Literature Network Forums - Blogs - title by muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?11603-title The largest classic literature discussion forum on the Internet. Read Write Teach Share. en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:09:23 GMT vBulletin 10 https://www.online-literature.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Literature Network Forums - Blogs - title by muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?11603-title Islam: A Faith Full of Prohibitions? https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?14946-Islam-A-Faith-Full-of-Prohibitions Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:09:25 GMT *Islam: A Faith Full of Prohibitions?* @muhsin234 (Twitter) Islam and its about 2 billions adherents suffer an acute ad hominem criticism in...
Islam: A Faith Full of Prohibitions?
@muhsin234 (Twitter)

Islam and its about 2 billions adherents suffer an acute ad hominem criticism in various places in the world today. The condemnations are wide and wild. While the notorious one centres on terrorism carried out by some Muslims, dubbed extremists; a salient other one is on the many prohibitions embedded in the religion. A non-Muslim friend of mine once told me, “I can’t practice Islam. There are more ‘Noes’ than there are ‘Yeses’ in it”. I didn’t quickly affirm or snub her allegation. I rather felt the need to study the whole thing thoroughly, and so I did.

There are of course many “noes”, which are, nonetheless, for the wellness of humankind. For instance, Islam bans all intoxicants (cigarette and alcohol deserve particular mention), pork meat, interest and usury, any sexual immodesty (adultery, fornication, incest, phonograph, etc); gay marriage, among others. Religion is religion. It must not always seem reasonable to a faithful before he (generic) abide by all its rules and regulations. Needless to say, though, is the simple fact that scores of medical, social, financial, etc discoveries confirm the rationale of these proscriptions. I will discuss this later after a brief digression.

Often, a Muslim, especially living in non-Muslim majority places, chooses to ‘belong’, hence disregards the ethics of Islam and ignores to uphold its core values. In the same vain, he might seldom be found observing some inconsequential religious duties, as a Muslim at least by identity. In this effort to be present in two places at once, he ends up pleasing no one; both Allah and the people he wants to be part of. Bollywood Muslim actors are a typical example. A few months ago, an influential BJP leader called on Hindus to boycott films of Khans. And it’s very apparent that they neither please Allah by their films.

So many scholars, both Muslims and non-Muslims such as Thomas Cleary in The Essential Koran (2011), have attested to the fact that Islam does not demand unreasoned belief. Rather, it invites intelligent faith, growing from observation, reflection and contemplation, beginning with nature and what’s around us. That, and not “Holy war”, as Jihad is wrongly translated, aided the widespread of the religion across the globe. That, too, made the religion to champion in the courses of human (social, moral, financial, political, technological, medical, etc) development. This was also what “nursed Europe out of Dark Ages” (Ibid: vii). As discussed, there’s nothing good for mankind in the aforementioned banned things and acts.

A few years ago in Nigeria, the ex-governor of the Central Bank and the current emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi L. Sanusi spearheaded the introduction of a Shari’ah-compliant, non-interest banking system. Although the same has been practiced in many countries, including the UK, some Christian groups stubbornly opposed it. He, or another person – I can’t recall exactly – advised them to bring forward a Christian-compatible system and it would be incorporated in the system the same way Islamic banking is. They couldn’t and still can’t.

There have been discoveries on the health risk and danger of eating pork meat. The hazard of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption need no mention, for they are ubiquitous. That’s why a number of warnings and restrictions always accompany their adverts and selling everywhere. Islam, being a divine religion, already prohibits us from taking those poisonous substances.

On the polygyny issue, which often transcends to women rights, Islam champions this course as well. For over a thousand years, Islam gives women right to own property and to inherit, trade, work, etc. No religious book limits a man to marry one wife (two, three or four, max. on unequivocal conditions and guidelines) except the Qur’an. If women are not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, for instance, that’s their law, not Islamic.

There’s also a huge health risk in same-sex marriage. In fact no religion approves of it. Even the Vatican declares that the recent referendum result that gives nod to gay marriage in Ireland is a defeat for humanity. It’s only Muslims’ rejection that’s a thorn in the flesh but for obvious reasons, I suppose.

What is more? Islam is a religion for humanity that contains a well-nourished, befitting message to meet the contingencies of all time: past, present and future. The media, which are largely controlled by non-Muslims who mostly have an entrenched hatred for Islam, largely concentrate only on the wrongdoings of Muslims. ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and the like are contravention of Islam. We barely hear about the plight of Muslims in many places such as Myanmar/Burma, Sri Lanka, Central African Republic, etc. Muslims are portrayed only as the bad guys. This is why people think there are more negativities than there are positivities in the religion. Wrong. I urge you to research on Islam from authentic sources. ]]> muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?14946-Islam-A-Faith-Full-of-Prohibitions Skin Colour-Consciousness among Indians https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13499-Skin-Colour-Consciousness-among-Indians Tue, 23 Sep 2014 07:31:26 GMT An investigation by the World Value Survey discovered that India and Jordan top the list of the least racially tolerant countries on the planet. As... An investigation by the World Value Survey discovered that India and Jordan top the list of the least racially tolerant countries on the planet. As an African living in the former for over a year, I have witnessed a number of such incidents. Indians, particularly northerners, associate colour with higher or lower social standing. Needless to say, the lighter colour is held in esteem, while the dark in contempt or as “low caste”. It has been happening for so long and itching for sometimes. I often didn’t care or show any reaction, knowing that racism is a hot-button issue. But I was now pushed to the wall; I had better spill the beans to, at least, get some relief.

It is worth noting, though, that we are individuals. Some equally ‘light-skinned’ Indians would treat you dearer than your own dark-skinned brethren. I have met some of such individuals, one of whom once took me and my wife to his house, introduced us to all his family members in different houses and literally begged us to spend the night there. Another, a faculty member, I met on my first day at the University has since been caring very much about what goes on with me. These are only two of them. So, the real situation on the ground may not be as exactly reported by the survey. But, it certainly happens. I have got three instances to share.

The first occurred between my wife and the daughter of our landlady, who maybe called a “spinster” in Indian context. My wife often urges her to get a husband, for she wants to grace her wedding before we return to Nigeria. One day, my wife, in a good-humoured manner, told her that she would find an African guy for her. Her response was a sting of a bee: “I hate all Nigerian boys!” she said, using Nigeria synecdochically for Africa. Her reason, she further elaborated, was that they are blacks.

The second happened to me. A friend ‘wonderingly’ asked me why was my skin black? She was flippantly curious whether or not that had something to do with the weather of our continent, and that’s it! Her question astonished me, for she knows me for over a year. I couldn’t help imagining what her thought was all that while; which planet had she been thinking I was from; or what in God’s creations she must have been thinking of me as? Thanks to Allah, for my wife and a few other Africans around are much fairer than many Indians this ‘broadminded’ pal knows. In fact, India has the largest dark-skinned population in the world. They live mostly in the south of the country, and they also suffer sickening discriminations at various stripes.

The third and latest happened yesterday (Saturday) in the class! However the perpetrators unashamedly hid under the same façade as my friend above. I told them, in a strong tone, that as believers, we should take into cognizance that that’s how The Creator wants to see us. Period! To them, I must say, that was nothing wrong. But as far as I perceive, one becomes racist the moment he/she expresses or shows any downgrading consciousness towards the skin colour of another fellow human-being.

More discomfiting is the fact that racism goes beyond almost everything—religion, region, kinship, etc. As a proud Muslim, I often say that Islam is plainly anti-racism. The renowned African-American Muslim activist, Malcolm X said the same in Speech, Prospects for Freedom (1965) that: “I am a Muslim and ... my religion makes me against all forms of racism.” However, Jordan, an Arab-Muslim country, is the twin sister of India on this. Not only that, other Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and Indonesia are second to Jordan and India in the ranking.

The U.S, seen as the most ‘civilized’ country in the world and with a biracial president, is not yet racism-free. A few weeks ago, a white police shot dead an unarmed black teen in what many attributed to as a racially-motivated case. So, the situation is awfully pathetic beyond imagining. The ignorance is embedded in the brains of millions.

I thank God that all the ‘racial’ attacks are so far bearable, though rarely mind-wrecking. I use a formula of looking, but not seeing; hearing, but not listening; and understanding but not reacting towards anything discriminatory. I am here for a period of time. Once my mission (study) is accomplished, I will bid farewell to all and to India. However, I believe my relationship with the good people I have met will transcend my presence. But truly, there is nothing more interesting than living within your ‘kind’, family and friends.


You can contact this writer via:

Email: muhsin2008@gmail.com
Twitter: @muhsin234 ]]> muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13499-Skin-Colour-Consciousness-among-Indians Nothing (i) https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13306-Nothing-(i) Mon, 17 Mar 2014 12:14:57 GMT Something. Yes, something; for, you have already read some words. The piece is purposely entitled so, for one title may not capture the subject... Something. Yes, something; for, you have already read some words. The piece is purposely entitled so, for one title may not capture the subject matters it contains. It’s a compendium of discursive thoughts of an amateur Nigerian living beyond the borders of his country, and in a far South Asian country of India, the country that defies any all-encompassing classification and codification. One cannot mention a single religion, culture, race/colour of Indians as there are numerous in place. The country is the second largest in the world by population after China. Therefore, a foreigner will never stop learning here. Everyday or time will present new challenges, new things, new human dynamics, and, sometimes even, new problems to solve. There can and should be many failures along the way—clash of culture, misperception of a particular gesture, language barrier, name it. This is however part of the human endeavours. The foreigner shouldn't hesitate to make as many mistakes as possible—just don't make the same mistake twice. And be more diplomatic and decorous than you have ever thought of becoming. As it’s said, it’s always better safe than saved.

Indian and English
I was, among other things, first of all bemused and even amused at the way Indians use the English language. Hence I wrote a full-length article on that:http://www.muhsin.in/2013/11/10-is-e...e-tool-or.html. India is a country where English issue is much dissimilar to any other country, for it has, here, been heavily politicized. People killed themselves to kick the language out of the country; a top government official had famously once dramatically protested against the language in the United Nations General Assembly by speaking in Hindi. Yet others take it as passion and use it fashionably to showcase their perceived higher status in the society. One interesting thing at this juncture is the fact that India is the first largest English speaking nation in the world followed by the U.S.A, and then my country, Nigeria. But, still, it is very common in India to meet a professor even in the Arts whose English proficiency is no better than that of a secondary school student in Nigeria.


What/Where is Nigeria?
Is Nigeria different from Kenya? Is Nigeria part of South Africa? It is a far-fetched experience to many Nigerians who have never had such mystifying encounters, more especially knowing that their country (Nigeria) is the populous Blackman nation in the world. But meeting people who do not have an inkling of a country called Nigeria is the order of the day here in Jalandhar, a remotely urban area in the state of Punjab. Not only that, many more do not know of a continent named Africa. However, some others know, or rather take, every Black person to have originated from South Africa, a country which Mahatma Gandhi, the foremost Indian statesman, lived at, and, again, the country which their most favourite national cricket team has had matches with. Only a pocket of them know other black countries—maybe in Africa—like Kenya, Zimbabwe and probably a few others due to, still, the same game (cricket) alone. The percentage of those who know Nigeria as a country is extremely minimal, I tell you. Thanks to the glamorous Indian Hindi film industry, the Bollywood. It has popularized and promoted the country to the extent that an average Nigerian, especially in the North, knows of its existence. Not even this, he might be so familiar with, and could say, a few words, phrases and sometimes even sentences of/in the language they speak like “Kya huwa?”, “Kuch nahi”, “Margaya”, etc.

Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, etc
No doubt, India belongs to the Hindus—followers of Hinduism. The name of the country alone says so: Hindustani. But no, India, as a united nation, belongs to many other faithful, in fact not only Hinduism has its umbilical cord buried in India, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and most probably more creeds have theirs’. Again, of a very long time ago, Islam, the world’s second largest religion, after Christianity, has followers in and around India. To be more precise, its presence pre-exists some of the aforesaid religions, for it was brought to India since the Prophet Muhammad's days by his Companions, and 'promoted' by the (in)famous Mughal rulers many centuries ago. Hence, it still boasts having as well second largest population (i.e. more than 200 millions) in the Incredible India. On the same vain, the ‘followers’ of Jesus, the son of Mary, are there. This however is mostly attached to the British colonial masters, who along with their imperialism proselytised the people here and elsewhere.

Worth mentioning is the saddening schism that rages mostly between the Hindus and the Muslims. But from my personal (you can call it individuated) view, the feud, which infrequently turns so searing, is more motivated by socio-political reasons than ethno-religious impulse. Though it is sometimes baffling; for instance, just a week ago, a Hindu girl was allegedly gang raped by more than ten people under the command of her village elders in West Bengal as a punishment. Her crime was dating a Muslim boy in a neighbouring village. Horrible! Anyway, may the Almighty God always avert any agitation, and always prevent the defenseless and innocents in both sides, amin.

On sexuality and vulgarity
Do I look hot? Do I look sexy? I cannot count how many times, or how often, I was asked these questions by both my male and female friends. I observed that it sounds very common to their ears, but not to mine. Not still. Another intriguing thing here is: although Indians are so much culture-bound and fervently practice that, this particular ‘vulgarity’ hasn’t any niche there; consequently nobody considers it aberration, let alone something wrong. I discussed this with some fellow Africans, or narrowly, Nigerians, and they still feel quirky at such pronouncements.

This is not all, my sweethearts. Ah, are you really my sweetheart, Mr. Reader? This is yet another commonest expression used among the Indians, and used in between both genders. I was struck by astonishment and wariness the moment my lecturer called me so. However, what I later realized about the reason behind this idiosyncrasy is that: Indians may go to a length to express respect while addressing you. They may call you “yaar”, meaning friend, or “bhai”, brother. They use a suffix “ji” in the names of ‘respected’ persons and godly figures. For instance, to call their Prime Minister, they will say Mr. Manmohan Singh ji; Sikh’s celestial figure, Guru Nanak ji; film star, Shahru Khan ji, etc. And I say Governor Kwankwaso ji, Professor Bhadmus ji. Mention yours.


Marriage and relationship
I love him, but I cannot marry him. Why? You cannot imagine, let alone understand the reason. Simple. He belongs to lower caste. Till the time of this write up, I don’t know, nor do I understand, how that is still being practiced in India. We are in the 21st century; human-being should be regarded for who he is, not by what his family origin, history, etc. is. To me, an outsider, everybody looks alike, “Indially” speaking. The hierarchy in the caste is not at all written on the foreheads, or part of anyone’s body. Yet, it’s boldly visible to them. Magic? Sometimes the name signals the caste, sometime it doesn't. Some castes are considered pariah where they cannot marry from, or to, any other family. More so, they are considered disgusting, devilish and as somebody never to go near to, or let come closer. If they touch another person of higher caste, he/she would have to go back home, wash his/her body and wear new clothes. ]]> muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13306-Nothing-(i) A Weird Hope (Synopsis) https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13058-A-Weird-Hope-(Synopsis) Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:29:39 GMT A Weird Hope is my novel, which was published by Century Research and Publishing Limited, Kano-Nigeria; 2012. *STUDIOUS *freshman Abubakar has a... A Weird Hope is my novel, which was published by Century Research and Publishing Limited, Kano-Nigeria; 2012.

STUDIOUS freshman Abubakar has a romantic notion that love and studies can be taken along concomitantly, whereas his urbane confidant, Salim regards so doing as an aberration and hence a threat to their future and lives. He defiantly flouts the admonishment. This eventually coincides with the time his consanguineous relationship with his ravishing cousin, Maryam Bako develops to a full-pledged love relationship.

Bako, a conservative, avaricious father of Maryam forbids her to attend any school beyond the college, which she is only able to finish under the auspices of Abubakar. She’s finally lured and vanquished into marriage with one rich, miscreant Alhaji Usman alias Maisunan. The marriage has been arranged—typical practice among some traditional Hausa/Fulani communities—since she was a baby. The father is indebted to what Maisunan’s father did to him when he was helpless. Unluckily for him and luckily for her, the loveless marriage is short-lived; for, a few months into it the tycoon is arrested for his shady, snooty businesses and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Abubakar has already gotten a new girlfriend, a better one, as he believes for she will be a path for him to the El-Dorado—the mighty United States of America. Shahada Bukhari, a witty, go-getter daughter of the newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S. is brought to her grandparents in Kano to learn her native language and to get married. She, against all odds, rebuffs her parent’s proposed man because of Abubakar. They are to return soon, and the father vows that his daughter must get husband here in Nigeria. The parents hence pressurize her chosen one to come aboard for their marriage or else…

The divorced Maryam appears volte face before Abubakar and their love is rekindled. Yet he feels unable to desert Shahada for her. Amidst this qualm, their semester result comes out; he’s eventually withdrawn from the university. He was lovesick—due to Maryam’s marriage—during the exam. Things exacerbate to the extent he couldn’t withstand the pressure; he becomes raving mad. Hearing what befalls her old-lover, Maryam who has months’ old pregnancy instantly falls sick. She’s later tested HIV positive and finally dies of Eclampsia at giving birth.

As soon as Abubakar recovers, his marriage and Shahada is ultimately solemnized without any fanfare because they have to leave the country on the day. On their way to the airport, along with Shahada’s father, they heard an announcement that the present government is over-thrown by the military, therefore all boarders are to be closed, and no plane will be allowed in or outside the country. In frustration and haste to escape being apprehended, Ambassador Bukhari crashed the car into an avenue of deeply-rooted mahogany trees.

*The end of the novel is actually (read: deliberately) obfuscated: after the accident, the newly wed couple are shown rejoicing over the birth of their first child. As a somewhat supplement, this is written in italics to suggest to the reader that the incident is either a dream or a wishful thought by both or either of the couple. ]]> muhsin https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?13058-A-Weird-Hope-(Synopsis)