TheCable

BY RIDWAN JAMIU

Recently, an audio message attributed to Bishop Oyedepo went viral. His eminence had goaded his church members to give charity only to the needy in the church who would ask them ‘In Jesus Name’ and deny the ‘malams’ by the road sides and who would ask ‘In the Name of Allah’. A shriek of applause and affirmation had greeted the rancorous speech of the clergyman.

At a time when the rope holding Nigeria together as a nation has become very weak and freaky, one would have expected the shepherd to charge the flock to demonstrate love and remonstrate against hatred and bigotry. It’s love that Jesus preached; love, even for enemy. The so-called ‘malams’ on the street and the Muslims who believe in Allah and mention His Holy Name are never enemies of the Christians. They are their brethren in origin and country. They are neighbors, relatives, colleagues at work and friends. Besides, the Bishop’s reference to Allah is irreverent and derogatory.

A Yoruba proverb says, ‘one never hears ‘Beat him/her up’ in the mouth of an elder’- meaning that elders and the elites resolve disputes and quench rancor; they do not goad disputants on. They solve problems; they do not promote wickedness and vices. There is still much to be desired from our elders and leaders.

Nonetheless, it’s up to the Muslim elites, scholars and governments to decry professional begging which defines some poor Muslims. Islam authoritatively prohibits begging except in times of dire necessity and as a last resort. Begging should not be taken as a profession. No one is praised in the Qur’an for begging. It’s only givers who are praised.

Zakat (compulsory charity) may be targeted at the needy Muslim and poor but Sadaqa (voluntarily charity) has been highly recommended to be given to all, irrespective of religion or race. I recently rallied support of a few Muslims to pay off the house rent of a distraught Christian woman threatened with eviction by her landlord. Examples abound.

“Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.” Q60:8.

But Who is Allah?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, ‘Allah is the standard Arabic word for God and is used by Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews as well as by Muslims…’

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, ‘The notion of Allah in Arabic theology is substantially the same as that of God among the Jews, and also among the Christians, with the exception of the Trinity, which is positively excluded in the Koran, cxii: “Say God, is one God, the eternal God, He begetteth not, neither is He begotten and there is not any one like unto Him.”

Pope Saint John Paul II, speaking in front of a soccer stadium filled with young Muslims in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1985, famously declared:

‘We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings His creatures to their perfection’

These are authoritative and general references establishing that Allah is the true Lord and the one God.

If Bishop Oyedepo spoke Arabic, he would have no other word for God than Allah. His denial of Allah and His name is tantamount to denial of God and inadequate information. If the Bishop believed in God, then he believes in Allah. All Christians who believe in God believe in Allah. Believers in God should not hate one another in God’s name. Would idol-worshippers be dearer to you than believers in Allah? Allah is the only true God.

“Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the LORD your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.” Exodus 20:7

Was Jesus God?

Jesus said, addressing God:

‘And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.’ John 17:3.

That is for anyone to tread the path leading to eternal life in Paradise, one must believe that there is only one true God, and to also believe in Jesus who was a Messenger sent by God to people. You can see here that God, Allah is different from Jesus.

The Bible says

‘For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his _servant_ Jesus by doing this.’ Acts 3:13.

“When God raised up his _servant_ , he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:26

According to the Bible, Jesus was a human being, servant of God and Messenger of God. God honored him through the divine revelation given to him and miracles done through him. That is the Jesus who all Muslims believe in. Muslims would not worship a creation of God, not even Jesus or Prophet Muhammad.

“Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 6:13

“(O Muhammad), do not worship anything besides God lest you suffer the punishment” Qur’an 26:213.

Jesus in the Qur’an

In Islam, Jesus is one of the greatest Prophets of Allah. He was born miraculously without a father. He was taken up by God when he was about to be attacked by evil-doers. He was neither killed nor crucified. He’s coming back before the end of time (Qur’an 4: 156-170)

The Qur’an says,

“He [‘Îsâ (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father” Q43:59. God often uses the plural of respect for Himself in the Qur’an.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord .” Mark 12:29.

That’s Allah that all Muslims believe in and worship. He’s the same Lord and God of Jesus. Islam teaches submission to worship Allah alone, obey His commands and belief in all Prophets of God the last of whom was Muhammad. The Qur’an is the last revelation of God, Allah to all mankind and the final testament.

If Jesus was not God, then it’s God’s holy Name we should pronounce to seek blessings and beg of one another. Hence, we should always declare ‘Bismillah’-In the Name of Allah.

Jesus Preached Love

“…The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31. This is what Jesus is reported to have said and taught.

It seems this day that some people use Jesus name to rob others of their hard-earned money, to commit fraud and spread bigotry and inhumanity. We’ve all got brain to think but not all use it.

Bishop’s message is divisive and unguided. Outbursts like his had caused civil wars in many places and destroyed many communities. The genocidal war in Rwanda is still freshly remembered.

We belong to the same country and land. It’s love and solidarity that can salvage our fragile existence.

Tribalism, fanaticism and selfishness can destroy us without repair. Let’s see the humanity in ourselves. We are not living in the animal kingdom. Banditry, kidnapping, robbery, terrorism and all social evils that have plighted our dear country belong to no particular race, tribe or religion. They’re perpetrated by the denied, the perverse, the uneducated, the oppressed and pauperized youths of all inclinations. Even though they have no justifications.

Official corruption that has blighted our nation is often promoted by failed (schooled but not educated) men and women who patronize the houses of God they do not truly believe in.

Live with Humanity and Respect

A wise man has rightly said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Please be your brothers’ keepers and stop the hate message. Let’s promote tolerance and generosity. Mediocres and simpletons are known for misdeeds and shallow thinking; greats are known for good heart, good speech and good deeds- the only reasonable trinity.

In religious matters, the Qur’an has given a principle of ‘LIVE AND LET LIVE’; it says “You have your religion and I have mine.” Q109:4. In other words, respect my beliefs and choices as I should yours.

Jamiu is the chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque and can be reached at [email protected]