Babandi Gumel Reports: Shariah Progress in the States So Far So Good And The Kano Example

But no by your Lord they do not believe (in truth, reality) until they make you a judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no dislike as to what you have decided and submit with full submission. (Quran Surah Nisaa Verse 65).  Subhanallah this is a great challenge from Allah the Lord of the Heaven and Earth to the entire mankind especially to all those who claim they have submitted to Him. Praise due to Allah for giving us guidance which we could not have been guided if He has not guided us to this.

Now it is almost seven years since Sharia was introduced in some parts of Northern States where Muslims are in majority. The Governors and the leaders of these States where Sharia are in operation promised to the electorates that they would introduce the Islamic Code so that people could be governed by the Laws of Allah in their respective States. 

Initially the introduction of the system brought about criticism condemnation and even confrontation between the two opposing sides in the end the Haq prevailed and they had to leave them as it was their choice and peoples choice no body should interfere as demanded by democratic principles and rights.

Governor Sani of Zamfara would always be given credit for his initiative to introduce the System .The President as usual very clever aware of the sensitivity of the issue could not be drawn like the present controversial third (or sad) or even fourth (or force) term Agenda. He did not mince a word on the issue except the saying that it was a political Sharia which would soon fizzle out. 

Now let us make analysis and see how far have kept the promise and the progress so far made in terms of the running of the system. So far so good most of the States have tried their best some lived up to expectation but crawling yet some States unfortunately have not met the yard stick demanded by Sharia and therefore alas retrogressing moving backward instead of forward. 

I am not going to mention any State by name except our model Sharia State Kano with it’s model Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau who has taken the challenge of good governance seriously and showing practically not only to Nigeria or Africa but to the whole Muslim Ummah and the entire World that Sharia could be implemented practically in any place and at any time. 

The progress made by Kano implementation wise is outstanding that every sincere Muslim who has Islam at heart not only Muslim but even every objective Non-Muslim would be proud and commend Governor Shekarau for his successful implementation of Sharia in the State which brought progress. 

Due to exalted achievements made within a short period of time unlike some so called leaders who are busy squandering and putting the peoples wealth in their pockets and making their families more exalted Governor Shekarau May Allah exult him for what he has done to the Muslims in Kano and the entire Federation cannot be compared with any other person.
 
Alhamdu Lillahi every one is praising him and this is a sign of good governance is enough for the wise to reflect. If we have two three Shekarau in other States Sharia would no longer be seen as impediment to natural progress misconception natured and harboured by secularists and some others especially the Non Muslims in Nigeria. Instead  it would be allowed to flourish in all nooks and corners without hindrance due to the tremendous progress recorded and seen by all in Kano within a short time which is a sign of good omen..
 
In addition also is a sign of sincerity and therefore the Sharia introduced in Kano is no longer political Sharia as prophesised by the President. While other leaders are busy preparing for the third term in 2007 Governor Shekarau who has only enjoyed one term is not speaking of the second term which I’m sure the people of Kano and the Muslim Ummah would be willing to give him another chance to govern them as they enjoy his term. 

Like at the time of the Prophet while he was making effort to see the Ummah stood on its feet similarly Governor Shekarau is trying to see Kano stands on its feet excelling in terms of progress secular and Sharia wise and it has shown and demonstrated practically despite the ups and downs. 

Unfortunately some mischief makers were and still trying to cause fitnah (mischief) in the State because of the wonderful progress which the State has recorded which has made it one of the best model examples in the Federation. The Hisbah Board acting like the Community police that was helping to implement the Sharia successfully was unfortunately banned for no reason other than accusing them of unnecessarily causing terror which the Government of Malam shekarau vehemently denied the case is with the High Court .The Government which believes in democratic process channelled its grievance by taking up the matter with the court.
 
Discussion and channelling our grievances through lawful means decided by courts in civilised manner not confrontational as done by some others violently is retarding the progress of our beloved democratic Nation which all of us should be proud of. We should understand our differences ironing it out through legal process as done by all civilised Nations we are trying to imitate. 

Therefore respect of one another through peaceful dialogue as exhibited by Kano State Government challenging the decision by the Federal Government to ban the Hisbah Board lawfully established by the State Assembly through the court in a peaceful manner not settling the matter by unnecessary violent confrontation reminiscent with the olden days trying to justify yesterday as today shows the maturity of the State Government which is exemplary. 

Those states engaged in confrontation unfortunately are found to be the most backward in terms of accountability and transparency and the Shining Sharia State of Kano has raised the dignity of the whole Muslims Ummah and shown good example worthy of emulation not only by the Sharia States but even the secular Non-Sharia States.

Every one is aware of the transparency of the Kano State Government which gives account of what it does almost every Month. We can go on narrating the good qualities of the Kano State Government which in my opinion is one of the best Governments we ever had in the Federation since the time of General Murtala Muhammad former Head of State who happened to be also from Kano and the President General Obasanjo was his Deputy at that time. 

Late Malam Aminu Kano our mentor another incorruptible politician would not be forgotten by all and sundry so therefore Kano has earned it’s title “ Yaro ko da me kazo an fi ka” if you don’t know the meaning refer to a dictionary or ask a Hausa man he could explain to you. 

Malam Shekarau is making the Sharia shining in Kano despite the efforts made by detractors to subvert and thwart his activities and Allah is helping him strengthening his resolve. Once more in Kano during the election he does not have to struggle to secure another term if he so wishes unlike some other Muslim Governors who have not lived up to expectation. There is nothing they can show which would make us proud as Muslims since the introduction of Sharia in their respective States.
 
There is no much difference between them and their so called secular counterparts who are not seriously working but engaged in amassing wealth and exulting themselves at the same time wanting the masses to vote for them next year. This is a  real challenge to the people who would say CAPITAL NO to all those insincere leaders who are waiting to go back to Government House for another four years.
 
So is only one year left before the next election therefore every one should get ready to exercise his or her rights if the leaders have forgotten them now 2007 is round the corner it is the time for the masses to forget such leaders who have not fulfilled their promises by voting them out of the office then and there and that’s it . They say action speak louder than words if the leaders have come to the state where they found themselves now on the basis of trust and promise which they made implementing the Laws of Allah on the Land and have not fulfilled this promise, well the best thing is for the electorates to decide teaching them a lesson so they may not be taken for granted next time. They say once bitten twice shy.  

So far so good not bad for Governor shekarau as he has shown to other Sharia States that they can do better if they wish failure to do has it’s consequence as Allah has stated in the Quran. “How would be if a misfortune smote them because of that which their own hands have sent before (them)? Then they would come to you swearing by Allah that they were seeking naught but harmony and kindness”. 

The worst misfortune for the leaders is to be voted out of office that may leave them frustrated and the masses would show to them next year by exercising such rights come May 2007.  

So let us rededicate ourselves to the progress of Sharia in particular which we promised that would be implemented ,if we sincerely do it, we would see a lot of progress as we can see from the example of Kano, otherwise we would end up deceiving ourselves as Allah has mentioned. “And when it is said unto them: Come unto that which Allah hath revealed and unto the Messenger thou see the hypocrites turn from thee with aversion.” So the choice is ours if we sincerely want progress and be re elected and not to be accused of running political Sharia fizzling out we must be steadfast fulfilling  the promise that we made to the people.

Otherwise in the end  we would be the losers when the masses turn against us and say sorry what did you do to us secular and Sharia wise that would exult our position in both Worlds Duniya and Akhirah  and we have no answer to give both to the electorates and our Creator whom We Pledged that we would fulfil His commandments if given the chance.
 
Therefore democracy has given us such chances that Sharia can be fully implemented anywhere if there is the will so it is up to us to use it for our benefit or misuse it which would unfortunately be for our own loss. May Allah give us the ability and Taufiq to implement His commands in all our lives Amen.