Open Letter To The Newly Appointed Ameer Of MSSN OAU By Ridwan Ojetola Olawale

Asalamu Alaikum Waramotulahi yah Amir. With a heart filled with happiness, I congratulate you on your appointment as the new Amir of MSSN, Obafemi Awolowo University. I pray may Almighty Allah ease your affairs.

I am writing this letter with a view to  calling your attention to the already known duties of yours as the new Amir of this Islamic organization since the hearth of a person who touches other people’s hearts has to be touched as far as the fear of Allah is concerned.

It is of extreme relevance to remind you again  that the original source on which Islamic regulations and ordinances are based is the Qur’an and  people are in one way or another waiting with a sense of love and belonging just to witness how you are going to govern this association with the fear of Allah as well as the principles of Al-Qur’an and we pray Allah will be your guide.

 Dear Ameer, Allah is the most perfect and knowledgeable and this should always be your reply to those people who will be expecting you to do it more perfect than ever because of your academic standard (being an Amir from PG level). There are a lot of challenges in Da’wah but those who always overcome are those who place the fear of Allah above everything they do on the path of Da’wah.

By Allah , I am not writing to oppose any organization but to ensure that the faults in our islamic society are corrected  and it of this reason my pieces of  advice to Ameer are:

1. Govern with the fear of Allah:  MSSN OAU is a very big organization with a lot of benefitial advantages and the best organization is the one that is controlled with the fear of Allah. Some challenges will come and even there will be misunderstanding but don’t forget the saying of Allah in Quran 4:59 ” if you differ on any matter, refer it to Allah (Qur’an) and his Prophet (Hadith) if you believe in Allah and the last day of Judgement.” Don’t get yourself engaged in anything whose evidence will not be rooted or found in the Qur’an as well as the Sunah of our Noble Prophet (SAW).

2. Start from where your predecessor stopped: The system of government that is expected to be practised in every Islamic organization should not be in any way related to the one being practised in our country since we take Qur’an as our constitution. It is a very common phenomenon in Nigeria that successors always refuse to build on the works of their predecessors just because they want to be better than their predecessors. You were not chosen from any party. Your predecessor is your brother in Islam and he had tried a lot to get many things done if not all. Kindly build on what he has done in order to ensure development in our Islamic society.

3. Be willing to sacrifice for the others: A leader is a servant to his followers and we hope you will keep emulating from our Noble Role Model, Muhammad (SAW) whose system of government will continue to be the best ever. Be absolutely tolerant and do not lose it at anytime no matter how complicated and annoying any issue may be. The way is full of challenges and insults but the end of the road is always sweet. Control your ego and never allow your ego to control you.

4. Work on how unity will govern among the students whom you are charged to lead: On this, my pen vibrates (lolz) and I must be franked here. What inspired me to write this letter is the obvious division among the Muslim students on campus. I think the word “unity” is included in the motto of Islam and I know very well that separative system of government is only common to the opposite religion who believe that one group cannot worship with another. It is a great shame on us that we are also guilty of this allegation. Why are we opposing ourselves? Why are we creating divisions and enmity among ourselves?. Are we not the same brothers again?  Our society can never be better if we continue like this . Nobody is the best but Allah and it is a great sin If we start thinking we are the best when we are actually nothing. Dear Amir, this part is very very important, govern with love and pray to Allah on how unity will govern.

5. Don’t rule base on where you belong: Forget about your race, your self disciplines, principles and don’t let where your belong affect your duties in this organization.

6. Always carry your cabinets along on every decision you take: a good leader respect each opinion and contribution given by his associates. A tree can never make a forest and that is why some people are chosen to work with you just to achieve the same aim. Respect all their decisions and always take each advice given by our fathers.

May Allah (SBWT) be with yoyu from the beginning to the end. Asalamulahi Alaikum Waramotulahi Wabarakatuhu. Thanks for reading.

From Ridwan Ojetola Olawale

Department of Linguistic and African Languages

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)