MUSLIMS, ARE THEY DOOMED TO ROT IN HELL?

On Saturday, the 5^th of July, 2014, it rained heavily in the city of Abuja, the Capital of Nigerian in West Africa. The rain started around 3:15 or thereabout.

Nnamdi, my friend was driving in the rain that day. There was this heavy traffic build-up, and being impatient, my guy tried to 'shunt', but he met the nightmare of his life. His car hung with the two back tires dangling freely in the air. He was trapped in such an unfavorable condition for what seemed like eternity. Helplessly, he waited but help was far from coming his way.

A lot of factors prevented him from getting timely intervention. Firstly, he was the impatient bad guy that thought himself to be smart. I can imagine some folks drive by and saying, serves him right. 'Shebi' he is in a hurry! Then secondly, it was raining heavily. Who would want to get himself wet helping someone in that situation? A situation he placed himself in.

Personally I would say stuff like: "serves you right! God is trying to teach you a lesson, I hope you learn from it." Forgetting that I've made tons of mistakes in the past. In that seemingly unfavourable situation, three guys stepped out of their Hilux automobile in the rain. They refused to see things from the general point of view. They refused to see an impatient guy who thinks himself smart and now has problems which he had created. They saw a brother, one of their kind who is trapped in one of life’s many challenges and is desperately in need of help. Help they gladly rendered in the most uncomfortable situation.

Who were these angels?

The three bearded Young Men who came down from their vehicle, wearing Kaftans with a Cap to match were not angels. They were human beings, our Muslim brothers. When I said they rendered help in the most uncomfortable situation, see what I mean: it was already 3.30pm. These dudes were fasting. I for one know exactly what it feels like when one fasts. I barely have the energy to read a law report in the office, and am often on the edge.  Besides, it was raining.

If you ask me, they were the least expected class of individuals to come to the aid of a stranded hippie-looking, tight trouser-wearing Christian. They would have just said; "if only this happened earlier in the day when we still had some energy, we would have gladly helped him, but now, it's almost 4pm, we are famished. God understands!" And then sped off. Believe me, over a hundred Christians must have driven pass him in that situation, 50% who had passed, may have been judgmental rather than feel pity. Some of them may have been pastors and Christian leaders of different groups.

Granted, there’s been a lot of violence and heartless activities perpetrated by some individuals who call themselves Muslims, no thanks to Boko Haram. Abu Najakku of the Daily Trust puts it thus: “there is nothing on earth that justifies the murderous ideology of Boko Haram that inspires the continuous killing of our people, all citizens, North and South, Muslim and Christian”. The activities of Boko Haram and other terror groups around the world have not helped the already struggling reputation of Islam. It is really hard to convince any regular man on the street that Islam is a religion of peace. But shall we because of the foregoing deny the existence of true Muslims?  Doing that will mean lying to yourself, for I have met very good Muslims in my life time.

If you really think Islam is the world's problem, then I say you lie. You're just being myopic and hateful. There are bad eggs in every religion. There are as many evil men in Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism as there is in Islam. Islam may have been closely linked with terrorism, but who are the masterminds of ritual killings and other barbaric and brutal anti-human practices? We have had cases of pastors committing different forms of atrocities including ritual killing. Are these not also heartless crimes against humanity?

My views on Islam may have been influenced by the crop of Muslims God brought my way right from my growing up years. I just may have been among the lucky few who have had the privileged of the good breeds in Islam or what do you think? Three men, whose words have shaped my life so far, are Muslims.

First on my list was my Boss, who I served under at the National Human Rights Commission, Abuja. After my NYSC, he showed willingness to recommend me for employment, if I was willing to be retained, an offer I turned down. After reality greeted me out there in the labour market, I was no longer sure of what I wanted. I remember going to his office for advice on what to do. Getting a job was never the problem, the problem was that  the available jobs were not in line with my career objectives.

I will not forget those words: “CJ, (Short form of Chijioke, my native name, that’s what he calls me) I will be pained if sometime in the future I hear that you are locked up in an office, working as a civil servant. You are a force that cannot be stopped. Very soon CJ, you will become a reference Point . . .” These were the words of former Boss. A Down to earth Muslim. After that encounter, I embarked on a journey to discover my purpose, and I'm still in pursuit of my vision.

One of the Justices of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja is another Muslim who I boldly call Dad! A shining example of how human beings ought to relate with each other, regardless of class, ethnic group or religious inclination. Our paths crossed when I was posted to his Court from the Nigerian Law School for my Court attachment. Upon my being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009, and after my National Youth Service, he volunteered to help me get a placement in ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission). An offer I also turned down. For me, it's not about getting a job, it's about job satisfaction.

I happened to appear before him one day and unfortunately, or should I say fortunately, he was not sitting. His Lordship invited lawyers to Chambers, he wanted to explain to counsel why he would not be sitting. Immediately I walked into his office, he exclaimed; "young lawyer,  where have you been? Are sure you're still in this country?" The Special way he singled me out among very Senior Lawyers made me feel very important and it worked wonders on my personality.

But he wasn’t finished yet. After everyone left, he engaged me in very serious discussions. Like a father, he wanted to know how I’d been faring as a young lawyer in the challenging city of Abuja and in life generally. Suddenly, the gist took a new turn, as his Lordship summoned all the students on attachment in his court. Once they were seated, he told them that I was once like them, a student on attachment from the law school. But that now, through hard work and determination, I'd come to where I was; a young, promising and enterprising lawyer. His Lordship enjoined the law Students to aspire to be like me. That moment, I felt like a role model and an A-list celebrity. LOL!!!

Kabiru is another amazing personality that God has brought my way. This is a man that believes so much in my abilities and would never hesitate to tell me how gifted he thinks I was. He has given me lots of referrals that have earned me some cash and connections. Kabiru has introduced me and the organisation I work with to several international bodies that have potentials of yielding great fruits.

In contrast, I've had Christian friends who would go to any length to sit on opportunities they know would be beneficial to me. These are friends who ate my food and shared the same roof over our heads. Like Psalm 41:9 puts it.

"Yea,  mine own familiar friends,

in whom I trusted, which did eat

 of my bread, hath lifted up his

 heel against me." [KJV]

Mind you, these are not 'sinners' as we are quick to label those we feel we're better than or who don’t believe what we believe. These are professing Christians; tongue-speaking, demon-chasing and fire-vomiting Christians. Yet, they don’t walk in love. The bible said: "when we speak with the tongues of angels and have faith to move mountains, but lack in love (Charity), we have become a sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell." (1 Cor. 13: 1).

I am not trying to say that all Muslims are angels, neither am I contending that Christians are the worst set of people to live with. My message simply is: everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt and a second chance. Let's do everything within our power to leave this world better than we met it. Lets shun violence of any sort. If you can't help solve the many problems ravaging the world today, don’t add to it!