HUMILITY

VERILY, for all men and women who have sur­rendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women, and all men and women who are true to their word, and all men and women who are patient in adversity, and all men and women who humble themselves [before God], and all men and women who give in charity, and all self-denying men and self-denying women,  and all men and women who are mindful of their chastity,  and all men and women who remember God unceasingly: for [all of] them has God readied forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward. (Quran 33:35)  

Allah went on to say:

 IS IT NOT time that the hearts of all who have attained to faith should feel humble at the remem­brance of God and of all the truth that has been bestowed [on them] from on high, lest they become like those who were granted revelation aforetime, and whose hearts have hardened with the passing of time so that many of them are [now] depraved? (Quran 57:16) 

The term “humility” comes from the Latin word humilitas, which derives from the word humus (earth). Thus, the basic meaning of humility is “grounded” or “from the earth”.  Humility is the quality of being humble, verifying that the individual is firmly grounded in knowledge of self – neither arrogantly elevating nor submissively lowering one’s perception of self.

When we Muslims pray, we prostrate ourselves; a symbolic acknowledgement of our lowliness in relation to our Lord, our absolute humility before Allah. Interestingly, prophets of the Old Testament too worshiped God in this manner; there are 33 verses of prostration in the Bible:  Numbers 20:6 ‘Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them. And many more.

Allah’s Messenger (saws) say: When the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any Muslim perform ablution well and offers his prayer with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies to for all times. (Muslim)

The Quran went on to say:

Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers. (Quran 23:1-2)

The Quran describes worship as Ibadah, which in effect means to express ones humility. Ibadah is the absolute sense of humbleness that is reflected by the individual who totally submits himself to the will of Allah (swt). Worship requires submission to God and the essential component of submission is humility.  Although humility in relation to Allah (swt) is absolutely necessary, it is not self-sufficient for salvation as there are other precepts to be followed such as prayer, zakat and so on. However, to worship Allah in total humility is very essential.  

Apart from humility in prayer to Allah, we are also enjoined to show humility to our fellow man. Thus the Holy Prophet said: “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you should adopt humility. So that no one may wrong another and no one may be disdainful and haughty towards another.”  (Muslim).

Showing humility does not lower the individual in the eyes of thinking people.  Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (saws) as saying: Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect, and the one who shows humility Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people). (Muslim)

What is the opposite of humility? Haughtiness, arrogance and aggressive behaviour, both of which are loathed by Allah as He revealed in the Quran: see Quran25:63 Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. (Quran 7:55)

In relation to this Allah (SWT) says in Quran 17, Surah Al-Isra, Verse 37: “Do not walk pompously/arrogantly about the earth: you cannot break it open, nor match the mountains in height.” (Quran 17:37).  But this is exactly what our rich and famous do. They bestride the narrow world like colossi, master of all they see; they are not only pompous but arrogant and self conceited as if they created all lesser beings. They forget that their wealth is a gift from God and not based on their good works. Most of them wallow in stolen wealth which is a source of their eventual perdition. On the day when we would have to atone for our iniquities, there would be much wailing and gnashing of teeth. But then it will be too late.

One of the many advices of wisdom that Luqman gave in Quran 31 Surah Luqman, verses 18-19 are: “Do not turn your nose up at people, nor walk about the place arrogantly, for Allah does not love arrogant or boastful people. Go at a moderate pace and lower your voice, for the ugliest of all voices is the braying of asses.” (Quran 31: 18-19)

The story of Qarun in the Quran exemplifies this topic of humility. Qarun was a man blessed with immense riches far beyond contemplation. He was however a haughty fellow who felt that it was because he was special, that was why Allah blessed him. Against the wise counselling of pious men, Qarun did not mend his ways and in the end Allah caused the earth to swallow him and his home. Verse 81 of Surah Al-Qasas says about Qarun:  “We caused the earth to swallow him and his home: he had no one to help him against Allah, nor could he defend himself.” Quran 28:81; See Quran 28: 76-83 for the details.

May the wealth Allah has bestowed on us not be the source of our perdition; Ameen.

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend

28 Days to D-Day: Our book unveiling is 28 days away. Reflections on Juma’at Greetings; a collection of Friday Huthba will be Unveiled on 19th December 2019, at the Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall, Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos at 11 am, under the Chairmanship of Aremo Olusegun Osoba CON. We look forward to your attendance.

Babatunde Jose

 +2348033110822

Victor Oshisada, the passing of an icon

                    By Bayo Ogunmupe

     Victor Oshineye Oshisada, veteran journalist and educator passed away on the 22nd October, this year aged 79 years. Born in Lagos on 1st June, 1940 to the late Chief Matthew Osimosu Oshisada and late Christianah Oshisada of Ijesa- Ijebu, Odo- Ayanyelu; Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. He atended Odo Oye Primary School, Mushin, Lagos (1949-1950); St Jude's School, Ijesa-Ijebu (1950-52) and Wesley School. Irolu (1953-54) in Western Region. He was also at the Local Authority Secondary Modern School, Odogbolu in 1957.

     Thererafter, he taught at St John Anglican School, Aroloya, Lagos before proceeding to the Teachers Training College, Surulere where he obtained his Grades One and Two teaching certificates between 1959 and 1964. Later, he taught at various schools among which were St Peter's School, Faji; and St John's Anglican School, Aroloya, Lagos. From there he quit teaching to work as a reporter on the defunct Morning Post, a government newspaper in Lagos. In 1972, he obtained study leave with pay to obtain the certificate in journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Apongbon, Lagos.

     In 1973, he was enticed by Alhaji Babatunde Jose to join his newspaper, The Daily Times of Nigeria. He rose to the post of Deputy Editor at Home Studies; Headlines; and Periodicals in different years. He attended various courses here and overseas, obtaining the Advanced Diploma In Journalism from the Times Journalism Institute, Iganmu, Lagos. He retired from the Daily Times in 1993. Through his professional association with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he worked briefly with in Alhaji Lateef Jakande's John West Publications in Ikeja.

     As a media practitioner, he contributed various articles and the monthly diaries of events to The Guardian upon which the Editor of The Guardian On Sunday sent us searching for him upon his demise. We were in his Igbogbo, Ikorodu residence where we met his widow from where Olusheye and Olusoji, two of his children contacted us at The Guardian.

     He is greatly missed for his dry humour, discipline and his commitment and passion for journalism. Reminiscences of his literary works bring to mind one topic: “Freeing Politics From Violence,” published by The Guardian on 15 November 2006. There he advised that politics must be freed from violence by making it less financially rewarding. With former governors earning N10 million per month in retirement was the reason why more than 10 people were killed over the gubernatorial election in Kogi State recently.

     Another topic of interest to Pa Oshisada was international politics. Which was why he wrote on The Guardian on 23 November, 2006: “Why

Gaddafi was killed.” He tried to correct the impression that Muammar Gaddafi’s long reign as President of Libya wasn’t anything evil. Indeed we have come to know that Gaddafi had built the largest irrigation system in history, tapping into the primary water cycle. The system supplied  6.5 million cubic meters of fresh water per day to the cities and villages of Libya.

     It enabled Libya to grow fruits, vegetables and grains otherwise impossible to cultivate in the desert of Libya. The project had cost $25 billion completed without outside loans. In 2011, this incredible achievement was destroyed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with depleted uranium nuclear bombs, cutting water supply to six million people. Thus you can see that Gaddafi was a great leader who knew his onions.

     Not many African leaders could achieve this even with long reign. Then Libya became the Mecca for African youth including Nigerians. This did not go down well with the Western powers due to their penchant for domination. Gaddafi is a great lesson to us that Africans can throw up great leaders, if we are circumspect enough.

     On this note may I salute a dean of Nigerian journalism, an omnivorous reader, a convivial, and fanimorous conversationalist. Old age never hindered him from pursuing his passion for journalism. In spite of old age he never stopped reading and research. His neighbors call him Mr white because in his later years he stuck to wearing only white shirt and trousers.

CHARITY

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards the East or West; but it is righteousness--to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him . . . . and to practice regular charity. . .  (Quran 2:177) As if to emphasize a warning against deadening formalism, we are given description of the righteous and God-fearing man. He should obey salutary regulations, but he should fix his gaze on the love of Allah and the love of his fellow-men. We are given four heads: Our faith should be true and sincere; we must be prepared to show it in deeds of charity to our fellow-men; we must be good citizens, supporting social organization; and our own individual soul must be firm and unshaken in all circumstances. Faith is not merely a matter of words: We must realize the presence and goodness of Allah. Practical deeds of charity are of value when they proceed from love, and from no other motive. In this respect, also, our duties take various forms, which are shown in reasonable gradation: our kith and kin; orphans (including any persons who are without support or help): people who are in real need but who never ask (it is our duty to find them out, and they come before those who ask); the stranger, who is entitled to laws of hospitality; the people who ask and are entitled to ask, i.e., not merely lazy beggars, but those who seek our assistance in some form or another (it is our duty to respond to them).   They ask thee what they should spend (in charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, --Allah knoweth it well. (Quran 2:215)    Three questions arise in charity: (1) What shall we give? (2) To whom shall we give? And (3) how shall we give? The answer is:  Give anything that is good, useful, helpful, and valuable. It may be property or money; it may be a helping hand: it may be advice; it may be a kind word; "whatever ye do that is good" is charity. On the other hand, if you throw away what is useless, there is no charity in it. Or if you give something with a harmful intent, it is no charity but a gift of damnation. To whom should you give? It may be tempting to earn the world's praise by a gift that will be talked about, as some have been doing recently but are you meeting the needs of those who have the first claim on you? If you are not, you are like a person who defrauds creditors: it is no charity. Every gift is judged by its unselfish character. To fight in the cause of Truth is one of the highest forms of charity. What can you offer that is more precious than your own life? But here again the limitations come in. If you are a mere brawler, or a selfish aggressive person, or a vainglorious bully, you deserve the highest censure; this is where the terrorist masquerading as Jihadists come it. They are candidates of Hell Fire! Allah knows the value of things better than we do. O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) we have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (will avail), nor friendship, nor intercession. Those who reject Faith--they are the wrongdoers.(Quran 2:254) Give away in charity, or employ in good works: Good works would include everything that advances the good of one that is in need whether a neighbor or a stranger or that advances the good of the community or even the good of the person himself to whom Allah has given the bounty. But it must be real good and there should be no admixture of baser motives, such as vainglory, or false indulgence, or encouragement of idleness, or playing off one person against another, or playing to the gallery. The bounties include mental and spiritual gifts as well as wealth and material gifts.  Cf. Sura 2:123 and Sura 2:48. Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is Free of all wants and He is most Forbearing. (Quran 2:263)  This ayat sets a very high standard for charity.  It must be in the way of Allah.  It must expect no reward in this world. It must not be followed by references or reminders to the act of charity. Still less should any annoyance or injury be caused to the recipient. Indeed, the kindness and the spirit which turns a blind eye to other people's faults or short-comings is the essence of charity. At the same time, while no reward is to be expected, there is abundant reward from Allah material, moral, and spiritual-according to His own good pleasure and plan. If we spend in the way of Allah, it is not as if Allah was in need of our charity. On the contrary our short-comings are so great that we require His utmost forbearance before any good that we can do can merit His praise or reward. Our motives are so mixed that our best may really be very poor if judged by a very strict standard.  See Quran 2:264 False charity or ‘karini’ "to be seen of men," is really no charity.  See Sura 2:265. True charity is like a field with good soil on a high situation. It catches good showers of rain, the moisture penetrates the soil, and yet its elevated situation keeps it well-drained, and healthy favorable conditions increase its output enormously. See Quran 2:265 Charity has a bearing on our whole life. It is the insurance against the ‘whirlwind of life’.  We may work hard, we may save, we may have good luck; we may make ourselves a goodly pleasance, and have ample means of support for ourselves and our children. But a great whirlwind charged with lightning and fire comes and burns up the whole show. Our chance is lost, because we did not provide against such a contingency. The whirlwind is the "wrath to come"; the provision against it is a life of true charity and righteousness, which is the only source of true and lasting happiness in this world and the next. Without it we are subject to all the vicissitudes of this uncertain life. To this end therefore, ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures’. William Shakespeare May our perceived acts of charity not be in vain. Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend Three Other Things: 1.   Our son, Barrister Haroun Jose was called to the bar yesterday in Abuja. Congratulations to the proud parents Alhaji Hamza Babajide and Justice Kudirat Abike Jose for a job well done. Alhamdulillah. 2.   Our daughter Folake Fajemirokun was married yesterday; she will now be addressed as Mrs. Folake Edun. May God Bless the union! Another blessing of God for Baba Oba Oladele and Edith Fajemirokun and our brother and friend, now our In-Law Wale Edun. 3.   Finally, its 21 days to the Unveiling of our book: Reflections on Juma’at Greetings; December 19, 2019 at 11 AM at the Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall, Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. May Allah preserve us. Babatunde Jose  +2348033110822

OF JUSTICE EQUITY AND FAIRNESS

Justice, Equity and Fairness are three interrelated concepts that coalesce to make a spiritual whole. Justice is the sum-total, in a sense, of all recognised rights and duties, as it often consists of nothing more than a balanced implementation of rights and duties, and of due regard for equality and fairness. The Quran is emphatic on the objectivity of justice, so much so that it defies any level of relativity and compromise in its basic conception. A perusal of the Quranic evidence on justice leaves one in no doubt that justice is integral to the basic outlook and philosophy of Islam. Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Quran, Chapter 57, Surah Al-Hadid: 

“We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of right and wrong), that men may stand forth in justice.” (Quran 57:25). 

The major themes of the Qur’an include God-consciousness, fairness, equity, justice, equality and balance in all our dealings. These concepts are drummed into the believers every Juma’at service in the form of admonitions where we are enjoined to heed the words of Allah in Surah Al-Nahl:

God commands justice, the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition.  (Quran 16:90)

It stresses the doing of what is right because it is the truth.  As a reflection of Allah’s  attributes of Al-’Adl (The Just One) and Al-Muqsit (The Upholder of Equity), we are urged to establish justice and deal with all in a manner that assures equity, fairness and balance and safeguards the rights, property, honour and dignity of all people.  God assures us that even though He is All-Powerful and none can challenge His Authority, He deals with all with truth, kindness, justice, and the rights of none will be transgressed on the Day of Judgment. See  Surah Al-Anbia’  (Quran 21:47)

The narrow etymological equivalents for Justice and Equity are the words Insaaf, ‘Adl and Qist.  They are however, more comprehensive in their meaning and application. The root meanings of the word ‘Adl include the sense of Justice, Equity, Fairness, Non- Discrimination, Counter-Balance, to Rectify, Put in Order, Evenness, Proportion and the like.  When Prophet Muhammad said “help the oppressor and the oppressed”, he was stressing this same concept.  The Companions responded that they understood what “helping the oppressed” meant, but what did he mean by “helping the oppressor”?  He replied, “By preventing the oppressor from oppressing others”.  The root meanings of the word Qist include Equity, Fairness, Justice, Fair Distribution, Correctness, Balance, and Scale.  

In Surah Al Ma’idah, Ayah 9, it is said that we should stand firmly for Allah as witness to fairness:

 O you who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.  Be just; that is next to piety; and fear God.  For God is well acquainted with all that ye do. (Quran 5:9)  

See also Surah Al Nisa’, Ayah 135: O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, . . . . .(Quran 4:135). Prophet Shu’aib in Surah As- Shu’ara’ said: Give just measure, and cause no loss (to others by fraud).  And weigh with scales true and upright.  And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief.  And fear Him Who created you and (Who created) the generations before (you). (Quran 26:181-184)  

Surah Al Nahl, Ayah 90 says: God commands justice, the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition. (Quran 16:90) See also Surah Al Shurah, Ayah 15: (Quran 42:15),Surah Al Hadeed, Ayah 25, Quran 57:25. Other aspects of justice referred in the Quran are the following:Quran 4:58; Quran 5:8; Quran 6:151-152; Quran 11:85;

Finally Allah says: BEHOLD, God enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards [one's] fellow-men;  and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason,  as well as envy; [and] He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind. (Quran 16:90) 

Concerning Equity, Allah says:

O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God's claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them.  Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do! (Quran 4:135) See also Quran 6:152 and Quran 10:4

A person’s faith does not become perfect until he observes fairness with respect to himself and others. In exchange, God shall increase his honour and glory. Man, by nature, prefers his own self and loves everything that is associated with him. He also possesses a dislike for everything bad and evil. Similarly, (justice demands that) if he does not desire anything bad and evil for himself, he should not desire it for the others too. The Quran says:

And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one - or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess.  This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course. (Quran 4:3), see also Quran 4:129.

In one way or the other we are all guilty of some of the injunctions in these ayat, particularly our leaders. It however, applies to all of us. It was once said, that the issues of injustice, unfairness and inequitable dispensation of resources is an all pervasive malaise. From the flinching tramp on the roadside, the woman who digs for gold, the rich with their insatiable thirst for more, to the legislator, who is the sole beneficiary of his legislations and the executive who corners the people’s commonwealth to feather their own nests, including the ex-this and ex-that who award satanic- pensions for themselves,  we are all guilty. When justice, equity and fairness depart from a society, that society is finished. In the end we are reminded always by Allah’s injunctions where he said:

Hence, O my people, [always] give full measure and weight, with equity, and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs,   and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption. (Quran 11:85)

 "Partake of the good things which We have provided for you as sustenance, but do not transgress therein the bounds of equity lest My condemnation fall upon you: for, he upon whom My condemnation falls has indeed thrown himself into utter ruin!" (Quran 20:81)

May Allah’s condemnation never fall on us, Amin!

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend

Lastline:

Congratulations to our amiable sister, Lateefa Abimbola Kuru who added another milestone yesterday. May Allah preserve her and may her minutes, hours and days be long. May Allah prosper her in very good health. Ameen

2. Congratulations to our sister and wife Dr Olurinu Jose wife of our brother Abubakar Jose. She was conferred he Doctorate degree in Business Administration at the University of Liverpool last Tuesday in the presence of her husband and their two children. We also learnt that a World Bank position is awaiting her. Alhamdulillah.

Finally, it is 2 Weeks to the Unveiling of our book: Reflections on Juma’at Greetings, Venue is Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall, Law School, Victoria Island. Date remains 19th December 2019 at 11 AM. May Allah preserve us past that date.

Babatunde Jose

 +2348033110822

ISMA’IL BABATUNDE JOSE: YESTERDAY TODAY TOMORROW I believe it’s a sin to try and make things last forever Everything that exists in time runs out of time some day Got to let go of the things that keep you tethered Take your place with grace and then be on your way That’s true not only of people, but of “everything that exists in time.” - Bruce Cockburn

Late Dr. Ismail Babatunde Jose, Sarkin Muslumi and  Bobatolu of Ikare and the Ba’ameso of Lagos; former President of Anwar-Ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria; past President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and acclaimed doyen of modern Nigerian Journalism, was many things to different  people but one thing he is to all  is that he is today a man of yesterday. Like him we all have our today and our yesterday; but what will be our tomorrow?

Many people of yesterday who bestrode the land like colossi are today mostly inconsequential in the scheme of things. Many are who would pray to be with their maker, at least to avert the shame and ignominy of being looked upon as wasted bullets and spent political arms. Most of them, like the General we saw at a function last Saturday are sorry sights and elicit pity for what the ravages of time; challenges of health and spiritual devastation has wroth on them. Many are who had a yesterday but have been forgotten and all memories of their existence have been obliterated and consigned to the dunghill of history. People without a ‘today can never have a tomorrow’; which is to say a legacy worth talking about. It is said that the ‘evil that men do surely lives after them’. Let it be with the men of yesterday.

For late Alhaji Isma’il Babatunde Jose, his legacy remains untainted and tattooed in our minds. Only last week, the Punch newspaper carried a story on the man Jose as an icon. If he were alive, Jose would have been 94 years old today, December 25, and all roads could have led to his house for the traditional annual birthday prayer and a sumptuous meal for all visitors. Jose’s last outing was his 80th birthday bash that attracted all-comers. It was a glorious day at the Kings College ground on Victoria Island.

Shortly after that grand command, Jose regressed into the twilight zone of his life. It was to become an anticlimax to a fulfilled life of service to God and man. The Alhaji was a humanist who had perfected the art of good human relations. He was also a kind and forgiving soul who never harbored ill-feeling or grudges against those that trespassed against him. It is this humanism in him that propelled him to extend a hand of forgiveness to his traducers, even shortly after he had been lied against and vilified by those whom he loved. His philosophy was that, since Allah and the regime that set up a probe of his tenure had exonerated him, who was he not to forgive. This spirit was displayed on many occasions to the utter surprise and embarrassment of those concerned.

Till his death he was on cordial relationship with Obasanjo and never expressed any bitterness for the 1975 ‘Daily Times’ takeover and his premature retirement at the age of 50. When OBJ left office, Jose’s printing press made his first call-card as a civilian courtesy of their mutual friend Chief Olopade. However, before Obasanjo left office his regime appointed Jose as the first chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority and he was consulted on crucial issues as they pertain to the press. The mutual respect was carried to an embarrassing level once when Obasanjo stopped his motorcade on the way to the commissioning of the Tolaram Group’s Ethanol factory at Ibeju-Lekki EPZ and asked Jose to join him for the ride. But trust Jose, Baba declined saying he did not want to breach protocol.

Once during a visit to Ibadan, he asked Felix Adenaike to take him to Areoye Oyebola’s house; unfortunately ‘Omo Oye’ was not in his office nor at home where notes were left for him. But, alas there was no acknowledgement of the visit by Oyebola. Yet, on another occasion a former Times man would bring his family challenges for Jose to settle for him; as if nothing ever happened and Jose would plunge into the matter with all that he had. Interestingly, the likes of Gbolabo Ogunsanwo were welcome to the house during his numerous visits. Gbolabo even presented a cow during Jose’s burial rites.

During a chance encounter with Kunle Elegbede, another Times Alumna, I was blown away when he confided in me that of all his bosses, it was only Alhaji Jose that ever visited him at home. That was our father for you. No one was too small in the pecking order for him to fraternize with. This would account for why one should be prepared for surprises when travelling with him, as he could remember that there is someone he would like to visit in one remote, off-grid place along the way.

He had undying loyalty to his friends and associates. The height of his love and affection for Osoba was revealed to this writer shortly after Osoba lost the election and was on television; Alhaji Jose was so emotional that he shed tears. Immediately, he decided that we needed to pay a consolatory and solidarity visit to Osoba, which we did. Osoba however, has always reciprocated that fondness even after Alhaji’s demise.

Despite his humanism, kindness and forgiving spirit, Jose remained a believer till the end. In the last two years of his life, he must have communed many times with his maker and asked the question why a good man should suffer affliction of ill-health that tends to waste the flesh of an erstwhile robust and healthy body. To all those who attended to him in those last days, it raised the issue of theodicy without any valid answer, lest one is thrown into the warm embrace of atheism. Theodicy is the ancient and unsolved problem of how an infinitely beneficent God can allow evil and random disasters. Thinkers have proposed many answers. In the biblical Book of Job, God makes a wager with Satan. Job loses his wife and family, his health and his wealth. Even a sheltering tree withers. He calls on God for an explanation. Literally ‘without any evidence of shame, God tells Job to ‘mind his own business’. Rabbi Kusher, in his thought provoking book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, says that God is not omnipotent; that even He has limitations. But, I do not agree with Kusher whose extreme view borders on the anti-religious.

We still find our future mysterious. It is, however, much less mysterious than it has ever been. Our today demands that we live a fulfilled life and prepare for our tomorrow when we will be remembered for what we sow today. It is the fruits of what we plant today that our children and our children’s children will reap tomorrow. Galatians 6:7-8 says:  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

How often do we regard something that befalls us to be a great misfortune, when in reality Allah is showing His mercy to us. The opposite is equally true. Allah says: “Perhaps you hate a thing that is best for you, and you love a thing that is bad for you. Allah knows, while you know not.” (Quran 2:216)

Allah’s decree in the world is known to Him alone. Therefore, it is wrong for us to take the general texts that show a cause and effect relationship between virtue and worldly consequences and try to apply them to specific people and circumstances. The Prophets and the righteous people of the past were all tried with serious hardships. We cannot say that they suffered because Allah was punishing them. We can also see that Allah has granted certain sinners and unbelievers with considerable prosperity in this world. We cannot say that this shows Allah is pleased with them.

A believer should live between hope and fear. He should at all times be equally self-accusatory and conscious of Allah’s mercy and grace. The believer’s feelings of self-accusation and his awareness of his sins should be more acute when he is in health and prosperity. A Muslim should always be patient in adversity and thankful in prosperity. To be sure to achieve this state of mind, he should be conscious of Allah’s wisdom in testing us with every blessing and hardship. Such a Muslim will then show fortitude in sorrow and when his means are straitened.

Like Job Allah tested Alhaji Jose, but not with the full force of the afflictions visited on Job. Alhaji Jose did not lose any of his children but a wife whose death he was oblivious to. After his death, his legacy of good has remained and his children and children’s children have prospered; even his protégées have advanced in age and continue to celebrate their association with him. He has not become a pillar of shame or an epitaph of dishonor or embarrassment. Even in death Alhaji Jose remains a man of glorious yesterday, relevant today and a historic tomorrow.  It is a great lesson to all: Is there any Reward for Good other than Good? (Quran 55:60)

May Allah reward him with Jannatul Firdous. Like him we will all return to our maker because: Inna Lillah wa ina Ilehi rajiun.

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend

A Date to keep: The Unveiling of our book: Reflections on Juma’at Greetings is next Thursday, 19th December at the Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall, Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. At 11 am. Thank you.

Babatunde Jose

 +2348033110822

A sketch of nemesis

For over two decades, “Sad Sam”, a kingpin in the South American underworld was widely regarded as invincible. The taciturn Brazilian had a hard-to-fathom capacity to make himself virtually invisible to both national and international law-enforcement agencies, all the more so after pulling off one of his numerous heinous exploits against an increasingly vulnerable humanity. Sad Sam and his tribe held sway in those parts, rendering the job of law-enforcement on the sub-continent practically impossible. That cold-blooded operator had once again appeared on the shortlist of prime suspects by US-Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), following the mysterious disappearance of visiting African dignitaries from a world-class hotel in New York. A crack team of Israeli ex-paratroopers had for weeks been on the hunt for Sad Sam with the task proving more insurmountable by the day. Preliminary report on the investigation suggested that the fugitive was as likely to be in “transit”, meaning some obscure little town where no one knew about him or his dark trade. Then…        

At about 7:35PM Bolivian time an athletic lone figure was seen casually stepping out of Pedro Place, donning a red Tee shirt over dark trousers; his foot-wear could not be as soon made out. Seconds after stepping through the revolving glass door the figure was swallowed up by the surrounding pitch-darkness, outside, the last traces of light having ebbed from Sacaba’s sky some forty minutes earlier. But the powerful flood lights overlooking the hotel’s gate compelled the overwhelming darkness to excogitate the lone figure a couple of minutes later. Still maintaining his pace, he, as was expected, turned to his left as he crossed the gate; it could not be ascertained whether or not he saw the two jeeps parked less than fifty meters to the right of the gate. But he strode on as though, saving himself, the ill-lit street was as clean as a whistle; he neither changed his pace nor looked over his shoulders, not even when distinct sounds of two pairs of foot-falls reached his ears. One of the men in the jeeps looking through high-resolution binoculars silently gave thanks to Yahweh for lending His unfailing hand to their present mission. As far as the stealth watcher was concerned the athletic figure was already as good as his personal prisoner.

           

In less than the time it took to exchange fleeting pleasantries the owners of those distinct pairs of footfalls were abreast of the lone walker, each on either side, causing the man in the middle to impulsively dither his stride. But it was all too late! His fate had been sealed no sooner than he had left Pedro Place grounds, but his arrogant confidence in his knowledge of his transit town had rendered his professional antenna wholly unresponsive to signals, which even a Johnny-come-lately in his trade would have picked up. Arrogance, someone had said, had the effect of shutting out the senses. 

           

In fierce but precise movements two determined hands grabbed the sandwiched figure by the waist of his trousers as he beheld reflected lights from the muzzles of revolvers.

            ‘‘What!…What; what do you guys want? Okay, okay, okay, take it easy, take it easy…’’

            ‘‘Shut up! Shut up, and put your hands behind your back!’’ one of the attackers was ordering in military fashion when two Toyota Land Cruisers practically flew to their side. Moments later, one of the most feared kidnappers in South America was sitting in the rear seat of one of the jeeps, sandwiched between David and Jacob, with his wrists in cuffs as the hunting party took its hurried departure from that seeming innocent town. A handful of pedestrians and motorists glimpsed the abduction of the master-abductor but regarded it as nothing out of the ordinary; that, after all, was the world’s kidnapping continent.

            It was a measure of Sacaba’s tranquility and seeming innocence that one of the most wanted men in the world could stride its streets without a single weapon on his person. It was an unbelievable lapse in a seasoned operator like Sad Sam which David, still frisking the master-kidnapper, could not come to terms with. No doubt, thought the Israeli, the hand of Yahweh was in control all the way. As the Land Cruisers rolled and pitched from side to side on their axles the youngest of the hunters was having a hard time fixing a perfect blindfold on their quarry, who enquired for the umpteenth time in a disarmingly calm voice, ‘‘What do you guys want?’’ apparently convinced that his abductors were no other than professionals like himself; at worst, he reasoned, a ransom was as likely their ultimate goal; the entire South America was known for little else outside their common profession and trafficking in hard drugs.

           

Donning a yellow baseball cap and dark spectacles and sitting next to the driver with his back to the door, Marcos, the Israelis’ South American partner, closely watched what could be equated with the taming of a wild creature.

            ‘‘Look guys, I don’t care to see or know who you guys are, but the earlier we begin to negotiate the quicker we can reach…’’

            ‘‘Now! You will shut up and remain quiet until we want you to talk, just shut up, ok!’’ David snarled no sooner than the blindfold was finally in place. Marcos removed his spectacles and again looked beyond the rear seat; only the jeep in which his staff rode could be seen, hot on their heels. Satisfied, he gradually unwound the one hundred and eighty degrees which his head made with the vehicle’s direction of motion. While he was thus unwinding his eyes caught a glimpse of the deep concentration on David’s face, it was the concentration of a man determined to successfully complete his mission against all odd, mused the ex-police officer. ‘‘Angel don’t forget, we want to arrive alive,’’ security conscious Marcos reminded his assistant, settling down for the rest of the journey as the proverbial curtain fell on the blood-tainted career of a notorious kidnapper…

Afam Nkemdiche is an engineering consultant; June, 2019