91ST EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: HEALTHY COMPETITION; RULE OF FRUITFUL LIFE (1)- BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

24-03-1446 AH/27-09-2024 CE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim...

This edition would intimate us with germane issues bothering on fruitful life as a cause of eternal bliss and successful ending. It does not mean  there exists no other rewarding steward towards achieving glory. The main thrust of the edition lys on genuine intention and manner of approach. 

Limitless glory be to Allah (SWT) and untaunted blessing be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) and his entire followers in sincerity till eternity. Quick borrowing from the Hadith of the Messenger, he queried the Companions while saying: 'Do you know the right of Allah on the servants? They said, 'Only Allah and the Messenger know best.' He quibbed in saying: 'It is to worship Allah in oneness without associating anything with Him.'

Before long, Believers arr always charged with the above point particularly with the paraphernalia of  Taqwa (piety) and Qawlun Sadid (Straight statement) as deposited in Allah's statement in Qur'an 33:70-71. The practical interpretation of this statement is further given by Islamic Theologians as the Code of Evidence in Islam i.e Kalimatu sh Shahadah. According to the second Ayah mentioned interalia, such utterances and expressions does not only stand catalyst to removal of stains of sins and misdeeds but also guarantees direct success and unimaginable bliss.

It must be noted that the  Straight Statement in question is the solid foundation of all Ibaadaat (rewarding worships). The best interpretation of the Kalimah offers great opportunity to be good in all ramifications. Goodness devoid of backbite, callous, disrespect, egregious, envy, jealousy unnecessarily, oppression, transgression and vices. The convinction in the Kalimah is capable of inheriting the opposite side of the mentioned behaviours. 

An important segment of this topic is the fact that three concepts are mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an. Each of the three concepts though inter-related, point sharp towards intricacies and vitality of healthy competition. The first being At-Tanafus or Al-Munafasah. The second terminology being Al-Musara'ah while the third being Al-Musabaqah. Etymologically, the undertone of the terms reflects compatriotic endeavour of essence. These are open to both positive and negative. While the positive and healthy rivalry is encouraged, negative competition is abhorred.

A good instance of healthy competition occurs when someone admires another person being blessed to a point where he supplicates to Allah to replicate same favour in his own life. This is in contra-distinction to un-guarded jealous that aims at scuttling someone's blessing and for someone to fall and for the jealousy to feed of the fall-out. To this end, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) enjoined : 'Al-Mu'min yaghbitu wala yahsud' meaning: A Believer admires but not jealous.' This is a higher level of faith. 

This Hadith strikes on the importance of a Believer posing for making further and steady progress based on strife and prayer. This prides a Believer for victory at the instance of challenges. Positivity of essence leads to progress and sterling achievements. Allah maintains in Qur'an 83:36 as addendum to the good rewards melted to the Believers that 'For that let those who care to strive take causes of actions'.

Exegetic essence of Al-Munafasah (healthy competition) resides mainly in two awful attributes which are Hasad (Jealous) and Rido bi duni (Content with meanness). As different from aspiring towards higher achievements, a Believer is not expected to be complascent in the area of making more progress in his calling. 

To this end, an Alfa is expected to aim high and shoot high as well. This also applies to all human beings in their respective callings. To be utterly relevant in this digital period, is it not absurd to rely on manner of stereotyped training received some decades ago? Definitely, the style of clothes absorbs much of dynamism in design and decoration. To what extent would an Alfa wing today without the use of computer? Will he not remain redundant if all he does is to cull information from bookish materials printed almost five decades ago? 

More practical instance is brought up to show the need for dexterity in auto-technical and the vitality of training and retraining. A serviceable Toyota brand surf car was used in Lagos for several years. Eventually, the vehicle ownership  was transfered to a family member in the rural area. An injector engine that used to serve utility to the original owner soon became deplorable. Guess what? The mechanic convinced the second owner that injector was not good and the only solution to the car issue was to convert it to carburator. You can imagine that the worse happened when the manifold (injector seat) was cut and carburator was mounted. Several issues arose that led to buying another engine to the car. The lesson from this appears if the mechanic had not relied on his historic skills the vehicle could still be an asset to the owner rather than a liability.

In essence, healthy competition, renewal, upgrading, re-strategy and continual revitalization suffices for both individual and generality. You can hardly do ordinary and expect extra-ordinary result. Having Thanawiy (secondary) certificate requires upgrading to Diploma, First Degree, Master Degree, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor and what comes after. This is the interpretation given to Qur'an 12:78 thus: Wa faoqa kulli dhi 'ilmin 'aliimun' meaning: 'And that the studious will always remain not only updated and relevant but also a leader among learned.' Late Chief Adedaresile Lawoya rendered this as: 'Gbogbo Ajito-kewu, oga ni yoo maa je lawujo oni mimo.' To remain relevant, At-Tanafus (healthy competition) appears the key to sterling success in life. The second part will come next week, In Sha'a Allah. Thanks for you being there always, remain abundantly blessed.

DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN,

Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State.

- Nigeria