MUSLIMS IN POLITICS-MATTERS ARISING

              Nigeria As Case Study

Introduction

Experience is the best teacher. The trend of globalization is that one way or the other, every nation is embracing the concept of Western Democracy. This paper is not to examine whether a Muslim should participate in politics or not.  The truth is that in the present day Nigeria, a lot of Muslims are participating in politics.  They are our brothers and sisters in Islam for they are still professing the Kalimah.  Nigerian Muslims have choice whenever they should be represented in Government.  There is a need for good representation; a Conscious Muslim will best represent the Muslims than an unconscious one or an unbeliever.

 

Nigeria is endowed and blessed with materials and human resources in abundance, the centre focus and giant of Africa. Because of her population, for every six blacks there is a Nigerian, the country has ever being a role model of other nations in the continent. The beauty of the country is in her multicity of religion.It can not be overemphasized , Nigerian Muslims impact were  and are felt throughout Islamic world such as  a great legacy of Sheu Usman Dan Fodio’s scholarship and  Islamic revival. There are more Muslims in Nigeria than there are Muslims in any Arab country, including Egypt.

This is the cause for the need to bring matters arising from the participation of Muslims in politics from Nigeria angle, which may be peculiar (or with slight difference) with other Africa Nations or throughout the third world countries. The paper explains the concept of Muslims in Nigerian Politics; it describes the scenario of Nigerian Politics and life goal of a Muslim.  Necessity for Good Governance, Money politics, Corruption, Rigging, Tribalism, Thuggery, Fetishness etc are matters which dominate politics and affect Muslims life. All these call for proper management of Muslims in politics the effort to which will make a Muslim politician’s Islam to be intact when running after an elective post, when he gets the post or failed to and when his tenure ends.  The content of this paper is based on the experience of the author as a Muslim, a politician and more importantly as a Gubernatorial Aspirant under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) one of the registered political parties and the  in Nigeria for year  2003 Election.

 

Nigerian Politics

Section 15 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly defines the Nigerian Political Objectives; its subsection 3(d) states: ’to promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic, linguistic, religion or other sectional barriers’.  In line with Section 10, which prohibits the adoption of any religion as state religion, political parties are formed without religious motive.  Few religious based political parties were never registered. This makes it to look as if religion is a taboo in political parties.  It also gives impression that Muslims should run away from any organization that has no religious connotation while few sincere Muslims that found themselves in political parties are looked upon as renegade while their party members see them as threat to ‘progress’ and fanatical.

 

The political scene is very murky.  Some politicians proudly say it that “there is no God in Politics”.  The goals are not God but the ‘Party’. The party must win at all costs. This brews thuggrey, assassination of political opponents (even party members), name smudging and all sorts of vices, which are antithetical to Islam.  Inter and intra party election is money and Godfatherism and for instance, primary elections are won by highest bidder and through the influence of power that be the resultant effect is the manifest corruptible act of governance, because the elected has to recoup his money and settle those who influenced his being elected.

 

The political rallies are the pick of deceit to the electorate wherein the contestants make empty promises.  It is an avenue to destroy the oppositions; abuse them, lie against them, all in the name of convincing the electorate.  Fight can break up at any point in time during the campaign, thus each politician is always with his thugs who are ready to spur into action at any given opportunity. They are gingered up with alcohol, marijuana /Indian- hemp etc and are confident with their charms, cudgels and guns.

 

Within the same party, there are different factions or caucus(es), and each caucus would like to control the party by having the large number of the group in the executives or among the candidates to be fielded for the election.  The same scene is what is obtainable in the political rallies.  Within the same party, fightings do breakout and may lead to loss of lives or direct assault on and or assassination of the ‘enemy’.

 

Muslims in Nigeria Politics

According to Islam, whoever upholds the Kalimah is a Muslim until he renegades.  This definition has simply recognized anybody that calls himself a Muslim to be.  Thus, we have Ramadan Muslims – they only recognize themselves as Muslims during the months of fasting for they will fast but they may go to beer-parlor in its evenings or immediately after Ramadan ends.Some are Subhi Muslims-  they only offer salatus Subhi (early morning prayers) and that’s all; they may attend a social function in the church or participate in Masquerades festival.  Nevertheless some are fully conscious of their duty to Almighty Allah, and submit wholeheartedly to the teachings of Islam.  To the non-Muslims, they don’t distinguish among these categories of Muslims. To them a Muslim is a Muslim, whether he is a drunkard or womanizer, provided he is seen at least once in the mosque or he bears a Muslim name.

 

Because the political parties were not formed considering religion, for the fact that there are various people professing to be Muslims and the fact that the level of Islamic awareness of Muslims on their duty as Muslims outside the five pillars of Islam is very low, Nigerian Muslims also participate in the political system like any other citizen.  The Islamic ideology and its ethics are totally absent in politics.  He who wants to be Islamic is looked at as an outcast. That is why we can find Muslims among political thugs; on many occasions they constitute majority.  They participate in all the vices that characterize the political parties. They freely consume alcohol and even harass their fellow Muslims in politics to bring out money for alcohol and for other corruptible vices otherwise they will not be voted for.  Infact, a Muslim brother’s name was substituted for a non-Muslim in a Local Government election because the Muslim brother was “too Islamic”; that if he won the election he might not play according to the game. Unfortunately those who blocked his chance were his fellow brothers in faith.

 

Participation in politics can be divided into three: (i) the general voters, (ii) active party members and (ii) party candidates. Muslims are found in these strata.  Majority of the Muslims do vote, however, conscious Muslims are not active members nor do they aspire as party candidates.  This is a dilemma facing the Muslims in Nigeria.  When it comes to representation, they are not represented by conscious Muslims even in states where Muslims are the majority.

 

Goal of a Muslim

The essence of life is to worship Allah.  This is the only reason for which Allah created mankind and Jinns. Q>  This is the correct belief of Muslims and it is the perimeter to determine weather a Muslim is God-conscious or not.  Every activity of his is to worship his Creator.  Worship is not limited to mosque alone, nor fasting and the other known pillars of Islam, but even his transactions with his other fellow human-beings, his sleeping, his eating and even going to toilet etc are considered by him as worship. Allah says:

                    ” Say: truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my

                       Life and my death, are all for Allah, the cherisher

                       Of the worlds”  (Q6:162)

Therefore, if a Muslim would cast his vote or attend a political rally or even seek for a political party candidacy, he is supposed to know and bear in mind that he is doing it as an act of worshipping Allah with the hope that he will be rewarded abundantly.

 

Since a Muslim must always conduct himself only in the ways dictated according to Islam, failure of which takes him out of Islam, it is expected of him to remain Muslim when he is among non-Muslims or transacting business.  The slogan –“ Give to Caesar what belong to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is anathema to his faith.  Both Ceaser and what Ceasar has belong to God.  Therefore when he is in political arena he should bear in mind that Islam forbids indecency, thuggery etc (Q16: 90).

“Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to kith and kin and He forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition”

 

He has a big duty to fulfill for his community for Allah qualified him among:

            “… are the best of people, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is

             Right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah…. “Q3: 110

Therefore his sojourn in life is to be best in wherever he is, either in conduct or services to the people. These were the virtues that the early Muslims were noted for.  It will then be suicidal for any Muslim community to be represented by whoever lacks enumerated above.

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS

The idea of management is to sustain a tempo of a system or organization in order to achieve better result, continuity, and focus.

The paper is not to determine whether to or not to participate in the present political dispensation.  In fact the truth is that lots of Muslims are voting, many are playing active roles in party politics and some are even political office holders.  It is also true that the system does not recognize religious ideologies in a party manifesto.  The Muslim community has a duty, which is to make a Muslim to remain a Muslim at any point in time.  This is what brings about the concept of management of Nigeria Muslims in Politics.  The system no doubt is rotten but should we allow our Muslim brothers to rot away with it? Definitely, NO.  If politicians are corrupt and the Muslims among them are also corrupt, then how do we showcase to the world that the Muslims must not steal and what ‘peace’ does Islam preach when Muslims at Political rallies kill each other etc? We only have to strive in concert to help the Muslims participating in politics to sustain their Islam so that we can have better achievement at the end.

 

WHO TO MANAGE

There are two sets of Muslims in Nigerian Politics to manage – the electorate and the practitioners (politicians).

Muslim Electorate

Muslims must be focused, whereas the general electorate are not. Electorate only consider who will represent them based on political ideology or tribal affiliation etc.  They are also ready to vote for highest bidders for they believe strongly that immediately a candidate wins election, he may not bother about his promise to the electorate again except his own purse.  Muslims must understand Islam and be ready to apply its teachings.  Therefore they must be taught on how to conduct themselves in public according to Islam and whenever they want to vote, they should vote for somebody who is God-conscious, responsible and who will be able to represent their interest both mundane and spiritual.

Practitioners

The Practitioners are those Muslims that were fully engaged in politics as Party office holders or Elective Post seekers.

The party decision lies in the hands of party Executives and the elders.  They decide who to be what in their party.  Muslims among them should always have it at the back of their mind that they are not only responsible or accountable to their party but also to the Almighty.  This should guide their actions.  Islam believes in justice, they must be fair to all and should not be blindfolded with material wealth.

Since the essence of management is to make the Muslims remain as Muslims both before and after elections, it is unfortunate and regrettable to say that most of our good Muslim brothers that had earlier played active roles in Islamic Organizations such as MSS, NACOMYO etc change dramatically upon joining politics.  If you greet some of them with “assalamu alaykum” you will simply be replied with “how are you?” Many of these changed brothers now keep girl-friends, fail to establish their salat regularly, make use of alcohol during celebrations in order to prove to their supporters that they are men of the people and not men of the Muslims alone and scarcely do majority of them get chance for Islamic activities again, not to talk of funding them. Some even embezzle public funds as done by most of their colleagues.

These are some of the woes which betide the Muslims in Nigerian politics.  The more Muslims move towards the political powers the less they move along with Islam and this is contrary to their Christian counterparts; it is when majority of them attain political power they become born again and come closer and be more committed to the church and excel in paying their tithe.  In fact this is one of the things that some Muslim brothers envisaged or saw that made them to conclude that Muslims should not participate in politics.

It has been discovered that our brothers in Nigeria politics that have derailed from Islam might have not assuming if they were properly managed; for there are lots of factors which are capable of inhibiting the practice of Islam right from the first day a person sets out to seek for an elective post. Therefore those of us seeking for elective posts must be managed.  A Ditto for those of us who are so lucky to have secured elective posts. Otherwise they may also derail. This is because it is difficult to manage success than failure and lastly, a Muslim that fails in his more attempt to cling an elective post should also be managed.

 

MANAGEMENT OF POLITICAL OFFICE SEEKERS

This paper shall limit the meaning of political office seekers to Muslims aspiring to be Councilors, Council Chairmen, House of Assembly members, Senators, Governors and President.  It is these people in politics that the outsiders use in judging Islam and Muslims.

Seeking for these offices involves a lot of intrigues.  A Muslim who does not understand Islam very well nor practices it as it should be, may never be a good ambassador of Islam.  Therefore, Muslims should work as a team towards the success of conscious Muslims aspiring for elective posts should borrow a leaf from the Islamic Salvation Front of Algeria (FIS), where the students of Islam were nominated to contest elections for the certainty they would never betray Islam.

Godfatherism seems to have come to play a big role in Nigeria, politics.  It will therefore not be out of place that Muslim office seekers should have a reliable, understandable Muslim godfather in order to ensure victory at polls.  The implication of this is that Muslims should also be reliable in their party.

Associating partners with Allah is a grievous sin to be committed by a Muslim.  There are lots of ‘shirk’ that crop up when seeking for posts.  A candidate may be invited to come and swear to an oath with some elders, or he may be called to ‘fortify’ himself using charms and hamlets, etc, or even he may be advised to go to a soothsayer or fortuneteller to find out if he will win the election or not.  All these are tantamount to associating partners with Allah.    

             “Allah forgiveth not (the sin of) joining other gods with

            Him; but He forgiveth who he pleaseth other sins than       

            this; one who joins other gods with Allah, hath strayed

           far, far away from right “  Q4:116

The role of money in the Nigeria Politics can not be over-emphasized. It is no longer news that politicians use money to “buy” the electorate and apart from the money for campaign logistics like feeding, rallies, transports and general mobilization is very enormous and essential, depending on the posts being contested for.  The area of management that is very crucial is the source of fund for the aspirants.  He who pays the piper dictates the tune. Any aspirant that has his campaign bankrolled by a group of crooks will always hold his sponsors in high esteem.  This explains why when our brothers get posts they always find themselves in the group of crooks.  They give to them the best of contracts and in order to quickly recoup the money they invested in the election (since they do not know what can happen in the next minute), contracts are hyper inflated.  There may be situations that contracts awarded are not even executed, the office holder would not prosecute the contractors simply because they have assisted him in winning the election. Thus the financiers have a big say after the election is won.  The Muslim community should not close their eyes to this.  If other interest groups are sponsoring candidates and bankroll election, Muslim should not fail to do same, otherwise they will not be able to influence the office holder during his tenure.

 

Spiritual assistance to the candidates is also essential, preferably at no costs.  If non-believers are ready to give charms and harmlets to support the candidate for him to win and as a source of protection, Muslims should do better.  The memory is even there, if the candidate wins; he will always remember those who assist him spiritually.  Infact, there is the believe that election cannot be won except through spiritual means.  If a Muslim gets his spiritual support from the ‘cultists’, he will never see anything wrong in whatever they are doing if he wins the election

 

Ideological indoctrination will assist Muslims in Nigerian politics. Allah says:

                 “Let there arise out of you a band (group) of people inviting

                    To all that is good, enjoining what is right, and

                    Forbidding what is wrong.  They are the ones to

                    Attain felicity” (Q3:104)

Muslims must always show good examples even within this corrupt and murderous political system or ours.  This Ayah implies that whoever should be ambassador of Islam must be among the ‘group’.  This group should understand Islam vis-à-vis the society and the group should have a lot of sayings on its ambassadors.  The ambassadors also must recognize that they are part and parcel of the group and be willing to give their loyalty to the group.  This is the concept of FIS in Algeria.  If this has not been attained good representation shall be an illusion.

 

MANAGEMENT OF POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDER

Equally, the meaning of ‘Political Office Holders’ shall be limited to those Muslims who are successful in winning the election to become Councilors, Councils Chairmen, Honorable members of the House, Senators, Governors, President.  Their performance and activities shall be under the searchlight of the people.  Their tenure in office is history; they will be referred to as Muslims in government.

 

It is a difficult task to manage success. Getting a political office will drastically change the holder in terms of appearance, outings, etc.   Depending on his office, he is being closely monitored and programmed by his security aids and protocol officers.  They determine his where to go and when, pencil down who should visit him and even when to eat and sleep.  His close associates and family that are used to seeing him anytime as they want would now be filling forms before they see him, even when he gives them appointment to meet him in the office they will now sit for more than three hours before they are ushered in, if at all they will see him.  Those friends who are eager to see him in order to advise him may be unfortunate, as many a times their filled forms or letters to book appointment with him end at the desk of security officer who may be a Police Constable and not even the Protocol Officer.  All these draw away brothers from reaching the office holders and make them to conclude that immediately an office seeker gets what he wants, he forsake his constituency.

 

On the part of the office holder, he is now surrounded with new set of people; party supporters, godfathers, contractors, sycophants, etc.  His life style has changed.  He has every authority with him in line with the party ideology and dictates of the party elders, godfathers and Sponsors.  Every authority will end at his desk.  He has access to funds, he awards contracts and scholarships, and he donates money on behalf of his office.  He has access to liquid cash to manage or mismanage. 

 

The Management of the office holder is very important because he is a Muslim.  His policy must not be such to antagonize Islam; he must be just and fair to all irrespective of their religious affiliations.  He must make a mark in his office that when he leaves, traces of corruption should not be found.  It is expected of him to leave an indelible mark such that his regime will ameliorate the life of the downtrodden masses.  People should be able to count his success and achievement based on the projects and legacies he leaves behind and not on the number of personal houses, jeeps, etc that he used public fund to amass.

 

      “the mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this

        world) diverts you (from the more serious things) until

        ye visit the graves

         But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality)  “ Q102:1 –3)

 

If he failed to deliver, his failure is the failure of the Muslim Ummah.  Therefore there is need for his being closely monitored.  It is not possible to monitor who is not from among Muslims brothers.  Therefore our contribution and sacrifice during the travails of the office seekers will be a basis of our relation to them upon their becoming office holders.  However, even if we have failed in our contribution, it does not mean that we should abandon the office holders we should still interact with the in order to admonish and remind them of the duty they owe the religion of Allah.

 

With close monitoring, it will be easy to evaluate and assess the office holders and advises them on the smooth running of their offices for a greater impact on the community.  It will not be an avenue to collaborate on how to loot the treasury or circumvent the rules of law.

 

     “…Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye

       ye not one another in sin and rancor:  Fear Allah; for Allah

        is strict in punishment”  (Q5:2)

 

Despite the difficulty that may be involved in seeing the office holders, they should not be abandoned.  If business men and party members pass through the same pain and eventually meet them, it is our duty to see them in order to guide them and establish a good companionship with them not only when donation is needed to execute Islamic programme or when the office holder is needed to Chair an Islamic gathering in order to facilitate the attendance of big men in the society.

 

At times, it may be expected that his office will pay the debt incurred during his electioneering campaign.  His donors and sponsors may see the exercise as a business investment.  This aspect needs serious management by his associates who are expected to be God-conscious people.  Contract inflation, over invoicing and all unlawful means should not be used to recoup the money spent.  If he had chosen a good godfather when seeking for office, the godfather should  be responsible for assisting him to have good governance and making his office responsible and cater for all interest groups.

 

The need for spiritual management cannot be overemphasized.  This can be divided into two: Self Spiritual Upbringing and Spiritual Assistance.

When Allah has favored his servant, he should express gratitude to Allah by increasing in his worship and devotion and shunning evils.  Many Muslims office-holders would want us to believe that “is not easy”. Thus, they will not say their prayers on time and if they will attend Juma’at service it will be when Imam is about to end his Khutbah; whereas their Christian counterparts will never miss any Sunday service and church revivals.  Muslim office holders should also make it a duty to increase their religious duties by attending fora that will reshape their Iman and afford them opportunity to be in company of good people.

 

Nigerian politics is a dangerous terrain where office holders can be assaulted, or threatened both physically and spiritually.  It was rumored recently that a Muslim Minister found a tortoise on his chair. An office holder may be having nightmares or be infected with evil supernatural forces.  Many office holders because of things like these have turned to cult members or churchgoers for assistance. A Muslim office holder may not be exempted from this onslaught.  It is also the duty of the Muslim community to assist in his spiritual fortification.   At times these problems may be psychological, but at times a reality. Whichever it is, there are many ways to ward off evils in Islam.  Muslims should manage this, for Islam has the best solution.

 

        “And we send down (stage by stage) in the Qur’an that which

          Is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: To the unjust                  

          It causes nothing but loss after loss”      (Q17:82)

 

MANAGEMENT OF POLITICAL OFFICE LOSERS

In this context, the meaning of “political office losers” shall be limited to those Muslims who are not successful in wining elections.  They failed in their bid to become either Councilor, Council Chairman, Honorable member of the House, Senator, Governor or President.

 

              “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and

              Hunger some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of

              Your toil), but give glad tidings to those who

              patiently persevere – Who say, when afflicted with

             calamity: To Allah we belong and to Him our return”

             (Q2:155-156)

 

Failure is an orphan, on many occasions. Any candidate that loses an election is on is own; he will bear the brunt with his family. As many people throng to office holders so also a lot of people move away from the losers, including their sponsors and supporters who will shift ground in order to get good pasture from the winners.  The effect and agony are so serious on some losers that they contemplate to commit suicide while some are psychologically down to the extent that they develop high Blood pressure and die of its complications.  Since politics involves a lot of stakes, a loser has invested many things; he would have abandoned his businesses, resigned from job (if he is a civil servants) he might have sold some of his properties or even deposit some as collaterals for loan, etc.  He would have also promised his sponsors and made different agreements with his supporters and other interest groups.  All in anticipation of his victory at polls.

 

The Muslim Ummah ows it as their duty to manage these sets of politicians.  This is because if they had succeeded, invitation to attend Islamic functions will be sent to them at every other minutes; request for appeal fund to support Islamic programmes will be on daily basis and every Islamic organization would want them to chair her occasion or make them as guest of honor or chief host for their presence will not only add colors to the occasion but also afford “big men” who have been looking for opportunity to meet the office holder to attend the programme.

 

Not only this, Islam owes it a duty to commiserate with Muslims that are afflicted with loss and to assist them in every possible means.  This calls for the management of the losers.  They must be given spiritual succor. Life does not end in a loss and every situation is an experience for a believer which he should use to move at least a step forward.

The management should also be on how to prepare them for future elections.  Politics needs consistency. A looser today can become a winner tomorrow. Therefore, they should be assisted to get non elective posts like advisers, commissioners, ambassadors, etc. This will cushion the shock effect and assist in their finances.

 

CONCLUSION

Honestly speaking, Islam has its own political system and methodology of governance.  This is the ideal atmosphere which the Muslim community should strive for.  We must be focused and hopeful that it shall be achieved, if not during our life but in future.  Muslims in this political dispensation have responsibilities to their Creator. As such, they should thread the path of the present political system in the Islamic-way.  Not until we get the Islamic system that we should do away with corruption, assassinations, thuggery and other vices, it is a disaster if Muslim cannot make a mark by doing away with these vices when he is holding a political office.

 

It is not sufficient to put just any Muslim in office, but such that can defend Islam, stand by it and dispense justice accordingly even to non-Muslims.  This may not be attainable except through proper management of the Muslims in the Nigerian politics.  A Muslim that is seeking for political office if not properly managed may not be useful when he/she becomes an office holder.  Those that failed in their bid to get political office need to be managed through financial rehabilitation and spiritual succor.

 

May Allah be sufficient for us.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

1.        The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

2.       Abu ‘Ala Mawdudi              -           Let us be Muslim

3.       Zanab Al-Ghazali               -           Return of Pharao

4.       John C.  Maxwell               -           Laws of Leadership

5.       Abdul Rahman Ben Hammad Al-Omar  -            The Religion of Truth

6.       Abdul Badei Sagr               -           How to call people to Islam

7.       Islam in Africa                   Proceedings of the Islam in Africa Conference

                                                    

 

Niger Delta Crisis: Amnesty to Terrorists

Making Impossible Possible-Advocacy for Amnesty to Muslim Terrorists-Learning from Nigeria’s Niger Delta Crisis

ABSTRACT

There can be no end in finding solution to problems and crisis until the result is achieved. This paper wants to proffer a solution to end or bring to minimal terrorism. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City and the Pentagon has made the world more unsecure. The widely condemned attack was also taken as militant and angry response to US military and foreign policy interference and exploitation of many countries in the Muslim world which has the feelings of dispossession, discontent and resentment. The US effort in rising to the challenge to wipe out terrorism in all its ramifications can not be overemphasised especially its war against Al Qaeda and other organisations like it of which the peak effort led to the killing/murder of Osama bin Laden.

The America spearheaded war on terror has great positive and negative impact on the Muslim world. For how long would manhunt for the so called terrorists lasts? .With sophisticated state of the art technology, the deployment of drones to kill the terrorists have also killed more innocent citizens especially the women and the children more than the targeted. No doubt terrorists are recruiting more than they were killed while those who lost their innocent ones in the war are looking for opportunity to revenge.

This paper considers the huge resources-human, financial and time spent to prosecute the war, the collateral damages that enflame future anger and the need for world peace. As a solution to end terrorism, the paper advocates the possibility of offering amnesty to the terrorists while they in turn surrender their arms and denounce terrorism. The idea is bored from the experience of Nigeria’s government to bring an end to militancy in Niger Delta region. For its effectiveness, the paper suggests collaboration with distinguished Muslim Leaders, the UN, the Vatican and the World Muslim League to bring to round table for the terrorists need a second chance. Amnesty is not an end in itself but the goal is to develop the world which will bring peace and stability.

Engr. Bashir Lawal

 Member -Muslim Consultative Forum and the Executive Director Public Affairs And Democracy Initiative, National Mosque Complex, (P.O. Box 9326 Garki ) Abuja, Nigeria.

Bashirlawal@yahoo.com

+234 818 498 1163

TERRORISM: Making Impossible Possible

Making Impossible Possible-Advocacy for Amnesty to Muslim Terrorists-Learning from Nigeria’s Niger Delta Crisis

ABSTRACT

There can be no end in finding solution to problems and crisis until the result is achieved. This paper wants to proffer a solution to end or bring to minimal terrorism. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City and the Pentagon has made the world more unsecure. The widely condemned attack was also taken as militant and angry response to US military and foreign policy interference and exploitation of many countries in the Muslim world which has the feelings of dispossession, discontent and resentment. The US effort in rising to the challenge to wipe out terrorism in all its ramifications can not be overemphasised especially its war against Al Qaeda and other organisations like it of which the peak effort led to the killing/murder of Osama bin Laden.

The America spearheaded war on terror has great positive and negative impact on the Muslim world. For how long would manhunt for the so called terrorists lasts? .With sophisticated state of the art technology, the deployment of drones to kill the terrorists have also killed more innocent citizens especially the women and the children more than the targeted. No doubt terrorists are recruiting more than they were killed while those who lost their innocent ones in the war are looking for opportunity to revenge.

This paper considers the huge resources-human, financial and time spent to prosecute the war, the collateral damages that enflame future anger and the need for world peace. As a solution to end terrorism, the paper advocates the possibility of offering amnesty to the terrorists while they in turn surrender their arms and denounce terrorism. The idea is bored from the experience of Nigeria’s government to bring an end to militancy in Niger Delta region. For its effectiveness, the paper suggests collaboration with distinguished Muslim Leaders, the UN, the Vatican and the World Muslim League to bring to round table for the terrorists need a second chance. Amnesty is not an end in itself but the goal is to develop the world which will bring peace and stability.

Engr. Bashir Lawal

 Member -Muslim Consultative Forum and the Executive Director Public Affairs And Democracy Initiative, National Mosque Complex, (P.O. Box 9326 Garki ) Abuja, Nigeria.

Bashirlawal@yahoo.com

+234 818 498 1163

Power to the People

The inevitability of power is  inevitable

NUCLEAR ACTIVITES: REJOICING WITH IRAN

SUCCESS OF IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

At last the Islamic Republic of Iran can sigh a relieve from the Sanction of UN Security Council. Kudos to the former President Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his foresight to join the Nuclear Program for peaceful use which the world misconstrued.

The doggedness of Ahmadinejad to purse the program despite the intimidation from UN and insinuation from Israel can not be overemphasized

Greetings to the great people of Islamic Republic of Iran who despite the imposed economic sanction on them did not revolt against its leaders and with faith keep going with economic hardship and ostricisation.

The patience of the leadership and the Iran Negotiation Team is commendable. No desperation at the negotiation table. Head or tail I am sure Iranians are up to task to whether te storm.Iran survived the eight year imposed Iran-Iraq war. Iran had earlier survived the tyranny of Shah and persecution of its religious scholars through ages until the victory for the Islamic revolution.

The currency of ruling the world is technology and strong economy. No doubt Iran is growing technologically than any other Third world. UN has just given  a legitimate stamp to be in the comity of Nuclear Technology Developing Nations.

Looking forward to Iran's exporting products of its Nuclear development in medicine and exporting Power to its neighbors. A vision come true of the Islamic Republic Founding father Ayatollah Ruhullah Khomeini.

MARRIAGE IN ISLAM

Marriage in Islam - a Wedding Khutbah

This is a lecture delivered by Engr. Bashir Lawal at the wedding ceremony of Brother Surajudeen Sulayman and Sister Maimunah Ali. The wedding was held at the school of Physiotherapy, Kano, Nigeria on February 4, 2000.

Bashir Lawal is the Co-ordinator of the Islamic Vanguard Movement of Nigeria.

(Zawaj.com Editor's Note: While some of the practices discussed in this lecture may seem strange to Muslims in the West, it should be borne in mind that they are relevant in the context in which this khutbah was delivered, namely that of African and other local cultural traditions

"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts) verily in that are signs for those who reflect." Q30:21

INTRODUCTION:

As ordained by Allah, Islam is made to be a comprehensive way of life to be followed by any person who has hope in Allah and in the hereafter. Allah addresses all things that mankind will encounter in his sojourn on Earth, He does not want man to live a try-and-error life. He guided them with Prophets, who are equally human beings as the first executors of Allah's commands. And to bring His message to an end, the world was blessed with the holy Qur'an as Allah's final revelation and Prophet Muhammad as the seal of the Prophets who Allah adjudged 'the best of character'.

Allah extensively addresses issue of marriage. It is the only legal institution to bring about family, which is the nucleus of the society; for extra-marital relations are categorically condemned and prohibited.

Al-Nikaah is the Arabic word for marriage. It is a religio-legal contract between two spouses, which legalizes them to stay together as husband and wife in order to carry out marital obligations and responsibilities. The essence of this lecture is to bring to the notice of the Muslims and non-Muslims alike about the teachings of Islam on marriage and its beauties. Also to bring into the limelight the excesses and deviations being committed in the institution with the view that Muslims will tend towards treading the path of Allah and the guidance of the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) which will only free them from the shackles of burdens derived from the marriage ceremony.

THE ESSENCE OF MARRIAGE:

According to the opening verse of this lecture, Allah created man and woman so that they can provide company to one another, love one another, procreate and live in tranquility. Marriage has been made to be one of the signs of understanding and reflecting the glory of Allah.

Celibacy is not considered a virtue in Islam, or a means of getting closer to Allah as done by other religions like Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism etc. The Prophet (SAWS) said: "The marriage is of my Tradition; whoever keeps away therefrom is not from among me".

Marriage is an act of Ibadah or worship. Worship is not limited to praying, fasting etc., but permeates every good act, services to humanity, every productive efforts and even every good word is a part of a true Muslim's worship of his creator. As regarding this there was a day the Prophet (SAWS) was discussing with some of his companions and he mentioned that "Even when you are having affairs with yours wife, Allah will reward you." The Sahabah could not believe it but he asked them, supposing you are having affairs with somebody's wife, would Allah not punish you?

Another purpose of marriage is to respond to the basic biological instinct of procreation. The development of the family is an essential ingredient of Islamic society. Children are to be brought up with all the fatherly and motherly care. They are to be educated and catered for by their parents. The Prophet said:

"Marry the affectionate woman, who can give birth to children so that on the day of resurrection I will be delighted by your multitude compared with other nations." (reported by Nisa'ai & Abu Dawud)

SELECTION OF A SPOUSE

The Prophet (SAWS) said: "A woman is normally sought as a wife for any one of four reasons: Her wealth, her noble lineage, her beauty or her religion character. Be blessed by closing the God-fearing woman or else you will be a loser." (reported by Bukhari & Muslim)

This statement also applies to women looking for husband. Choosing a God-fearing person as a partner should be the concern of all believers. It is unfortunate that when selecting spouses, the first place of call for guidance for many Muslims is the soothsayer or a Mallam who will gaze at the future for the best husband or wife. This contradicts the teaching of Islam. Hafsah (wife of the Prophet) reported that the Prophet (SAWS) said: "The salat of whoever approaches a fortuneteller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights".

Abu Hurayrah and Al-hassan both reported from the Prophet (SAWS) "Whoever approaches a fortuneteller and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad."

As regards this, the parents are strongly warned about taking their wards to any soothsayers or having any thing to do with them. However, since choosing a partner is a serious business of making a decision that will make or mar one's life, the Prophet taught us prayer to undertake when we want to choose or make a decision on issues. This prayer is known as 'Istikhaara' i.e. the prayer of divine guidance. If this prayer is done with sincerity of heart, Allah will guide one to a good decision (the prayer is of two Rakat, preferably in the night after the Taslim, one should recite Allah's praise, glorification and Salat for the Prophet and then recite the supplication.

In selecting a spouse, the fundamental thing is for the spouse to be a Muslim. Tribal sentiment should not be a factor. Thus the situation that some parents refuse their child to marry from a particular tribe is unacceptable as far as Islam is concerned. We have seen marriages that the couples are from the same village as required by the parents but at the end of the day, the marriage collapsed. Under Islamic law, if a parent refuses her daughter from marrying a man because they are not from the same town or tribe, the state has right to conduct the marriage on behalf of the father and make it valid.

The ladies are advised that money, affluence and all goodies of life are ephemeral and they will not be forever. Women should desist on creating a class for their type of man they would want to marry in terms of wealth. Our Prophet was not rich when married his first heartthrob Khadijah (may Allah have mercy on them), in fact, he was working under her. And who says a poor man of today will not be rich tomorrow? Whoever comes to you with love, sincerity and affection, accept him to marry you and live a happy life, rather than go after non-religious wealthy men who, at a twinkling of an eye, will dump you or send you packing.

In selecting a spouse, parents have a say in the type of husband their daughter will marry. However under Shariah, a girl cannot be given in marriage outside her will. The would-be-husband and would-be-wife must have seen each other and agree to marry each other. It was reported that when Mughira ibn Shu'bah made a proposal of marriage to a woman, the holy Prophet (SAWS) asked him if he had seen her and on his replying negatively, he (SAW) enjoined him to see her because it was likely to bring about greater love and concord between them. However, caution must be exercised as regards this not to be mistaken as the modern day courtship. The etiquette of Islam is that the two should not be left in a room alone. Unfortunately, we have transgressed in this matter to the extent that ever before solemnization, the would-be-wife will sleep in her finance's house, some go to the extent of pre marital sexual intercourse in the name of wanting to know of their sexual "compatibility".

Neither a lady should be imposed on a man as wife nor a man be imposed on a woman as husband, whether because of the friendship the parents, an inter-family system, because of past promises or as a mean of setting debt. During the time of the Prophet (SAWS), a girl reported to the Prophet (SAWS) that her father had given her in marriage without her consent. The Prophet nullified the marriage, and warned the father on such an act.

No doubt, when the heart desires something, one may not have a rest of mind until the heart obtains what it desires. In choosing a partner, it should not be a do-or-die affair. Hence, in case the proposal is not accepted our confidence should be reposed in Allah as the Provider of good things. Such practices as going to a herbalist to super impose the love is not acceptable, nor is the practice of conducting a "remote sensing." Those who use such unconventional methods to marry a girl or husband will only enjoy the marriage for a short time because there is a limit to which "juju" or hypnotism can work. It should also be noted that the offsprings of such unions may become irresponsible or retarded.

"… But it is possible that ye dislike a thing, which is good for you, and that ye love a thing is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not." Q2:216

DEGREE OF MARRIAGE

As earlier stated, Islam permits only marriage between a man and woman as bestiality is met with strong punishment under Shariah. Extensively Allah listed that certain category of people should not marry each other. This is stated in holy Qur'ran chapter 4:22 - 24:

"And marry not women whom your father married - except what is past: It was shameful and odious - an abominable custom indeed. Prohibited to you (for marriage) are - your mothers, daughters, sisters, father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's daughters, sister's daughters, foster - mothers (who gave you suck) foster-sisters, your wife's mother, your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in - no prohibition if you have not gone in (those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding except for what is past; for Allah is oft-forgiving. Most merciful - Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess; Thus hath Allah ordained (prohibitions) against; except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property - desiring chastity, not lust. Seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is proscribed; ye agree mutually (to vary it). There is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise".

A woman cannot have more than one husband at a time; likewise a man cannot have more than four wives at a time. This does not hold if any of the wives dies or is divorced.

MARRIAGE TO A NON-MUSLIM

There is only one way of life established by Allah for mankind, this is known as deen (literarily translated as religion).

"The religion before Allah is Islam (submission to his will): Nor did the people of the book dissent therefore except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account." Q3:19

Based on this, a Muslims would want his progeny to follow the path of Islam and would love everybody to be within the fold of Islam. Even though a child belongs to both parents, the principal role of the father is to give proper education to his children. He is to guide the child spiritually for the child is recognized with the paternal side as he bears the name of his father rather than mother.

Al-Qur'an says, "call them with the name of their fathers,........"

Because of this Islam is liberal with the religion of the woman the Muslim man will marry. Allah accepts the marriage of the women of the people of the book (Christian and Jews) by Muslim men.

"This day all things good and pure made lawful to you. The food of the people of the book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. lawful unto you in marriage are not only chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the people of the book revealed before your time, when you give them their due dowers, and desire chastity and not lewdness nor secret intrigues" Q5:5

However, a Muslim woman must not marry any other person than a Muslim man, this is the decree of Allah. And the reason is not far fetched: this is to protect the religion of the woman among other reasons. Allah says.

"Let there be no compulsion in religion, Truth stands clear from error...."
Q 2:226

While a Muslim who marries a woman of the people of the book can not force her to accept Islam, there is no such security for a Muslim woman if she marries a non-Muslim. Likewise there are some religious obligations to be undertaken by her which can only be respected by a Muslim husband. Authority of the home lies with the husband. What would Muslim woman do if authorized by a non-Muslim Husband to carry out an act contrary to the teaching of Islam? Can she disobey her husband, knowing fully well that disobedience to the husband is a path leading to hell? And finally, Allah says in the holy Qur'an, 3:85:

If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

Then would a Muslim woman who strongly believes in this word of Allah want her children to be losers in the hereafter where there will be everlasting perdition for the losers?

It should be said that in the 1980's there was a Fatwa (religious legislation) from Saudi Arabia, that even though Allah accepts a Muslim man marrying people of the book, Allah did not make it compulsory; therefore, Muslim men should try to avoid it. There are abundant beautiful Muslim ladies in the society. If they are not married should we leave them to non-Muslims to marry? Moreso, the offspring of such unions are religiously confused and such families fall into religious disharmony. The idea that marrying a Christian lady is a jihad because she will be converted to Islam is unacceptable. It is better to marry a Muslim lady and convert her to be a better Muslim.

MARRIAGE SOLEMNIZATION

Before Marriage can be solemnized, there are four key elements that must be present:

1. Ijab and Qabul (Proposal and Acceptance) - i.e Bride and Bride groom have accepted to marry each other.
2. The Wali, i.e Guardian of the Bride which may be the bride's father or his representative.
3. The Dower (Mahr).
4. The Witnesses - With minimum of two witnesses any marriage contracted is valid when the groom pays a token amount of money (mahr) to the bride. It is expected that the witnesses will publicize the marriage to the entire members of the society.

This is the simplicity of Islam as regards joining the couples together.

The Mahr (Dower)

According to the Prophet; The best marriage is the one that is not costliest. Mahr is the marriage gift from the bridegroom to his bride and becomes her exclusive property, which can not be taken back except the wife requests for divorce (khul). Allah says,

"And give these the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take is and enjoy it with good cheer." Q4:4

The amount of Mahr was not fixed by the Prophet. It is not only money, it can also be in kind. The Prophet encouraged the women to be lenient with what they will demand as Mahr. The early Muslims lived a contented life with the holy Prophet with a pair of shoes only. This was reported by Amr ibn Rabiah in a marriage of a woman belonging to Banu Fazarah, the Prophet asked her, "Are you happy with yourself with a pair of shoes?" She said 'yes'. The Prophet (SAWS) then permitted her to marry.

Also, the Prophet (SAWS) offered in marriage a woman to a man that had only one pair of trousers. The man did not have anything to give, not even an iron ring. Instead the Prophet requested him to teach the woman some parts of holy Qur'an as her Dower.

With this contentment, these women did not marry but Muslims neither did the men shun marriage because of the poverty. Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummah (community) has forgotten these stories. Women of today are demanding more than what is affordable by average income earners as dower (mahr). The society does not help in this matter either. All the marriage gifts will be displayed and scrutinized on the eve of marriage day. The parents even encourage their daughters to take as much from their would-be-husband as possible, for after marriage the husband may not be buying gifts for his wife again nor have time to take good care of her.

The tradition that sees dower as property of the brides parents is not Islamic, nor the Bride price being paid as a price tag on the woman. Islam accepts giving gifts; the would-be-husband can give his would-be-in-laws any befitting gift, but they should not instigate their daughter to request money (some even request a home) for them or their extended family.

Betrothal

It should be known that the Bride and her groom are not to be proclaimed husband and wife until the bride's guardian officially releases his daughter in the presence of at least two witnesses after the payment of the Dower or agreement made on its payment (for it can be differed if the bridegroom has no means).

Extra care should be taken about the misconception that some youths have about this. It is misguidance that since the bride's father and his family have accepted to offer their daughter in marriage and a kind of social interaction takes place between two families (to know each other) therefore, the would be couple could be having a sexual relationship. This is not so. There must be proper solemnization of which an official proclamation will be made. There is a difference between "We know that you are marrying our daughter/We accept her to marry you" and "Take her in marriage Affairs". The way of the Prophet (SAWS) is strictly followed so that the reward of marriage will be maximized. Any ambiguity should not be entertained.

Publicity (Walimah)

Among the acts of Ibadah (worship) that should be made known to people (unlike sadaqah) is marriage. There should be no secret marriage. This calls for the necessity of at least two pious Muslims as witnesses.

It is advisable that the publicity includes celebration, no matter how small it will be. It must not be a show of extravagance. It may be done even with slaughtering of a single goat.

Unfortunately, it is this marriage celebration (feast) that is delaying many couples from marrying, for they may not be able to afford its cost implication because of the belief that it should be attended by the shakers and movers of the society. Some couples entered into debt of which they were able to offset only after three years of their marriage just because of the marriage party. The Muslims are supposed to be an example to be emulated by others.

DUTIES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

After the marriage has been solemnized, the couples will start living together until death or divorce separates them. With their togetherness, there are some collective responsibilities for them and also some individual roles that each should play to make a happy and loving family. Marriage will open the eyes of the couple to hidden characters of each other which did not manifest during their courtship. Even twins that were born from the same womb and on the same day do have quarrels with each other. More so the couples that know each other for a short period of time. Therefore, newly wedded couples are advised in strong term to be patient with each other and study carefully whatever can be disparity in their ways of life, which can jeopardize their marriage.

Collective Responsibilities

The first duty every Muslim owes Allah is to worship Him:

"I have not created humans and jinns but to worship.":

The essence of worshipping Allah is to inherit His pleasure in the hereafter. Thus the married couple owes it a duty such that both of them will enter paradise. Therefore, upholding the pillars of Islam and striving in Allah's cause should be their goal, which should not be compromised for any other thing. If Allah blesses them with children, it is their duty to give them a good education and bid them to follow Islamic tenets. In fact, the life of the family should revolve around Islam, and also create avenues to learn and discuss about Islam.

Responsibilities of the Husband

"Men are protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (Strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means." Q:4:34.

Allah has created men and women equal, but each with different role and duties, however the best person in the sight of Allah is not determined by gender but by Taqwa (piety). According to the above verse, man is bestowed leadership. Thus the final authority of the home lies with the husband because he is bestowed the responsibility of being the breadwinner. The husband according to the Prophet (SAWS) must feed his wife, clothe her and shelter her.

Though he is the leader, he should not be a dictator. He should try as much as possible to consult his family on matters even though their decision may not be final with him. The Prophet exemplified this during the treaty of Hudaibiyah where he sought the opinion of his wife Hafsat. At it was that wife's opinion that saved the community from the logjam.

Another aspect of the duty of the husband is to be considerate and render any assistance that can make his wife's living more bearable. The Prophet (SAWS) assisted his wife in doing some work like cutting firewood, fetching water etc. This is not only because of the love he had for his wives but because he taught us that

"The best among you is he that brought ease most to his brother."

Husband and wife are brother and sister in Islam. Each one should help and encourage the other to worship Allah. From this one could learn that it is not a crime if the wife is cooking and her baby is crying that the husband assists in attending to the crying child. Or if she is cooking the husband may also be assisting in washing the dirty plates instead of watching the television. Under Shariah of Islam, if a woman washes clothes, cooks, etc. she is doing it to earn blessing from Allah, not that it is compulsory to do so.

Responsibilities of the Wife

The primary duty of woman is in keeping the custody of her husband's home. She is expected to be the comfort of his eyes. She is expected to make life more bearable for her husband, she is to assist and advise him and take good care of his children for he will be away from home seeking to support his family. The property of her husband should not be given out except with his permission and she should not be extravagant in spending.

QUARRELS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE

The rate of divorce is so high in our society to the extent that non-Muslims believe that divorce is part of Islamic etiquette. However, the Prophet said that divorce is the most disliked of all allowable things in the sight of Allah.

The cause of divorce is lack of understanding, patience and tolerance between the couples. In this regard, the husband as the leader should show maturity and understand that women are generally emotional. Pronouncement of divorce is not the solution to a quarrel. If a wife is divorced, how are we sure that another wife to be married will not behave like the one that was divorced or even worse?

Allah enjoins the husband to first admonish his wife about her wrong doings. If she did not yield, he can then sever conjugal relations with her and if the wife is adamant then she can be given a light spanking which is the worst form of disgrace.

"..... As to those women on whose part fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them first, (next) refuse to share their beds, and (last) spank them (lightly), but if they return to obedience seek not against them means of annoyance." Q4:38

Finally, in resolving any crisis, the husband and wife are not left alone at the mercy of each other. Islam recognizes the extended family role in marriage.

"If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers, if they wish for peace, Allah would cause their reconciliation: For Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things." Q4:35

EURO-CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE ON MUSLIM MARRIAGE

The Prophet (SAWS) said,

"You will follows the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure (lizard), you would follow them." We said "O Allah's messenger! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?" He said "Who else ?"

With the advent of western education, the Muslims culture and etiquette are infiltrated to the extent that some of the good things that Islam stands for are corrupted or bastardized. Some of the marriage insignias of the Kuffar (unbelievers) have been adopted in the Muslim marriage ceremony. They contributed to what make marriage expensive and bring a lot of Bid'ah (innovation) and deviation from the sunnah of the Prophet (SAWS). Among these Euro-Christians of influences are:

1. Unending courtship which leads to pre-marital sex i.e Zina.
2. The conventional white dressing of the bride which throws out Hijab from the woman and exposes virtually all her nakedness and the contours of her body.
3. Going to a registry which is against the fundamental principle of polygamy in Islam.
4. Engagement, which causes unnecessary spending (in fact it is a Nikaah before a Nikaah).
5. The bachelors party, which brings about free mixing of the sexes. Other unnecessary things that some Muslims are embracing are wedding cakes, wedding rings, bridal showers etc.

".. If you obey a group of those who were given the book, you would turn back to dis-believers after you had believed." Q 3:100

CONCLUSION:

There are many ways of doing things but as far as the belief of any conscious Muslim, the best way of doing things is that ordained by Allah and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). For any marriage to enjoy the maximum blessing from Allah it must follow the dictates of Allah according to the holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAWS).

In conclusion, I call your attention once again to the following points:

1. Parents should assist their wards in getting married just as they made it a duty to get them educated.
2. It is un-Islamic to go to a soothsayer in order to choose a spouse.
3. Marriage should not be prohibited on tribal sentiment.
4. Premarital sex is forbidden.
5. Do not attempt to use "remote control" or (hypnotism) in influencing a woman to marry you or vice versa.
6. Muslim ladies are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims while there is religious legislation (fatwah) that says that men must avoid them.
7. There must be no deceit in marriage: if you don't want to marry somebody, do not deceive him/her.
8. Finally, I wish to use this opportunity to congratulate all married couples all over the world. May Allah bless their marriages.

All Praises belong to Allah the Lord of the universe.

An Islamic Vanguard Publication