Religion and the Erroneous Employment of Ego or Entitlement

By Bala Ibrahim

Because I am an illiterate when it comes to Islamic law, fiqh or Shariah, I am always circumspect, or unwilling to take the risk of talking on matters that are religious, particularly on Islamic religion. However, when the issue at hand has bearings with wrong perception, especially the way in which the issue is regarded, understood, or interpreted, I am tempted to comment. I do this because of the freedom of speech, which permits the expression of opinion formally or informally. This expression of opinion can be on political matters or on religious issues. They can be expressions that are favourably received or regarded as offensive.

In the last few days, as a build up to today, Friday, messages have been circulating on the media, the social media in particular, to the effect that, today’s Friday prayers at the National mosque, Abuja, would be led by an Ibo imam. The message reads: “Tomorrow at the Abuja National Mosque will be very historic as the First ever IGBO MUSLIM Imam (Prof. Iliyasu Usman) who is recently appointed as the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque would be performing his inaugural Khutbah (Sermon) in the Mosque. Kindly join us.
– Uthman Isa Tochukwu Esq”

Ordinarily, a message like this would not offend me, but the inquirer in me is casting an air of deep pessimism, or negative thinking about the implied content of the message. “Very historic as the First ever IGBO MUSLIM Imam”. My curiosity is basically asking two questions. Is the National mosque the personal property of any tribe or ethnic group? And, Secondly, who said in Islam, the Ibos are lesser citizens, that should see the invitation to lead in prayers as a special favour?

Some people, perhaps out of ignorance, or poor understanding of the religion of Islam, tend to attend to the religion with an exaggerated ego or sense of personal entitlement. No one, I repeat, no one, can claim superiority to another in Islam, except in accordance to his or her faith. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives.

As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to Allah. In fact, that is why it is called Islam-peace. One can achieve real peace of body and of mind only through submission and obedience to Allah. And Allah said, Muhammad was the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Quran. The Quran was revealed in Arabic.

Therefore, in Islam, Arabic is considered to be the language of the Quranic revelations. The Quran itself is written in Arabic, and Muslims believe that the language is an integral part of the revelation, as it is the language chosen by Allah to deliver His message to humanity. So, except for those who speak in the Arabic language, no one should come to Islam with any sense of entitlement.

Those doing so are acting with ego, which has its dark side, leading to arrogance, overconfidence, and an inability to listen to others. In Islam, the Hausa man, Yoruba man or Kanuri is not superior to an Ibo or Ibibio man. The best among them all is, the one with stronger faith. Period.

Indeed the Muslim community would be happy to hear that the religion of Islam is so universal that it encompasses so many tribes, including the Ibos, whose followership is increasing daily. But that is not to say they are in a lower class of the strata. For some reasons, Prof. Iliyasu Usman was not the one that delivered the sermon at the National mosque today, but sources say he is expected to do so next week. Today’s sermon was delivered by Sheik Ahmad Ibrahim Maqari.

The fact that no Ibo man had led in prayers at the National mosque is not because they are not so learned. Perhaps it’s due to the erroneous employment of ego, or entitlement by some people. And that is an act that is in conflict with the Islamic teachings.