By Alh Badmos Abdulkareem
God, the Almighty, is recognized and acknowledged by all heavenly revealed religions as All-Knowing and All-Hearing God; nothing is hidden from Him. He knows exactly what is in the mind of every individual and hears him/her irrespective of the condition or circumstances, secretly or openly. Whatever goes on in the heavens and on earth is an open book to Him. “Neither sleep nor slumber overtakes Him” (Quran. 2:225)
It is, however, surprising that many religious groups particularly Muslims and Christians cause a lot of disturbances and inconveniences to their fellow human beings in the course of their religious programmes and prayers. Congregational worships and prayers are held in different places including residential areas in the day-time and throughout the night. Noise of significant levels are generated from these congregational prayers with the use of heavy public address systems and intensity of the voices of the worshippers.
Ironically, such religious groups feel that their prayers cannot be heard or answered except they shout to the highest top of their voices thereby causing untold hardship and embarrassment to their neighbors.
Before we refer to what the scriptures teach about how prayers are offered, it is necessary to highlight the destructive, devastating and irrepairable havoc that noise pollution causes in the environment.
According to the medical experts and particularly the World Health Organization (WHO), the effects of noise pollution may include (1) A person may feel disturbed in the presence of loud noise such as produced by beating of drums. (2) Noise increases the chances of occurrences of diseases such as headache, blood pressure, heart failure etc. (3) Noise is a problem especially for patients who need rest; thus, silence is absolutely maintained in the hospital. (4)Noise may permanently damage hearing. A sudden loud noise can cause severe damage to the eardrum. (5) It heightens the health condition of hypertensive patients and sometimes leads to death.
Generally, medical experts have stipulated that one should sleep for at least eight hours in a day.
In a very clear and unambiguos manner, the Holy Bible explains how a Christian should pray. It says in Mathew 6 verses 6-8.
ؓ But you when you pray; go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who is in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the hearthen do: For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” This is the teaching of Jesus Christ. (AS).
In the same vein, the Glorious Quran says
” It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declares it open ; whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day” (Q13:10) And in Chapter 6 verse 3, the Glorious Quran says ” And He is Allah (to be worshipped alone) in the heavens and on the earth. He knows what you conceal and what you reveal ,(good or bad)”. This is stated
in many portions of the Qurano.i.e. Q. 16:19, 60:1, 64: 4, 2:177, 36:76, 67:13, 20:7, 9:78 and 43:85.
What is obvious is that part of the Muslim obligatory daily prayers (as-salawaat al-yawmiyyah))are offered silently i.e . Zuhr and ‘Asr which are completely offered silently while part of Maghrib and ‘Ishai prayers respectively are offered silently. Also funeral prayers (salaatul Janaazah) are offered silently and prayers are offered silently during rukuu’ and sujud (genuflection and prostration) respectively. Do we say that Allah does not hear all these devotions and supplications? Capital NO!
Allah is All-Hearing and All-knowing who described Himself as being closer to man more than his jugular vein ” And indeed We have created man, and We know what is ownself whispers to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by our knowledge) (Q. 50:16). Similarly, it was reported by Abu Musa Al-Asha’ri who said that people raised up their voice in prayer and the Prophet (SAW) said. “O you people, lower your voice in supplication. You are neither making supplication to the deaf nor someone who is absent. Verily, the One you are calling is Al-Hearing and close to you” Therefore, Allah does not need our shout to hear our prayers and supplications. What is required of us is sincerity of our devotion. What brings a Muslim closer and makes his /her prayers answerable to Allah is his/her avoidance of what Allah forbids and Allah’s Mercy. In a very popular Hadith, the Prophet (SAW) mentioned ( the case)of a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty, and spreads out his hands to the sky saying O Lord! O Lord! while his food is Haram (unlawful) his drink is Haram, his clothing is Haram and he has been nourished with Haram, so how can (his supplication) be answered?
Finally, we urge the Imams, parents and leaders of Islamic societies to educate Muslims on the devastating effects of noise pollution on human health and well-being . We equally appeal to our pastors and church leaders to educate their followers on the devastating effects of noise pollution in order to create enabling environment for peaceful co-existence among the people. We should all recognize the sensitivity of religious issues, be very moderate and considerate in the use of public address system, whether in the mosques, churches and even in our residences or in any programme, bearing in mind that we share environment with others We should not do anything deliberately to injure other people’s feelings or cause them any harm.Certainly, no religion supports acts of wickedness, callousness and lack of human feelings. Islam enjoins love, sympathy, empathy and consideration for others.
May God accept our devotions. M