More importantly however is their sincerity in the
observance of these rites. Their sincerity is
reflected in the purity of their intention for the
acts, the correctness of the observance and the
steadfastness with which they were upheld. So, the
Islamiqueness of the early Muslim generation scored
highly on the purity of intention and the correctness
of the observance of the religious acts. To them, it
was not just worshipping just for the sake of it, but
worshipping to earn the favour of Allah. Therefore,
the true muslims of the early generation avoided pride
and show off, ostentation, hypocrisy and idolatry
because they understood well that all their actions
will come to nought if an aota of these vices is found
in them.
They also invested in learning because they understood
that they cannot correctly practice their faith in
ignorance of its tenets. Scholars in the Islamic past
were more honourable and influential than the rulers.
The rulers held the views of the scholars very
sacrosanct in the governance of the Muslim ummah just
as the they respected the qadis, the judges who in
most instances also doubled as the scholars too. The
belief is that wisdom is the most paramount gift
anybody can possess. So the wise men and scholars in
the early Muslim generation were in fact the most
pious. On the fulcrum of these, the society attained
order and balance.
Conscious that there is danger in complacence, the
early muslims were always constantly evaluating
themselves and their actions to purge themselves of
any hypocrisy; they constantly engage in repentance if
they found fault in themselves, oft-returning to the
ideals they upheld, avoiding praises and
glorification; working steadfastly, but silently and
ensuring that public interest is paramount and not
vested selfish interest is pursued.
The early Muslims were the real personification of
utilitarianism and altruism in public governance. They
were fiercely loyal to righteous causes because to
them this is a form of Jihaad fiisebilillah, that is
struggle in the cause of Allah, which is everything
that prevents man's inhumanity to man; it is
obliterating wickedness, oppression and injustice; it
is advancing everything that will bring peace, order
and happiness in the society; it is working to
establish the kingdom of God on earth ensuring that
every man lives in the abode of peace, Daarusalaam.
In doing this the early Muslims emphasized on unity
and brotherhood, humility and piety. So, the early
muslims lived like monks in the night, devoted to
prayers, evaluating themselves and seeking forgiveness
of their shortcomings as they were also madly active
in the day as if that would be their last day on
earth, not willing to leave anything to chance. They
were damn restless. On this activism, they rose to
glory and prominence. But when the fruits of efforts
began to bud, the love of enjoyment set in. Rulers
began to revel in music and drink, creating bands of
court attendants, adorning expensive robes and gold,
hosting lavish banquets at the expense of their
religious obligations. Scholars who tried to warm were
either banished or imprisoned for their effrontery of
trying to caution or correct the excesses of the royal
courts.
In this context, division arose in the body of the
Ummah, between the supporters of the royalty, that is
the court jesters and yesmen and the followers of the
scholars and men of devotion. This division is still
prevalent in the Muslim world of today. Those who call
to reform are branded as extremists. Unfortunately,
this division is at the root of the hardening of
stances, multiplication of notions and ideas of
change, infiltration of the camps of muslims by
hypocrites and exploiters. Not just the Muslim world
is suffering from this crisis and division; the entire
world is, as camps of supporters are erected behind
the two groups all over the world. This is the reality
of the contemporary international geopolitics as it
affects the Muslim World. This is why the superpowers
maintain military high commands in the gulf of Arabia;
why the war against terrorism is uneding even when the
countries of the Muslim world are trying to use their
own initiatives to restore peace in their lands. The
example of Egypt is one case. Today Ikhwan is the
popular choice for the leadership and government of
Egypt. Ikhwan, a movement with offshoot in the early
20s was the most hounded group in Egypt with exile,
imprisonment and assassination of its activists. But
their resolution to and consistency is what brought
them to power now to give leadership in accordance
with the values they upheld, the values of justice,
equity and morality, ingredients of reform in any
society. But the vanguards of corruption and
oppression and exploitation who shut all the doors of
virtues in the society while promoting debauchery and
licentiousness would never want such moral order to
prevail.
Check out the circumstances of the war in Iran and
Iraq, the invasion of Kuwait, the crisis in
Afghanistan and other revolts (or Spring) in the Arab
and the Muslim World. The extent to which today's
muslims live according to the dictates of their
religion, in ensuring justice and equity, discipline
and integrity, measures the depth of peace they enjoy
and the goodness they spread to the rest of the world.
This is the Islamiqueness I am referring to.
ABDUL-WAREES SOLANKE B.Sc. Mass Comm (Lagos); Master
of Public Policy (Brunei Darussalaam) Head, Voice of
Nigeria Training Centre, c/o VON Transmitting Station,
Ikorodu, Lagos. Formerly the special assistant to the
Director General, VON, he is the 2007/2008
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association scholar in
Public Policy at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam,
korewarith@yahoo.com 08090585723
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