Hiiraan Online

First let me point out to the pitiful fact that some writers devote their potentially valuable pen to introduce friction and hostile attitude between the readers. When a title of an article sounds lopsided to a particular leader or a group, despite the good intention of the writer and due support for the good cause, it is worthwhile to present the case in an apparently neutral way, both in the title and content of articles. Subjectivity of the writer only without fool-proof manifestation is inadequate to convince the average reader where tribal based alliance or social division is unfortunately the norm. There is no single bond of mutual national interest which unites readers; therefore, without any concession or sacrifice, each reader expects absolute satisfaction whereby every word of the writer addresses issues in the reader’s favour (either one’s individual views or tribal interests). Personal views or feedback in the comments section, available on some websites, representing regular readers is clear evidence.

Unfortunately, some writers instead of being creatively focused on solutions indulge in a lengthy narration of existing problems. Today the Muslim world faces both external and internal problems. That is why critics divide into two parts. Some say we should blame ourselves, others ignore this fact and advocate for accusations of foreign enemies. In fact both are real, existing problems. We have to be conscious of the coincidence of our miserable plight with the global political changes. The decline of the godless communism with the crumble of the Soviet Union, its replacement with liberalist and secularist ideologies, the Eastern and Western European Union, the fall and demise of the Nasserite and Baath movements in the Arab world, globalization, the right wing parties and fundamentalist Churches against the Islamic revival and awareness phenomenon.

Regionally the substitution of military dictators in Africa with civilian dictators, whose reprehensible subservience to their European colonial masters, the new world order and neoconservative ideologies earned them exemption from reckoning (the so called International Criminals Tribunal). It is evident that a new and different era has begun. The challenge ahead is probably drastically tough. It involves resistance and struggle against fishing of the minds and creating an enemy within, from among our own nation. This is because the menacing methods employed by the cunning foe changed to attacking from unexpected angles, putting the unwary defendant in extremely hard dilemma that any strategic move is set to favour the former.  

Allah supports the just rule even if its is based on disbelief, He does not support the unjust rule even if it is based on belief in Allah (Mu’minah). Ibn Taymiyah (The book: AlHisbah Fil Islam).

The confusion among many arises from the deliberate shuffle of religious tradition with traditional religion. The former is based on the ideal and perfect practice according to the Quran and Sunnah of the prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam. The latter is unfortunately influenced and marred by a variety of tarnishing lowly factors.

Quite pitifully, it is our misguided actions in which the enemies of Islam and Somalia are exploiting to crystallise and misinterpret it as Islam. There is no member among the intellect species endowed with brain and heart, reflective faculties and senses, with an average IQ, who can not differentiate the useful from the harmful, the good from the bad, between PEACE and WAR. Comparison between the positive and the negative results, in other words, assessing the advantages and disadvantages in the end results can be undertaken by using human intellect or sound thinking. There are certain personal innate tendencies which so notoriously transgress on the positive aspects of the human nature. Where does this psychoanalysis apply in our part of the world is what we shall discuss in the following lines:

The above scholarly statement implies that justice is the focal point of survival and faith without justice avails naught. Even in times of war, Islam curbs the soul’s craving for transgression in retaliation:

2:190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

2:194 The prohibited month for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. Self-restraint, fear of Allah, and riddance of transgression are introduced in connection with the love and help of Allah. Which system and which commander of an army in the history of all wars, commands his troops not to transgress on the enemy after defeat?!. The Ethiopian regime of Zenawi mobilised an army against us. When this enemy is being dealt with, it is out of making justice to the many good Ethiopian people opposing Zenawi’s civilian dictator regime, its transgression on our soil, that they should be given special courtesy. Zenawi’s brutal regime could be singled out, according to my opinion, if genuine advice and enlightenment media programmes were channelled towards mislead Ethiopian soldiers dying for a corrupt regime. Though Zenawi and his henchman Gabre would definitely call it “War Propaganda”; However at least websites, if not radio or TV broadcasts, in Amharic, Tigrinya, and English, revealing the personal interests of the US-funded Zenawi mission would see thousands of Ethiopian soldiers come to their senses to desert the military service as fugitives.

Likewise exposing hidden agenda of Afeworki’s regime in mischievously back-stabbing remnants of the ARS, after splitting them, still based in Eritrea, should help them become more aware of their disguised enemy. I am quite sure that both Ethiopian and Eritrean peace loving peoples are never content with what their demagogic regimes are imposing on them. In response to one of my articles: Open letter to the Ethiopian people, I have received enormous support from Ethiopian peace loving individuals who poured scorn and curse on Zenawi’s belligerent regime. Furthermore, may Allah have mercy on ruler of Egypt at the time of our hero Salahuddin Al Ayubi ( Saladin); the wise leader Al-Amir Nuraddin Zinki who ordered the withdrawal of funding on the ministry of defence and put it in the ministry of religious propagation. When asked about cutting the budget on defence at time of need, he answered in his famous reply: I am more satisfied to invest in an arrow that never misses rather than one which misses (its target). Meaning the arrow of spreading Islam, calling the enemy to the truth (Islam), which never misses to hit the heart and lighten it up with guidance.

It is not in the interest of Islam and Muslims that a misinformed, mislead, fooled by his regime, poor Ethiopian soldier dies in a state of disbelief to the truth of Islam as much as his guidance to the true religion of Jesus Christ and Muhammad salallahu alaihim  wasallam is a victory for himself and us too. Last but not least, I would herein briefly render advice to the writer who would be motivated to condemn traditional religion. Nowadays, most of the sinister repercussions backfiring on the image of Muslims stem from the magnified abuses of some few Muslims. It is intricately sensitive such that it paves the way for those seeking ways to defile the image of Islam (fish for the minds) to get excuses to do so or do the job for them. The infiltration, penetration, influence, and presence of the enemies in general is being facilitated, apart from warlords, by liberalists and secularists with  literature and culture of character assassination and demonising noble causes due to abuses committed by few people.

The proper way to address issues related to religious noble causes would be the affirmation of the noble cause in its abstractive ideal definition, the perfect way it is defined in the Quran or Sunnah; then mention any aberration and shortcomings, give advices and fend off the fishers of the minds. For more confirmation, despite obviously well known, I shall repeat this golden rule: Islam is the religion, the most perfect and ideal way of life, a constitution, infallible rules and regulations, a divine law and  heavenly guidance. A Muslim is an individual who must adopt, having surrendered and submitted his will to the will of Allah, Islam in every aspect. A Muslim, as a human, may err, fail to attain the good, fall into sin, make a mistake, and commit crimes. In this case, definite repentance and restoration of the good is a must. When any Muslim’s status is unfortunately found to be in this case, it does not in anyway represent ISLAM.

Idris Ahmed Osman
E-mail: [email protected]