Chameleons

“…Of the people there are some who say “we believe in God and The last Day: But they do not really believe. Fain would they deceive God and those who believe, But they only deceive themselves…” Q2 vs 8-9.

By Abdulfattah Abdussalam

A man’s worst enemy is himself; knowing oneself is the first step on the path to knowing Allah, ‘Azza Wajjal. By the same token, the most important enemy of the Ummah is within itself.

At the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) prophethood, many people came forward testifying to His mission. They proclaimed that Ibn Abdullah was messenger of Allah; but in their hearts they were hypocritical. Hypocrisy is a cankerworm, dangerous and deadly. Q63 vs 1-8. A Munafig feigns acceptability, a pretentious comradeship that is hardly prone to suspect. But beyond the pleasant facade, he is dangerous and if allowed can undermine a process. A hypocrite, even though might be part of the Islamic Ummah, is more dangerous than the enemy because he/she is not known until after he/she has inflicted a blow on the Ummah.

As-Samiri was an Egyptian married to an Israeli in the days of Musa Kalaamullah. His household was saved from the calamity that befell the Egyptians at the peak of Musa’s struggle to free the Israelis from the bondage of Fir’aun (Pharaoh). At the end, he misled the whole Israeli Nation and brought Allah’s wrath on them because of his hypocritical conduct. Q22 vs. 80-97. Today, despite the Islamic resurgence that is sweeping across the Nigerian nation, there are people who the community must still beware of and put the searchlight on in order to purge them of vestiges of malicious conducts that may put Islam into disrepute. Who are these Al-Munafiqun of our time? They are the chameleons that parade themselves as Muslims, but inwardly they have another identity.

Chameleon, a reptile, is classified as a lizard. It could easily be found in Asia, Europe and Africa. It is best known for its ability to change its colour and this camouflage helps it to avoid the notice of its enemies or prey. Figuratively, any person who can easily change his/her personality, opinions, identity, characteristics to suit a situation is often tagged a chameleon. Again, who are they?

Allah (swt) is the owner of beautiful names (Q59: 24) and the Prophet (saw) enjoined us as Muslims that whenever we have our children (offsprings), we should give them beautiful names. Many were given good Muslim names, but in the present day, they are not proud of such (Hypocrites). They rather (if at all) be called Gafar, Akeem, Waheed, Fatai, Qassim within the precinct of the Mosque or Islamic circles only. But back in their offices, homes and other gatherings they are known as Ayodele, Adeola, Kemi, Bisi, Tunji, Bola, etc. (Personality change). You may ask, what is in a name? Logically you might be right, but psychologically such people are having a personality split, because they are inadequate in their Deen; thus when contentious issues arise, they will rather keep mute than stand up to defend Islam. But when they need favour from their Muslim brethren, they quickly put back their Islamic names.

The situation pervades everywhere, thus when such people are in power, they will be docile to the cause of Islam. Examples abound. Furthermore, Allah (swt) enjoined our women to dress Islamically all the time, but the chameleons among us will do that only to Islamic functions but afterwards, its back to the basis: “Wal-Asri dressing.” Imagine some of our so-called Muslim sisters presenting programmes on television half naked! Yet on Jumu’ah or Assalatu sessions, it is “dressing for Allah.” What hypocrisy! Sadly, some will even attend Jumu’ah service as Muslims. But by 3 o’clock News, the chameleon would have changed its colour. It’s Abracadabra, with lipsticks, pancake, mascaras, etc.

Unfortunately, the young Muslim around these chameleons might imbibe this hypocrisy in future, thinking that it is the way of Islam. Yet, it is more damaging than open campaign against Islam. There is no half measure in Islam; it is a complete way of life. Arising from these is that Islam today is not enjoying the position of dignity because most of us are not true adherents of Islam. Consequently, some that abide by the Islamic injunctions are stigmatized: “Amina Eleha, Sharia, Ayattola, Akida” etc. Imagine some Muslims joining the opposition against Shariah or fixing departmental meetings for 12.00 noon on a Friday! The Prophet (saw) said we should prepare for “a higher endeavour”. By that he meant the endeavour to know oneself, to examine one’s thoughts, actions and behavior. The Prophet (saw) considered self-examination as a superior task because the most important enemy of man resides in man himself. Therefore, instead of focusing on the forces without, we must focus on the forces within. It is high time we collectively encourage and help the chameleons among us to shed their toga of parochialism.

May Allah count us among the inhabitant of the beautiful house hereafter, Amin.

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