Calls on BOKO Haram to end killings of innocent citizens
"We, members of The Criterion, an organization of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions, have observed with grief in our heart and complete disbelief, the pronouncements and dastardly actions of insurgents widely referred to as ‘Boko Haram’ over the months. In particular, we abhor and protest the wanton disregard to life and rule of law. We ask the Government and good people of Nigeria to completely dissociate the actions of the group from Islam. This is because everything the “Boko Haram” has done and said, climaxing in the recent abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, is criminal and totally un-Islamic.
While ‘Boko Haram’ as these insurgents are called, preaches violence, illegal killings, kidnap and abduction, Islam is a religion of peace that abhors violence, murder or misconduct of any sort. As Allah says in the Qur’an:
“If anyone slays a human being — unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth —, it shall be as though he had slain all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5 verse 32)
Nobody can force another person to become a Muslim. Islam cannot be spread by force or war but by self-conviction through preaching with wisdom. Allah says in the Quran:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 256)
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 16, verse125)
The Islamic state established by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) in Madinah had Jews, Christians and atheists all of whom lived peacefully in the state.
Islam allows fighting ONLY for self-defense and Justice as a last resort when one is being oppressed:
“Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors….” ( Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 190-191)
Regarding education and the position of females in Islam, Boko Haram prohibits education, abducts and maltreats female children while Islam adores and honors girls and women.
Islam stopped the preference of male over the female child and abolished the primitive practice of burying female children alive. Rearing with love and not discriminating against female children has the reward of paradise. The Prophet (SAW) was quoted to have said: “Anybody who has been blessed with two female children and he brought them up very well, with love and kindness, Allah will, on that account, grant him paradise”.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "Whoever has a female child and does not bury her alive, nor holds her in contempt, nor prefers his male child over her, God will make him enter into paradise". (Abu Dawood)
Education is made compulsory for both males and females in Islam and in fact female education is given priority. The female in Islam symbolizes the human race and the custodian of human values, the conscience of society. If she is left ignorant and backward, so will the nation be and if she is educated and advanced, so will the nation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
i. ‘Searching for knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim male and female’ (Ibn Majah)
ii. ‘whoever educates a male educates an individual and whoever educates a female educates a whole nation’
iii. “He who goes out in search of knowledge is on God’s Path (in the service of God) until he returns”
As to the fact that “Western” Education is haram, the Prophet wanted Muslims to have all-round education when he said
i. “seek education, even if you have to travel as far as China”
ii. “Education is the lost property of the muslim, wherever he finds it, he should take it”
It is then the duty of the Muslim to choose which aspect of his education he should utilize. As is well documented in history, Aisha, Prophet Muhammed’s wife, (may Allah’s pleasure be hers), was an acclaimed scholar and jurist. As a matter of fact, the oldest university in the world, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco, was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatimah al-Firhi in 859AD.
We call on all well meaning Nigerians to let us join hands to ensure “our daughters are brought back” unhurt. Islam prohibits enslaving persons especially females and the abduction of these innocent girls is abhorred. Allah says:
“...and force not your women into unchaste life when they desire to keep chaste....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 24, verse 33)
“It is unlawful to inherit women against their will, nor to detain them.....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 4, verse 20)
In the Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, he said “Treat your women well, and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers”.
At no time had Islam agreed to, or legislated the enslavement or ill-treatment of women. It is important that every individual and government show respect to the rights of others particularly human life, without discrimination based on religion or race or sex. Allah created all human beings as equal and institution of justice and preservation of basic human rights is binding on all.
As mothers, passionate about children and women in particular, and humanity in general, we call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts
➢ To find and BRING BACK OUR GIRLS unhurt
➢ STOP this wanton loss of innocent lives
➢ Make concerted effort to address the problems of corruption, youth unemployment and social injustices
We all must agree to STOP dignifying terrorism by ascribing it to Islam or any religion for that matter, and to STOP denigrating and vilifying Islam by ascribing “Boko Haram” to it. Islam is a religion of peace. We must work together to reclaim our nation from those who want to destroy us. We can only do this when we recognise “Boko Haram” as our common enemy.
“O you who believe, stand out firmly for God as witnesses to justice; and let not the hatred of a people cause you to swerve from justice; be just; that is the closest to piety.” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5, verse 8).
BOKO IS HALAL NOT HARAM; BRING BACK OUR GIRLS"
Signed:Hajia Rahmat B. Egbeyemi & Hajia Idiat Salami
"We, members of The Criterion, an organization of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions, have observed with grief in our heart and complete disbelief, the pronouncements and dastardly actions of insurgents widely referred to as ‘Boko Haram’ over the months. In particular, we abhor and protest the wanton disregard to life and rule of law. We ask the Government and good people of Nigeria to completely dissociate the actions of the group from Islam. This is because everything the “Boko Haram” has done and said, climaxing in the recent abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, is criminal and totally un-Islamic.
While ‘Boko Haram’ as these insurgents are called, preaches violence, illegal killings, kidnap and abduction, Islam is a religion of peace that abhors violence, murder or misconduct of any sort. As Allah says in the Qur’an:
“If anyone slays a human being — unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth —, it shall be as though he had slain all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5 verse 32)
Nobody can force another person to become a Muslim. Islam cannot be spread by force or war but by self-conviction through preaching with wisdom. Allah says in the Quran:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 256)
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 16, verse125)
The Islamic state established by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) in Madinah had Jews, Christians and atheists all of whom lived peacefully in the state.
Islam allows fighting ONLY for self-defense and Justice as a last resort when one is being oppressed:
“Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors….” ( Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 190-191)
Regarding education and the position of females in Islam, Boko Haram prohibits education, abducts and maltreats female children while Islam adores and honors girls and women.
Islam stopped the preference of male over the female child and abolished the primitive practice of burying female children alive. Rearing with love and not discriminating against female children has the reward of paradise. The Prophet (SAW) was quoted to have said: “Anybody who has been blessed with two female children and he brought them up very well, with love and kindness, Allah will, on that account, grant him paradise”.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "Whoever has a female child and does not bury her alive, nor holds her in contempt, nor prefers his male child over her, God will make him enter into paradise". (Abu Dawood)
Education is made compulsory for both males and females in Islam and in fact female education is given priority. The female in Islam symbolizes the human race and the custodian of human values, the conscience of society. If she is left ignorant and backward, so will the nation be and if she is educated and advanced, so will the nation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
i. ‘Searching for knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim male and female’ (Ibn Majah)
ii. ‘whoever educates a male educates an individual and whoever educates a female educates a whole nation’
iii. “He who goes out in search of knowledge is on God’s Path (in the service of God) until he returns”
As to the fact that “Western” Education is haram, the Prophet wanted Muslims to have all-round education when he said
i. “seek education, even if you have to travel as far as China”
ii. “Education is the lost property of the muslim, wherever he finds it, he should take it”
It is then the duty of the Muslim to choose which aspect of his education he should utilize. As is well documented in history, Aisha, Prophet Muhammed’s wife, (may Allah’s pleasure be hers), was an acclaimed scholar and jurist. As a matter of fact, the oldest university in the world, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco, was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatimah al-Firhi in 859AD.
We call on all well meaning Nigerians to let us join hands to ensure “our daughters are brought back” unhurt. Islam prohibits enslaving persons especially females and the abduction of these innocent girls is abhorred. Allah says:
“...and force not your women into unchaste life when they desire to keep chaste....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 24, verse 33)
“It is unlawful to inherit women against their will, nor to detain them.....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 4, verse 20)
In the Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, he said “Treat your women well, and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers”.
At no time had Islam agreed to, or legislated the enslavement or ill-treatment of women. It is important that every individual and government show respect to the rights of others particularly human life, without discrimination based on religion or race or sex. Allah created all human beings as equal and institution of justice and preservation of basic human rights is binding on all.
As mothers, passionate about children and women in particular, and humanity in general, we call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts
➢ To find and BRING BACK OUR GIRLS unhurt
➢ STOP this wanton loss of innocent lives
➢ Make concerted effort to address the problems of corruption, youth unemployment and social injustices
We all must agree to STOP dignifying terrorism by ascribing it to Islam or any religion for that matter, and to STOP denigrating and vilifying Islam by ascribing “Boko Haram” to it. Islam is a religion of peace. We must work together to reclaim our nation from those who want to destroy us. We can only do this when we recognise “Boko Haram” as our common enemy.
“O you who believe, stand out firmly for God as witnesses to justice; and let not the hatred of a people cause you to swerve from justice; be just; that is the closest to piety.” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5, verse 8).
BOKO IS HALAL NOT HARAM; BRING BACK OUR GIRLS"
Signed:Hajia Rahmat B. Egbeyemi & Hajia Idiat Salami
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