What Do You Think about Boko Haram?

Ahmad, 

I hope you are doing well. I had a question for you. As one who defends Sharia Law, I am curious what you think of Boko Haram in Nigeria?   Boko Haram claims suicide attack on Nigeria church

David D.

[Edited correspondance]

Let’s weigh their (BH) action to what Islamic Laws (Sharia) is about and its objectives, and whether BH has been compliant to them.

Sharia is about: 

1.      Truth.  BH: Violating. Killing people who has nothing to do with problem

2.     Justice. BH: Violating. If there is job discrimination, is it resolved by bombing a peaceful church congregation?

3.     Equality. BH: Violating          

4.     Freedom (without crossing the limits). BH: Violating. Rights of people to freely practice their faith

5.     Providing essential life requirements. N/A          

Sharia objectives are protecting the following Rights:

1.      Religiosity. BH: Violating. Infringement on rights of religious practice

2.     Life. BH: Violating. Killing others without a lawful cause

3.     Mind (Education). BH: Violating. Infringement on rights of community education

4.     Honor (& Progeny). BH: N/A          

5.     Property. BH: Violating. Damaging of religious institute

Prophet Mohammad said 

1.      “People are God’s children (metaphor for his creature whom He takes care of), so guard against God’s wrath in His children (i.e. be good to them)”

2.     “None shall attain faith (complete and perfect) until he loves for his bother what he loves for himself (brother is general terms, i.e., brother in humanity)”

3.     “Behold, whosoever is unjust for a person of covenant, or burdens him beyond his capacity, or diminish his rights or take out of it something without his contmpt, I’ll be the one to dispute with on the day of judgment” (i.e., Mohammad PBUH will stand for the one who was unjustly treated to get his right back on the day of account)

4.     “Whosoever killed a person of covenant he will not smell the fragrance of paradise. Its fragrance could be found seventy years far”

 5.     Mohammad excuted a Muslim for killing an infidal (person of covenant), saying “I’m the one most obliged to fillfil his covenant” 

Quran also states “We have not sent you (O’Mohammad) but as a mercy to mankind”… BH is in violation of the essence of the message of Islam…

What Boko Haram did is a considered a crime, in violation to Islamic laws and teachings, as well as crossing the boundary of authority (government) in running the nation. It is a punishable crime. This is indicative of lack of education and spread of injustice in the country due to inept leadership, and absence or unheard voice of good scholars.

The issue, however, needs to be treated as Prophet David (PBUH) did when he was tested in seclusion by two Angles who came in the appearance of shepherds disputing the custody of sheep. He listened to the complaint of the first and announced his judgment, before hearing the defense of the second. We need to hear form both sides because there apparently is mutual aggression and transgression. Then, work towards a solution to establish social justice and peace based on the requirements mentioned above (5+5). But for this to happen, good leadership and scholars are needed.

Hope this helps…Ahmad

Interesting. So do groups like this frustrate you?

David D.

Of course they do! Aggression on people’s life and rights in the name of religion, where religion is absolutely free from such claims, and commands the opposite of it. This is the challenge that every culture or faith group has, and has to deal with. There is a significant amount of ignorance, and superficial understanding of things that overweigh or has a louder voice than those who understand the dispositions of things.

What inflames it even more, is the media capitalizing on such events/groups and building perceptions in the mind of public that people holding Islamic belief are really evil. It implies and concludes this could have never happened unless the teachings of their faith commands such wrong doings; their conduct worldwide proves that. As such, where the congresses hearings of Peter King, and policies are drawn according to such perception. As a result, the currently wide spread anxiety about Sharia laws…where, to me, people are judging an inverted cup saying it can hold nothing.  

Sharia is good for people, even if they don’t believe in God, because it builds on their best interest. It is not new, it is from man’s day one on earth to live based on the 5+5 common sense principals, and mercy. The issue, it has not been widely presented even to most Muslims as such. Only people look at it from the “Limits” = “Hudude” (punishments) perspective, rather than understanding that these limits are the barriers from encroachments on the 5+5, after they are established. This is why I’m using the inverted cup judgment expression. BTW: the laws of Sharia come to play where people desires contend. 

Ahmad,

You are very educated. However, the application of Sharia in the real world does not seem to match your enlightened view. Instead it seems to be used to oppress, control and harm both people and anyone who does not believe identically to the current leaders. I don’t see there being a chance to sit down with both sides since the goal of Boko Haram is to get rid of education and freedom of religion. There is no real common ground. I just know many people in Nigeria and this saddens me. I don’t see a way out to such blind ignorance of even their own faith. And of course whenever there are acts of terrorism, there are restless, evil people who join just for the release of evil and anger and don’t really represent any truth. I don’t see a way out unless the non-Boko Haram Muslims and the Christians (and others) get together to denounce this and start doing some things to mutually protect and support each other.

David D. 

You are absolutely right. What comes to people’s mind about Sharia is grim frowned faces, chopping hands, stoning, whipping, etc…no flexibility, and the remedey for any problems is to apply a punishment of some sort.

The solution you mentioned is the right approach + few other suggestions, since you know a lot of people from there:

1.     Need to get a panel from well respected, moderate, non-government influenced, unbiased Muslim scholars to dialogue with BH to debate their justification of violence. 

·       In Egypt we had similar groups with extreme ideologies, interpretation of the books, and shallow understanding. Quite a few were arrested by government. Aired dialogue between them and scholars from Al-Azhar University occurred over a good period of time. It resulted in many revoking what they used to do, and becoming part of the main stream

2.     You can point to the Muslim “if you are sincere about you faith, then follow your own prophet (Mohammad PBUH)”, and mention 

·       Alfudoul Confederacy (Virtues Alliance/Confederacy): When Mohammad was hardly at the age of 15 (before his ministry as a prophet), sacrilegious wars broke out and lasted for years, where  the inviolables were made violable, the prohibited months being included. Considerable fortunes and human life were lost. When peace was restored, people felt the need for forming confederacy at Makkah for suppressing violence and injustice, and vindicating the rights of the weak and the destitute. What triggered that was a merchant, from outside Mecca, sold goods it a Meccan buyer who evaded paying knowing that the seller has no supporter to help him get his money. So, the seller resorted to a mountain and pleaded for his rights and justice. After his ministry of Prophethood, commented on it saying “I witnessed a confederacy in the house of ‘Abdullah bin Jada‘an. It was more appealing to me than herds of cattle. Even now in the period of Islam I would respond positively to attending such a meeting if I were invited.”

·       Pact with the Jews of Madinah:  After migrating from Mecca to Madinah, Prophet Mohammad exerted his efforts to provide peace, security, and prosperity to all mankind at large, and to bring about a spirit of rapport and harmony within his region, in particular. With the Jews of Madinah, he signed a pact which provisions including that the Jews of Bani ‘Awf are one community with the believers. The Jews will profess their religion, and the Muslims theirs. The Jews shall be responsible for their expenditure, and the Muslims for theirs. If attacked by a third party, each shall come to the assistance of the other. Each party shall hold counsel with the other. Mutual relation shall be founded on righteousness; sin is totally excluded. Neither shall commit sins to the prejudice of the other. The wronged party shall be aided. The Jews shall contribute to the cost of war so long as they are fighting alongside the believers. Madinah shall remain sacred and inviolable for all that join this treaty. Should any disagreement arise between the signatories to this treaty, then Allâh, the All-High and His Messenger shall settle the dispute. The signatories to this treaty shall boycott Quraish commercially; they shall also abstain from extending any support to them. Each shall contribute to defending Madinah, in case of a foreign attack, in its respective area. This treaty shall not hinder either party from seeking lawful revenge.

·       Note: the above give an idea to provide good spirit and create appropriate context for the best interest of the overall people in Nigeria. 

3.     I know a person one of his businesses is in conflict resolution. He travelled to Middle East and Africa 10s of times, and worked with top officials for projects to bring people together. I can check with him if that is one of the things he could work on, if supported. 

Please let me know if you have a plan in mind and if I could be of help.

Ahmad

Is your quote from the Quran?

David D.

This is from books on the life of prophet Mohammed. His life is the implementation of the Quran. Quran is the first source of legislation and his is the second. Muslims are obliged to follow Mohammad’s example.

Ahmad 

 

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Side Note: In regions with conflicts and turmoil, it is not uncommon that some regimes have and could manipulate sects and groups with militant ideologies to create disturbance and social unrest to serve the system political gains, exercise more control, and tighten its fist over the fate of its subjects. Verification of the source of information and credibility is also essential prior to making a judgment.