On Religious Extremism and Matters Arising
By Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad
AREWA AGENDA – There’s so much happening around that I want to contribute to but I feel strongly inadequate. I have always felt and believed that issues regarding religion shouldn’t just be approached without solid foundation and understanding of basic facts. In much the same way one can’t just wake up and start discussing economic indices or making projections, one’s opinion and analysis on things around religion should be informed and should have relevant and authentic references. You cannot completely irrationalize destruction of alcohol bottles because of its economic justification without also considering the religious ramification.
I don’t in any way fancy religious extremism. But I also don’t adore the sustained effort to associate religiosity with religious fundamentalism and extremism (of the violent type). Unrestrained freedom only leads to moral decadence. If everyone is allowed to do as they so wish, immorality will thrive.
When things as little as public display of immorality in dressing (in fact I believe it is ‘big’) are not frowned at, they graduate to such other things like publicly identifying as LGBT and even bigger things. Some parts of the West didn’t turn into LGBTA friendly zones in a day. It began with the unrestrained freedom to be and do anything. Now a man can be a woman and vice-versa. People can choose to sexually associate with same sex partners or have a mix. It has become completely normal.
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While liberality (opening up to new ideas and opinions) can be a catalyst for development, it should always trail religiosity. And religiosity on the other hand shouldn’t be implemented through (violent) extremism. Religion has given so much freedom to be and do anything. But it doesn’t give room for immorality and that is non-negotiable.
Issues do come up from time to time that need to be addressed informedly. I once heard the story of a woman who wanted to accept Islam but doesn’t want to leave her husband who is a non-Muslim. At first, she was told she has to leave the marriage because it’d be forbidden once she reverts. She couldn’t choose Islam (something new to her) over her husband who she has spent a large part of her life with. She settled for the latter. Later a more learned scholar opined that it is better to have her accept Islam and remain in the marriage (fornication) than her remaining (or dying) an unbeliever (shirk). The husband may pick interest perhaps with time and her good examples. When faced with two evils that cannot be avoided (at least soonest), the lesser one is chosen.
That been said, condemnation and call to religion aren’t done blindly. It’s not for everyone to condemn, especially if it leads to even greater ills. We are enjoined to call unto the path of the Lord with ‘wisdom’ and ‘good instruction’. We can’t use the same tactics to preach morality to everyone. Our call to righteousness should also factor our differences (biology, identity, experience etc). If it doesn’t, it only becomes bullying and rigmarole.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers and journalists from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.
