In a bizarre turn of events, a thrilling saga of scholarly rivalry has unfolded, exposing the precarious tightrope walk of Muslim (not Islamic)“scholars” caught in their own web of intellectual pretense. The protagonist of this gripping tale, Sheikh AbdulJabbar, found himself in the crosshairs of his jealous peers as he fearlessly defended the revered and holy personality of the Prophet of Islam. Little did he know that his incisive scholarly discourse would unveil a dark truth lurking beneath the surface.
In a classic case of intellectual inferiority complex, his fellow scholars faced a daunting choice: either accept Sheikh AbdulJabbar’s lines and arguments, risking the humiliation of being perceived as less scholarly, or vehemently denounce him on charges of blasphemy. Much to their delight, they opted for the latter.
With pompous self-righteousness, Sheikh AbdulJabbar was dragged into a kangaroo court, where a twisted mockery of justice was held. He was promptly sentenced to what can only be called judicial murder. The self-congratulatory scholars reveled in their victory, basking in the glory of their narrow-mindedness.
However, as the tides turned, the very scholars who orchestrated this theatrical display of injustice found themselves in the spotlight. Accusations of the same “crime” now haunted them, forcing them to issue unreserved public apologies to their adversaries in a most humiliating public arraignment. The irony of their predicament was not lost on the observing masses. They watched with glee as these scholars, once high and mighty, slithered down the ladder of disgrace.
This episode serves as a profound lesson to all of us, highlighting the unyielding truth that injustice to one is, indeed, injustice to all. Until we embrace this fundamental principle and unite to champion the noble cause of Islam, which calls for justice above all else, we are destined to be consumed by our own folly.
The spectacle was and still is a tragicomedy of hypocrisy, where intellectual insecurity danced hand in hand with moral bankruptcy. *Shehu* *Jaha* himself would have struggled to concoct a more scathing portrayal of the human capacity for self-deception.
Let this saga serve as a reminder to each of us to examine our own hearts and intentions. Let us strive to rise above petty rivalries and embrace a spirit of unity, justice, and intellectual integrity. Only then can we hope to escape the clutches of our own self-imposed delusions and truly honor the essence of our faith.
As this chapter concludes, let us reflect on the words of George Orwell: “*In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.*” It is time for a revolution of truth within our scholarly circles, a revolution that demolishes the walls of hypocrisy and builds a foundation of justice upon which we can proudly stand.
Mr Mundadu writes from Kaduna
