A
Muslim scholar has given his perspective on the controversy between
Sunni and Shiite Muslims that has led to the death of many in northern
Nigeria.
Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky
The Nigerian government officially declared Monday, December 12,
2016 as public holiday to mark the Eid-El Maulud in commemoration of
birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The gesture of the government could mean different things among the
Muslim community because Prophet Muhammad and his Companions never
observed or celebrated his birthday even after his demise. However, some
religious zealots describe the celebration as unlawful and un-Islamic
while other extremists condemn those celebrating the Maulud as
unbelievers.
The major challenge in the contemporary Muslim world is the
different interpretations on simple modes of worship by various Islamic
scholars and rulers. Such divergent elucidations breed
misunderstandings, unnecessary conflicts and violent protests.
The Iraq-Iran war in the 80s, as a battle of regional supremacy
between an Arab country and Persian nation, was largely a clash of
ideological differences between the Sunni and Shiite. The crisis has
since become global phenomena after the 9/11 attacks in United States of
America.
The historic background of the Sunni–Shia divide occurred when
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) died, leading to a disagreement over his
successors, known as caliphs in various Islamic communities. The clash
intensified after the Battle of Karbala, in which Hussein ibn Ali, the
grandson of the Prophet and his household were killed by the ruling
Umayyad Caliph Yazid. The clamour for retaliation divided the early
Islamic community into Sunni, Shiite and few others.
Although all Muslims believe in divinity of the Quran, as the Holy
Book from Almighty Allah, different scholars have different opinions and
interpretations of Hadith which is a collection of traditions
containing sayings of the Prophet and accounts of his daily practice.
The Hadith constitutes the major source of guidance for Muslims apart
from the Holy Quran.
All Muslims including those that referred to themselves as either
Sunni or Shiite observe the five pillars of Islam which are: Faith in
God Almighty; Regular Prayers; Providing charity to the needy; Fasting
in the month of Ramadan and performing pilgrimage to Mecca for those
that can afford.
Therefore, the Sunni-Shiite power struggles, are more political and
ideological than spiritual. The conflict has so far created acrimonious
and hostile relationship especially among major sponsors: Saudia
Arabia, the promoter of Sunnism and Iran the backer of Shiitism. The
antagonism culminates into sectarian violence through what is now known
as Saudi-Iran proxy wars in some countries including Syria, Iraq, Yemen,
parts of Libya among others. Unfortunately, some atrocious acts of
terrorism which are wrongly attributed to Islam, the religion of peace,
have direct and indirect connection to the major regional players in the
conflict.
Nigeria, as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious
society has witnessed decades of peace and tranquility among various
groups. Muslims in Nigeria have not only lived peacefully among
themselves and with adherents of other religions. Majority of Nigerian
Muslims do not allow sectarian dogmas to divide them as they pray in
every mosque without questioning the sect of Imam who leads prayers.
It is rather unfortunate that in recent times, some parts of the
North have witnessed the same Sunni-Shiite conflict resulting in the
killing of significant members of Sheikh Ibrahim ZakZaky led Islamic
Movement in Nigeria (IMN). One could better imagine the consequences of
the officially acknowledged killing of 347 mostly Muslims in Zaria if
President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai are Non-Muslims.
As a Muslim born into a family of Islamic scholars and having the
privilege of attending popular Quranic kindergarten, Arabic Secondary
School and studying Islam in the university all in Kano, never have I
been taught that one should be a Sunni or Shiite before practicing
Islam.
The Muslims in Nigeria should use the period of Eid-Maulud public
holiday to reflect on how to resolve this untoward development and
caution political elites and religious leaders who use the Sunni-Shiite
conflict to further create disharmony and hatred in the community. It is
commendable the recent position of Borno Elders Forum who called on
President Muhammadu Buhari to move quickly and resolve the Kaduna-Shia
crisis in the North-West before it snowballs into another insurgency
like Boko Haram in the North-East.
The level of religious intolerance and antagonism which have led to
too much bloodshed in Northern Nigeria, are borne out of ignorance of
noble Islamic teachings. The South-West which has more private Islamic
institutions, especially universities than the entire geo-political
zones in the North, also has large Muslim population who demonstrate
greater understanding of Islam, especially on religious tolerance.
Socio-cultural and political differences should not be associated with
any religion.
Muslim community should also use the period of Moulud to advise
public officers to desist from issuing provocative statements, caution
religious leaders against inciting sermons and warn their social media
warriors from engaging in alarming campaigns of calumny, especially over
Sunni-Shiite controversy and Kaduna-Shiate crisis. Nigeria should never
be a battle ground for a proxy war in West Africa.
A true Muslim must be guided by the Quran and Hadith and not by
following different sects that celebrate divisions. Muslims should
observe the five pillars of Islam and emulate the great qualities of
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who encourages mercy, tolerance, peaceful
coexistence and forbids extremism. We should practice Islam like the
early Muslims who were neither Sunni or Shiite but simply Muslims.
-Yushau A. Shuaib is a Media Consultant and Public Relations
czar. He publishes one of Nigeria's major online PR media, PR Nigeria.
He can be contacted via: yashuaib@yahoo.com or http://www.YAShuaib.com
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