The Statement of Ali bin Abu Talib Can Play Out in Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari

Even though the Sahabah (Companions of Prophet Muhammad) were not prophets, they lived with the Prophet (SAW) and learnt a lot from him. Those who were bereft of wisdom became wise and those who were wise had their wisdom confirmed by ALLAH (SWT) in different verses of the Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (SAW). 

For instance, ALLAH talked about Abu Bakr Siddique in the Qur’an, “If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they both [Muhammad and Abu Bakr] were in the cave, and he said to his companion [Abu Bakr]: "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His calmness upon him, and strengthened him with forces which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." Suratul Tawbah (9:40)

The Prophet (SAW) talked about Mu’adh bin Jabal’s outstanding wisdom in matters relating to haram and halal; the Prophet (SAW) said, "The most knowledgeable of my ummah in matters of halal and haram is Muadh ibn Jabal."

So many other instances abound when talking about the stamped and approved wisdom of the Sahabah which means it will be wise to pay attention to their sayings and actions.

In a historic letter written by Ali bin Abu Talib to his then governor in Egypt, Malik  Ashtar, advising him on the qualities of a leader, among the things Ali said was: 

“Beware! Abstain from shedding blood without a valid cause. There is nothing more harmful than this which brings about one's ruin. The blood that is willfully shed shortens the life of a state. On the Day of Judgment it is this crime for which one will have to answer first. So, beware! Do not wish to build the strength of your state on blood; for, it is this blood which ultimately weakens the state and passes it on to other hands. Before me and my God no excuse for willful killing can be entertained.” 

This statement is the pillar of this write-up.

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on the 29^th of April 2015 with great delight in the hearts of majority of Nigerians, hopes were high and for a moment it greatly felt like the hopes were not misplaced. 

The major problems facing Nigeria talking about poor power supply, long ques at filling stations, security challenges, e.t.c. began to fade away. 

Then on one unfaithful day it was all over the news that over a thousand Shiites comprising of women, girls, children and the elderly had been killed by Nigerian soldiers because some Shiites prevented top military officials from passing through a road. After the soldiers gunned down those who were present to block the road, they went back at night to kill their relatives and demolish their houses and places of worship. 

The soldiers were praised by both Muslims and Christians alike with most of the praises coming from Muslims. A lot of Nigerian Muslims identifying as Sunnis were happy basically due to the historic Sunni-Shia rivalry. Christians on the other hand were happy due to the Muslim-Christian rivalry. 

What followed the December 12^th 2015 massacre were skirmishes and crack-downs by Nigerian security personnel and Sunnis leading to the death, abuse and detention of hundreds of Shiites. A trend followed the onslaught which many are either too arrogant to accept or too blind to see. 

The progress of the Buhari administration began to dwindle; the blackouts resumed, boko haram returned, fuel and food prices soared like never before and to crown it up-Buhari’s health deteriorated. 

The popularity of Muhammadu Buhari and his party, APC has crashed and so many supporters have become ex-supporters. The strong feeling in the air in Nigeria currently is that Buhari and APC will not return to power come 2023. 

This will not be strange to people who read and think because it will be in-line with what Ali bin Abu Talib said. 

It is worthy to note that this scenario also played itself out in the administration of late Musa Yar’adua when Nigerian soldiers and Police killed scores of civilians in the name of fighting boko haram. 

Yar’adua did not live to see the end of his tenure, the land moved from his hands to the hands of others (from the hands of the Muslims to the hands of the non-Muslims) as a result of which Muslims paid a high price. 

In this statement of Ali bin Abu Talib however, it was not stated how the power shift will occur, it is therefore left to us to observe our communities and figure that out. There is however a remedy to the current impasse in the country. 

The administration of Muhammadu Buhari must own-up to the fact that the Nigerian soldiers transgressed in Zaria on December 12^th 2015 and people must be brought to book. 

The administration must compensate the victims of these acts of abuse and finally; the administration must heed to the court decision to free the Shiites it has in captivity including their leader-Ibrahim Zakzaky.

This write-up is just an advice and as it is with pieces of advice, they can be taken and they can be rejected. Whatever is decided, time will tell.

I will like to leave the reader with this quote from the Glorious Qur'an:

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do." 

Suratul Ma'idah (5:8)