IMMORALITY IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY II

Until I am corrected, immorality stands for the conduct which offends the morals of a
community or a people and so, the disunity, backbiting, slander, uncalled for suspicion
etc are a menace to the Muslim community. Unity and brotherhood are the bases on
which the first Muslim community was established fourteen centuries ago. History and
logic also have it that where and when ever these two basic requirements are swept under
the carpet, things always fall apart for Muslims in their own community.
The Ghanaian Muslim community is not an exception from this logic and many a time do
a lot of things fall apart for Muslims here in Ghana. Some of the things fall under the
broad word IMMORALITY. Yes they do, since they offend the morals of a Muslim
community.
Islam, the total submission to the will of Allah, is a perfect and comprehensive way of
life which relieves mankind of all shackles of human bondage; in fact, practical Islam is
the answer to all woes of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
It is therefore immoral on the part of Ghanaian Muslims, the learned and common folks
alike, to keep distancing themselves away from practical Islam.
What is the essence of memorizing texts and verses if they are not to leave any imprint on
our behaviours and attitudes?
Let me hear from my brother Muslims that they have never read or heard the phrase, “A
BELIEVER IS NEVER BITTEN TWICE IN ONE HOLE”!!!
Is it not therefore immoral on the part of Ghanaian Muslims that we repeat the same
mistakes more than TWICE?!
The first paragraph of the editorial of the Ghanaian Chronicle of 27th August 2008 (as
captured from Ghanaweb.com) needs the attention of all meaningful Muslims of Ghana.
It reads: It seems to have become a perennial thing for potential Moslem pilgrims to
expect the difficulties and problems associated with the organization of the Hajj in
Ghana.
Who is to be blamed in this circumstance where Muslim pilgrims pay hard earned
currencies to fulfill their spiritual and religious duty, only to find themselves becoming
“refugees” in their own country; but in the national political capital of their beloved
nation!!!
Unfortunately, instead of finding positive solutions to this issue, Muslim elders and
opinion leaders take up the platform to iron out their personal differences.
When and where are we Muslims going to deliberate and ponder over our scriptures and
prophetic quotations?
Allah’s command for Muslims to stay united and be not divided in Aal-Imran Surah runs
as follow:
( And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not
divided among yourselves.)

Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(It pleases Allah for you to acquire three qualities and displeases Him
that you acquire three characteristics. It pleases Him that you worship
Him Alone and not associate anything or anyone with Him in worship,
that you hold on to the Rope of Allah altogether and do not divide, and
that you advise whoever Allah appoints as your Leader. The three that
displease Him are that you say, `It was said,' and, `So-and-so said,'
asking many unnecessary questions and wasting money.)

This article is however not for quoting texts and verses to determine who a Muslim is or
is not. My readers outside there know the quotations and their authenticity more than me.
What baffles me is, where are we and what is our stand when it comes to putting all these
quotations to implementation? In fact, it is gross immorality that we do not practice what
we preach. Yes, in reality, our coefficient of thinking differ, and our ability to deduce
and analyse issues from given quotations differ as well; but should that be the reason for
being on the nerves of each other? Our political backgrounds, affiliations and activities
must not be at expense of our Muslim Unity and Islamic Brotherhood. In order to achieve
unity in our Muslim community, we must revisit the essence of unity to Muslims (as per
our Islamic tenets); we must learn to tolerate each other; we must learn self-criticism
whereby we admit our mistakes and take concrete steps to rectify them amicably.
Over to us, Muslims; the ball is in our court, and as the saying goes: UNITED WE
STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

Abass Asass Ali

amenorvi@hotmail.com