By Kamoru Sodiq
Fellow Brethren, women by nature are unique creation. They posses extral ordinary power and they have mastered how to use it for good or for worse. Right from the prophetic age to this turbulent time, it doesn’t matter at all whatever gospel you may want to preach. They will continue to determine the pace and perception to the outside world. This is why we must catch them young before they develop massive wings and fly away all the prides and goodies. After all, charity they say, begins at home.
Now, what makes news is unexpected. Oddity is news. What do I exactly mean? The general consensus out there is that NAMLAS sisters dress indecently and act shoddily. Such an ugly comment is like a fatal blow to the great house of NAMLAS. It is a big news. Nothing could be more topical at this stage of our associational development when the value system has greatly regressed and depressed. I could remember with fond memory the temperament we met when we were initiated into NAMLAS family. The galaxy of sisters we saw then were humble to fault and simple in dressing. They combined brains with beauty.
It is strange how time flies and change everything. We cannot but pretend all is well today when in truth nothing is well. In fact, the worst is ahead if we all decide to keep our fingers crossing. Some home truths need to be told once and for all. Let me say, I have seen humans in different shades. I know how they frown and funk when they are advised to shun bad habits. It is no surprise if tomorrow someone calls me what I am not. What is material is that: take the message and ignore the messenger. Allah has a way of ministering unto people. The best in character may not be the best in academic. Perfection belongs only to Allah. So, I will enjoy our sisters to take this epistle with maturity. No malice meant.
We are diversely created and gifted. We have the left. We have the right. The noble duty is to see how best to negotiate common ground. And this is what we are bringing on the table. In case our sisters don’t know, the opinion poll out there suggest that they are loosing in dignity and honour. The reality check shows that our sisters dress sexy and if you want to put it bluntly, they dress to kill. People say they are full of themselves. Some call them slay Alhajas. Some argue they look hot and sultry. Opinions apart, one fact is obviously clear. Our roof is leaking. Though, majority applaud the truth that they call the shot when it comes to academic. With that, intelligence without character is counter productive. I will now proceed to relay what people are saying behind the scene about our sisters.
I have had so much complaints even from colleagues as regards this ugly trend. The worry of everyone is simple. NAMLAS sisters’ dressing is bad. They wear tight skirts and in some people, mini skirts. As the Chairman of the Council of Islamic Affairs (CFIA) NAMLAS (of an institution in South West), I received messages and the argument is the same. Bad manners/ dressing. However, I have a soft spot to go some terrain for several reasons. I believe women are not like some of us who can be talked to or talk with anyhow, if appropriately in this context talk against. But our sisters are in bad shape. We must be ready to say things exactly the way they are. The last straw for me was the just concluded sister’s retreat and its consequences.
I was told on good authority how our sisters displayed indecently from the beginning to the end of the retreat inside mosque. I think that wasn’t very nice or charitable to say the least. It was even reported that they blew the the minds of people around the mosque. Chai! I think our sisters should weigh their options very well before they behave like no tomorrow. When the chips are down, they will harvest their actions and inactions in full weights. I do always hold that they have no reason to misbehave. The reason is enormous. The first in the offing is that they are Muslims.
Islam forbids immorality. Quran condemns indecency with emphasis. It commands female faithfuls to cover their body from head to toe. It prohibits TabarruJ “indecent dressing” and considers it a major sin in the eye of Sharia. As a matter of fact, the prophet professes indecent dressing among women as a sign of end time. It is totally shameful to see muslim sisters walking around half naked. The second salvo to take note is that they are lawyers in the making. They are going into the legal profession. The most noble and conservative profession in the world.
It is beyond doubt that people look up to lawyers and law students alike with so much hope and expectations. We cannot afford to loose in the court of integrity and conduct. Character is an important tool of trade whether in the bar or the bench. As lawyers, you ignore character at your own peril. The third and most significant point is that they belong to the fold of womanhood. They are future mothers.
They are breeding ground for tomorrow’s leaders. They say that you cannot give what you don’t have. It is a natural law for an indecent lady to beget a naked daughter unless miracle happens.
My greatest trepidation is that people are seeing them in the wrong way. Some even said unfoundedly that no conscious brothers will seek their hands in marriage. It is a fact. Every brothers want Ma Sha Allah sisters and not slay Alhajas. This is where lies the challenge. Any career you pull as women without matrimonial home is inconclusive. Please, feel free to quote, I’m not proud of our sisters in this indecency saga. I’m not saying all of them are bad. We have the beautiful ones among them. But the good ones should influence the bad eggs.
The last point is that you are in the university of learning and culture. A place to learn, practice and preserve the rich culture we are blessed with. We are all Africans no matter the side of the divides you sit. The macabre dance is enough. This culture of indecency blows no good. It is time to stop the menace. The story has to change. There is nothing wrong in admitting our mistake of commission or omission. It is actually a sign of strength and magnanimity. Only a certified fool will repeat the same answer and expect new result. One thing we need critically now and most essentially, is rooted in personal resolve and rebirth.
In the final analysis, our sisters should dispassionately focus on correction with resolution. Anyone who is easily swayed by the crowd, will always be unstable and get tossed front and back. The words of naysayers should not define us if we indeed stand for the right qualities. This I believe.
IN MEMORY OF OLANIRAN QUADRI
Just last week, death took away one of the finest brain in NAMLAS OAU and former president, Law student society (LSS OAU), in person of Olaniran Quadri Oladimeji and everything was no longer at ease. People were spellbound and stunned. The news had spread like bushfire in harmattan. Social media caught fire. Chart corners burst. I saw the news and I was looking south. Before we could say Jack Robinson, the local news has carried the gory headline; “former Lss president passes away.” So sad!
I think this should serve as a wake up call to some of us who still think everything is law and study. I know some people who will never go to pray despite that the lecturer is not around. I sorry for you. The day they will throw you inside the grave will be your terrible day on earth. You shall see the truth. Nothing but the truth. The trial of the grave is the greatest fitnah (afflictions) that all mortal must taste. It is a special life on its own. Soldier go, soldier come but barrack remain is a popular cliché will all say everyday. We are the soldiers of life that must leave the barrack at the appointed time.
Forget those false believes that someone somewhere loves you. Tell me who can volunteer to follow you enter coffin at your burial? That is it. The beginning of the end. Time is life. It is a matter of turn and space. Everyone of us will go the way of Olaniran Quadri one day. Some say “Death be not proud,” but in real sense, we are the one not to be proud or feel too big to die. From the dust we are made, unto dust we shall return. Death doesn’t knock. Be prepared!
May Allah grant Mr Olaniran Quadri Al jannat Firdau and may his gentle soul rest in peace not in pieces. Aamin
SOURCE: HALIC, Abeokuta.
