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Paving the Path to Hell: The Hausa City-State By Bukhari Ibrahim The Hausa City-States, a region that was been built on equity, selflessness and peace by our past hero, famous and prominent Islamic scholar in west African State called Sheik Usman Ibin Fodio in 1804. The region was part of “Bilad al-Sudan” in Arabic terms which means nation of black people. A general Savannah region, stuck between the Sahara and dense forest, blessed with so many natural resources like gold, iron, limestone, tantalite, coal etc. It is the most enriched with fertile soil in the region, it is suitable for the development of the multiple civilizations. Hausa Land composes of variety of black peoples with different cultures and languages. But Fulfulde, Hausa and Kanuri are the languages dominated the region. The Hausa city society remain healthy, intact and peaceful in terms of socio-economic, and political system until the region is been scrambled by the Europeans. According to Sheikh’s first son Muhammad Bello who asserted in his book called Infaq al-Maisur that: before the reformation of Sheikh Ibn Fodio the Hausa society is a place of destruction, evils, superstitions and war between the kingdoms dominated by the feudal leaders. The main issues that took Sheikh’s urgent attention and start his mission are; mass ignorance; local custom and tradition that are totally contrary to Islam; the rigidity, dishonesty, and bribery by the Muslim scholars (Ulama) in the region. Today, it is called Northern Nigeria consists of 19 out of 37 state geographically including capital territory of Nigeria. Comparing the Hausa city Society before Sheik Ibn Fodio and then, it seems they’re reflecting each other in terms of destruction. Because today our northern elites, both religious and non-religious scholars refused to train, educate and improve the life of the less privileged around them but prefer to use them as instrument to achieve their own selfish desires. Our northern elders are materialist; they lack integrity and decency, our bunch of illiterate youth are drug addicted, our educated ones are waiting their turn to steal to live in comfortable houses, and drive exclusive cars. Children who’re the future backbone of any society; don’t have access to quality education that meant their future is bleak. Our royal fathers remain soundless, negligent and neglected. Our society is becoming parasitic society living with parasitic culture. Our society became state of violent disturbance and disorders, full of evil and vices; violence has taken a serious turn in our society. We’re majority in terms of population and religion, but less productive which is good for nothing. In fact we’re consumers in nature, we hardly think of what we can give. We’re manufacturing nothing but Children without good caring. It is only in this society you can see a man with forty children as a biological father, but the worst case is that none of these children can contribute in terms of society development. This resulted in generating bunch of beggars as liabilities all over around the street. Neglecting and abusing child are the key figure of any crises and disorders in any society. All our economy system is been corrupted and not up-to-date which resulted in less production. We’re also not money conscious: spending without reasoning; we’re spending but not invest that is why millions of people living with extreme poverty, hunger, and sickness. We’re always refuse to accept what is good and forbid what is wrong until we found ourselves been left behind, because we are not open-minded persons, unless by force we can’t use our senses. Our behavior is nothing but; hypocrisy; separated; blackmailing; accusing; abusing; proud; flattering; fulsome; cadging and mismanagement. That is why the society became corrupted. We’re not respecting knowledge and profession. We don’t see education as a powerful and best investment because ignorance is our pride. Neither business-oriented nor goal-oriented we’re, we’ve no vision, no mission, no dream, no aim, living with no hope, no future ambition. We’re age conscious, though it’s good in some cases but not in terms of greediness and tyranny. Favourism, and Nepotism is our wishes: which as a result turned our Labour Market into Favour Market that consequently raised the number of un-employment in the region and unprofessional occupied the position and role of professionals. That is why things fall apart in our society. We’re lacking responsibility; I am not responsible; she/he is not responsible; you’re not responsible; they’re not responsible, everybody is not responsible. Who the hell has responsibility? Everybody keeps saying: “there is nothing I can do”. We’re using our religion (Islam) as a camouflage, and passion: what we’re practicing is contrary and not reflecting the teaching of our beloved Prophet (s.a.w). Our political class, are nothing but money mongers, power mongers, they only have self interest rather than peoples, religion and society interest in general. They also distanced themselves from masses. According to WHO, UNICEF, and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reports that northern Nigerian is the worst of the worst region in terms of education, healthcare and poverty. These are the sings and indications of failure and sorry state. In order to address these issues and restore our economic prosperity, social values, peace and dignity we must have deep concern about the education of the society in general and women in particular, for after all women form the backbone of the family which in turn is the basis of any society. As long as the masses are not educated, not enlighten as well as living with poverty, they would keep abusing their vote. They can be easily bought by the capitalist, so they can’t vote strong, incorruptible and competent leader in the society. No society on earth can do well without wide spread of education, awareness and enlightenment among the people. Our society is becoming capitalistic, where the rich exploit the poor who has neither voice nor share in the socio-democratic structure. Our society is now on trial, been affected by the virus and we are the virus, we have to neutralize ourselves. Our society has not failed; it is we who have failed. And the future of our society will be bright only when we have national moral character, sense of awareness, sense of responsibility, sense of probity and sense of accountability. Social reforms are necessary at all times in order to free the society from any vices that creeps into it. So we must reform our society whenever it is necessary, it should also be base on science and morality. Professionals, Competent and Intellectual should come forward in terms of leading, educating and guiding to create better society with a true democratic spirit. We should not keep watching them (“Asfalas al-Safilyn”) leading us to nowhere. We have to prepare much further in a democratic and social way. The real democracy would only come into being when the masses are awakened and take part in the economic and political life in the society. It is still not late to make it; yes! We can make it, as we’re born to make it, not to fail, but together we can make it. Yet, the hope for the future is bright. If we failed, our past heroes like Sheik Ibn Fodio and his successors, the unborn child of our child would never forgive us and the future of our society is unwelcoming. Remember, our Beloved Prophet (s.a.w) said: “the best among you are those who bring benefit to many others” – Imam al-Thabarani The Holy Qur’an says: “you are the best community raised for mankind. You enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong while you believe in Allah” – Aali Imran: 110 Northerners! Both Christians and Muslims enough is enough it is time for us to stand together and start acting, not only watching, but remember together we can make it. Because “United we Stand, Divided we fall” we have to stand united to find a lasting solution. God would not send Angels to reform our society; it is we who would reform it or destruct it. |