The need to speak and stick to the truth needs not be overemphasized. Almighty Allah has in a number of Qur’anic verses commanded us to speak and act truthfully. For example, in Qur’an 33:70 Allah says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice (truth). Similarly, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) admonishes us to correct wrongdoings, when He thus said;
“Whoever among you witnesses wrongdoing, let him correct it with his hand. If he is unable, then let him correct it with his tongue. If he is unable [to do that], then let him correct it with his heart and beyond that there is not a single mustard seed’s weight of faith.”
I was prompted to write on this topic because I overheard someone lamenting that he was being persecuted because he spoke the truth. Thus the objective of this piece is to draw from earlier and recent past history of great people who had been persecuted but in the end were divinely rewarded. It is hope that these stories will motivate some of us to stick to the truth, irrespective of whose ox is gored. The following is a historical outline of great people, who suffered in early days of their struggle for human emancipation:
Fourteen hundred years ago, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was persecuted by his own people, the Bani Quraish in Mecca, because he peacefully preached monotheism. He was relentless, of course because he was sent by Almighty Allah to call people to serve Him alone. He equally suffered from the hypocrites who would be loyal to him in his face but were actually loyal to his oppressors. However at a time, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had to migrate to Madina where he was warmly received. In the end, due to his persistence in speaking the truth and obeying God’s commands, Islam not only dominated the Arab world, but spread to the farthest distance around the world. Allah rewarded Him bountifully with a lot in this world and ultimately with Garden of Eden in the hereafter. Worldly, a number of literatures were consistent on the influence and truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). For example, Michael H. Hart in 1978 ranked Him the most influential person on Earth. All these were as a result of His persistence with the truth.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr paid the ultimate price for he stood against the oppression of the black American people. He was arrested, jailed and later assassinated in 1968 for speaking the truth. However, in the end, his struggle did not go in vein. The black people were fairly liberated, which arguably resulted in the emergence of Barack Obama as first black American president. Had Dr. King relented or succumbed to the persecutions, the black American people wouldn’t have been liberated, let alone one of them becoming the President.
Similarly, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment but served 27 years in prison for standing against the apartheid regime of South Africa. Even more sadly, after he had been released from detention, he saw wisdom in national reconciliation despite his incarceration but sadly, the very people he struggled to liberate apparently opposed him. However, he eventually emerged victorious. The blacks gained freedom and Mandela was elected the first South African black president. He received the highest award of Nobel Peace Prize among numerous other awards, recognitions and respect globally.
Back home in Nigeria, General Muhammad Buhari, as he then was, ruthlessly fought corruption and indiscipline when he was military head of state in the early 80’s. His government had found some government officials and politicians guilty of stealing public funds, hence they were jailed and funds recovered. Unfortunately, the price he paid was that his government was overthrown and he was jailed. During his jail term, he was denied the opportunity to attend his mother’s funeral. But ultimately because he had stuck to the truth, he was rewarded with unmatched popularity and loyalty of the Nigerian masses and ultimately with 8 years presidency of Nigeria. The rest is now history!
Also famous in speaking the truth was Adamu Adamu. He was known for his critique of the past governments. At a point, Adamu Adamu had to disguise in order to escape being arrested or physical attack by the government of the day. In my local hood too, I know of a 50+ year old brilliant writer and critique who had to appear like an 18 year old and often change routes so as to disguise too. However, God rewarded Adamu Adamu with ministerial appointment and the latter is at least vindicated for the truth he stuck to. The list goes on and on.
Therefore having drawn from the historical perspectives, vis a vis the cost-benefit analysis of speaking the truth, the choice is yours to take the path of those who preached and stuck to the truth and get handsomely rewarded in the hereafter and/or in this world. But of course there is a price for everything. You will receive threats, you will have to deal with two-faced people, illiterates will gang against you and unfortunately the supposedly elites will instigate the gullibles to hate you for no reason. Such consequences should not deter you from speaking the truth. Choose the path of whom we celebrate today, as the price is so little compared to the rewards.
Let me end with a line from Saadu Zungur’s famous Wakar Gaskiya, as cited in Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s book on Saadu Zungurs biography, “In za Ka faďi, faďi gaskiya,
Kome taka ja maka ka biya!”
Dr. Faruq M. Abubakar writes from Bauchi
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect WikkiTimes’ editorial stance.
