A student of knowledge is one whose main A goal is to continue to acquire new knowledge, and effectively applying it in order to become a better version of himself, and the world around him. This best describes our Interviewee in this segment. Due to his former lifestyle, he was popularly known as Taiye’ljoba, feared and loved by many, especially in Ibadan, Oyo state. Today, through knowledge acquired, he has transformed into a changed man – a Moslem Student of Knowledge, impacting lives positively. Let’s read this piece and jointly learn from this great Islamic student of knowledge.
Good day sir. Can you briefly tell us your name and background?
My name is Remi Oriyomi Abdulazeez, popularly known as Taiye’ljoba. I am an indigene of Ibadan, grew up in Ibadan and attended C.A.C Primary School, Odo-Ona, Apata, Ibadan before proceeding to Anglican Grammar School, Orita-Mefa, Total Garden, Ibadan.
We understand that a Moslem cleric is one who is a prayer leader; and who may also function as a spiritual leader and Moslem law expert. Having the above information in mind, coupled with the fact that you are based in Europe, are Islam and the West locked in a deadly clash of civilizations?
What do you mean by saying that Islam and the West are locked in a deadly clash of civilizations? Moslems brought civilization to the western world. Within few years of the advent of Islam, great civilizations and universities started flourishing. In 859 a young princess named Fatima al-Firhi founded the first degree-granting university in Fez, Morocco.
Hospitals as we know them today, with wards and teaching centres, came from 9th century Egypt. Abbas ibn Firmas was the first person to make a real attempt to construct a flying machine and By. In his most famous trial near Cordoba in Spain, Firnas flew upward for a few moments, before he fell to the ground and partially broke his back.
Moslem empire once covered spain and Portugal, Southern Italy and stretched as far as parts of China – to present day civilization. One of the most basic differences between Islam and the West today is the concept of attachment to one’s religion.
There’s a notion in some quarters that suggest that Islam is not compatible with democracy and human rights. What can you say about this notion?
Democracy is a system that is contrary to Islam. Islam is a peaceful religion because it forbids mischief on earth. Allah says: “and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidoon (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupt)” Quran 28:77
“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan fie to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SAW in a perfect manner), and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them eg. wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.) and forbids Al-Fahsha (i.e all evil deeds, eg. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to sell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed” Quran 16:90
Based on your life trajectory, having lived in Nigeria, and also in some developed nations, can you confidently any that Islam is compatible with democracy and human rights?
Democracy is a man-made system, meaning rule by the people for the people. Islam gave to mankind an ideal code of human rights fourteen centuries ago. These rights aim at conferring honour and dignity on mankind and eliminating exploitation, oppression and injustice.
The Quran bestows upon humans the right to property as well as, the freedom to deal and trade as they please in what they own provided they do so fairly. Moreover, throughout the Quran the feeding of orphans, the poor, and the needy are an article of faith that signal one’s true devotion to the teachings of the Quran.
Justice (or fairness) is obligatory upon everyone towards everyone in all circumstances, and injustice (or unfairness) is not permissible under any circumstances, to such an extent that Allah has
enjoined the Moslem to treat the disbelievers with justice. Allah says: “Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do” Quran 5:8
Moslems are obligated to follow the Holy Qur’an’s commands and the Noble Prophet’s teaching, what can you say about the mandatory five times a day prayer sessions, and what is the reason or reasons for this number of prayer sessions?
The importance of the five daily prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one’s relationship to Allah, that is, one’s faith, God-consciousness, sincerity and worship of Allah.
The Moslem has to accept the things for which Allah has not explained the reason, and say as the believers say: “We hear, and we obey” He should not be like the Children of Israel who said: “We not hear, but we disobey.” Allah says: “He [Allah) cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned” Quran 21:23
Why do Moslems conduct their services on Fridays instead of other religions do? Saturday or Sunday that
The main reason for venerating Friday prayer is because of the divine decree that singled out this prayer and this day for special virtues. This is one of the manifestations of Allah’s Lordship, as as He Alone singles out for veneration whatever He Wills of His creation and whatever times and
places He chooses. He is the One Who does whatever He wills for reasons that He knows. Allah is the only One Who has the power to create and to choose from among His creation. Allah says: “And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses” Qurin 28:68
What can you say are the important benefits and reasons for fasting during Ramadan?
Allah has mentioned the reason, benefits and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us in Qur’an. Allah says: “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious) Quran 2:183
Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allah), and taqwa means doing that which Allah has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.
Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfil the commands of Islam. Eating fewer meals has been found to help the body shed fat, and studies show drinking less fluid for a month has no negative effect on health. Studies have also found those taking part in Ramadan had lower levels of cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease. Strengthening the spiritual bond with Allah. Fasting in Ramadan is Self-improvement. Self-discipline etc.
Are Moslems allowed to marry people of other faith?
Allah has permitted a Moslem man to marry Jewish and Christian woman, on condition that they are chaste and avoid zina (unlawful sexual relations), and that the husband of that Christian woman (who is a Moslem) will then have wilayah over her. Allah says: “Made lawful to you this day are At-
Tayyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) foods, which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) desiring chastity (i.e, taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girlfriends. And whosoever disbelieves in Faith, [Le in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith Le. His (Allah’s) Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainment)), then fruitless is his work; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” Quran 5:5 What is meant by chaste is retraining from zina (unlawful sexual relationships).
But it is not permissible for a Moslem woman to marry a non-Moslem man from any other religion, whether from among the Jews or Christians, or any other religion. It is not permissible for her to marry a few, a Christian, a communist, or an idol-worshipper, etc. Evidence for the prohibition of marrying a non-Moslem man The evidence for that is the verse in which, Allah says: “And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe( (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to t the Fire, but Allah invites (you) το Paradise and forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to mankind that they may remember.” Quran 2:221
