Many young people came out and declared their interest to contest in the 2023 general elections, some even aspired to vie for the highest political offices (i.e Presidential and gubernatorial seats) while many go for legislative offices in the federal and state house of assemblies. On the other hand, I’ve seen massive support showing from the co-youths to those having the gut to come out and declare their ambition regardless of their political party differences, (e.g I’ve seen some registered members of NNPP appreciating someone contesting in APC and vice-versa ), especially on social media where well wishes and God will message are extended.
But in my confusion is!
Why is it different in the case of Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada who is vying for State House of Assembly here in Kano? I believed something must be somewhere wrong.
Though I don’t know him in person, I’d never been on any occasion with him, I can’t say all the public negative claims on him are true likewise I can’t be denied. But I know of many very competent young people (their credibility is undeniable) but what they lack is a manner of approach, good public relationships, and respect for others’ opinions which are essential to anyone looking for people’s trust particularly when it comes to voting and giving mandates.
My call to my fellow youths especially those interested in joining public affairs is, “Knowing more than other people doesn’t give a room for being disrespectful, pride, and arrogance, take care of your words and actions to public issues and relationships else it will hunt you back.”
Come to think of it, Even Islamic literature is full of instances that renounce and prohibit pride. Though many people have misconceptions about self-esteem and arrogance one should take proper care of not falling into the second category which is completely haram.
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 91.)
And also Al-Ghazali reported: Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Let no one look down upon another among the Muslims, for even the smallest of Muslims is great to Allah.”
Be polite in your speeches and actions, Good information rudely communicated will make no positive difference. One of the most important rules of influencing others, tolerance, and compassion, it’s respecting others. Out of vanity, we forget this rule way too often.
Respecting someone’s opinion doesn’t automatically imply you agree with them. Sometimes, it means you agree to disagree; other times, it means you are wise enough to understand that any coin has two sides and you can’t see them both at the same time.
The instance of a man with pride is like someone climbing a mountain and then looking down, he will see people
very small no matter how big or small they are he can’t separate, likewise when those people head up to look at him they will also see him very small as well.
May Allah make us patient and grateful and make us small in our eyes and big in the eyes of the people. Amen
