, would be without alien influences bearing upon his mindset and character. This consequence, of course, is the cumulative effect of a strange education system which philosophy, structure and pattern completely negate the national orientation, ideals, values and aspirations of the Nigerian society. Worst tragedies might still occur as long as our elites continue to send their children to foreign schools from primary through university education. Some of them, I understand, even send children to nursery schools in foreign countries. Today, there are about 65,000 Nigerian students in the U. S. Any form of deviant behaviour manifested by these children may therefore be considered to be some wages of Nigeria’s collapsed education system, which we hope would inspire them to put the system right

Third, Umar Faaruk is possibly a product of a confused generation. Having grown up in the early part of his life under the religious guidance and Islamic orientation of his parents, the young Faruk found himself caught in a radical clash of civilizations in the oriental society of Britain. Many who belong to Faruk’s generation sometimes also find themselves between the obvious contradictions that exist in the public and private lives of their parents. The attitude of modern scholars, too, is another influential factor that further confuses this vulnerable generation and thus put it at the mercy of fanatical individuals and extremist organizations. May Allah (SWT) protect us from the evil of the sneaking whisperer from among Jinn and men, amin.

Clearing bushes around graveyards:

We remind Muslim communities to clear the bushes around graveyards in their neighbourhoods.  We are in a season during which graves are exposed to fire ignited by hunters who chase rodents for meat. It is worthy to develop the habit of engaging in sanitation exercises at graveyards during weekends even if it were on monthly or quarterly basis. Let us remember that the grave is a “class-less home” where every citizen, as a mortal, owns an irrevocable 6 x 2 x 4 plot of land. With all his craziness about eviction of residents, revocation of plots and demolition of structures without respect to court orders, the erstwhile minister of FCT, Mr Nasir el-Rufai, who had an exaggerated opinion of himself as an infallible and most intelligent man in Nigeria, was short of supercilious powers to extend the avant-garde ethics of his religion, “the Abuja master-plan”, to graveyards. May Allah (SWT) make graveyards a strong reminder of death to us, now and always, amin.