KORAN JUTIFICATION OF BOKO HARAM: RESPONSE TO DR.WAEL SHIHAB
The central theses of Shihab are: First, that Boko Haram designation Of Christianity as “paganism” is contrary to the creeds of Islam and Second, that the Boko Haram fights for Allah is a mere misconception of Islam. This paper Challenge these positions as inaccurate. It exposes the Koran passages that justify the Boko Haram quest to Islamize Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has been one of the most fundamental problems that scholars have called attention to. The alarming danger of Boko Haram insurgent came as a result of its 2009 sectarian violence that caused both civilians and non civilians their precious lives. My interest in this problem was aroused by Dr. Wael Shihab's article: “BOKO HARAM: GRAVE MISTAKES IN THE NAME OF ISLAM” written in 2012.
In this paper, Shihab raised some fundamental issues surrounding Boko Haram and Islam. He argues the case that Boko Haram quest to Islamize Nigeria, as a divine instruction, is totally a misconception of Islam. Fundamental, and most important to our discussion, is his believe that Boko Haram is ignorant of the creeds of Islam….
At the end of this paper, we will be able to show that every actions undertaken by Boko Haram is according to the principles of Islam as contained in the Holy Koran (believed by Muslims to be Allah's word) and Haddit (Mohammad's sayings and teachings as recorded by Al Bukhari).We will see that their quest to Islamize Nigeria, make Allah the only true God and get rid of infidels has its root in the Koran.
To this end, we may ask: what does the word Boko Haram means? Who is the Boko Haram? What are the aims of Boko Haram? Is Boko Haram a misconception of the doctrines of Islam? Are they ignorant of the Koran? Possible answers are provided to these fundamental questions in the rest of the paper.
HISTORY OF BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA
To better understand the Koran undertone inherent in Boko Haram's objectives, it is important to have a clear insight into the historical evolution of Boko Haram. According to Wikipedia, Boko Haram is an Islamic jihadist militant organization based on the northeast of Nigeria.1 Boko Haram “is not an Arabic expression, but a Hausa language used to express their sharp hatred –induced rejection of Western culture (and not just education). For culture is broader than education.”2
The sect calls it “JAMA ATUL ALHUL SUNNAH LIDDA'WATI WAL JIHAD” or “the people committed to the propagation of the prophet's teaching and jihad”.
The chief founder of this sect is Mohammad Yusuf, who in 2002 founded the group. his major aim has been to seek to “the total eradication of secular system and establish an Islamic state “in which the sharia (the Islamic laws) is fully and widely applied domineeringly in the country of divert cultures, races, and religions.3 In the believe of this sort, the group has been involved in many sectarian violence that caused hundreds their lives. The founding father of the group died in 2009 while in police custody, and Abubakar Shekau became their leader till date.
BOKO HARAM CONCEPTION OF ISLAM: IT'S VALIDITY.
In an attempt to broaden our horizon on Boko Haram and its suppose link to Islam, Shihab believes that killing innocent people-as done by Boko Haram in recent years, is alien to Islam. In his paper, he refutes the claims of Boko Haram leader that “Christianity and democracy is paganism”4 and that he has a divine mission, as explicit in the Koran, to kill those who do not believe in Almighty Allah. Shihab argues that nowhere in the Koran does Allah instruct the killing of innocent souls. Rather, Allah instructs the co-habitation of Muslims and non-Muslims.
In this wise, he believes the postulation of Christianity and democracy as paganism is an utterance of ignorant. Islam is a religion of peace that embraces other People of the Book-Christians and Jews. To strengthen his position, he cites the following Koran passages:
“(Say: o' People of the Book, come to common term as between Us and you that we may worship none but God; that we, associate
Not aught with Him; and do not some of us take others as lords
Apart from God. And if they turn their backs, say: 'Bear witness that We are Muslims')”5
“(If it had been your Lord's will, all of the people would have believed.
Would you then compel the people so to have them believe?)”6
“(And say: “The truth from your lord (has come in this Qur'an).
Then, whoever wills (to believe), let them believe, and whosoever wills (to disbelieve), let him disbelieve).”7
“(Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has made clear from error. Whosoever rejects false worship and believes in God, has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks.
And God hears and knows all things).”8
These aforementioned Koran passages, says Shihab, explicitly conjoins Muslims to not compel others to join Islam. He believes that Boko Haram got it all wrong in claiming that their enforcement of non Muslims to embrace Islam is a duty call. In his words: “it is not islamically justified to coerce anyone to convert to Islam.”9
As matter now stands, let's consider to what extent is Islam tolerant? Although we cannot deny the fact that Islam provides an atom of religion tolerance to its adherent, but on certain grounds. The toleration of those People of the Book (Christians and Jews) can only be possible if they humble themselves and pay inferior tax to Islam. Allah says:
“Fight People of the Book (Christians and Jews), who do not accept the Religion of the truth (Islam), until they pay tribute (penalty tax) by hand,Being inferior”10
We could put this by saying that Muslims should fight and subject the People of the Book to pay jizya (inferior tax), until the tax is paid, the fight continues.
Islam limits its tolerant to Christians and Jews out of hundred of religion we have in the world. What of other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, African Traditional Religion and so on? It is no doubt that the Koran possibly terms those religions as false religion that does not accept the only true God.
Furthermore, a glance to the rest of the Koran and Haddith reveals contrary to principle of non compulsion. Here are few excerpts from the Koran that sheds light on the massacre of non Muslims. “Believers make war on the infidels dwell around you. Deal firmly with them; know that God is with the righteous.” Koran 9:123, “Strike terror (into the heart of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies”. Koran 8:60, “Fight (kill) them (non- Muslims), and God will punish, (torment) them by your hands, cover them with shame.” Koran 9:14, “I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers; smite all their fingers-tips off them. It is not you who slew them; it was Allah.”Koran 8:13-17, “God's cause is the infidels” Koran 2:89,”God is the enemy of the unbelievers.” Koran 2:98, “Those that deny our revelation we will burn in fire. No sooner will their skins be consumed than we shall give them other skins, so that they may truly taste the scourge. God is mighty and wise.” Koran 4:55-56, “Believers do not seek the friendship of the infidels and those who were given the Book before you, who have made of your religion a jest and a pastime.” Koran 5:57 “Believers who stay at home-apart from those that suffer from a grave impediment-are not the equal of those who fight for the cause of God with their goods and their persons. God has given those that fight with their goods and their persons a higher rank than those who stay at home. God has promised all a good reward; but far richer is the recompense of those who fight for Him. . . .He that lives his dwelling to fight for God and His apostle and is then overtaken by death shall be rewarded by God. . . .The unbelievers are you're inveterate enemies.” Koran 4:95-101, “Let those who exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, fight for the cause of God; whosoever fights for the cause of God, whether he dies or triumphs, we shall richly reward him. . . .The true believers fight for the cause of God, but the infidels fight for devil. Fight then against the friends of Satan. . . .Say “Trifling are the pleasures of this life. The hereafter is better for who would keep from evil. . . .” Koran 4:74-78.
Also, in the Haddit, we have Prophet Mohammed saying: “I have been ordered to fight with the People till they say; none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” Al Bukhari vol.4;196, “the person who participates in (Holy Battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed).” See Al Bukhari vol 1:35.
A look at these Koran passages, one will wonder why Shihab says that Boko Haram is ignorant of the Koran and Islam. One will also wonder why Boko Haram should waste their compassion on those whom God Himself is ever ready to punish and let burn in hell. God insists that Muslims should make war on unbelievers to get rid of them completely from the surface of the earth except any person among them who decides to acknowledge Allah and Mohammed as the sole messenger of Allah. In this light, Boko Haram wants to bring the whole Nigeria under the rule of Allah inconsonance with His orders in the above Koran texts. Who can read the above quoted passages and still believe that Boko Haram is ignorant of the Koran? Who will still believe that Boko Haram should be moderate in their approach to Islam? Who will still deny that the cross that Boko Haram bears is not compulsory to every Muslim brother?
It is worthy to say that our proof in this paper did not go beyond the Koran and the Haddit because of the belief that they are without error. “The Koran revealed to Mohammed, is the undistorted and final word of Allah to mankind. The Muslim doctrine asserts that the Koran is identical with word of God written on a heavenly scroll, an uncreated archetype, which has existed from eternity in the seventh heaven.”11 Also, Ali Mushin, a Muslim scholar, says this about the Koran:”Every word (of the Koran) is Allah's own. It is in direct speech as revealed , not just inspired, to the Prophet Mohammed, and exactly as the Prophet recited it straightaway and faithful scribes put it down immediately and others memorized it”12 these shows that the Koran, as portrayed by Islam, is infallible.
CONCLUSION
A close look at the Koran, have revealed to us that, not only, does Boko Haram understands the words of the Koran( which is inerrant ) but also, they have taken it upon themselves to spread the good news of Allah either in peace or in violence. The questions I want each and every one of us to reflect on are: should Boko Haram be held responsible for carrying out a divine order? Or Does Islam need a radical transformation so as to be attuned with the modern society? Bearing in mind: first, that any punishment passed on Boko Haram will be unfair to them because they are only carrying out a Divine order. Second, that their reason have been enslaved by faith (believe in the entirety of the Koran). And finally, Islam doesn't give room for transformation since they believe the Koran to be direct words of God.
REFERENCES:
1. Boko Haram,
(http://en.m.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Boko_Haram)
20th of December, 2013
2. Paul. O.O (Kabir),” On Critical Issues about Allah &Islam”, (Africa: Mosihu Network, 2012), p.201.
3. Ibid., p.205.
4. Dr. Shihab, Wael,” Boko Haram: Grave Mistakes in the Name of Islam”, (http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/contemporary-issues/critiques-and-thought/455695-boko-haram)
10th of December, 2013
5. Koran 3:64
6. Koran 10:99
7. Koran 18:29
8. Koran 2:256
9. Op.cit.
10. Koran 9:29
11. Noss, john B.,”Man's Religion” (New York: Macmillian Company, 1963 ), p.733
12. Mushin, Ali, “Let the Bible Speak”, (Dammam: Islamic Da'wah and Guidance center, 2013), p.53