Jihad is one of the most difficult acts of ibadah. Ibn Katheer in his tafseer, calls jihad difficult and describes it as prescribed but disliked by men because it involves paying the ultimate price or getting seriously injured, amongst others. (Q2:216). Yet the Prophet and his companions did not suspend jihad in Ramadan. The Battle of Badr was fought and won on 13 March 624 which is equivalent to 17 Ramadan, 2 A.H. Similarly, Fathu Makkah happened in Ramadan, 8 A.H.
Now, why would one suspend studying in Ramadan? Is fasting more difficult than jihad? I don’t think so. Why did the governor stop school students from studying in Ramadan? Not because of any Islamic injunctions that I know of. Perhaps politics. Perhaps for his inability to pay teachers February salary, before their sweats dry as prescribed by Islam.
And like many including CAN have pointed out, most of these kids aren’t required to fast, particularly primary school kids. Aren’t we unwittingly trying to give Ramadan a bad name?
Critics of Ramadan, like Hasan Rumy of University of Sussex, wrote in the Guardian that Ramadan adversely impacts productivity. Similarly, Filipe R. Campante et Al, wrote: “Ramadan fasting has a negative effect on output growth.” Though I don’t believe them, the decision of Bala Muhammad, the governor of Bauchi, to shut down schools supposedly because of Ramadan, feeds into that narrative.
Bala’s divisive and disruptive decision has turned Ramadan, a blessed month and fasting, a pillar of Islam, into symbols of unproductivity and wanton disregard for learning. Bala’s political decision has put, especially SS3 students, who will soon start sitting for WAEC and NECO exams, in a relatively disadvantaged position. How would these final-year students recover from the missed five-week needless break? Affluent parents would surely arrange private lessons for their wards — but what about the poor parents? The education of poor kids doesn’t matter to his excellency. Or do they?
During my final year (SS3) our usual break was abridged and the third term extended to allow us prepare better for WAEC exams. Again, in the 12 years I spent in primary and secondary schools, not even once was my school closed because of Ramadan. We went to school through each and every Ramadan.
Islam encourages learning, that’s why the first word revealed in the Qur’an was “Read!” (Alaq:1, Muhsin Khan). Seeking knowledge is compulsory, according to the Prophet. Numerous Ahadeeth abound urging Muslims to seek knowledge even if it means going to the farthest places — farther than Bauchi to China. Seek all kinds of knowledge including Boko — it’s Halal not Haram. Else, why would the Prophet tell us to go to China? Certainly not to learn Qur’an, Fiqh or Hadith. The Chinese weren’t Muslims when the Prophet said what he said.
Studying is encouraged in Ramadan. Our kids should be allowed to study more. The Prophet was reported to have been spending more time with Jibril studying Qur’an in Ramadan. Currently, we’re seeing all kinds of study circles in mosques, schools and other public places across the length and breadth of Bauchi. Granted, the classes are mostly tafsir, but there’s nothing to suggest that other beneficial knowledge is not encouraged in Ramadan or is to be stopped. Even the Saudis didn’t shut schools, as argued by Dr Suwaiba, the minister of state for education.
And I haven’t heard any Malam in the entirety of Bauchi issuing fatwa for the closure of any schools in honour of Ramadan, because there’s no Islamic basis for stopping studies as rightly argued by Dr Suwaiba. It’s only Mufti governor Bala in his infinite wisdom that dissented and issued his school closing fatwa. Boko is Haram in Ramadan as Sheikh Shekau shouted.
It’s curious how Sheikh Bala, who’s arguably not particularly proud of his professed faith, could uniquely honour Ramadan by shutting down schools. I say this because he appeared to relish his pagan ancestry during hustings in Dass, proudly proclaiming rhetorically thusly: “Ko don mun fara Sallah?” Roughly meaning: Is it because we converted to Islam? As if Islam is a drawback.
In conclusion, I strongly believe Bala shuttered schools not for religious reasons but politics. Like the minister said, it’s “unnecessary and detrimental to student learning.” Therefore, he should constructively engage with the minister and find a way to reverse his decision and/or to remedy the loss time. The governor and CAN, at least in Bauchi, have a love affair, they should talk to themselves like lovers do in order to avoid needlessly overheating the polity.
Malam Saadu Umar is the Chairman APC Publicity Committee Bauchi State.
