TIME TO RE-WRITE OUR STORY

TIME TO RE-WRITE OUR STORY  

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

The media is actually becoming a stage for inter-religious dialogue. Recently, I received a comment on my article, “Bad Christians and Bad Muslims” from Nuhu and Fatihullah. My response generated the theme of the reflection which I hereby present as a call to re-write our story by the way we express our faith in our actions.  

Nuhu: You should know that the wikiIslam, which you referred to in your write up is a website administered by non-Muslims, chiefly to dent the image of Islam. You should know that Muslims have many enemies. How can you gain any true knowledge of Islam from wilkiIslam.com? I wonder! Can you take your lesson of Christian knowledge from Jews who insult the Virgin Mary, calling her unprintable names and spitting on Christians?

Cornelius: Thanks a lot for your observation. We need to work together to correct the wrong views of the terrorists and bad people who are abusing our religions. I write so that the real Islamic and Christian scholars can give a counter narrative to what bad Christians and bad Muslims are doing. Kindly give me the websites of the orthodox Muslims. Finally, note that the presentation is not what true Islam is but how bad Muslims present Islam. 

Nuhu: Thank you very much for your kindness. I am happy you understand that wikiIslam is not Islam. If you look at the website you will see that just anyone can contribute to their own contents. It is like the website of wikipedia for example. Any one can contribute. And that is why wikipedia is not a proper academic material. You can’t cite it in your thesis for example. As for authentic websites, these are some: Islamiconlineuniversity.com, Muslimmatters.org, Suhaibwebb.com, Islamweb.net, Bilalphilips.com and en.islamtoday.net.

 

Cornelius: My brother, you are able to identify these “fake scholars” because of your spiritual and academic awareness. I went to the United Kingdom (UK) with some Nigerian Muslims for two weeks training and workshop. At a point, I said to myself, this Muslims are from the North and here we are in UK living like real brothers and sisters. They were determined to take the risk in giving a counter narrative. I have encountered many wonderful Muslims in life. It was a mallam from Kaduna who taught me how to pray in Arabic. The point is that the good Muslims and the good Christians must continue to wage intellectual war against the enemies of our respective religions. The actions of some Christians and Muslims contradict the true teaching of our religions. I invite you to confront the erroneous ideas of the terrorists. 

Nuhu: Sir, honestly I understand your predicament. You are confused yourself about the peaceful nature of Islam. But you still summoned the courage to stand by peace and reconciliation. I admire your stance. You are on the right path for indeed Islam is not the same as Muslims of today. In Islam (like in Christianity), only the Scholar can interpret the Quran, the Hadith, or the matters of Islamic Law in general. And our Scholars have been murdered by terrorists here in Nigeria. I’m sure you are aware. And they are still being hunted. There is no single scholar who has endorsed Boko Haram or Alqaeda or other terrorists. You mentioned Sheikh Yusuf Uyayri. Well, he’s no Sheikh or Scholar. He left for Afghanistan while a teenager and he has been fighting since then. Which school did he attend? Maybe he is a scholar to the terrorists the same way Boko Haram looks up to Shekau as a Scholar. None of them is a scholar if you dig deep enough. However, Nawawi is a Scholar. I don’t know how his statements were taken out of context. Without doubt, there is Jihad in Islam; but I will explain to you what I gather from our scholars.

The jihad of warfare can only be done under a government. Groups cannot conduct jihad. And it can either be defensive or offensive. Defensive Jihad is when a Muslim country is attacked, repelling the attack under a properly constituted government.  If the defence is not under a proper government, it’s not even called jihad. Offensive jihad is carried out by a government to attack a non-Muslim country if the world is in such a situation where conventionally, a nation will attack another, where it is the norm of the time. And if such nation to be attacked accepts Islam, or refuses to accept Islam but signs a peace treaty and agrees to pay a tax (Jizya), they are left alone with their religion. Therefore all those texts praising the Mujahideen are only and strictly in the light of the above. But you know the terrorists are ignorant bunch.

Cornelius: This is beautiful! Do I have your permission to use your input by citing you in my publications? I take cognisance of the comments of my readers in the print media before I post articles in my blog (www.omonokhua.blogspot.com) and the book I hope to publish very soon. I don’t want to publish in my book any article that has not received comments, criticism and correction from the public. My position is to preach and promote peace. But I am aware of my limitations in the field of Islam hence I rely much on my friends especially the Muslim scholars in the academia. My brother, we shall overcome by the grace of Almighty God!

Nuhu: It will be an honour to cite my little contribution in your book sir. You have my consent. And my full name is Barrister Mubarak Nuhu. When the book is published, I hope it will be available for us here in Kano. I suggest you talk to Zamani Bookshop. It is the most popular bookshop here.  Keep the good work sir. But I think you have to expose wikiIslam in your column. Many Christians will read it and will visit the site without knowing the real Islam expecting that the slanders and scandals are saying the truth about Muslims. This will only make Christians hate Muslims and the cycle continues. No matter what the extremists on both sides say or do, the future of a peaceful world lies in the hands of the ‘moderates’ on both sides.

More thoughts on your other article: “Is this the creed of the terrorists”? Like you noted, dialogue with, or educating the terrorists should go along side the military efforts. Educating them will work wonders, I tell you. Saudi Arabia has de-radicalised very many of them through education. I have an example of a very famous Sheikh of our time, Salman Awdah. When he was only a student, he was imprisoned many times by Saudi Government for openly supporting violence. Osama bin Laden used to quote Salman Awdah to justify himself in some issues. Now Salman Awdah has been rehabilitated, he is now a scholar and completely de-radicalised because of “deeper understanding of Islam” as he himself said. You can see his profile online and he has the website “en.islamtoday.net”.

Fatihullah: Dear Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua (Father), I am so happy to have the opportunity of reading your article: “Bad Christians and Bad Muslims” in Benin. I really appreciate your understanding of the exact situation in the country and in the world at large. I would like to corroborate your topic that Nigeria would have been greater and more peaceful than the current state if all the so called “believers” in Christianity and Islam actually follow the principles and teachings enjoined by the two holy books.  Nigeria is one of the countries that have the largest population of Christians and Muslims in the world and the same happens to have so many bad titles. Just to mention a few:  “One of the most corrupt nation in the world” and “One of the poorest nation in the world”. With all the natural resources endowed by God, “Diseases stricken nation (AIDS, Polio, Malaria, Cancer, Hypertension/Stroke, Hepatitis, etc) “Poor Security services on life and property”.

The truth of the current situation in the world at large and especially in Nigeria is that we have more Hypocrites in Islam and Christian than the believers in the two faiths. The Hypocrites carry out their evil self-desires daily and try to support them with Biblical or Quranic verses and when there is no way out they say it is the devil. A woman was caught in Lagos last week for kidnapping two (2) kids for ritual and on interrogation she confessed that it was her pastor that instructed her to get two kids to cleans her of spiritual problems. According to the media, on getting to the church more shocking revelation was discovered in the premise of the church. Anybody who understands Christianity very well will surely not blame the action of the women and her pastor on Christianity or the Bible. But where the issue is one sided in Nigeria is that if such situation involved some of these hypocrites that so much hate Islam (Islamophobias), they will use every media in their disposal to paint Islam black. The message of Islam is very clear and well detailed. 

The responses you got from some people claiming to have obtained information on some topics such as 'rape in Islam, ordered killing, deception of non-Muslims' from a website “Wikiislam” is nothing but the action of the enemy of God (Islamophobias). The text quoted on that site does not represent the content of the Quran which is the most authentic source of Islam. It is a deliberate attempt to paint Islam black. Why would anyone claim Islam support rape when the same verse deliberately misquoted by them clearly warns believers against committing fornication (Illegal Sexual Intercourse)? Why would a website that claims to be a source of information on Islam be open to edit and at the same time state in their policies and guidelines that pro-Islamic content are not accepted?

Indonesia is the country with largest population of Muslim where they practice Shariah as well as respect the right of other faiths and you hardly find any of the Scandals present in Nigeria there because they have more sincere believers. Therefore, the digression on the topic between the Bad Christians and Bad Muslims by these hypocrites that exist under many faiths, societies is uncalled for because if Nigerian Christians and Muslims can actually make simultaneous effort on educating these enemies of progress, they could change from their evil ways. Nigeria will progress to a greater height and be more peaceful. I will be glad to render any further clarification when needed.

Cornelius: In brief, this conversation reveals the need for Christians to close ranks with Muslims like Nuhu Mubarak and Fatihullah Pada who share the same desire of people of all faiths for a peaceful Nigeria. Sincere Muslims and Christians can do a thorough self criticism to re-write the good story that bad adherents have dented with their words and actions.  

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City

 

IS THIS THE CREED OF THE TERRORISTS?

IS THIS THE CREED OF THE TERRORISTS?

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

A lot has been said and written about the ideology of the terrorists. Some of the findings have proven that it is almost obvious that the use of armed forces alone cannot stop any terrorist operation that is based on a wrong idea especially when it is presumed to be rooted in a religious faith and supported by the Holy Book. The argument whether “a group of terrorists” is a religious sect or not is not a panacea to a peaceful coexistence. What appears to be true is that no terrorist especially in Nigeria has denied that he or she is fighting a religious jihad. They reference the Qur’an and hadith to support their operations. The armchair debate on whether the verses are manipulated or misinterpreted can neither restore the life of the innocent victims of the various suicide bomb attacks nor stop the continuous killing of human beings and violent destruction of properties. What I intend to do here is to draw the attention of those who still believe in the strength of counter narrative and dialogue to conquer the current erroneous ideology of the terrorist so that we can forever live in peace. My reference in this conversation will largely depend on Shaykh Yusufat al-Uyayri’: "The Islamic ruling on the permissibility of Martyrdom operations” (WikiIslam).

A terrorist believes that martyrdom is an express and sure way to Paradise.  In Sharh Sahih Muslim (1/515) and Al-Majmu` (1/277), Nawawi enumerated seven explanations for why the martyr is called shaheed.  Ibn Hajar mentioned fourteen means by which a person can acquire the title, shaheed (martyr). This includes “being killed in the path of Allah” without killing others [Fath al-Bari (6/43)]. According to the Hanafis, a martyr is "one who is killed by the pagans, or is found killed in the battle bearing a mark of any wound, whether external or internal" [Al-`Inayah published on the margins of Fath al-Qadeer (2/142)] and [Hashiyat Ibn `Abideen (2/268)]. Hanafis added that "Anyone who is killed while fighting pagans, or rebels, or brigands, by a means attributed to the enemy, whether directly or by consequence is a shaheed, anyone who is killed by a means not specifically attributed to an action of the enemy is not considered a shaheed" [Zayla`i's Tabyeen al-Haqa'iq, (1/247); see also Al-Bahr al-Ra'iq (2/211)]. For the Malikis, a martyr is "one who is killed while fighting warring unbelievers only, even if killed on Islamic land such as if the enemy attacked the Muslims [Dardeer's Al-Sharh al-Kabeer, (1/425)]. For the Shafi, a martyr is "one who is killed in fighting unbelievers, facing and not running away, for the raising of Allah's word…and not for any worldly motive" [Mughni al-Muhtaj (1/350) & Fath al-Bari (6/129)]. The Hanbalis believes that a martyr is "one who dies in a battle with the unbelievers, whether male or female, adult or not, whether killed by the unbelievers, or by his own weapon in error, or by having fallen off his mount, or having been found dead with no mark, provided he was sincere" [Kash-shaf al-Qina`, (2/113) & Al-Mughni (2/206)].  

The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word mártys (witness). In Christian theology, a martyr is a person who bears witness to the selfless love of Jesus Christ even to the point of giving up his or her life. The death of a Martyr was considered a “baptism by blood”. The early Christians venerated martyrs as powerful intercessors (http://en.wikipedia.org) because they die as witnesses to Jesus Christ. A Martyr does not kill himself to kill even an enemy talk less of innocent people. In Christianity martyrdom is different from suicide. Every true and orthodox Muslim believe that suicide is a major sin and the punishment is Hell [Qur'an 4:29-30; Cf. Tafseer al-Qurtubi, (5/156)]. In support of this, here is another hadith, "Let not any of you wish for death on account of harm which has befallen him. But, if he must, he should pray, 'O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and take my life when death is better for me" (Bukhari and Muslim)

Where then did the terrorists who are bent on destroying life and property today in the name of Allah derive their mandate and creed? Some terrorists have been heard to support their action with the following verses:

·          Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (paradise); they fight in his cause, and slay and are slain. (Qur’an 9:111)

·         And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of kindness to his devotees  (Qur'an 2:207)

·         Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of believers (Qur’an 9:14).

Shaykh Yusufat al-Uyayri said that the Mujahid based their operations on these verses. The Sahabah understand these verses to mean that one who sells himself for the sake of Allah is not considered to have committed suicide, even if he immerses himself into a thousand of the enemy forces without armour. The sponsors of terrorism perhaps recite this verse: “spend in the Path of Allah, and do not contribute to your own destruction" (Qur'an, 2:195). They do not send themselves and their children out as suicide bombers. But they believe that by empowering others to do so, they are fighting the course of Allah. Abu Ayyub explained that this verse does not apply to one who plunges into the enemy ranks alone, even though it may seem to people that he is destroying himself. What do we make of this statement by Abu Hurayrah? "Among the best of lives for people is a man who clasps the reins of his horse in the path of Allah, rushing on its back; whenever he hears a cry of battle."  

Where is the cry of battle that the terrorists keep rushing to in Nigeria? Are the times and context of the above revelations not different from the world today?  Who is the enemy? Where is the battlefield? From the operations and utterances of the terrorists, we need to ask: Is this the creed (faith) of the terrorists? That Islam is a combination of a militant political / religious ideology; that it is wrong to kill innocent people but only true Muslims are innocent; that Islam is peace but this peace can only be achieved when Islam conquers the world; that all non-Muslim areas are at war; that friendship with non Muslims is haram (forbidden) and that Muslims who do not accept these beliefs must be attacked because they have lost their Islam. Here is a confirmation of this creed in a video released by Abubakar Shekau: “You Goodluck Jonathan should abandon this ungodly power. You should repent and forsake Christianity to accept Islam” (AFP, August 6, 2012). Shekau cites Bukhari who reported that Salamah ibn al-Akwa` was asked, "For what did you pledge allegiance to the Prophet on the Day of Hudaybiyyah?" He said, "For death." There is need for a correct exegesis (interpretation) of these verses from orthodox erudite scholars. True knowledge is a light that illumines the darkest night of conscience. May God restore peace, security and life to this world of anarchy, fear and gloom!   

CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM

CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM

INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AS A TOOL FOR MISSION

  CORNELIUS AFEBU OMONOKHUA

1.         Introduction

If God wanted a world with one language, one religion and one culture, it would have been possible for him to do. Yet God loves unity in diversity hence the beauty in variety that we sometimes experience. On May 23, 2012 I received this message from Glo network number 4040: All the differences in this world are of degree and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything. Every human being believes in a divine transcendence. Many religions in the world affirm a belief in one God even though the concept and mode of operation of the transcendence may vary according to people’s orientation in life. It is obvious that many people found themselves in the culture and religion that they confess and profess the divine and reality. All these call for dialogue.

DIALOGUE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

DIALOGUE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

  CORNELIUS Afebu OMONOKHUA

1.         Introduction

Conflict is a disagreement between two parties whose objectives are perceived to be incompatible. It may appear neutral, natural and normal. It could be a danger or create opportunity for growth and better understanding depending on the response by the conflicting parties. It involves two or more parties. It has to do with the behavior we observe and it expresses the way we put our system in place. The levels and stages of conflicts are:

Seminar on Dialogue with Sisters of Medical Missionaries of Mary MMM

ANTHROPOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

OF INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Cornelius Afebu omonokhua

1.         Introduction

Let us begin our reflection and enquiry with the following questions: