Ajami in the Senegambia

by Fallou Ngom

Abdoul Wahab Sonko's Jóola Foñi Ajami Video

Islam and Humanity

Written by: Abdoul Wahab Sonko
Date written: 2006

In this gallery, Abdul Wahab Sonko talks about the common origin of humankind and the need for peace and tolerance in the world. He calls for mutual understanding between people, regardless of their faith, and the rejection of violence.

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Page 1: Islam and the problems of humanity

Introduction in Arabic […]

What is Islam? The name was chosen by God to refer to the Muslim faith. God gave the name to Muslims so that they may embody some of His qualities. That is to say, they must follow and abide by God's instructions given to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is for this reason that God chose the name "Islam" to refer to the Muslim faith.

The word "Muslim" implies peace. God wants peace in the world. It is in fact for this reason that God revealed the Muslim religion to humanity. History teaches us that when Islam first came, there were numerous problems in the world. Islam came when the law of the jungle or the law of the powerful was the law in the world.

Page 2: Islam as a solution to injustices in the pre-Islamic era

For example, at that time, the powerful used to take the belongings of the weak, and they would not hesitate to enslave them or sell them into slavery.

This is what Islam came to address. It did not come to create wars in this world. Nor did it come for destruction. It did not come to teach harming a fellow human being. It came to bring humanity out of darkness and to lead it to the light. It came to teach humanity to give up wrong practices and to lead it toward righteousness. The advent of Islam coincided with a time when some used to bury their daughters alive. Some people used to sell their children into slavery. There were also girls who were born poor as if they were orphans. Some would even sell their daughters, if they had some. There were women who had no inheritance rights. There were also people who would burn bodies of their deceased daughters, and bury those of their deceased mothers (rather than burning them).

Page 3: Peaceful teachings in Islam

Islam came to eliminate these social problems. Some people used to exchange their daughters for material goods. The goal of Islam is therefore to eliminate these practices. Given all this, one wonders why people continue to wage war against each other today in the name of Islam. People wage war, harm one another, and terrorize one another nowadays. But why are there all these problems? If God does not want us to make war, it is because he does not want us to destroy ourselves. He does not want us to harm one another. For example, God established rules for all Muslims, among which is that of good neighborliness.

Even if one's neighbor is not Muslim, God instructs us that he has rights. The goal of this rule is to nurture an environment of peace and good neighborliness. Such are the recommendations of God and Islam. If your neighbor is faced with difficulties, you must assist him even if he is not Muslim.

Page 4: The common origin of humanity

Contrary to what is discussed above, we are now faced with a war with an unknown end. Although if we look at history, we realize that we all come from the same source, from the same mother (Eve), the mother of humankind and from the same father (Adam). Given that we are all from the same mother and father, why then do we wage war against each other? People kill one another although they are from the same father and mother. Islam does not approve of killing a fellow human being. It does not want anyone to oppress a fellow human being. This is why I draw the attention of my fellow Muslims to the fact that Islam did not come to this world to create problems such as war.

Islam is a religion that teaches us to forgive. It does not teach us to harm anyone. Islam teaches everybody to treat others the way they would like to be treated themselves.

Page 5: How to create a peaceful world

After this, I am going to talk about "salaam" which means peace. If there are still problems, it is because some people do not wish for others what they wish for themselves. To avoid problems, we must avoid touching other people's belongings. You must treat others the way you would like to be treated. If we respect one another, we will have a peaceful world. If there is no peace in this world, it is because there is neither mutual understanding nor tolerance, and people do not wish each other well. There will be no peace or mutual understanding, if these social ills are not resolved.

For the world to live in peace, these problems need to be eliminated. Finally, it is important that people love one another, get along with one another, and forgive each other for peace to spread in the world. What is the meaning of "forgiveness"?

Page 6: Conclusion

We have to forgive each other. We must forgive those who cause us harm. We must not seek revenge. One must treat well any fellow human being, even if one is harmed. Therefore, forgiveness, mutual love, and tolerance are recommended by God. Forgiveness and tolerance would allow us to live in peace in this world.