SAVING OUR HOME

No doubt we must have noticed that the Sun has not been friendly recently. The temperature of the earth surface is sky rocketing. One of the colossal challenges we are facing in this century is global warming and there needs to be a global warning.  A severe warning to be given by scientists and religious scholars on the need to save the earth, to save our home.  Though it may seem there is awareness about it since even celebrities are going green like Leonardo Di Caprio who was involved in the documentary, the 11^th hour but on the whole people are still in the dark about this menace.

But how did it all begin after all Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:

‘...On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time.’Q2.36

And also Allah says

 ‘He it is that has made you inheritors in the earth.’ Q 35: 39

From the above verses we can see there in the evidence that earth is meant to be our dwelling place, our home and not the Moon or Mars or some other planet. The earth was not like this some centuries ago so who messed things up?  We, humankind did. We that Allah put in charge. We that the creator made the inheritors of the earth. Is this how we will act if we inherited a company from our parents? We are all guilty of making the earth what it is today.  Scientists have laid down the root cause for this situation as the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide let out to the atmosphere by our industries and automobiles. Our fast cars, our luxury life our excessive love for this dunya all brought us this catastrophe. Allah says in the Qur’an:

‘Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)’ Q 30:41

 If the global warming situation continues the drastic climatic changes would cause devastating results in seasonal winds, melting of polar ice caps, and rise in sea level and land inundation especially in crowded areas. New diseases would spring up which may be challenging to the medical world.

As described in an article in Science Human domination of Earth’s ecosystems, ‘‘Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is now fixed by humans than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction . . . All . . . trace to a single cause, the growing scale of the human enterprise. The rates, scales, kinds, and combinations of changes occurring now are fundamentally different from those at any other time in history; we are changing Earth more rapidly than we understand it. In a very real sense, the world is in our hands and how we handle it will determine its composition and dynamics, and our fate.”

Presently, we are already feeling the impact and effects of this situation. It is not an issue of the scientist alone; every individual has to join hands on saving the earth from global warming. Though it is really going to be tough to save our home,

The Causes

Practically all kind of motor vehicles including cars, buses, airplanes, ships, and off-road vehicles, Chemical and petroleum refineries, Manufacturing facilities, Commercial operations such as dry cleaners, bakeries, and garages. Plants that generate electric power by burning coal or oil are not left out. They all cause global warming since they produce green house gases as the population grows, consumption per individual grows. Technologies are becoming larger too. Thus, the scope of all the activities just mentioned grows too. Without concerted effort to prevent it, pollution and other forms of environmental degradation will also grow.

Visible Effect of Global Warming:

·         Increase in earth’s temperature

Climate models developed by scientists indicate that the Earth’s oceans will warm before the Earth’s atmosphere. This is resulting in sagging roads, sinking pipelines, and rapid multiplication of insects that feed on the state’s spruce forest. Africa’s highest mountain is in Kenya, Mt. Kilimanjaro with its famous ‘‘Snows of Kilimanjaro.” As compared with a 1912 survey, 82% of the icecap has melted. If current rates continue, melting will be complete between 2010 and 2020.Also mountain glaciers in places as far apart as Peru and Tibet are also melting shows Peru’s Qori Kalis. This glacier shrank

33 times faster between the years 1998 and 2000 than it did in 1963 to 1978.

            Another visible effect is the ozone layer depletion. This will be discussed in details later.

GREEN HOUSE GASES

Carbon dioxide- More than just a greenhouse gas.

CO₂ is the major greenhouse gas accounting for more than 50% of the current warming when all greenhouse gases (except water vapor) are added together. CO₂ does not powerfully absorb infrared radiation. However, its concentration at 370 ppm is much higher than other

Greenhouse gases. It is also persistent, with an atmospheric lifetime of over 100 years. Human activities emit more than 6 billion tons (5.4 billion tones) of CO₂ into the atmosphere each year.

Carbon dioxide sources

Worldwide the major source of CO₂ is fossil-fuel combustion (coal, petroleum, and natural gas), contributing about 80% of anthropogenic CO₂. Coal has the greatest carbon content among fossil fuels, and emits more CO₂ when burned than petroleum does. Natural gas emits the least CO₂. Coal-burning electric power plants are the major CO₂ sources in many countries from the United States to China and India. Petroleum-burning motor vehicles contribute about 25% of the CO₂ in the United States.  Deforestation contributes too because when felled trees are burned, their stored carbon is released as CO₂. At the same time, deforestation leaves fewer trees to take up atmospheric CO₂. Trees that are grown on a sustainable basis make no net CO₂ contribution. In sustainable growth, as much tree biomass is grown as is harvested on an ongoing long-term basis.  Natural CO₂ sources include releases from oceans and land, and plant respiration.CO₂ is a waste gas respired by animals, plants, and many bacteria. Some people sometimes express belief that an increasing human population breathing out CO₂ is the reason that atmospheric CO₂ levels are increasing. This is not true.

            The major reason for increased CO₂ is fossil-fuel burning and, secondarily, deforestation.  CO₂ is also an acid precursor. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, part is transformed to carbonic acid. CO₂ reaching water bodies is converted into carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate. Carbonate accumulates in shells and coral, and eventually in ocean sediments.

There is concern that, because oceans are such a large sink for CO₂, the pH of ocean water may eventually decrease enough to damage ocean life. This is an area of active investigation.

·         Methane (CH₄)

Methane (CH₄) is a simple hydrocarbon gas accounting for about 20% of the greenhouse effect. It is second in importance only to carbon dioxide. Its atmospheric concentration is only 1720 ppb or 1.72 ppm. This is a level more than 200 times lower than that of carbon dioxide but molecule for molecule, methane has almost 25 times greater ability to absorb infrared radiation from the Earth than carbon dioxide. Fortunately, it has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime, about 12 years.

Methane sources

Agriculture is a major anthropogenic source of methane. Domestic ruminant animals, especially cattle and sheep, emit about 15% of all methane. Rice paddies produce methane too. Landfills produce almost as much methane as agriculture. The anaerobic bacteria within landfills degrade organic wastes such as food, paper, wood and plant debris. By themselves

Other sources are methane leaks during coal mining, and flaring of natural gas from oil wells. _ Natural methane sources include Arctic tundra and wetlands where anaerobic bacteria break down organic material. Tropical termites release methane as a result of their symbiotic relationship with microorganisms; so do millipedes, cockroaches, and scarab beetles. Tropical insects or those living indoors, for instance, cockroaches, produce especially large amounts.

Other greenhouse gases

The synthetic chemicals, CFCs, are potent greenhouse gases, but the Montreal Protocol has banned CFCs, and they may become insignificant as greenhouse gases. The per fluorocarbons (PFCs) are byproducts of aluminum smelting and are also used in semiconductor manufacture. Some other industrial chemicals are potential greenhouse gases but these are under control.

The Ozone layer

The lower 10 km of our atmosphere is called the ‘‘troposphere.” It is the atmospheric layer within which we live. The troposphere contains about 90% of all air molecules. The stratosphere lies just above the troposphere, 10 to 50 km above Earth. Although it contains but 10% of the atmosphere’s air molecules, it has 90% of its ozone. Only 10% of ozone is in the troposphere. Stratospheric ozone absorbs more than 95% of the sun’s UV radiation, which would otherwise reach and damage human, animal, plant, and microbial life. In the stratosphere there is an ongoing natural cycle in which ozone is formed, destroyed, and reformed.

Reaction 1. The energy of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks diatomic oxygen (O₂) into single oxygen atoms (O).

O₂ + UV radiation → O + O (oxygen atoms)

Reaction 2. An oxygen atom reacts with O₂ to form ozone (O₃).

 O + O₂ → O₃

Ozone Depletion

CFCs, halons and related chemicals are released at ground level, and later reach the stratosphere. There, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light breaks them down releasing chlorine and bromine atoms. Chlorine and bromine lead to stratospheric-ozone destruction. Less ozone means more UV radiation reaches Earth. More UV light increases the risk of adverse effects on:

• Plant growth on land and phytoplankton growth in oceans and other waters;

• Animal skin, eyes, and immune system.

Figure 8.2

Reaction 3. UV radiation dissociates an O₃ molecule into O₂ and one oxygen atom.

 O₃ + UV radiation → O + O₂

Reaction 4: Remaking ozone.

 O + O₂ → O₃

Destroying ozone with CFCs

CFC-12 (Freon) is the best-known CFC. Its formula is CF₂C_l2. Below are reactions that result in ozone destruction.

Reaction 1.

            CF₂Cl₂ + UV radiation → CF₂Cl + Cl (single chlorine atom)

Reaction 2a.

Cl + O₃ → O₂ + ClO (chlorine monoxide)

Reaction 2b.

ClO + O → Cl + O₂

Net reaction of 2a and 2b is:

Reaction 2c.

 O₃ + O → 2O₂ (the ozone has been destroyed)

One ClO molecule can catalyze the destruction of many thousands of ozone molecules. Chlorine is eventually converted to a water-soluble chemical such as hydrogen chloride (HCl), which can then be deposited from the stratosphere.The ozone depletion observed so far, is due to only a small fraction of the CFCs already in the atmosphere. Even when-and if-production of CFCs is completely stopped, their maximum effect will be felt decades in the future. They are waiting up above us like a time-bomb.

Making your Deen Green

Muslims have ignored this part of their deen.  Our emphasis in schools, khutbahs, lectures, Islamic courses is primarily on rituals, on spiritual growth at the expense of this very practical aspect of Islam. If we believe that everything belongs to Allah and that we are just transiting then we have to treat the earth as His amanah – a trust of which we are the guardians, the khulafah. We need to approach science with Tawheed.

 Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger said:

“The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as vicegerent in it in order to see how you act.”(Muslim)

So many hayat of the Quran are devoted to reflecting on nature. If we cannot take care of the gardens of earth, how can we aspire to live in the garden of Jannah?

Look at our state today? We have become so caught up in the consumerism, in gratuitous consumption, that we do forget that we will be held accountable in front of Allah for all our deeds.  We look for convenience over doing what is right.  This has caused disequilibrium in the balance that Allah has created and we see the consequence is the excess in the developed world and the deprivation and hunger in other parts of Allah’s world. Have we forgotten this verse?

‘O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess for Allah love not the wasters’ Q 7:31

According to a hadith narrated by Tirmidhi, “The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveler, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way.” So let us use the symbolic tree for shade, to nourish our self, but let’s also follow the Sunnah and leave the symbolic tree intact so that the next traveler can use it. What are we going o leave for the unborn generations?

When man acts, instead of a trusted custodian and architect of the earth, as its most dangerous destroyer, driven by greed rather than need. Then the result is havoc. We are obliged not to do injustice to the rest of creation.  These will be witnesses for or against us on the Day of Judgment.

Dr. Soumaya Pernilla Ouis, a senior lecturer at Lund University, Sweden, coined the phrase Islamic eco-cosmology.  The idea is that nature in itself is Muslim; that we look around us and recognize every organism as our Muslim fellow being. That really changes the relationship, doesn’t it?  We know that everything from thunder to ants hymn the glory of Allah, all beings therein, declare His glory. Allah says in the Qur’an:

‘There is not a thing but celebrates his praise: and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory. Q17:44

If we look back at our heritage, the principles of reuse, recycle, clean energy are NOT new – “Muslim potters heated their kilns by burning fruit husks, fruit stones, pine-cones and vegetable waste. Millers ground their corn in mills turned by the wind. Both windmills and animals were used to lift water into irrigation channels.”  The industrial uses of tidemills and watermills in the Islamic world date back to the 7th century.  As Muslims let us not make the same mistakes that some developing countries are making. This is the importing inappropriate technology, setting up industry without studying the environmental ramifications.  We have the opportunity to inculcate Islamic injunctions into eco-consciousness, and to be leaders saving our planet, our home.

The book ‘RECYCLE’ by Soumy Ana is a must read for environmental conscious Muslims. She tells us how to save our home in a story format. In a way we can relate to. The major themes involved in earth’s protection are Conservation and efficiency. Measures in conservation include encouraging electric utilities to use ‘‘co-generation” to allow more of the energy that they produce to be used, and developing more energy-efficient industrial motors and household appliances. Many simpler measures are important too. One is improving appliance circuits so they don’t draw current even after they are turned ‘‘off.” Developing more environmentally compatible energy sources is also critical. In addition, because trees sequester carbon we need to prevent further deforestation and promote the planting of additional forests.

Surely the ingenuity that has produced all this substances that has caused these problems can devise ways of disposing the waste they create: the problem is neither of science nor technology but of sociology and ultimately of Politics. Let us save earth because it is the only home we have.

P.S. This write-up was published in the maiden edition of KNOW! magazine, a publication by Pure and Applied Sciences Muslim Students Association. Other contributors to the write-up include OLAYIWOLA MUSTAPHA , KHALEEL ADEYINKA and MIFTAUDEEN ODELEYE 

WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE SUN IS RISNG

 So here is the sequel to CRYING IN THE RAIN

AN OLD ENEMY RETURNS

                I do not like it when I have to fight a battle with an old enemy especially when that battle fought in the past was really tough.  That enemy for me is MUSIC. You would inevitably listen to the Most Useless Subject in Class (MUSIC) and no doubt you would be affected. The OBS (ORIENTATION BROADCAST SERVICE) is the source of most of the music you’ll get to listen to in camp. A lot of us refuse to join the OBS crew because of the fitnah of music (remaining in the comfort zone) without realizing we only make things worse. May Allah bless Abdul-Hafeez Oyeniran (SCHOLAR) wherever he is. He was the only Muslim in OBS in our camp in Asaya, Kogi state. Though I tried to join but the guy in charge of recruiting was a non-Muslim and I knew he realized the effect of having me and scholar on board so he just kept telling me to come back. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that I wasn’t going to be a member of OBS crew though ‘Scholar’ needed me badly and he wasn’t shy to admit it. When in a ‘sticky ‘but necessary job for Muslims like being in the OBS it is important that at least you are two. So you can strengthen each other. I remember the first Friday in camp when I met the guy in charge of OBS and sent him some Nasheed from my phone. The guy said this will be the first an Islamic song was played in Asaya camp, can you IMAGINE! Whereas you would constantly hear their songs being played on air every day of the week even during solah. There was one Friday that the whole camp hardly knew that that day was a Friday (Everyday looks practically the same since it is the same routine except Sundays). I myself was almost late for Jumah. I was in PET (Peer Educators Training) class and our facilitator had not rounded up the class. There was practically nothing on air played by the OBS to signify that it was a Friday, whether a Nasheed or even an announcement that Jumuah starts by 1.30pm. I was wondering what ‘Scholar’ was doing I knew things were not that easy for him at the OBS being the only Muslim but then I realized the PRO hindered him.  He was playing a Nasheed and suddenly the guy in charge of recruiting OBS crew members came in to the studio in a rush and suddenly stopped what was playing. He said the PRO was close to the studio and she had often called him to stop playing Muslim songs in the past. That guy was practically scared of her. I know there were a lot of things scholar did for us, the sacrifice he made for us. He was among the few brave ones to leave the comfort zone even when he knew the risk involved and it was no surprise when many Muslim officials in camp wanted to meet the only Muslim in OBS crew. The events made me recall ATA (Alli Taofeek Adewale) and MAKO (Abdul-Malik Olanrewaju Mudathir). Those of us who are avid attendees at Wednesday, Al-Ushra program know these guys are regular newscasters. I wondered if they had any idea how important and useful was their duty to the deen.

MUSLIMS ARE NOT IN SCHOOL

                The population of Muslims in my camp was not up to 200 out of a total of over 2000 corps members deployed to Asaya camp. Do you know what that means?  That means from all the higher institutions in Nigeria; LAUTECH, ABU, MAPOLY, KADPOLY, UI, OAU, UNAD, UNAB, FUTY, UNIBEN, FUTM, ETC.  LESS THAN 10% ARE MUSLIMS!  in Asaya. I cannot find a word to qualify how sad this fact is and how VERY IMPORTANT every Muslim who is in a higher institution, no matter how upright in the deen the individual is, that person is VERY IMPORTANT TO ISLAM’S DEVELOPMENT.

PARADISE OR HELL, WHICH ONE DO YOU CHOOSE?

                From the second week in camp, you’ll be having social nights every night, Miss hot legs, Mr. Macho, Miss NYSC and the popular CAMP FIRE NIGHT. Well may Allah bless the individual who thought of the name PARADISE NIGHT; there could not have been a better name.  Well it is best to avoid all the social nights particularly the fire night. Not to worry MCAN would organize a better substitute, with Qur’an / Quiz competition. Games anything Halaal and fun and about item 7, don’t bother yourself with what they would serve in camp fire night. Any Muslimah is a better cook than a non- Muslimah (Ask anyone who had is orientation in Asaya, Kogi state).It is important that you avoid watching live porn on your way to your hostel after the fire night and you will be fortunate if you have a camp commandant that has sense and wouldn’t allow evil reign like my camp commandant, Capt. Tumaka, who said to potential porn stars, ‘SEPARATE YOURSELVES’, yet they were reluctant to obey the command.

IT’S JUST A DEGREE. WHY THE ARROGANCE?

                Even though, I am grateful that I am a graduate, after all many of my colleagues are still in school doing extra. I do not think I have once thought of it has a great feat. (It is not like I’m a Hafiz or a Muhadith) It is ridiculous how arrogant some of us can be, we are pompous to the soldiers, to our fellow corps members (I attended a University, you attended a Polytechnic, Do you know how many years I spent in Med. School?), to NYSC officials. I don’t know why all of a sudden we just grow wings. Sometimes we can be proud in a good way or say we’re graduates jokingly but it is so annoying when we are serious about it. It is bad to look down on others.

Narrated AbuHurayrah: ‘The Prophet said… No, pride is disdaining what is true and despising people. (Sunan Abu Dawood);

LEAVE THE COMFORT ZONE

                The fact that there are few Muslim corps members is enough worry. It is suicidal when a lot of us decide to stay in the comfort zone.  We are afraid to step into the rain not knowing we are just paving the way for a storm, a storm that even the shelter can NOT protect you from.  By the second week in camp there would be many activities to be involved in. Don’t be passive, from the skill acquisition to other groups like the MDGs, PET, ICPC, CBN, etc. It is paramount we join one of these groups and use it to contribute our quota. I would particularly want to emphasize on the PET and MDGs program. That is where I think Muslims are most needed, at least for now. The MDG helped Abdulatif Olaide Osinubi become one of the best corps members in Oyo state during the just concluded P.O.P.

PET (Peer Educator Trainers)

                The PET program is the National RH & HIV/AIDS Prevention & Care Project through the NYSC. A lot of corps members are always happy when PET facilitators come. The mentality that they’ve come to share condoms is there and somehow you cannot blame people for thinking like that. That’s mostly what HIV/AIDS program teach. The concept of being chaste for Allah’s sake is lost and it is the fear of STIs that people are worried about.  I was reluctant to join the PET program. I didn’t want to leave the comfort zone but then I thought of the Idea of Islamizing the knowledge I would gain there.  I thought of Dr. Muhammad Al-Rafi, his book ENJOY YOUR LIFE was a practical example of Islamizing mundane knowledge. He Islamized the book HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE by Dale Carnegie. The PET program is a five day intensive training program and I mean INTENSIVE. You will need to sacrifice and be patient. You will learn some things as opposed to the principles of Islam. You will have to deal with issues like female circumcision as opposed to FGM, Teenage pregnancy, but also you would learn Life skills like negotiation skills, Decision-making skills, and Goal-setting skills. Etc. Do not let the rumor that those who join PETS are sent to the village scare you.

MDGs

The Millennium Development Goals has two components. The FACOR and the MAC components. I would advise you join the FACOR component because that is where one deals with family matters and that is where we really needed Muslims.

DEFEND YOUR DEEN

  It is no news that Muslims are the endangered species and as a Nigerian Muslims with the advent of BH. It would be very unwise not to practically no anything about your deen and also update yourself with current events. In Asaya a lot of things happened that made me realize the journey ahead is long. Engr. Abass Alade was right. You see the Nassara in terms of planning they are light years ahead of us. From the parade ground to the trainings they are the dominant factor and you feel like you were in primary school again where you were forced to recite and memorize those hymns instead of the Qur’an or Ahadith. The soldiers might come and disturb you about you shaving your beard, or mock you seriously, whatever you do DON’T LOSE UR COOL and do NOT compromise provided you are not disrespectful NO ONE CAN DO YOU NOTHING. Your platoon members come and ask you that is true it is in your Qur’an that if you kill a non-Muslim you would be given seven virgins Here your brain needs to be working right. Remember don’t lose your cool, no matter what. It would be a great help if you have a good phone with applications like the Qur’an pro. The verse ‘There is no compulsion IN RELIGION…’ Q2:256 is a verse you should never forget and do not start finding faults in Christianity (it doesn’t really get you anywhere). Tell them about the Islam the media never told them. Tell them about Islam based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah and with the understanding of the righteous predecessors and you never can tell someone might accept Islam through you.

SNAP ME!

                The issues of pictures is another challenge you would face and sometimes you would be seen as an extremist (even among Muslims) if you do not take pictures.  Funny enough all photographers were banned from all camps in the second week. One thing one has to remember is that Allah is AL-HAKIM, so it is wrong to apply your logic here on the benefits of Photography though sometimes you might find yourself in very sticky situations just do the best you can. But then, there’s a Halaal substitute, MAKE A VIDEO (except you are Abu Naasir) instead if you are really concerned about keeping those memories.

BE A MUSLIM FIRST

                 It is important one understands this verse:

‘O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).’ Q49:13

No doubt we are from different backgrounds and even sometimes making a decision would prove more difficult than usual but then avoid the concept of Yoruba Muslims, Hausa Muslims, reverts, and all that crap. We’ve already got more problems that we can handle don’t create more problems.

GHOST KOPA MODE: DEACTIVATED

May Allah bless Muhammad Bashir a corps member from an earlier batch. He has that effect of talking to you and you feeling touched. A lot of us who are posted to villages where there is no electric power, no network, no basic amenities. We all activate Ghost kopa mode. WE RUNAWAY! Muhammad Bashir made me really wish to be posted to a village because I envied him so much. I thought of the rewards he was gaining. The Jihad one could do during eleven months could surpass all the struggles you ever did while in school. I imagine it has been your peak period like a graph if your scales of good deeds where plotted.  A sister in Kogi state single-handedly built a masjid, can you imagine the reward she would be earning. The village Muhammad Bashir is having his PPA is a place where the inhabitants are fetish but Alhamdulillah, Allah is changing that place through him. The mosque they had was a place for cattle to go and defecate since no one prayed but now people observe their solah and whenever he is not around the resident of the village cannot wait for him to return. Some of his students have become Muslims through him. He even saved a woman from losing her marriage when she refused to heed to her Husband’s call because she was not in the mood even though she admitted loving her husband. He followed her home and explained to her husband.  Some moments later the couple came to his house to show their appreciation and I tried to imagine the smile when the husband said, ‘Now I know my wife loves me. ’. When you are posted to the village you are practically treated like a god. No doubt there are challenges like my friend Muhammad Bashir was brandished with a sword by a man who said Muhammad must marry his daughter since she had decided to become a Muslim. My friend is not interested in marrying the man’s daughter but in her becoming a Muslimah.  I beef those who are posted to the villages because they have great dawah opportunities. A whole community could practice the religion just because of you. Imagine the REWARD! But then, there is usually the problem of continuity, many a time someone like Muhammad Bashir comes to make that change but then after their service year, that is the end no one to continue the good job and before you know it the people are back to their old evil ways and that is one major problem the MCAN is facing. We have three batches in a year. If we sit down to plan well we can proffer a solution to this problem. No doubt it is a great challenge to serve where there is no power, no network, no standard bathrooms but that is the sacrifice we have to make and if one is posted to that place and you are alone, one’s mind begins to think of crazy things and it would not be a surprise if you hear that someone who you had seen as a pious brother impregnated a girl in the village, or a sister got pregnant. I would be very real here No doubt the MCAN has the power to influence PPA, what we ought to do is pair brothers who are compatible it’s better if they are from the same institution and send them to the same place. That way they can both make the necessary positive change and also be a watchdog for each other’s Imaan most times if you send someone to a single place. You are putting his faith in jeopardy and you are most likely going to make things worse than they appear. How will it sound if the community start saying, ‘don’t mind those Muslim brothers all they know is how to impregnate our girls’. The same can be applied for sisters. 

WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE SUN IS RISING

                It was after Fajr Solah and also the last day of camp. Most of us where in our khaki already. Some of us where worried about where we would be posted to after all today was another ‘day of judgment’. Amir Jamal stood in front of us and told us that there was a revert amongst us and he was going to take the shaadah. My eyes lit up, I was excited so I was going to witness someone take the shaadah, first hand, right here in my presence. ‘KINGSLEY OTAMINI’, that is a name I do not want to ever forget. I heard him repeat after the amen the beautiful words ‘Ashhadu an la ilah illallahu wa ash-shadu anna Muhammadan rasululllah’. Kingsley Otamini is from Rivers state and he read Estate Management from Rivers State University of Technology, (RSUST). I felt elated when that I taught him to say walaykum salaam, I wish he was posted to Ladoja  but his PPA  is in Kabba. I know he would meet wonderful Muslims there to teach him the deen. Amidst all the joy felt at witnessing someone taking a shaadah. I knew a lot us do not know how to deal with reverts. When Kingsley said his name, immediately a lot of people where asking for his Muslim name. ‘Gosh! The guy just became a Muslim, give him some space’ and I don’t know where we got the impression that everybody must choose a new name, did Umar bn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) pick a new name when he became a Muslim?   I flashed back to when I was in the shelter, I cannot  recall an  Al-Ushra program where the topic was on how to deal with the reverts. A lot of us that morning were eager to collect Kinglsey’s number I wondered how many of us would truly follow up that call. How many of us would truly be there for him when he would need us the most. 

                I pray Allah forgives me and makes this write-up useful and help us to serve Him by serving the nation.

CRYING IN THE RAIN

                I can recall looking at the clouds thinking they were solid ice floating in the sky. I thought the Sun would melt the clouds which in turn lead to rainfall. That was me, some few decades ago.  That was me before learning the water cycle in school.  Me, when I was carefree.  Me, when the challenges I had did not last more than a few days. Me, when I was innocent. I now understand why Peter Pan never wanted to grow up. The hardest thing I have ever done (and I am still doing) is growing up.  I had an idea of what happened to people when they left the shelter and I nursed the fear of what might happen to me when I leave.

                The first time I left the shelter was during my IT; one good thing about IT is that you get to return to the shelter. There were three people that were my great companions during my IT; they helped me survive via their lectures within that brief period in the rain, that brief period outside the shelter. They were Sheik. Bilal Philips (How to be a better Muslim), Sheik. Jamal Zarabozo (Means of sticking to the right path) and finally Sheik Yasir Qadhi, whom I borrowed the concept of calling the school the shelter. (The piece of the puzzle). But now, I have left the shelter and this time around unlike the first time it’s most likely I don’t return (at least not as an undergraduate). My companions during my IT, served as my raincoat but now I need something better than a raincoat, something that would last much longer. I do not want to cry in the rain cause apart from getting wet, nobody knows you are crying if you are in the rain. Nobody knows the difference between your tears and the rain drops. Why didn’t the shelter prepare me well and then I realized why some of us never try to step up while in school. They must have asked themselves the rhetorical question, ‘What is the point of becoming a better Muslim in school and losing it all after leaving?’ 

                So we have left the shelter, most of us left much unprepared. Truly a lot of us  don’t want to leave the comfort zone. You know when it is raining and you do not have something to protect  you from the rain like an umbrella, or a raincoat and yet you must leave the shelter, you must go out in the rain. A lot of us decide to stay by the side of the shelter thinking the roof of the shelter would protect us. We want to stay in the comfort zone not knowing that that would not stop the rain from beating us. Most of the time we only make things worse by remaining there.

                ‘Why didn’t they tell us?  Why weren’t we told much about MCAN, We came here (NYSC camp) UNPREPARED! ’, I thought. I felt hurt that my predecessors  did not orientate me well even though I had asked a few of them for naseehah.  Most of them had given a one-sided advice and to survive in the rain, to avoid crying in the rain one needs a BALANCED ADVICE. That is what I intend to do with this piece (and I hope I achieve that).  I have decided to tell this in a ‘storo-article’ form and so we begin….

CALL- UP LETTER.

                One of the greatest lessons I have learnt from the NYSC so far is that it contains some events that reminds you of the Day of Judgment and just like Waliyullah Abdusalam said, receiving your call-up letter reminds you of yaomul-qiyamah. No doubt that day would be a VERY HARD DAY because if collecting just a small piece of paper which is not really a letter can make people cry (I mean CRYING, WITH SERIOUS TEARS), can make people run helter-skelter, can make some people smile or laugh. can make a sister say she wish she was married( I heard a sister say this on convocation ground that Friday, even though then I did not really understand why), you did not even remember to ask where some of your friends were deployed to. You are so concerned about yourself, there is no doubt that THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WOULD BE A VERY HARD DAY (May Allah make it easy for us) and let those who think everything ends in the world REFLECT. Imagine what would happen when we collect our records on THAT DAY, a record that did NOT LEAVE ANYTHING of what we have did here in this dunya.  TRULY THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT WOULD BE A DIFFICULT DAY cause true is the words of Allah.

‘And what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is? Again what will explain to thee what the Day of Judgment is’ Q 82: 17-18.

For Allah, to repeat it twice then it is a serious matter.  But then, if you know someone  who can assist you and you have good reasons  for hat as regards your state of deployment then do it but remember that  Allah’s will would take place in the end what you’re doing is just striving. It is paramount to know that someone who would truly assist you would not ask you to go and bring any fee but then if things go as planned it is good to always show appreciation. You would come to find out that many people who tried to process theirs did not get what they desired.  When you get your call-up letter and it is not what you had hope for please BE PATIENT and say Alhamdulillahi ala kulli haal (Praise is to Allah in all circumstances).  Try to find out someone you know that is also posted to the same states as you that makes you feel better especially if you’re close to that person. It gives you great relief and you can say, ‘I’m not alone’.  Posting your state of deployment on groups you have joined (like MGS class or Chemistry class...) will greatly help in locating people you know who have been deployed to the same location as you. But before collecting your call-up letter, it is wise to have prepared for camp as regards material things you would need. I personally recommend the list below.

Below  is a list of items that are relevant to your stay at the orientation camp in two categories. Items in Category A must be taken along from home. YOU MUST NOT FORGET THEM. Items in Category B necessities – they make your life more comfortable in the camp. It is advisable that you take these items also along from home else you may have to pay exorbitant prices to buy them at the ‘Mami Markets’ in camp.

Category A

S/N Item

... 1 Original notification of result (or To Whom It May Concern Letter) from your school

2 NYSC Call Up letter

3 At least 8 copies each of 1 & 2 above.

4 At least 12 passport photographs

5 School ID card

6 Medical certificate or marriage certificate and evidence of change of name. (If you want to apply for redeployment)

Category B

S/N Item

1 2 white shorts(make sure it covers your knees very well for the brothers) & 2 white T-shirts

2 Waist pouch/bag (To hold your valuables e.g. phones, wristwatches, etc. during parades)

3 Cup, food flask & Cutleries

4 Mosquito net (very important)

5 Torch and batteries

6 Pen and writing materials

7 Stapler and pins

8 White tennis shoes (preferably a water proof one)

Please note that you do not need to take along more than 2 muftis as you will be required to wear your shorts and T-shits most of the time. Don’t take along expensive personal effects like laptops for security reasons – it may be stolen. Try to ensure everything you have packed can fit into one bag. You can pack all you want when you are going to your place of primary assignment. Above all, hold cash that can last you at least two weeks – you won’t be paid your ‘allowee’ immediately you arrive.

               

NIGERIA IS VERY BIG

 If you get to be posted to another geo-political zone, then you would have no doubt that NIGERIA, no be small country and realize it is a miracle that we’re one nation because we’re very DIVERSE. You would be on the road for hours unending and if you used to fall sick while travelling by road, I would advise you try to board a plane if you can afford it but travelling by road helps you know places though the situation of our roads might be very discouraging but then it is all part of the experience. It is advisable to travel along with someone you know, that should have been gotten from info through Facebook or any other means of communication. That way you do not get bored or scared during the journey. It is advisable to be in your state of deployment a day before camp resumes. As to where to spend the night, you could go to your camp location, they would welcome you and if not try to locate the MCAN lodge in that state. (This is one good reason why the MCAN and the MSSN need to collaborate especially with the graduating students of a school, a list indicating addresses of MCAN lodge and phone numbers of some MCAN officials should have been known to prospective corps members before they are deployed, this is very important because one could lose one’s deen just because of accommodation for one night. The MGS executives should work with the MCAN officials in their state and organize a proper ORIENTATION or include it as a special topic during any of the MGS program, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT).

WHERE ARE THE MUSLIMS?

  In school we often complain of lack of manpower, we whine about our 10 people are assigned to a committee and only two people show up. Well school is much better, at MCAN level things are… From the camp gate you already see the non-Muslims helping you with filling your forms, stapling them, the way they act as if they had memorized Dale Carnegie’s HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE. Before you know it they invite you and a lot of people are thrilled by their hospitality and then you ask ‘where are the Muslims?’ Well, I know where the Muslims are, they are on their beds still sleeping and I pray they wake up soon before things get out of hand( I think things are out of hand already). It is not as if MCAN is not there but the man (& WOMAN) power is SO LOW that such little things which would have great effect is lost.  I think it is important that I state here lest I forget that if you’ve gotten an admission for a post graduate program somewhere and you do not intend to go for it. DO NOT RESUME CAMP, DO NOT EVEN COLLECT YOUR CALL-UP LETTER, and do not worry when you return you would come and serve Nigeria. If you try to ‘sort things out ’,  by running your service year concurrently with the program well ,let me put it this way don’t let the sacrifice of a year make you have a long time regret.

HE TURNED AWAY

                He turned away; he did not want to see her like that. He did not want to remember her like that. He wanted to remember her the way he had known her in school, the way he had seen her while they were in the shelter. He wanted to remember her in her Jilbaab and not her wearing trousers. “So this is the fitnah of the NYSC”, He thought.  That was what happened to my friend. I don’t know the sister in question but then I understood what my friend felt and then I thought of my sisters back in the shelter and then I could not just imagine them going through this.  There must be another way. I recalled Abu Nassir’s answer to a question regarding the NYSC. He had advised that it  is better one  evaded the NYSC but one has to have it in mind that you would not work in any government parastatal or even further your education here in Nigeria but it would be a grave mistake if all the Muslims evade the NYSC.  We will be indirectly killing ourselves but there’s another way (at least for the sisters ) is to have a Marriage certificate(and we both know this certificate is the only certificate in the world that you are given before you attend the institution as opposed to the normal certificates we have).  So how does marriage save the sisters, well this is the plan. Immediately after your opening ceremony in the camp this takes place one day after camp closes, The PRO would announce that all married women should GO HOME! How cool is that but it is not compulsory because you would still see some married Women who don’t want to miss out from the ‘fun’ things in camp. I recall my bunkmate (a graduate of No Venna University) telling me about a lady in our platoon he intended to go and woo only to find out that she was MARRIED! The guy was disappointed but at least I was glad he had the sense to let her be, but you know some other guys would not do so as the Yorubas will say. Nkan to fe je ni ko je ko gbon (what he wants to eat did not make him smart).  So if you are married it is advisable to try and process your posting to the state you reside in, resume late to camp so preferably on the last day so at least you would not spend more than 48 hours in that camp. To my sisters you would really wish you were married before going to camp especially if you value your deen, ask Ruqoyyah Abdusalaam to confirm my statement.

OH THE BLIND, HOW FORTUNATE YOU ARE.

                 I recall visiting the blind center alongside some members of MSSN LAUTECH’S Welfare committee, I think then Abu Abdullah was the welfare officer. (Even though a lot of us know him as Abu A’ishah but Abdullah is the confirmed one) in Ogbomoso. I envied the Muslims amongst them. It was such a wonderful sight to see them learning how to read the Qur’an using the Braille system but then I envied them. I envied the fact that they would not account for what they have seen, their eyes would not testify against them. ‘How fortunate they are’, I thought. In camp you would see evil, it is practically inevitable and I don’t mean dressing in terms of tight fitted clothing (that one is constant K on parade ground). I can’t count how many times it was announced over the public address system that the ladies should not take their bath outside (in most camps toilet and bathroom facilities are not available. I know someone who tried not to answer the call of nature throughout his stay but on the eight day in camp he had to give in).  Even in the clear day light some people would take their baths outside totally nude. Is it compulsory you take your bath?  Where is the modesty, the shyness? Or did going to school make us MAD?  I don’t know how true it is but I learnt a lady asked a male passing by while she was taking her bath to help her pass the soap, I know it sounds bizarre but after what I have seen in camp I do not doubt it’s possibility. Where did we put this hadith, Narrated by AbuHurayrah:

Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Modesty is part of faith and faith is in Paradise, but obscenity is a part of hardness of heart and hardness of heart is in Hell." (Ahmad & Tirmidhi).

HOSTEL LIFE

 Well if you were a day student  in your secondary school and also attended a non-residential University like LAUTECH, then you might be at a disadvantage in adapting to the hostel life but nevertheless you will survive insha Allah. You room might be overcrowded and then your bunk mate and your bunk neighbors are people you practically do not know, They could be cultist, doing drugs, ‘breweries’, smokers of ‘igbo’ , they could be doing anything just brace yourself and try to be smart. Be up very early like around 3a.m. to take your bath in the very limited number of bathrooms. If your camp has a Mosque (I didn’t want to imagine what KSK was going through in Benue), then know you are blessed. The only thing you should do in the hostel is to sleep most especially if you’ve got crazy roommates and no doubt you will have them. I recall my Bunkie saying ‘Mujeeb we no dey see U, where U always dey  go sef?’. I replied I was in the mosque. After all Allah says:

‘And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening seeking his Face; and let not thione eyes pass beyond them seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us one who follows his own desires whose case has gone beyond all bounds’ Q 18:28.

Endeavor to keep your belongings safe, if it is possible to move the very important ones to the mosque do that.

After having said mostly the challenges in camp in this piece. Inshaa Allah the part two of CRYING IN THE RAIN would concentrate on the benefits that the NYSC has to offer to us has Muslims, which sadly many of us were not told or are too afraid to leave the comfort zone to try. Till then inshaA Allah. 

FOR MY FRIEND

I have always been fascinated by the Muslims in the west, no doubt a lot of them have contributed in making me a better Muslim, from Bilal Phiilips, to Khalid Yasin, from Yusus Estes to Yasir Qadhi, from Abdul-Hakim Quick to Jamal Zarabozo. The list of these great Ulema is long but apart from making me a better Muslim through their books and lectures they have made me feel like a useless Muslim also especially the ones who are reverts amongst them. One common thing I have observed amongst these Muslims in the west especially when you read stories on how they accepted Islam one would notice they had an OPEN MIND when they found out about Islaam. It is sad many people where I come from do not exhibit this wonderful trait. Stories of how they become students of knowledge and later present day scholars of Islam makes me feel…USELESS . I ask myself  what have I done for Islam despite the fact I was born Muslim.  Apart from the pain some of them have faced from their families in becoming Muslim, their very own country has treated them worse, from Amir Muhadith(Loon) to Hakeem Abdul-Shaheed(Midget Molly)but today I want to  talk about Abu Taubah. I just watched the deen show on Islam Channel and Abu Taubah was the guest. I had no words to say except Baarakallahu fihi. Abu Taubah  born Marcus Dwayne Robertson used to be a Christian and a member of the US marine corp. He was even a member of a special anti-terror squad deployed to Japan, where he came in contact with TRUE ISLAM.  He later went to Mauritania and then Egypt where he became a Hafiz of the Qur’an(this is what really enthralled me). He later returned to America and established the FIKS,(Fundamental Islamic Knowledge Seminary). I decided to find out more about Abu Taubah after the show and that’s where I got the shocker.

But I want my friend to tell you his story, I want you to feel how I felt. I want you to hear from Abu Taubah himself because this is for my friend. (http://myfiks.org/free-abu-taubah)

From: Abu Taubah
To: Everybody else

As-salaamu 'alaykum,
Al-hamdulillahi Rabbil-aalameen and salaatuhu was-salaamu on the Prophet Muhammad.

To Proceed:

During the last few days of the month of Ramadan of this past year, towards the end of August 2011, I was arrested by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and eventually charged with, "Constructive Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon."

Constructive Possession means that a firearm was found in an area that a convicted felon had access to and that the convicted felon had knowledge that the firearm was there.
It is not a condition that there be a motive to commit a crime.

A "Convicted Felon" anyone previously convicted of a Felony offense, any crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.

Fact: The firearm was found in my home. My home is an area I have access to.
Fact: I had knowledge of its whereabouts.
Fact: I am a "Convicted Felon", having previously been convicted of a felony offense. And I have agreed to plead guilty in this case as well.

This crime holds a sentencing range of "zero to ten years." Meaning, the minimum sentence could be, "probation", or "time served" and the maximum sentence could be, "ten years."

What factors are taken into consideration in determining the sentence?

The length of time since last conviction:
Fact: "My last conviction was more than 20 years ago."

The characterization of the person:
This is where my case becomes a battle of perception.

The Prosecution is attempting to characterize me as a "Teacher of Terrorists." Google, Bill Warner/Marcus Robertson as he has an investigative company and an entire site dedicated to this case. The FBI is using him to set the tone.

They are attempting to twist my statements to fit into a terrorist plot.

Field Office: Tampa Date of Report: 2011-03-04
Report: "Robertson is using the computer to recruit a bunch of soldiers, the real Mujahideen who guard the Quraan."

My statement:
"Go study in Mauritania" field office perception is it means go train at a terrorist camp.
"Memorize Quraan" field office perception is it means -this is initiation for future suicide bombers and assassins.

My counselling a troubled young man who said he was "ready to die" to go make Hajj was spiritual training and to fulfil his worldly rights so he could comfortably give his life in some future un-named terrorist act.

Sadly this is not a joke. They have their Islamic experts who agree with their conclusions, as well as a number of Muslims who strategically slander me in order to weaken support and "radicalize" me in court. Thats right! Certain statements have been pulled from the chat-blogs wherein some Tom, Dick & Harry is saying I am a Hizbee and they use this in court to show how Modern Muslims view me.

This is why I need the Muslims to write letters to my Attorney and to the Court. These letters must reflect what you have understood when I said, "Go to Mauritania, Quraan and the like." What messages have I given you? What have you learned from my classes and lectures? I do not need letters attacking the system. And you do not have to be American to write and you do not have to be an adult.

Just tell the truth about me, and what my teachings are. In reality, they know I am not a terrorist teacher. The gun case just gives them the opportunity to stop me from teaching.

Please understand I did not have an illegal firearm in my home, even though I am a convicted felon. I am still a member of the Special-Operations Community, and on more than one occassion during the past 20 years, at the behest of the Government, I have been in the physical and constructive possession of firearms. This, in and of itself should have been enough to prevent my arrest, but as we are Muslim, our contributions are marginalized and our actions are looked upon with suspicion.

To continue, the Judge in this case, The honorable Judge Pressnel of the Middle District of Florida has to hear a view of me and my teachings other than that presented by the Prosecution.

What is at stake?
1. If the Prosecution is successful at defining, "going to study, memorizing Quraan and making Hajj as having relevance to terrorism, they will be successful in at least discouraging those actions.
At most, determining when it is illegal to perform them.

2. I will get an aggravated sentence, probably as much as 20 years.

As I have always tried to be honest with you all. I would like to say that you people ask us to teach. You say, "come back to the West and share that knowledge that Allaah has blessed you all with." But when we come back we mostly get emotional support. And even in that, everytime some scandal comes wherein we are being tested many of you all leave us flat. You want us to sacrifice but you are not willing to even be bothered. You ask us to teach class and you only come half of the time or don't even prepare. This has to change. The Prophet said that knowledge will disappear through the disappearance of the people of knowledge. Those possessing authenic old-fashioned Islamic training and cultivation are rare in the world today and even rarer in the West. Get it before its gone.

I need you all to be my heroes. Do not let the Prosecution turn a simple gun charge into the Terrorist case of the Decade. Do not let Islamic terminology be defined by those who have a pre-conceived dogmatic opinion about it.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you all for being a part of the learning process. Especially the senior students. Keep the good work. Makeen, Mahdi, Mr. Edwards, my wives and all my children. I do not want you all to think I do not appreciate the many letters I have received, thank you. I am trying to write you all back. Ask Allaah to help me in that. And of course, I would like to thank Allaah for giving me such as large international family.

this walHamdulillaah
Abu Taubah

GOING HOME

‘Owolabi, where are you?’ The voice at the other end of the receiver asked. ‘I’m at the motor park’, replied Naira. ‘Where are you going?’ The voice queried again. Naira thought about the question for a moment. Should she reply the question with another one like most Nigerians do or should she give a sound reply. She opted for the latter. ‘I am going home’ she said, ‘and by the way my name is Naira and not Owolabi’ she continued. The voice at the other end of the line giggled and said ‘I was waiting for you to say that, fi amanillah cash madam’.  Naira smiled as she bade her friend goodbye on the phone. She took a seat by the window which was at the penultimate row.  It was her favorite spot whenever she travelled . She liked it because there was room for her to put her bags and avoid the ostracized ‘Owo eru’ collected by the ‘agberos’ at the park. Transport fares had sky rocketed since the removal of the infamous fuel subsidy and Naira was not ready to pay any extra fee. Moreover she could at least avoid any body contact to one of her sides if she sat by the window. She would feel so uncomfortable if she was sandwiched in the middle but gone where the days of being sandwiched while one was traveling.  Presently each row occupied three passengers. She hoped a female will sit beside her. There were still about six people left for the bus to be ready to move.  Naira reached for her bag which was by her side and brought out a copy of the book ‘citadel of a believer’. She read the supplications for traveling. As she closed the booklet she reflected on the phone call she  got earlier. It was Zahira, her classmate that had called. She often called her ‘twin sister’ because their names had similar meanings-shining.  Zahira often called her Owolabi or Cash madam, the former meant  -‘it is money we gave birth to in the Yoruba language. Though Naira’s name meant shining, it was also the name of Nigeria’s currency. Little wonder Zahira called her names relating to money. 

                ‘Where are you going?’ Naira thought about the question again. She recalled her conversation with her roomie, Nabila some nights ago when she informed her she was going home. Her roommate had suggested she stay back in school. Naira’s roommate, Nabila said she was going to continue attending Madrasah during the break.  Naira tried to convince her to go home but it was to no avail. It was obvious they were not on the same page. She understood why her friend did not really want to go home. Home was not where her heart was anymore. Nabila’s heart was in school where she felt at home, where she could be herself. She had faced resistant from her parents when they saw how serious she was becoming with her deen. The thoughts of home didn’t bring back happy memories it only reminded her of pain. Naira understood her roomie’s condition well. It was not as if she was having it easy in her own home too. Her Dad had started to suspect that she was becoming a better Muslimah. He had often paused whenever he called and asked where she was. Her Dad often called when she was attending Madrasah or attending Halqo in the mosque and she dare not tell him a lie. He would pause for a moment when she told him she was in the mosque and then talk about something else. She knew what the pause meant. She hoped things would be okay at home. As long as her grades did not drop, they would not restrain her  otherwise she would be giving her parents an excuse to discourage her from attending circles of knowledge, to make her a better Muslimah. She hoped she would do excellently well in the just concluded exams.

‘But you’ll have to go home someday’, Naira said

‘I know but I won’t stay long at home, Marriage would save me’ Nabila alleged.

‘Marriage would save you, so they’ve started proposing eh?’ Naira queried, looking excited as she got down from the top bunk to take a seat by her roommate who was on the lower bunk.

‘Nobody is proposing, so don’t get thrilled’, came Nabila’s reply.

‘hmmmn are you sure roomie?’ Naira persisted, tickling her friend. Nabila chuckled and nodded her head. Naira decided to let her be. If there was any potential husband she would be the first to know. That was certain.

‘But seriously what if Marriage does not save you?’ Naira probed, looking staid.

Nabila looked at her roommate puzzled.

‘I mean what if marriage didn’t happen soon enough or worse…’ Naira continued and then paused.

‘or worse…?’ Nabila queried. Naira did not want to say it but she knew Nabila would not let it pass so there was no use trying.

‘Sometimes we think something would make things better for us but then it only makes things worse’. 

Naira said looking fretful. Her mind wondered to her elder sister who was married for about a year. She had also thought marriage would save her. Her sister had gone through the same challenges Nabila was going through that was why her Parents did not give her much trouble like Nabila’s. Her elder sister had made that sacrifice for her. Back then, any time her sister came home, there would always be dispute and now her sister was married things didn’t seem any better. Her husband was something else. He wanted her to pull off the hijab and look trendy. He often told her she was an embarrassment and he could not show her off to his colleagues at work. She could not blame her sister though. The fact that there was nowhere to call home made her sister ‘jump’ into marriage without acumen. Naira did not want to make the same mistake, she wanted to make home worth returning to. Naira looked at her friend apprehensively. Why did Nabila want to take the same path her sister took?

                ‘Must you be a pessimist, can’t you wish me well? ’ Nabila said irritably.

‘No, that’s not what I meant’, Naira tried to explain.

  ‘Abeg, leave my bed ’ came Nabila’s harsh words.

Naira knew her friend had misunderstood her. It was better to leave her now that she was furious. Maybe she would explain to her when she was calm. Tomorrow she would try to make her roommate understand. But she was wrong, Nabila had decided to avoid her and now she was on her way home and yet she had not made up with her roommate. 

                Naira checked her bag for the Mp3 car radio device she had bought. She intended to give it to her Dad. He liked listening to Music. She knew he would be pleased with it but for her the device would serve as a means of doing Dawah. She would copy some lectures on her Dad’s flash drive. She only hoped he would not skip the lectures and move on to Music when they came on. She was pleased that the device was safe in her bag. She looked at her watch. She had been waiting for over twenty minutes and the bus was not yet ready to move. Naira thought of Nabila. She did not feel happy at the fact that she was leaving for home and she was not in good terms with her roommate. It was true that the cliché was- first impressions last longer but for her last impression stays forever. What if this was the last time she was going to see Nabila. She reached for the zip of her bag to bring out her phone. She pressed down the number 3 button. Nabila’s number was on her speed dial.

‘Salamalaykum, is there any one here?’ the voice asked.

Nabila turned to look simultaneously shaking her head. She was shocked as she took the phone away from her left ear.

‘Walalykum salaam, Nabila…What are you …’ Naira stuttered.

‘So you wanted to leave for home without me, roomie?’ Nabila said

‘You want me to die of loneliness eh?’ Nabila continued taking her seat beside Naira.

Naira was still astonished.

 ‘Where are you ….going?’ Naira said.

‘I am going home of course’ Nabila said smiling.

‘So what made you change your mind?’ Naira asked looking more dumbfounded.

‘Well I got to talk to your twin sister….’

‘Zahira!’ Naira exclaimed, interrupting Nabila.

Nabila replied in the affirmative and continued,‘ though initially I went to report you but she made things clear to me ’

‘I’m sorry for misunderstanding you’, Nabila said looking pitiful.

‘Don’t give me that puss in boots look, I won’t fall for it’, Naira said turning her face towards the window. She was enjoying every moment.  

‘I’m sorry now’, Nabila said again but this time she gave Naira a tickle.

The duo both chuckled as the driver revved the engine. They were both going home to save their families.