LETTER TO BOKO HARAM

Written by Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Friday, 01 July 2011 01:12
Assalamualaikum Waramatullahi Wabarakatu. I write in the name of Allah, The most beneficent and the most merciful.
Dear Boko Haram, I am constrained to write you, Reading through the news papers page recently regarding the issue of the bombing rocking our country Nigeria, It was reported that your organization claimed responsibility. In another report, it was reported that your sect stated your reason for embarking on this bombing mission to be the killing of your ex leader and members. It was also reported that the only condition given by your Organization for negotiation is the Adoption of Shariah Law in Nigeria.
First, I would like to start from the name of your sect, Boko Haram. Meaning education is forbidden. The stand of your sect that education is forbidden came to me as a shock, considering the impact of education in the history of Islam.
The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on lslam’s emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur’an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. “Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. ” (Quran, 39:9)
The Qur’an encourages people towards scientific research:”And whoso brings the truth and believes therein such are the dutiful.” (Quran, 39:33)
It was through education that we got the loud speaker we use in calling for prayers, Education produces the bricks we use in building our mosques, produces the computer and internet we use in studying Islamic writing around world while sitting at home, produces the wall clock that makes it easy to know the time for prayers, produces the aeroplane we use in making pilgrim to the holy land.
The car your members used in transporting themselves to the bombing venue, the mobile phone, the bombs and guns, even the media used in publishing your information all are products of education. These clearly show that everything your sect has been using as the impact of education (Boko) in one way or the other.
Don’t you think Boko (Education) is Halal (Lawful)?.
Saying education is forbidden is just like saying sex is forbidden, But sex can be forbidden when done unlawfully and can equally be rewarded if done lawfully.
Acquiring knowledge and skill is essential for every one living in the modern world. It is useful as well as pleasant to pursue knowledge.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Seeking of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, boy or girl, man or woman.
The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, based on sense and bservation is made obligatory on all believers.
“The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge. The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most advanced civilization in the world. The main reasons for this was that Islam stressed the importance and respect of learning, forbade destruction, and cultivated respect for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other religions. The teachings of Qur’an and Sunnah inspired many Muslims to their accomplishments in science and medicine. By the tenth century their zeal and enthusiasms for learning resulted in all essential Greek medical and scientific writings being translated into Arabic in Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad. Arabic became the international language of learning and diplomacy. The center of scientific knowledge and activity shifted eastward, and Baghdad emerged as the capitol of the scientific world. The Muslims became scientific innovators with originality and productivity through education.(Boko)
For example Islamic medicine is one of the most famous and best known facets of Islamic civilization in which the Muslims excelled. The Muslims were the great torchbearers of international scientific research.
Some of the best and most eloquent praises of science came from the pens of Muslim scientists who considered their work to be acts of worship. The same motives led to the establishment of Al-Azhar (800 AD) the first university in the world. They hit the “source ball of knowledge” over the fence to Europe. In the words of Campbell, “The European medical system is Arabian not only in origin but also in its structure. The Arabs are the intellectual forbearers of the Europeans.”
Further More, I would like to state here that your members were killed not because they were Boko Haram members, but because they commit an offence of murder. i.e killing of innocent people and such crime both in Shariah and the Nigerian constitution is punishable by death. If your sect had found these people guilty of any offence, it is not in your hand to take law. But despite that,I am sincerely sorry for your loss and pray that Allah forgive us all.
Lastly, About your insistence that Nigeria use the sheriah law,it is clearly stated in the Qur’an that Allah says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 256]
One of the fundamental truths established by the sacred texts is that no one can be compelled to accept Islam. It is the duty of Muslims to establish the proof of Islam to the people so that truth can be made clear from falsehood. After that, whoever wishes to accept Islam may do so and whoever wishes to continue upon unbelief may do so. No one should be threatened or harmed in any way if he does not wish to accept Islam.
jihad in Islamic Law can be waged for a number of reasons, but compelling people to accept Islam is simply not one of them.
The reason why jihad was first permitted in Islam was so the Muslims could defend themselves against persecution and expulsion from their homes.
Allah says: “To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged and verily Allah is Most Powerful for their aid – (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right (for no cause) except that they say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Did Allah not check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his cause, for truly Allah is full of strength and might.” [Sûrah al-Hajj: 39-40]
Many of the earliest scholars mention that these were the first verses of the Qur’ân that was revealed regarding jihad.
Thereafter the following verses were revealed:
“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them and drive them out from where they drove you out, for oppression is worse than killing. But fight them not at the sacred mosque unless they fight you there. But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 190-193]
From this point on, the scope of jihad was broadened from being purely for defense against direct attack to being inclusive of resistance against the persecution meted out by those who suppress the faith and deny people the freedom to choose their religion for themselves.
As for the spread of Islam, this is supposed to take place peacefully by disseminating the Message with the written and spoken word. There is no place for the use of weapons to compel people to accept Islam. Weapons can only be drawn against those who persecute and oppress others and prevent them from following their own consciences in matters of belief. The Muslims cannot just stand by while people are being denied the right to believe in Islam and their voices are being crushed. This is the meaning of Allah’s words: “And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 193]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in his letter to the Roman governor Heracles: “I invite you to accept Islam. If you accept Islam, you will find safety. If you accept Islam, Allah will give you a double reward. However, if you turn away, upon you will be the sin of your subjects.” {Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim}.
Even when the Muslims are compelled to fight and then, as a consequence, subdue the land, their duty thereafter is only to establish Allah’s law in the land and uphold justice for all people, Muslim and non-Muslim. It is not their right to coerce their subjects to accept Islam against their will. Non-Muslims under Muslim rule must be allowed to remain on their own faith and must be allowed to practice the rights of their faith, though they will be expected to respect the laws of the land.
Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers to accept Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would never have commanded the Muslims to refrain from hostilities if the enemy relented. He would not have prohibited the killing of women and children. However, this is exactly what he did.
During a battle, the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw people gathered together. He dispatched a man to find out why they were gathered. The man returned and said: “They are gathered around a slain woman.” So Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “She should not have been attacked!” Khâlid b. al-Walîd was leading the forces, so he dispatched a man to him saying: “‘Tell Khâlid not to kill women or laborers”. [Sunan Abî Dâwûd]
Therefore, even in the heat of battle against a hostile enemy, the only people who may be attacked are those who are actually participating in the fighting not innocent people.
On this note, I strongly condemn your action of killing innocent Nigerians. As the Qur’an says: whoever slays a soul, unless it be for murder or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew entire mankind; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept entire mankind alive; (Quran 5:32).
Kindly listen to word of Allah and seize the bombing if truly you are behind it and engage in a reasonable dialogue with the Government.
Hope to see the name of your Sect change to Boko Halal and engage Nigerians through Powerful Awareness Campaign on what you consider Haram about Boko.
Massalam.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq Oyebanji Hamzat
Goodwill Ambassador for Peace of the International Human Right Commission in Nigeria. Oyebanji Hamzat is a former student of Nawairudeen,Markaz,Darul Ikmah,Study islam in affiliate with University of Medina and a former student of Islamic University.