Speaking for Islam Through Campus Journalism -By Hassan Tesleemah

According to Hadith 34 of Anawawi’s collection, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, says: “Whosoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith”. 

Journalism means to disseminate reports on current events based on facts and supported with proof or evidence to heterogenous numbers of people. On the other hand, Islam is the religion of Allah that’s promoted through prophet Muhammad to the world. As such, Islamic journalism, different entirely from the western journalism, is the journalism that is based on Islamic injunctions.

Meanwhile, the major work of a Muslim is to spread Da’awah to the Ummah. Da’wah does not only mean lecturing in a traditional way, but to bring people to Allah’s call, teach, educate and inform them the do and don’t of Allah as well as the knowledge that sorrounds the religion.

In this 21st century, mostly in universities and polytechnics, Muslim students are seen engaging in campus journalism. This is not bad thing but how good it will be if they could practice Islamic journalism which will not only help them in the life but also grant them peace in the hereafter.

Muslim journalists on campuses focus on desseminating news, writing articles, reporting happenings as well as educating and entertaining their fellow students with both Islamic and western knowledge. This is because they serve as the voice for the voiceless and ambassadors of Islam. 

Being a voice of Islam is to inform people of the true teachings of Islam. It means to make it plainly clear that Islamic teachings have perfectly answered to the needs of every era and every person. God’s Willing, people will come to recognise that Islam teaches peace, love and compassion for all mankinds.

For every Muslim writer on campus, they need to be an Islamic journalists and partake in the propagation of Da’wah, to elucidate Islamic issues and to the defend the Muslim points of view. They should imbibe the sense of brotherhood. They should be interested in Islamic history, Islamic civilisation and the promotion of Arabic language.

Journalism that promotes Islam is actually not a new method of propaganda because  Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has implemented the method by sending a letter to the unbelivers who did not know and so, they embraced Islam. 

Can anyone fight for Islam with his pen if not a Muslim writer? Our Muslims writers need to write to make people steadfast on their religion. It’s a Jihad of pen. We all need to fight it. 

The sources of Islamic journalism are the Qur’an and Sunnah – the Muslims’ heritage and the human guidance. Sunnah encompasses Islamic custom, the religious practices established by Prophet Muhammad among his companions, the textual forms of which are contained in the Qur’an and the Hadith (narrations of the Prophet’s companions). Both the Qur’an and Sunnah encourage using reason and rationality as a basic means to protect us from falsehood, inaccuracy, and evil doing.

In all, journalism in Islam is based on four principles: truth and truth telling; respecting and valuing moderation; pedagogy; and seeking the best for the public interest. Islamic journalists must work hand in hand in calling Ummah to the way of Allah and help the society by feeding them with words of Allah.

In any press outfit on universities campuses, there suppose to be a column that discusses issues pertaining to Islam, that will serve as a reminder to each Muslim, concern about their affairs in school, serve as their voices and guide them on their religion.

Hassan Tesleemah is a 300level student of English Language from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.