Islam Protects Children from Aggression in Conflict

An injured baby

To this very day, children continue to be major casualties of war.  Observers have noted the six most common child’s rights violations to be targeted killings, recruitment and use of children in war, attacks on schools and hospitals, denial of humanitarian access, sexual violence, and abduction.

On 19^th August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly, “appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression”, decided to commemorate 4th June of each year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

Killing of Children in War

It is quite true that Muslims often violate these Islamic injunctions, population mention is the Saudi Arabia’s deliberate targeting of a school bus in Yemen on 9^th August 2018 which killed 43 children all below 15 and wounded 77 others. However, we must never confuse the words ‘Islam’ with ‘Muslims’. Note that Islam’s criminal code prescribes punishments for criminal Muslims and Allah promises Hellfire to sinful Muslims.

Islam insists on high moral standards even in war.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave clear instructions on the ethics of the Muslim army. Muhammad (SAW) would instruct: "Set out for Jihad in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Do not lay hands on the old verging on death, on women, children and babes. Do not steal anything from the booty and collect together all that falls to your lot in the battlefield and do good, for Allah loves the virtuous and the pious."

Muslims in the time of Muhammad (SAW) understood perfectly what these words mean, they lived by it and even exhorted others to do the same.

Islam Protects the Rights of Orphans

It has been narrated on the authority of Yazid b. Hurmuz that Najda wrote to Ibn Abbas inquiring of him five things. Ibn Abbas said: If I had not the fear of committing (sin) for concealing the knowledge I would not have written to him. Najda wrote to him saying (after praising the Almighty and invoking blessings on the Prophet): Tell me whether the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) took women to participate with him in Jihad; (if he did), whether he allotted them a regular share from the booty; whether he killed the children of (the enemy in the war how long an orphan would be entitled to consideration as such and for whom the Khums (fifth part of the booty) was booty. Ibn Abbas wrote to him: You have written asking me whether the Messenger of Allah (SAW) took women with him to participate in Jihad. He did take them to the battle and sometimes he fought along with them. They would treat the wounded and were given a reward from the booty, but he did not assign any regular share for them. AND THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAW) DID NOT KILL THE CHILDREN OF THE ENEMY, SO THOU SHOULDST NOT KILL THE CHILDREN. Also you have written to me asking me when the orphanhood of an orphan comes to an end. By my life, if a man has become bearded but is still incapable of getting his due from others as well u meeting his obligation towards them, (he is yet an orphan to be treated you such), but when he can look after his interests like grown-up people, he is no longer an orphan. And you have written to me inquiring about Khums as to whom it is meant for. (In this connection) we (the kinsmen of the Messenger of Allah) used to say: It is for us, but those people (i.e. Banu Umayya) have denied it to us. (Book 19, Number 4456)

Use of Child Soldiers

We thought the era of conscription of minors was an ancient practice, the 20^th century saw a sharp resurgence. Children were conscripted in the rebellions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, DR Congo, and in possibly in other countries and regions. Due to insipid experience and confidence, child soldiers die in large numbers.

Islam never condoned conscription of even adults into the army. Muslims were allowed to joined the army of free will and desire to please Allah.

The Prophet ordered some children to go back home on the day of the Battle of Uhud, among them were Usamah ibn Zayd and Abdullah ibn Umar, both only thirteen years old. However, Usamah and Abdullah were allowed to accompany the army to the Battle of Uhud but did not fight while the others were sent back to their families. Before Uhud, Abdullah ibn Umar was also turned away by the Prophet (SAW) from the Battle of Badr and it was not until the Battle of the Ditch that he and Usamah, both now fifteen years old and others of their age were allowed to join the ranks of the men fully.

The Islamic legislations on armed conflict ensure that the most vulnerable members of the enemy community are spared the slightest degree of aggression.

How Islam Instituted The Protection of Bees

Bees in the farm

Who would have believed that the seldom aggressive  insect called the ‘bee’ had other purposes asides generating honey to sweeten our teas and garnish our breads? 

Here are scientific facts showing why we should treat these neighbours of our more gently and kindly.

Benefits of Bees

• Three out of four crops across the globe that produce fruits or seeds which humans use for food depend, at least in part, on bees and other animal/insect pollinators.
• Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Pollinators contribute immensely to food security and conservation of biodiversity. 
• Bees are reported to have double the coffee harvest in Guatemala.

In a nutshell, we all depend on the survival of bees.

Problems

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, hummingbirds and bats are increasingly under threat from man’s activities.

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators (especially bees), the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the United Nations designated 20th May every year as World Bee Day. The theme for 2020 is 'Save the Bees'.

The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.

Present species extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal due to human activities. Close to 35 percent of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, and about 17 percent of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, face global extinction.

Dangers

• Intensive farming practices, land-use change, mono-cropping, pesticides and higher temperatures associated with climate change all pose problems for bee populations and, by extension, the quality of food we grow.
• If this trend carries on, nutritious crops, such as nuts, fruits, and many vegetable crops will be substituted increasingly by staple crops like corn, rice and potatoes, ultimately resulting in a diet imbalanced.

Islam to the rescue

Whenever Muhammad (SAW) was dispatching an army, his instructions were thus: “I advise you ten things. Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.”

Muhammad (SAW) ordered, “Do not burn bees and do not scatter them”. 

There were no corporate scientific research organizations in existence when the great Prophet (SAW) drummed this warning into the ears of the Muslim soldiers. Some of them might have felt, ‘what is so special about bees?’

Well, like we have been taught, Muhammad (SAW) spoke not from his own mind; he was divinely inspired.

Muhammad (SAW) is known to have made several statements inculcating in the hearts of the Muslims that even animals have rights that must not be trampled on.

What would have been the position of the world’s inhabitants today if we had paid keen attention to this golden instruction from the day it was first made?

Simple answer, the extinction of a major pollinator like the bee will not drive chills down our spines.

Like we sometimes say, if you do not accept Muhammad (SAW) as Messenger of your Creator, at least accept that he was the wisest man to have stepped foot on the surface of the Earth.

Why A Saudi Owned Media Outfit Is Pro-Israel

MBC group

Middle East Broadcasting Center, MBC, is a cable media outfit  with multiple channels. MBC 1 for Arab TV dramas and shows, MBC 2 and MBC Max for movies, MBC Action for American TV series MBC Bollywood and a host of others. MBC 1 (or simply MBC) was the first to come on board; this was on 18th September 1991.

Headquartered in Dubai since 2002, Over 60% of MBC is owned by the Saudi government while the remaining 40% is owned by Saudi businessman, Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim hence, it is classified a Saudi-owned media outfit. Research shows that half of the profits go to King Fahd's son, Abdulaziz bin Fahd.

On 26th April, pro Palestinian activists called out MBC for airing programs that seek to put Arabs and Muslims on the side of the Israeli occupation against Palestinians. The programs are titled ‘Umm Harun’ and ‘Exit 7’. The major theme of the programs is simply 'embrace Jews and ditch palestinians'.

Chairman of the Government Press Office in Gaza Salama Maarouf also expressed dismay at the programs. He stated that the call to normalize relations with Israel is a “moral and ethical downfall, especially since it came out of the countries and parties that should be primarily among the first advocates of Palestinian rights”.

Spokesperson of the Palestinian movement, Hamas, Hazem Qassem, strongly condemned the series, stating that certain Arab dramas produced in 2020 tend to “spread strange ideas that call for coexistence with the occupation, and dare to question the Palestinian cause.”

On 13th May, The Association of Religious Scholars in Palestine issued a fatwa (religious edict) that bans the watching of Saudi television programs which encourage and praise the normalizing of ties with Israel. 

The group’s lead official, Dr. Marwan Abu Ras, said in a statement, 

Umm Harun poster

"The Association looks with great doubt at the series which encourage and hail the normalization of ties with the Israeli occupation. We condemn the frenzied campaign of the TV channels run by Arabs and Muslims, and subsidized by Muslim money, against Islamic values and culture. Watching these series is haram (forbidden) and boycotting them is a religious duty because they oppose the real principles of the Muslims, Arabs and the Palestinians”.

On 14th May, Iran’s Foreign Ministry released a statement on the occasion of the Nakba Day, which marks the anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel, calling the Palestine cause the most important issue in the Muslim world.

Part of the statement read, “The Islamic Republic of Iran reannounces its support and unity for Palestinians and once against rejects the so-called 'Deal of Century'. It regards Palestine as the first and most significant issue in the Muslim World, it underlined”.

The selection of Mohammed bin Salman as the crown prince of Saudi Arabia has seen a drastic change in the Saudi governments approach to the Palestinian cause, it changed from hide and seek to outright declaration of Israel support. A number of Saudis have been used to further the ‘normalization’ agenda.

A public figure is Saudi Arabia, Abdelhamid al-Ghabin, sparked outrage on social media for promoting normalization.

A Saudi blogger, Mohamed Saud, has also been stirring anger through his videos in which he expresses love for Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestinians kicked the blogger out of the Al Aqsa compound in occupied East Jerusalem in July 2019.

The Saudi monarchy and its Sunni allies never fail to seize opportunities to point fingers at Iran and its allies on both contemporary and scriptural issues. Every good gesture by Iran and its allies is painted to have a demonic intent by Saudi Arabia and its allies. Iran’s defense of the Palestinian cause has been labeled hypocrisy by Saudi Arabia and her allies even though the Saudis themselves express insouciance to the plight of Palestinians and other oppressed Muslims.

As loyalists of the Saudi monarchy devise every means to stain Iran, they do their damndest to cover-up every filth made by the Saudi government. 

If MBC were to be an Iranian media outfit, it would have been a great weapon in the arsenal of the Saudi monarchy and her Sunni followers against Iran and Shiites in general.

MBC presenter Razan Moughrabi

The theme of MBC has always been entertainment. At the onset,  Islamic principles used to play some part in the structuring of MBC programs; this began to change with the coming of MBC 2 on 12th January 2003. MBC 2 was full blown secular entertainment from scabrous music to Hollywood movies. The utterance of vulgar language and display of perversion has become the anthem. What makes it more disturbing is the fact that indigenous Arabian programs are coming up and taking in the footsteps of Hollywood in all ramifications. Hijab or any form of head covering has been thrown to the winds and contact between people of opposite gender and nudity are fast growing trends.

On 5th May, some members of the Egyptian parliament called on the Egyptian Prime Minister, Moustafa Madbouly, to push for a ban on an MBC program titled ‘Ramez Magnon Rasmi, or Ramez Is Officially Crazy’, they opined that the program made sport out of violence against women and bullying.

Since the fall of the Ottoman caliphate on 3rd March 1924 and the formation of Saudi Arabia on 23rd September 1932, the Saudis have claimed leadership of the Muslim world. They have continued to do this by employing all forms of finagling against any Muslim nation or group of nations that tend to command respect among the world’s Muslims. A major victim of this illusion has been Iran.

It is high time members of the ‘Saudi Defense League’ began to search their souls, are they serving Islam and humanity or are the serving wealthy men.

Tanasha Donna Embraces Islam, Others Come Closer

Aisha Donna

On Friday (8^th May 2020), Kenyan singer, Tanasha Donna, posted a picture of herself on Instagram wearing a beautiful red hijab and wishing Muslims a blessed Jum’ah. Observers say she looked modest, religious and at peace with Islam and hoped it brought sanity to her life. 

The Kenyan musician has taken up the Islamic name ‘Aisha’ but it is not known if she intends to carry on with secular show biz. 

Aisha Donna in the past

Sister Aisha, who has one child for Tanzanian musician, Diamond Platnumz (Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack), had previously not fully addressed whether she converted to Islam months ago when rumours of her conversion made the rounds. 

According to Esma Issack, a sister to Diamond Platnumz, Aisha was not forced to switch religion; she embraced Islam willingly after reading and understanding the Qur'an.

The month of Ramadhan has brought a number of celebrities closer to Allah in recent weeks. 

On 23^rd April, Nigerian musician, Naira Marley (Azeez Fashola), posted on Twitter, “May Allah shower Ramadan’s blessing on all of us and accept our prayers and fasts. RamadanMubarak”. 

He has also told his fans that he was staying away from rough life to respect the sanctity of the month of Ramadhan. 

Naira Marley (Azeez Fashola)

He posted on Instagram and Twitter on 25^th April, “The Quran was revealed in this month. ‪It’s a month of Blessing, Mercy and forgiveness. ‪The doors of heaven are opened. ‪The doors of hell are closed. The shaytaan is chained up. ‪Rewards are multiplied from 10-700 times. ‪There’s one night (laylatul-qadr) that is better than 1000 months”.

He is rumoured to have had a very Islamic upbringing.

May Allah strengthen their feet on the straight path.

COVID-19: China Follows Islam to Fight Coronavirus

Coronavirus

The dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought people of the world (Muslims and non Muslims) closer to Allah in so many ways. 

COVID-19: Iran Is Being Victimized

Pro-Iran protester

The first case of corona virus in Iran was documented on  19^th February. Two elderly men in the city of Qom who were not known to have left the city recently were diagnosed with the deadly virus and died the same day. Ever since, cases and casualties have been on the rise. Cases currently stand at 67, 286 while deaths stand at 4, 003 sources say an Iranian citizen dies of corona virus every 10 minutes. Iran is currently the most affected Muslim country with over 9% of its government officials infected.

Impact on Iran

On Wednesday, Iran’s health ministry reported the number of people who had tested positive in the country had increased by 1,997 to 67, 286, and the death toll had risen by 121 and now stood at 4,003. According to official figures, at least six people die every hour in Iran from COVID-19. American sanctions on Iran are preventing the country from purchasing much needed medical supplies required to combat the pandemic.

Iran is currently the country with the most number of government officials infected with coronavirus. As of the month of March, victims included two vice-presidents, three cabinet officials, 9% of the members of parliament, the director of emergency medical services, the chief of the crisis-management organization, senior Revolutionary Guard officers, and prominent clerics are on a long list of officials infected. 

A doctor trained at Johns Hopkins University, Ali Akbar Velayati, who served as the Foreign Minister for sixteen years and is currently a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had to go into quarantine on 12^th March. At least 12 sitting or past Iranian politicians and government officials had died from the virus as at 17th March 2020.

American Collusion

The American government is reported to have made offers to provide assistance to the Iranian government to contain the disease; the Iranian authorities declined the offer.

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, said in a televised speech on 22^nd March, “Several times Americans have offered to help us to fight the pandemic. That is strange because you face shortages in America. Also you are accused of creating this virus. I do not know whether it is true. But when there is such an allegation, can a wise man trust you and accept your help offer? ... You could be giving medicines to Iran that spread the virus or cause it to remain permanently. Our number one enemy is America. It is the most wicked, sinister enemy of Iran ... its leaders are terrorists ... Liars and charlatans. You might send people as doctors and therapists, maybe they would want to come here and see the effect of the poison they have produced in person. You might send people as doctors and therapists, maybe they would want to come here and see the effect of the poison they have produced in person. The Islamic Republic has the capability to overcome any kind of crisis and challenges, including the coronavirus outbreak”.

Last month, the Central Bank of Iran requested a $5 billion loan from the IMF’s Rapid Financing Initiative, an emergency programme set up to help countries faced with sudden shocks such as natural disasters to help fight the pandemic within its borders. On 8^th April, the Iranian government urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to which it is a member to approve the loan. America is standing in opposition to the loan saying Iran has enough resources to take care of itself.

Complicity of Western Media

Western and world media has also shown no sympathy for the people of Iran. An info graphic by the British publisher, The Guardian, has further shown the disdain for Iran in Western media in the midst of the ongoing crisis. Australia with a total of 6, 024 cases and 50 deaths, Japan with a total of 4, 257 cases and 81 deaths were both captured but Iran with 67, 286 cases and 4, 003 deaths did not even get the slightest recognition. Western media outfits are doing their damnedest not to mention Iran in news bulletins that involve coronavirus. Iran is currently the country with the 7^th highest number of cases and the 6^th highest number of deaths with now more deaths than China.

Why Iran?

The West, head by America, has tried to bring the Islamic government of Iran to its knees through economic sanctions and media propaganda for nearly two decades, the country has continued to grow in influence by leaps and bounds. The west has been trying to plant its roots deeper in the Middle East in recent years; the presence of Iran in the region has been an impediment to that goal.

Genesis of the Virus

Late Dr. Li Wenliang

The most prominent early person to alert the world of coronavirus was a 33 year old Chinese ophthalmologist, Dr Li Wenliang, through a video chat on 30th December. Four days later, Dr. Li was summoned to the Public Security Bureau (Police) where he was coerced into sign a letter in which he was accused of "making false comments" that had "severely disturbed the social order".

The letter read, "We solemnly warn you: If you keep being stubborn, with such impertinence, and continue this illegal activity, you will be brought to justice - is that understood?" Underneath that in Dr. Li's handwriting is written: "Yes, I do."

Dr. Li Wenliang was one of eight people who police said were being investigated for "spreading rumours".

The corona virus broke out in Wuhan province of China on 1^st December 2019. The disease spread to other parts of China and neighboring Asian countries. The first case of COVID-19 outside China was reported in Thailand on 13^th January. On 30^th January 2020, the world health Organization declared corona virus a pandemic. 

Corona virus has been nicknamed the elite disease because a lot of its victims have ranged from celebrities to the bourgeois up to government officials.

Global coronavirus casualty reports currently has documented 1, 504, 971 cases, 87, 983 deaths and 290, 729 recoveries.

COVID-19: Perfect Time For Pastors To Show Their Worth

Top Nigerian Pastors

Major cities and countries across the world have  been placed under lock down and thousands of isolation centers have been created to battle the dreaded corona virus. 

Celebrities, politicians, business moguls and known philanthropists have made charity a pillar of humanity to assist local and foreign governments in their struggle to save lives and ease suffering.

Philanthropists have been making donations to augment the purchase of medical supplies, aid the establishment of isolation centers and provide welfare packages for to health workers. Countries in the developed world have also channeled these donations to the provision of periodic food supplies to homes to help families cope with the lock down.

Religion has become such a lucrative enterprise in the modern era that religious figures now appear on Forbes magazine yearly. 

Since the turn of the 21st century, Nigerian pastors have continued to break grounds  in this venture, Nigerian Pastor, David Oyedepo, the General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), is currently the richest pastor in the world with a net worth of $150 million according to the 2020 edition of Forbes magazine. This wealth is primarily gotten from monthly tithes and businesses established from tithes. 

There are four other Nigerian men of God who always grace Forbes magazine editions, they are:

• Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy (No. 3 with $50 million)

• Pastor Enoch Adeboye of Redeem Christian Church of God (No. 5 with $39 million)

• Prophet T. B. Joshua of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (No. 9 with $10-15 million)

Another millionaire pastor from Nigeria not captured in Forbes list for 2020 is Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Center with an estimated net worth of $16 million.

Until yesterday (Monday 30^th March), we were yet to hear any of these men of God coming forward to offer assistance of any kind even if it were exclusively for their church members.

The Redeem Christian Church of God headed by Pastor Enoch Adeboye (5^th Richest pastor) donated medical supplies which included 8, 000 hand sanitizers, 8, 000 face masks and 200, 000 hand gloves to the Lagos state government. 

Some have questioned, what happens to the church members in other states? It was not clear if the donations came from church coffers or the private pocket of the Pastor Adeboye.

In the midst of all these cries of sickness and financial hardship, the Church of the richest pastor in the world, Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), announced this month the introduction of USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) so that members can still pay their tithes despite the closure of banks; he came under heavy fire.

The lock down has also birthed economic hardship which has majorly affected the plebeian population which includes market traders, artisans, and other members of the low class who depend on daily incomes to survive. 

The vast majority of Christians who follow these men of God are from this class of people, when will it ever be time for them to reap the benefits of their loyalty to ‘God and His men on earth’?

An argument our men of God might bring forth is that the government of Nigeria is wealthy enough to tackle the issue and financial donations will only provide the government excuses to neglect its duties.

This argument is logical in a way however, it still does not justify the deafening silence from our men of God.

Nigerian pastors became popular and influential after several years of them displaying spiritual abilities to heal the sick from all kinds of diseases. Some of them have even been said to raise the dead. 

Shouldn’t we be seeing our men of God traversing the country and the world healing the corona virus patients and bringing the pandemic to an end once and for all? Isn’t that what the Lord Jesus would have done?

Corona virus cases in Nigeria currently stand at 132 with two fatalities even though thousands are still at risk of contracting the virus. Researchers and thinkers have forecast that the virus could kill as many as 10 million people in Africa