Tag: NASFAT

“Have you not seen how your Lord planted a seed of parable? A beautiful word is like a pleasant tree with firm roots and delightfully gorgeous foliages sprouting pleasantly into the firmaments of the orbit by Allah’s grace. It produces edible fruits from season to season….” Q. 14: 24-27      

Preamble

Many religious observers around the world have been wondering about the fortuitous emergence of a Nigerian Muslim Organization called NASFAT. Many others have continually been marveled at its astronomical rise and phenomenal spread across nations. It is one queer development that beats anybody’s imagination and transcends any tendentious guessing.

Observation

Two things are positively strange about this Organization. One is the timeliness of its emergence. The other is the manner of that emergence. At a time when some contemptuous non-Muslim Nigerians began to perceive and treat Islam as an anachronistic religion meant for primordial people, an infinitesimal, unassuming group of Muslim elite with diverse professional backgrounds fortuitously came up with an unprecedented stunner that held the world nonplused. It was a timely question. Never in the history of Nigeria has a Muslim Organization with so fragile a background and so mean a provision risen so astronomically within so short a time. It is unprecedented.

From a one room congregation of a few men and women of faith in Lagos, a gargantuan Islamic Organization emerged like a colossal tree with incredible foliages forming a formidably protective umbrella of faith for millions of Muslim faithful across the world. Today, NASFAT is a global case study for people in the academia as well as other research fellows with religious inclination. The evidence is undeniable.

What is NASFAT?

The word NASFAT is an acronym for an abridged verse of the Qur’an which goes thus: “…Nasrun minal-Lahi wa Fathun Qarib…” (Q. 61:13) meaning: “…With (strong) help from Allah, victory is surely attainable”. From that Qur’anic verse, the name of the Organization was formed as ‘NASRUL-LAHI-L-FATIH’ Society and shortened to NASFAT for easy pronunciation.

Initially, the Organization was conceived to be limited to Nigeria. But, unimaginably, within two decades, it rapidly outgrew even an African image and went global. Thus, whether you are in the US or UK or Germany or Canada or Netherlands, NASFAT is a familiar name with a familiar status.

Profile

NASFAT was founded as another Islamic Organization for Nigeria’s Muslim elite in 1996 by a group of young Muslim professionals. There had been a myriad of elite Islamic Organizations before it especially in Lagos and other parts of the South West Nigeria. Some of such elite Organizations include Ahmadiyyah Jamat; Jam’atu Islamiyyah; Ahmadiyyah Movement in Islam; Anwarul Islam Movement; Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria; Nawairu-Ud-Deen Society; Zumratu Islamiyyah; The Companion; Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and a host of others. At the advent of NASFAT, the objective of its founding was clearly reflected in its mission statement which went thus: “to develop an enlightened Muslim society nurtured by a true understanding of Islam for the spiritual uplift and welfare of mankind.”

The Mission Statement

That Mission Statement was like a dream not given a chance of realization but which turned out to be the most wonderfully realized dream of the century. If anything can be described as the 20th century success crown for Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah, it is NASFAT.

The small group that had such a dramatic dream about two decades ago has now grown in limbs and in wings into such a magnificent conglomerate drawing members in their thousands to form a non-such formidable Organization that cannot be taken for granted. Its membership comprises of young professionals, Educationist, Muslim Scholars, Civil Servants, Journalists, Company Directors, Business Executives, Computer Experts, Members of Security Forces, Members of the Judiciary, Politicians, State Commissioners, Legislators, Traders, Artisans, Students. Name it.

Today, NASFAT is, arguably, one of the fasted growing religious Organizations in the world. The similitude of NASFAT is like that of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, which was established as a Mosque by a small sunni group of Fatimids in 970 CE. The name Al-Azhar was coined from the appellation of Fatimah the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (saw) who was popularly called Zahrau (meaning adorable flower). With time, Al-Azhar University emerged from the Mosque and became one of the earliest established Universities in the world.

Now about 1040 years old, Al-Azhar University is one of the three oldest Universities in the world today. The other two are Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco and Zaytuniyyah University in Tunis, Tunisia. Being contemporaries in age and reputation, the tripod came to confirm that what we call University today is an Islamic heritage.

Before Speculations

There is tendency in some idle Muslim quarters to think that this columnist must have been paid handsomely by NASFAT for a public relations job. Such a tendentious thought is characteristic of certain ignorant Nigerian Muslims who have nothing to contribute to the growth of Islam but are quick in detesting the few well known contributors around as a way of cultivating some lotus benefit for themselves.

As a thorough propagator of Islam, this columnist has never collected any gratification from any individual or group here in Nigeria or abroad. My principle is based on the Qur’anic verse that says: “We only feed you for the sake of Allah; we expect neither compensation nor gratitude from you…”. NASFAT members can testify to this.

The problem with ultra-conservative Muslims in Nigeria is that of cacophony of gossip, witch-hunting, blackmail and sticking tenaciously to retardation on the bedrock of incurable ignorance. I am quite familiar with their parochial antics.

NASFAT’s Branches

When NASFAT was fast becoming unmanageable, due to an unexpected upsurge in its membership roll, the leadership of the Organization decided to create branches nationally and internationally for the convenience of all and sundry. That was in 2002.

Today, NASFAT has over 315 branches in Nigeria and abroad cutting across the geo political zones of the world.

Impression

Whatever impression anybody may have about NASFAT’s mode of operation is immaterial at this stage as long as that Organization is not acting against the fundamental norms of Islam. After all, it is crystal clear that the real Da’wah champions in contemporary Nigeria are the Muslim elite who know little about Islamic theology, and not the so-called Imams and Alfas whose impact of theology is not felt in any way. All the above listed Organizations in Nigeria were established by progressive, non-clerical  Muslim elite including those of NASFAT. Those who feel otherwise should show us their own achievements.

Perhaps, without NASFAT, there would not have been any Islamic University in Nigeria or at least in Southern Nigeria, today. If any other Islamic University now exists, NASFAT should be credited for showing the way and throwing the challenge that woke others up from their slumber.

Note

There is a sharp difference between a Muslim University, and an Islamic University. The earlier is registered in the name of an individual Muslim. The latter is registered in the name of an Islamic Organization. In that case, ownership is the main determinant of status.

Only three of several private Universities attributed to Islam in Nigeria today are truly Islamic. These are Fountain University based in Osogbo, Osun State and owned by NASFAT, Summit University based in Offa, Kwara State and owned by Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Al-Qalam University based in Katsina, Katsina State and owned by an….. Others generally perceived as Islamic Universities are only privately owned by individual Muslims and not Islamic Organizations.

Fountain University

Like Al-Azhar University founded by the Fatimids in Cairo over 1000 years ago, Fountain University is one of the major achievements of NASFAT. This University was founded by NASFAT and licensed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National University Commission (NUC) a few years ago and it held its sixth convocation just last month to the glory of Allah.

Sited on 250 hectares of land where academic activities are in full and uninterrupted swing Fountain University is operating a fully accredited curriculum of any standard University in the world. Most of the graduates of Fountain University, so far, whether Muslims or Christians, ar now proud of thorough education and not just the certificate obtained from that University.

Fountain is a University indeed by all standards. The freedom of religion entrenched in the administrative policy of that University is a clear evidence of religious sincerity on the part of the proprietors and management of the University.

Daarus-Salam

Among other NASFAT’s achievements is a Village, being planned to serve as ‘Daarus-Salaam’, (Home of Peace). That village is a model estate for Muslim families in a serene environment. The project is located on 40 hectares of land on Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, in Ogun State of Nigeria. It is meant for any NASFAT member or interested Muslim who wants to live peacefully with fellow Muslims. It is another revolutionary innovation.

Hajj and Umrah Company

As one of its achievements also, NASFAT is engaged in Hajj and Umrah Halal business aimed at making pilgrimage relatively comfortable for Nigerian Muslims without fear of exploitation. The company licensed for that business is called TAFSAN Tours and Travels.

Not only that, NASFAT also feelt so concerned about the spate of poverty among Nigerian Muslims that it established an agency which handles Zakah and Sadaqah especially their collection and distribution for the purpose of alleviating poverty among the Muslims and advancing the course of needed Muslim projects in the society.

Dawah activities

Like some other prayer groups, NASFAT is known for recitation of prayers congregationally in a book which contains selected Dua’u from the Glorious Qur’an and prayers of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) every Sunday; It is also known for Providing economic empowerment for joblessness Muslim youths; fixing up the qualified ones among those youths in employment vacancies  and granting soft loans to those who require such loans  for small scale businesses as well as assisting in financing  genuine local purchase orders (LPOs) through the NASFAT”s Cooperative arm.

There is also the Usrah (family) Classes programme where basic knowledge of Islam is imparted to couples, parents and children alike on a weekly basis. This helps not only in cementing the marital relationship of those couples but also in facilitating close relationship between the parents and their children on the basis of knowledge and piety.

Educational Programmes

Believing in education as the solid foundation of human existence, NASFAT organizes general   lectures pertaining to Islam, peace and morals for all its members who are interested in such lectures.   This programme is mostly handled by the Society’s Mission Board members including the Imams. Sometimes, guest lecturers are invited from within and outside the country to handle such lectures. Another programme is ‘Tutorial Class’ specifically designed for professional-male and female members of NASFAT and other interested Muslims   to learn the Qur’an and Hadith for the purpose of solidifying their understanding of Islam. This programme has produced about 1000 youth and adult graduates.

Another interesting programme is that of Children Classes. In this programme, various classes are organized for children to teach them Qur’an and Hadith as well as well as inculcate in them Islamic culture and values.

Scholarship Awards

Another vital programme of NASFAT is award of scholarships to indigent Muslim student in Primary, Post-Primary and Tertiary Institutions. Such scholarships are funded from the Zakat collected during the year. An addendum to NASFAT’s education promme is educational recreation that includes children’s holiday camping, women’s week, youth week and National Qur’anic quiz competition. That programme also includes social services such as welfare visitations to prison yards, orphanages, old people’s homes and the likes.

Besides all the programmes mentioned above, NASFAT has also confirmed its seriousness in acquisition of education by establishing ten standard Islamic Nursery and Primary schools and a number of secondary schools to cater for the future of Islam in Nigeria. More of such schools are still in the making.

Conclusion

If within 21 years of existence, NASFAT could achieve so much despite the hash economic environment and hostile religious tendencies, who says this unique Organization is not a front line model to be emulated in Nigeria? ‘The Message’ Column salutes the courage of NASFAT in its various activities toward the promotion of Islam and prays that such courage and the wherewithal to summon it should never, never wane.