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When did America become God?

Tinubumustgo:
As long as the Americans are with Israel, there's no cause for alarms

So educative, thanks alot for sharing

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I sell unadulterated honey

Interesting

Congrats

One of the few things I clearly remember about one of my secondary school teachers is his repeated phrase: "I DON'T FORGIVE. I WON'T OFFEND YOU, BUT IF YOU DO, I WON'T FORGIVE YOU." The main reason he used to say this in almost all of his classes is best known to him, though perhaps he didn't want students to take advantage of his calm nature.

There was also a woman in one of the houses we lived in while growing up who informed my mother that she would never forgive her husband if he married another woman. She even went as far as making a vow that she would kill her husband and herself if she discovered that he had taken another wife who bore him a child, as she believed her husband was the cause of her "problem."

These are two occasions I vividly remember where people expressed that they could never forgive someone who had, or might have, offended them. While these two individuals were vocal about their feelings, there are many others who might not say such things aloud, but their actions reflect similar sentiments.

Let's take a look at a scenario between Abu Bakr and Mistah—perhaps those with the mindset of not forgiving others can learn from it and possibly change their perspective.


Allah says: (interpretation of the meaning): *And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful*

This Ayah was revealed concerning As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, when he swore that he would not help Mistah bin Uthathah after he said what he said about A'ishah.

When Allah revealed the innocence of the Mother of the believers, A'ishah, and the believers were happy and content with the outcome of this incident, and those believers who had talked about the matter repented, and the prescribed punishment had been carried out upon those on whom it was carried out, then Allah started to soften the heart of As-Siddiq towards his relative Mistah bin Uthathah.

Mistah was the cousin of As-Siddiq, the son of his maternal aunt, and he was a poor man with no wealth except whatever Abu Bakr spent on him. He was one of those who had migrated for the sake of Allah. He had invented the lies and the slander, but then Allah accepted his repentance from that and the prescribed punishment was carried out on him.

As-Siddiq was known for his generosity and he did favors to his relatives and strangers alike. When this Ayah was revealed:

أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ

*Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?*

which shows that the reward fits the action, and that *`if you forgive others, you will be forgiven,'* then As-Siddiq said,

*"Of course, by Allah, we love -- O our Lord -- that You should forgive us."*

Then he resumed his spending on Mistah and said, *"By Allah I will never stop spending on him."*(English - Tafsir ibn Kathir)

We can all learn from the incident cited above, for indeed, it is impossible to live in a community without occasionally offending one another. In fact, the closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to offend them, and vice versa.

If we set boundaries so strictly that we believe we don't offend anyone, yet many people still offend us, then we must learn to overlook and forgive. After all, there is no one on the face of the earth who does not offend Allah, the Most High, and we all desire and hope that He forgives us too.

SANNI AZEEZ TAIWO
(Honey man)
25/08/2024

Whenever I come across news related to the new minimum wage, the first group that comes to mind is private school teachers.

Over the years, the salaries of private school teachers have been a topic of discussion. In fact, from my recent involvement in recruiting teachers for a private school, I’ve learned that the two main reasons people tend to avoid private school teaching jobs are *the salary structure* and *the lesson notes*.

I’ve had the opportunity to observe how private school owners start and try to sustain their schools. Some owners rely on other businesses to pay staff salaries at the beginning, some take out loans, while others pay salaries from whatever fees they collect.

Regardless of the situation, teachers' salaries should never be delayed. They should not be paid on the 35th or 40th of the month. I know of a school owner who pays salaries as early as the 16th and at the latest by the 21st of the month. He believes that regardless of a teacher’s offense, salary deductions shouldn’t be a form of punishment.

Most schools that claim to pay "high salaries" only do so on paper. Teachers rarely receive the full amount due to constant deductions. From lateness, lesson note errors, or needing time off work, teachers often end up with very little by the end of the month.

Another reason for delayed salaries is parents who prioritize other projects over paying their children's school fees. I’ve heard of situations where a parent told a school owner to be patient with school fees because they had just bought new tires for their car.

My sincere advice for teachers is to give their best when teaching the innocent pupils, because no job is more honorable than imparting knowledge.

Additionally, teachers should take up side hustles that can supplement their income and be consistent in maintaining them.

The major challenge arises when school activities extend beyond regular working hours. This is where the *lesson plan* becomes an issue. From personal experience, it’s difficult to complete the lesson plan during school hours, which forces teachers to work extra hours.

For teachers with other responsibilities, writing the lesson plan can interfere with other commitments, but it’s something schools will never compromise on.

Often, teachers’ side businesses suffer setbacks because they want to perfect their preparation for school, causing them to sacrifice personal projects for the sake of maintaining school standards.

This is one reason why many people choose roles such as sales representatives in supermarkets or hotels instead of teaching jobs. These roles often offer more flexibility, allowing people to pursue other opportunities without affecting their main job.

*TO THE TEACHERS:*

1. Review the code of conduct carefully before accepting a teaching position. If anything is unclear, ask questions before taking the job.
2. Remember, teaching is a trust and a noble duty. Approach it with sincerity.
3. Punctuality is essential, as students learn by example. Make every effort to be on time.
4. Lesson plans are non-negotiable—ensure you prepare them before each class.
5. Engage in personal development programs, whether related to teaching or not. This will complement your experience and give you an edge when better opportunities arise.
6. Stay loyal to your employer. If you’re uncomfortable with the working conditions, resign respectfully rather than being disrespectful.
7. Always appreciate any kind gestures from your employer, no matter how small.
8. Show genuine love to the pupils or students under your care. Prioritize their success, because unlike many other professions, teachers cannot hide their mistakes.

*TO THE SCHOOL OWNERS:*

1. Clearly state the terms and conditions of the teaching job in an unambiguous manner.
2. It is unprofessional to employ a teacher without giving them access to the code of conduct before employment.
3. Do not use salary deductions as punishment. Instead, penalize lateness by requiring staff to stay after hours to make up for the time.
4. Avoid making unrealistic promises to staff, especially when starting out. You risk losing their respect if they realize you misled them.
5. Never take staff welfare lightly.
6. If salaries are low due to the economic situation, make the workload flexible. Avoid giving assignments that extend beyond school hours so that staff can pursue other means of sustenance.
7. Lastly, do not betray those who helped build your school—especially the staff who sacrificed so much to achieve your vision. Don’t be like politicians who seek support humbly before elections, only to abandon their supporters afterward.

*TO THE PARENTS:*

1. Carefully assess the school you want your children to attend before enrollment.
2. Consider factors such as teaching methodology, school fees, transportation costs, and your child’s moral development.
3. Prioritize school fees, as this helps schools pay teachers and fund meaningful projects.
4. Avoid subjecting your children to psychological imbalance by frequently changing schools. Some parents change schools to avoid paying fees, and this can leave children attending three or four different schools before completing basic education.
5. Lastly, if you have the means, support some projects in your children’s school. This can positively impact their learning, and you will be rewarded for your generosity if done sincerely.

SANNI AZEEZ TAIWO
21/09/2024.