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As the EFCC in Nigeria has stepped up its
campaign to rid the Country of corrupt officials the Nation is divided
into two those who support the campaign mainly Nigerian commoners who do
not possess much and the culprits who amass the wealth unlawfully and
trying by all means to defend their evil pursuit at all cost. This is
why you find sometimes those who accuse the EFCC accuse it of being
selective in meting justice to individuals whether correct or not
depending on ones opinion. However whatever a person says there is no
moral justification for the kind of corruption we see spreading in our
society. Although we accuse the military as being dictatorial but
unfortunately the civilians misuse the freedom to enrich themselves
unnecessarily. Public officials unfortunately have made public treasury
as their own personal purse whereby they can withdraw money and spend it
anyhow they wish and no body would dare say anything. The coming of
Ribadu and his EFCC is one of the best things that ever happened to
our Nation chasing all corrupt officials some forcing them to go into
hiding while others don’t know what to do with their unlawful plunder
which they acquired unlawfully. Although they say truth is bitter but in
the end is sweet if you follow it eventually. As every one knows
corruption and acquiring illegal wealth known as Haram is unlawful
religiously and morally one loses respect. Probably at the beginning of
acquiring such wealth one may enjoy but it is only the devil that
incites people to acquire such wealth unlawfully which would sooner or
later become a source of regret for the person doing so. Let us look at
what Allah says in the Quran.” O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful
and wholesome in the Earth and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo
he is an open enemy for you. So this is general admonition to the whole
human beings Muslims and Non-Muslim to avoid any unlawful thing. Now
talking specifically to our Muslim brothers and sisters every one knows
what is called Haram but most of our brothers and sisters they only take
the word itself literally only to avoid consuming Haram such as eating
pork alcohol or gambling which Islam has totally forbidden. However
unfortunately they engage in unlawful earnings especially when somebody
gets an official title, he/she uses that title to deceive the public
misusing the position of authority to become crook and steal from public
money which is so unfortunate. As the people are helpless can not do
anything even though our Prophet (S.A.W) has clearly said in Hadith if
anyone of you sees something wrong he must change it with the use of his
hands if he cannot then he should speak otherwise the least he can do is
to feel it in his heart and this is the weakest degree of one’s faith.
Unfortunately most people they don’t have even that least degree of
faith and not to talk of stopping it. Therefore what Ribadu and his
Commission are doing is a favour to our Society and the Religion in
general whether Islam, Christianity or any other follower of any
Religion for that matter. As we all know the Religion is meant to guide
mankind to the path of morality especially Islam has taught us
practically the path of rectitude on how to behave in private and
public. The coming of Sharia has even strengthened our resolve that
people are going to be disciplined but as the saying goes charity begins
at home every one expects the leaders of Sharia to show best example.
But from the report we have been getting seeing and hearing and
confirming is very unfortunate and do make pathetic reading. How can we
progress if we are not sincere as we are morally corrupt following the
footsteps of devil and have closed our eyes and saying is OK how can it
be OK while we know it is really not OK. To cheat and steal public money
we think is ok, well when you are caught then you will realise that is
not then ok .So therefore the emergence of Ribadu and his Commission as
I said is a blessing in disguise for both our Worldly and spiritual
progress. Anybody who has got conscience and is sincere should welcome
the effort being made by the Commission to curb the excesses of the so
called public officials who are entrusted with a trust called Amana and
they decided to temper with this Amana this is why its haunting them who
so does good an atom weight will see it and who so does ill an atoms
weight will see it although it is on the Day of Judgement as Allah has
mentioned but this is the consequence of our evil deeds even in this
world.. So as Muslims especially the Sharia followers should not make
mockery of the Laws of Allah we must impose it strictly on ourselves by
living exemplary life of abstinence not the kind of flamboyant life
style we are seeing and no body has got the courage to tell our leaders
so at least the EFCC is not scared of such evil crooks who unfortunately
are shaming our society. In the end I wish to remind our Muslim brothers
and sisters especially those holding public offices to fear Allah as
they will give account of every single penny they misuse. So don’t think
even if the EFFC has not caught you red-handed the Recording Angels
known as Kiraman Katibeen record everything what we do. Remember you
will one day give account of everything so therefore once more the
EFCC’s effort should be strengthened rather than discouraging them as
they are doing their job even though some may regard it as selective
justice whatever. Notwithstanding Malam Ribadu should take note and
accept any criticism so long people they do it constructively with the
intention to improve the process. Late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa initiated
the campaign against corruption nearly sixty years ago in the Parliament
before Independence, and General Murtala Muhammed became prominent in
that direction during his short sojourn as a Military leader in our
Country and finally Buhari and Idiagbon waged the campaign popularly
known as War against Indiscipline known as WAI in 1984.So therefore
waging war against corruption is not new as Ribadu and his EFCC are
doing let us give them benefit of doubt cooperate with them so as to
achieve the desired result .As long you are clean there is nothing to
fear as the Prophet said when somebody came to ask him about Birr
Righteousness. He answered ask your heart anything you want people to
know is good but anything you hide is evil so therefore we must all be
sincere especially in the Month of Ramadan meant to make us
God-conscious. It is important to renew our intention by being more
sincere and taking what is good of our lawful income and avoids all
kinds of Haram stuff which will not bring us good in this World and the
Hereafter.” O You who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith we have
provided you and render thanks to Allah if it is indeed He whom you
worship. Therefore earning lawful things is a kind of giving thanks or
making Shukr to the Creator and the more one makes Shukr the more Allah
will increase His favour on him otherwise his punishment is severe
especially the leaders whom Allah has given the mantle of leadership
they should make more Shukr rather than being ungrateful. They should
try to serve the public and help the poor to the best of their ability
instead of competing to make money and plunder the public treasury which
is so appalling very distasteful. They should be aware of Allah and
meeting their death otherwise if they have forgotten all these the EFCC
is still around ready to pounce and after death they will be brought
back to the knower of the Unseen and Visible who would tell them what
they used to do. So let turn to Allah by sincerely repenting in this
Month so that He can shower His Mercy on us. May Allah give us Taufiq
to obey Him all the time and live according to the commandments of Allah
and the teaching of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W).
Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil
Alameen.
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