BY RAYYANU BALA
In a Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) Hausa discussion programme
tagged “Dandalin Siyasa” anchored by Alhaji Gambo Muris and aired
recently, Muri’s guest on the programme, one Alhaji Ibrahim Bushasha
captured the real but unfortunate situation we find ourselves in
Nasarawa state. Alhaji Bushasha identified backbiting and gossiping
as our major problems in Nasarawa state. Although, I don’t know the
spread of Alhaji Ibrahim Bushasha’s acquaintances, but after
listening to the argument which he put forward so convincingly, to
support his claim about how backbiting and gossiping have became our
trademark in Nasarawa state, I shuddered in bewilderment and felt so
sorry for not only ourselves but for our younger generations.
There is indeed, no arguing the fact that backbiting and gossips have
been part of human life. From all the epochs we have had and history
has shown that backbiting and gossips had been the bane of unity and
togetherness as well as progress and development of such epochs. There
is however, no disputing the fact that any society or nation that has
gossiping and backbiting as its people’s staple, progress and
development will always elude such a society or nation, hence the need
to pay much attention to its consequences.
Today in Nasarawa state, backbiting and gossiping have taken root, as
virtually all our social life revolves around it. In other words
gossiping and backbiting have eaten deep into the social fabric of our
people to a very large extent. Even though, every society has its
own share of these cankerworms, the dimension which backbiting and
gossiping are taking and the momentum which the phenomenon is gaining
in Nasarawa state is, to say the least, dangerous and alarming. In
Nasarawa state if you are not an expert or rather if you did not
specialize in backbiting and gossiping, you can not move on. You can
only be appreciated if you master the art of backbiting and gossiping.
The most unfortunate aspect of the situation is that our leaders have
became so enmeshed and perhaps culpable in this tale of woe. Our
leaders have became so much engrossed in accepting, listening and even
appreciating the ‘virtues’ of backbiting and gossiping to the extent
that you can only get what you want from them, if only you come with
the most fresh and ‘sweetest’ gossip.
Most ironic is that the virtues of hard work and sincerity have been
degraded to a lower level while backbiting and gossiping have been
upgraded to premier level. Regrettably however, hard work and
sincerity cannot take one anywhere in Nasarawa state today. What can
take one somewhere is for one to study the art of backbiting and
gossiping and master the way to deploy them appropriately. But then
with these scenarios in place what then are we trying to bequeath or
teach our young ones?
The points which Alhaji Bushasha stressed with regard to backbiting
and gossiping on that radio programme made me to become so sad. I felt
so sorry, first for our young ones, for the type of morals we are
trying to impart to them and secondly, I became distressed for my
humble self for I happened to have on several occasions, been a victim
of these malicious thing called backbiting and gossiping. Many of our
compatriots too in the state, I believe, also happened to be victims
of these spiteful scourges. But can we, in all honesty continue like
this? This question has indeed, became imperative because a solution
to this wickedness must be found and addressed squarely, if we are
serious about moving Nasarawa state forward.
All known religions, the world over, frown at backbiting and
gossiping. Islam for example warns us against it. Islam calls upon us
to bring out the best in ourselves and in others. It enjoins us to
treat other people with integrity and respect. It is not permissible
for a Muslim to spread rumours, gossip or engage in backbiting of
another person. Repeatedly in the Holy Qur’an, Muslims are warned
about the sins of the tongue. “Do not concern yourself with things
about which you have no knowledge. Verily, your hearing, sight and
heart- all of them will be called to account” (Qur’an 17: 36)
Also in Qur’an Allah says “Oh you who believe! Avoid suspicion as
much (as possible), for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And spy not
on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the
flesh of his dead brother? No, you would abhor it. But fear Allah. For
Allah is oft- returning, Most Merciful” (Qur’an 49: 11-12). This word
“backbiting” is something that we don’t often think about, but it is
noteworthy that the Qur’an regards it as distasteful and an actual act
of cannibalism.
The position of Islam with regards to backbiting and gossiping as
narrated above succinctly stress the fact that backbiting and
gossiping are distasteful ways of life. The Bible too, I believe
disapproves of backbiting and gossip in all its ramifications.
Now having seen the ills of backbiting and gossiping, the question
begging for answer here is: What can we do about these problems to
save ourselves from anger of Almighty Allah? Backbiting and gossiping
remain the main causes of destruction of personal relationships. They
destroy friendships and families and fuel mistrust among community
members.
Undoubtedly, the solution to backbiting and gossiping which has become
a thorn in our flesh, rest with our leaders who happen to be cheerful
recipients of gossip. Unless and until our leaders, at all levels,
stop their habits of “wining and dining” with purveyors of gossips and
backbiting, all the solutions would continue to remain a delusion. We
must work to ensure that gossiping and backbiting is tamed in Nasarawa
state so that it will no longer have any impact on our social life.