Ahmad Murtala Department of Islamic Studies and Shari’ah Bayero University, Kano

1. The Role of Muslim Leaders in Combating Corruption in The Contemporary Society: Challenges and Prospects Ahmad Murtala Department of Islamic Studies and Shari’ah Bayero University, Kano Being a Manual for one-day workshop in University of Nigeria, Nsukka on 23rd June, 2018

2. In the name of allah, the beneficient, the merciful 0-1 Introduction • Good life hinges on three intertwined things namely: • Sound knowledge: Whether Islamic or Western or formal, non formal and informal provided it is read in the name of Allah. • Established Acts of Ibadat: Sourced from the Qur’an and sound hadith • Active Intellect: is to be used to distinguish good from bad and right from wrong.

3. 1-0 Definition of corruption • Conventionally is ‘using public assets for private gain’. • ‘The abuse of entrusted power for private gain’. Those definitions are confined to the worldly things only. It would sound vacuum in the eyes of a religious person for lacking an iota of spiritual element.

4. 1-1 Islamic Definition • Corruption Islamically signifies the word ”الفساد“, which means ‘disobedience of Allah’s Law’. • ‘All kinds of evil-doing’. • everything that is illegitimate and incompatible with Islamic ethical standards • The word ‘fasad’ comes 6 times in the Qur’an, while its derivatives have been repeated several times up to (50 times in whole). All have been mentioned along with the earth except in 11 place.(Thematic Tafsir)

5. 2-0 Two broader types of corruption • From Islamic point of view there are two types of corruption namely: 1=Corruption in belief. It consists the following: i-infidelity/Shirk and Kufr (Luqman31: 13) ii- Hypocrisy/Nifaq (Baqarah2: 11) iii- Magic/Sihr (Yunus10: 80-18) iv- Innovation in religion/Bid’ah(Cause, Time, Location, species, Quantity, manner of performance).

6. Two Broader types of corruption cont.. 2-Corruption in Acts: i- Criminal offences: e.g. Murder, theft/robbery, deformation of one’s character ii- Committing sins and mischievous acts: e.g. Adultery/fornication, sodomy, exams malpractice iii- Interpersonal transactions and contracts: e.g. Riba/usury, financial fraud, gambling iv- Customs : down-grading women, changing the creation of Allah by whatever means

7. 3-0 psyche of The corrupt people in the qur’an The Qur’an and Sunnah have hinted on the psyche of corrupt people in leadership and public responsibilities. Here are four of them: 1- Weak conscience: The Qur’an has described the corrupting people as having a rankle hearts with no sense of sifting right from wrong. It says, “The stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning”- (Mutaffifeen 83: 14). ”كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ“- (المطففين 83: 14)

8. psyche of The corrupt..cont 2- Pride: They are always full of proud as the Qur’an states:“When he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption. And when is said, ‘Fear Allah’, pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place”.-(Q2:205-206) ”وَإِذَا تَوَلَّى سَعَى فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ. وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ أَخَذَتْهُ الْعِزَّةُ بِالْإِثْمِ فَحَسْبُهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ“- (البقرة:205-206)

9. psyche of The corrupt..Cont.. 3-Greediness: He/she is a self-centred person concerning with and thinking about what he/she gets only. They don’t want Allah’s reward rather they tend to better understand materialism and demolish the entire setup for a small personal benefit! Abu Hurairah (R) reported the Prophet (pbuh) said, "May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied”-(Bukhari) وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:”تعس عبد الدينار والدرهم والقطيفة والخميصة؛ إن أعطي رضي، وإن لم يعط لم يرض“-(رواه البخاري)

10. psyche of The corrupt..Cont.. 4- Selfishness: The selfish of corrupt people make them behave like beasts. They don’t trust one another. And that stingy state makes each of them claiming to be the best in character. The Qur’an said, “When it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption on the earth’, they say, ‘We are but reformers!’. Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they do not perceive”-Baqarah2: 11-12) ”وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ. أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ“-(البقرة2: 11-12)

11. 4-0 Causes of Corruption The Qur’an is clear that the spread of corruption is man’s handiwork, there they must suffer from what they have persuaded on one hand, and they must think of the causes in order to rectify the problems before it proliferates and gets confounded, on the other. After thorough contemplation on the causes of corruption in our societies, the following are discerned as the major causes: i- Covering an evil-doing: Corruption is oftentimes committed for the sake of covering an evil-act, which the corrupter does not want to be known to public or other authorities. Nawwas bin Sam`an (R.A) reported: the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Piety is good manner, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know of it.'‘(Muslim) وعن النواس بن سمعان رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ”البر حسن الخلق. والإثم ما حاك في نفسك، وكرهت أن يطلع عليه الناس“- (رواه مسلم)

12. Causes of Corruption cont.. ii- Using shortcut to obtain other’s right: The Qur’an has identified this behaviour as one of the pillars of corruption. It says, “Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it in bribery to the rulers in order that they might aid you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know it is unlawful”- (Baqarah2: 188) ”وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا بِهَا إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا فَرِيقًا مِنْ أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ بِالْإِثْمِ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ“- (البقرة: 188)

13. Causes of Corruption cont.. iii- Doing as corrupt people do to have a position or maintain it.Corruption is a contaminated disease in the heart and is very difficult to combat. Whoever found him or herself in such awful situation should exercise patience not to indulge in corruption practices. (e.g. promotion exercise, Ten-percent in contracts (Contratocracy), sexual harassment of students, etc). It has stressed on following the good path without deviation. The Qur’an says, “Then We put you on an ordained way concerning the matter of religion, so follow it and not follow the inclinations of those who do not know. Indeed, they will never avail you against Allah at all. And indeed, the wrongdoers are allies of one another; but Allah is the protector of the righteous”- (Jathiyah 45 : 18-19) ”ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ. إِنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُغْنُوا عَنْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ“- (الجاثية 45: 18-19)

14. Causes of Corruption cont.. • iv- Nepotism and Raising incompetent officers to good positions. Appointments should be on merit not on favour or rewarding party members and political associates. Abu Zarr (R.A) reported: ‘I said to The Messenger of Allah (pbuh): "Why do you not appoint me to an official position?'' He (pbuh) patted me on the shoulder with his hand and said, "O Abu Zarr, you are a weak man and it is a trust and it will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of Resurrection except for the one who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and fulfills what is entrusted to him (discharges its obligations efficiently)- (Muslim) عن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال: قلت : يا رسول الله ألا تستعملني ؟قال: فضربني بيده على منكبي، ثم قال يا أبا ذر إنك ضعيف، وإنها أمانة، وإنها يوم القيامة خزي وندامة، إلا من أخذها بحقها وأدى الذي عليه فيها (مسلم)

15. 5-0 means of conducting corruption i- Bribery and Gratification: It is termed in the Qur’an as ‘Suht’“السحت“ (Ma’idah: 42). It is also widely known nationwide as ‘kola’, ‘democracy dividend’, ‘national cake’, etc. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Allah has cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes a bribe” (Tirmizi). Abu Humaid bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (R.A) reported: The Prophet (pbuh) employed a man from the tribe of Al-Azd named IbnLutbiyyah as collector of Zakat. When the employee returned (with the collections) he said, "This is for you and this is mine because it was presented to me as gift.'' The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "I employ a man to do a job and he comes and says, `This is for you and this has been presented to me as gift'? Why did he not remain in the house of his father and his mother and see whether gifts will be given to him or not? By Allah in whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, if any one of you took anything wrongfully, he will bring it on the Day of Resurrection, carrying it on his back, I will not recognize anyone of you, on the Day of Resurrection with a grunting camel, or a bellowing cow, or a bleating ewe.'' Then he raised his hands till we could see the whiteness of his armpits. Then he said thrice, ``O Allah ! have I conveyed Your Commandments!‘’- (Bukhari). عن أبي حميد الساعدي قال استعمل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رجلا على صدقات بني سليم يدعى ابن اللتبية. فلما جاء حاسبه. قال هذا مالكم وهذا هدية! فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فهلا جلست في بيت أبيك وأمك حتى تأتيك هديتك إن كنت صادقا! ثم خطبنا فحمد الله وأثنى عليه. ثم قال: أما بعد فإني أستعمل الرجل منكم على العمل مما ولاني الله فيأتي فيقول هذا مالكم وهذا هدية أهديت لي، أفلا جلس في بيت أبيه وأمه حتى تأتيه هديته! والله لا يأخذ أحد منكم شيئا بغير حقه إلا لقي الله يحمله يوم القيامة. فلأعرفن أحدا منكم لقي الله يحمل بعيرا له رغاء، أو بقرة لها خوار، أو شاة تيعر. ثم رفع يده حتى رئي بياض إبطه يقول: اللهم هل بلغت“- (البخاري).

16. means of conducting corruption cont.. ii- looting and Misuse of public funds: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “When we appoint someone to an administrative post and provide him with an allowance, anything he takes beyond that is unfaithful dealing” (Abu Dawud). عن بريدة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:”من استعملناه على عمل فرزقناه رزقا، فما أخذ بعد ذلك فهو غلول“. أخرجه أبو داود He also said, “Whomsoever amongst you we assign responsibility to, and he conceals a needle or something above it, then he has committed fraud (ghulul) and shall definitely come with it on the Day of Judgment..”- (Muslim) ‘UmarbnKhattab (R.A) said, “This money should be taken in a right way, and be given in a right way, and should be deprived from corruption”-(Kharaj by Abu Yusuf) قال عمر بن الخطاب-رضي الله عنه-:“إني لا أجد هذا المال يصلحه إلا خلال ثلاث: أن يؤخذ بالحق، ويعطى في الحق، ويمنع من الباطل“- الخراج لأبي يوسف

17. means of conducting corruption cont.. iii- Distortion and manipulation of policies or rules beneficial to the public. iv- Abuse of position to sustain power, status, wealth, etc. Allah says, “They who are to their trusts and their promises attentive”- (Mu’minun 23: 8 and Ma’arij70: 32) • وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ (المؤمنون: 8، المعارج32)

18. means of conducting corruption cont.. V-Prioritise high-profile projects such as dams, power plants, refineries over urgent infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals, roads, etc. ‘UmarbnKhattab (R.A) once said, “If a goat tripped on the road, I would be afraid that Allah would ask me, ‘Why you didn’t pave the road for it, O ‘Umar!?’” IbnSirin (R) had reported that when Abu Musa Al-Asha'ari (R.A) arrived at Basrah, he sermoned the people and said, “O people of Basrah! The Commander of faithful ‘Umar sent me to you with the missions; to teach you the Prophetic-Sunnahand urge you to clear up your roads" (MusannafIbnAbiShaibah).

19. 7-0 Ills and negative effects of corruption The bad consequences of corruption is obvious on corrupting individuals and societies. Here are some hints to them: On the individual level • Allah may set seal upon one’s heart (The corrupt invites Allah’s wrath on himself):Khaulahbint `Thamir (R.A) reported: the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Many people misappropriate (acquire wrongfully) Allah's Property (meaning Muslims' property). These people will be cast in Hell on the Day of Resurrection“-(Al-Bukhari). عن خولة بنت ثامر الأنصارية وهي امرأة حمزة رضي الله عنه وعنها قالت سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:”إن رجالا يتخوضون في مال الله بغير حق، فلهم النار يوم القيامة“-(رواه البخاري) • Rejection of one’s prayers and supplications: The Prophet (pbuh) made a mention of the person who travels for a long period of time, his hair are dishevelled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky and thus makes the supplication: `My Rabb! My Rabb!' But his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful, how can, then his supplication be accepted?.-(Muslim). عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ذكر الرجل يطيل السفر أشعث أغبر، يمد يديه إلى السماء: يا رب يا رب؛ ومطعمه حرام، ومشربه حرام، وغذي بالحرام، فأني يستجاب لذلك ؟“-(مسلم)

20. Ills and negative effects of corruption cont... • Costs ones’ life or health or money or time (in jail) • Downgrade one’s integrity in the society On The Society Level • Insecurity: Corruption spread insecurity in the nation. It breeds crimes • Kills freedom of speech among the citizens • Lack of social amenities and physical infrastructure like hospitals, roads, etc • Lack of power and water supplies, quality education and health-care

21. Ills and effects cont.. • Undermines political leadership and leads to political instability • Diminishes national wealth by: -reducing the quality of the products both local and imported • scaring away foreign investors • re-affirming corrupting foreign investors and companies • Causing Inflation • All of the above and more are included in the saying of Allah: “All of whom oppressed within the land. And increased therein the corruption. So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment. Indeed, your Lord is in observation” )–Fajr89:14-15). ”الَّذِينَ طَغَوْا فِي الْبِلَادِفَأَكْثَرُوا فِيهَا الْفَسَادَ. فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ. إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ“- (الفجر89: 12- 14)

22. 8-0 Who are The muslim leaders • Muslim leaders consist of the following: • Emirs, Chiefs and other traditional officials • Imams are at the fore of Muslim leaders • Politicians: president, governors, senators, members of House of Representative, commissioners, L.G. chairmen, councillors, special advisers, etc • Security Agencies: Police, Soldiers, Road safety, etc • Top Civil Servants: managers, principals, headmasters, etc • Ibn `Umar (R.A) reported: The Prophet (pbuh) said, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects”-(Bukhari and Muslim).

23. Duties upon the muslim leaders There are a lot of duties upon every Muslim leader towards the people. The following are the main: • Preservation of peoples’ religious right • Educating and counselling: Educate people about the menace of corruption • Maintenance of peace and stability • Providing and maintenance of social amenities • Generating wealth and distribution it justly

24. challenges • Demotion or sacking/firing from work or position • Hate of colleagues • Left in poverty • Left unsecured • Loss of gratifications (ticket to ‘Umrah, Hajj and du’a money, cars, houses, etc) • and many other physical and mental torture

25. Prospects for Eradicating corruption cont... The Individual level • Come down from ivory towers and mingle with the public. The Prophet said, Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allah for help and do not refrain from it”-(Muslim). عن أبى هريرة قال قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم-:”المؤمن القوى خير وأحب إلى الله من المؤمن الضعيف وفى كل خير احرص على ما ينفعك واستعن بالله ولا تعجز“- (مسلم) • Inculcate sincerity and God-fearing (taqwa) in people. Allah says, “Or do they think that We hear not their secret and their private conversations? Yes We do, and Our messengers (angels) are with them recording”-(Zukhruf43: 80). He said, “Conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed He is knowing of what is within the breasts”-(Mulk67: 13). قال تعالى:"أم يحسبون أنا لا نسمع سرهم ونجواهم بلى ورسلنا لديهم يكتبون“-(الزخرف:80). وقال أيضاً: "وأسروا قولكم أو اجهروا به إنه عليم بذات الصدور”- (الملك:13).

26. Prospects for Eradicating corruption cont... • Narrating bad consequences of the corrupt people in the pass and recent times. The Qur’an is full of such narratives. • Enjoining Good and Forbidding bad: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith". عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:”من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمان“- (مسلم) • Prayers and supplications for corruption free society not for the encouragement of corrupting people. Prophet Lot (A.S.) said, “My Lord, support me against the corrupting people”-(‘Ankabut29: 30). قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِي عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْمُفْسِدِينَ (العنكبوت:30)

27. Prospects for Eradicating corruption cont... • Conducting sensitization Programmes: • Insightful sermons in mosques on societal reforms and eradicating and other social vices such as corruption • Sensitization workshops for the political leaders • Wide utilization of Masjid for awareness and educational programmes especially for the youth and women • Public lectures for awareness in different locations (e.g. on the ills of drug-abuse, moral indecencies, corruption) • Admonishing during religious occasions, celebrations, social gatherings, etc • Religious instruction in schools and institutions • publication of booklets, leaflets and newspaper articles • Radio and TV preaching programmes • Assisting families facing difficulties e.g. feeding the indigents • Providing social counselling e.g. for drop-out students, those failed exams

28. Prospects for Eradicating corruption Cont... The Governmental level • Government officials (especially Muslims) should set examples. Assets declaration and shunning away all fraud and corruption practices. Sheikh Abdullah bnFodio said, ‘Whoever is found to have wealth above what he earns from his work, the ruler shall confiscate and restore it to the treasury’- (Diya’ al-Hukkam) • Transparency and Accountability: the first is the bedrock of the second. Explaining what is going on to the public. ‘UmarbnKhattab institute a principle of ‘Min ‘ain lakahaza’ (From where did you get this money)

29. Prospects for Eradicating corruption Cont... • Providing infrastructures and social amenities • Empowering of unemployed citizens and providing vocational programmes for the youth. (Government has empowered foreign companies from India, China at the expense of national companies)

30. Prospects for Eradicating corruption Cont... • Enriching curriculum with sense of patriotism • Justice in recruiting, promotion on due time and good distribution of salaries • Constructing a united community and unified society fot tackling corruption. UmarbnKhattab said, “There is no Islam without believing community and there is no believing community without the leaders (ruling authority), and there is no leaders without obedience”- (Darimi). • Stiff punishment: The government should use her iron hand in matters relating to corruption to punish the defaulters otherwise no reform would be achieved. It is reported from ‘UthmanbnAffan that: “Allah establishes checks by the state authority on things for which check by the Qur’an is not enough”

31. Conclusion Summarily: Change begins with me: Steps for eradication of corruption • Hate the activity from bottom of your heart • Refuse to take part in corruption (by giving, compromising, conniving, etc) and manage the pressure on you. • Refuse to Vocalize the danger therein to the people softly (nasiha). • Refuse to vote/elect a corrupt person into any political position • Educate women how to actively curtail corruption, and see wonders • Follow-up: match words with action • Report the defaulter(s) to appropriate office -Before reporting one has to Know: who committed the act, Where it was committed, Why given and collected, How it was done, What was given as corruption, How much? We thank Allah for this opportunity الحمد لله رب العالمين

32. Questions need answers • How many of you have made a sermon/lecture/talk/speech on corruption? What was the feedback? =Sketch a Khutab on fighting corruption in your locality • Why Nigerians value corruption? • What steps can be taken to permanently control or stop or uproot corruption in our society? • Why has corruption been difficult to tackle in our society over the years?