THE VIRTUES OF HIJAB

All praise is due to Allah, Who said: “O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. “ (7:26) I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worship except Him alone, without partner. I equally bear witness that our leader and our master, Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah shower your peace and blessing upon Muhammad (SAW), his household, his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness till the Day of resurrection. Thereafter, O servant of Allaah, I admonish you and myself to fear Allaah, Allah said: " يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ " (المائدة :35) . O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed. (5: 35) My brothers and sisters in faith, today’s sermon is titled: “The virtues of the Hijab” having discussed “The Claim to Women Liberation” and “Rights and Status of the Woman in Islam” The virtues of Hijab 1- Hijab is obedience to Allah. Allah made obedience to His commands an obligation. Allah said: (وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُبِينًا (36) [الأحزاب: 36، 37] ) It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error. (33: 36) فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا (65) [النساء: 65] ) “But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” (4: 65) Allah commanded women to adorn the Hijab: (وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ [النور: 31] ) “And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests” (24: 31) (وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى [الأحزاب: 33] ) : “And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance.” (33: 33) (وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ [الأحزاب: 53] ) “And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” (33: 53) (يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ [الأحزاب: 59] ) “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. “ (33: 59) The prophet said: “The woman is nakedness” (i.e: she must be covered) Uqbah bn ‘Aamir (RA) said that he asked the Prophet (pbuh) concerning her sister who made a vow to perform the hajj barefooted without the khimaar (veil) and he responded: “Instruct her adorn the khimaar (veil), and to mount the ride (for pilgrimmage), and she should fast for three days.” (Imam Ahmad in the Masnad (4 \ 145). Al-khatobiy said: The instruction that she should put on the khimaar is to exemplify that the vow did not have any impact on it, because that was a sinful act for women are commanded to adorn khimaar and cover themselves.” "Ma’alim Sunan" (4 \ 376). The Hijab is faith: The command for hijab was addressed to believing women alone. Almighty Allah said: (Say to the believing women) He also said: (and the women of the believers). Some women came to ‘Aishah- mother of the faithful, putting on light dresses. She said: “If you are believing women, this is not the dressing of believing women but if you are not believing women, then enjoy it.” (Tafsir qurtubiy 14/ 244). Also a bride was brought to her (Aishah) putting on a safflower coloured Coptic veil and she (R.A) said: “A woman that wears this does not believe in Suratul-n-Nur” (Tafsir Qurtubiy 14/ 244) 3- The hijab is Purity Allah said of the wisdom in legislating Hijab thus: وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ [الأحزاب: 53] “And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” (33: 53) As explanation, when the eye sees not, the heart desires not. But when the eye sees, then the heart may desires or may not. Meaning that the heart is purer when it sees not, that affirms its safety from temptation. Sighting causes inclination and temptation, whereas the Hijab purer for the heart, most negating for doubt, farthest from accusation, strongest for protection and immunity. 4- The hijab is chastity Islam commands chastity and being modest. Chastity refers to a situation where the heart is immune from desire. The chaste person requires practical exercise, drill and doggedness. Abu Sufyan told Heraclius when he asked him of what does he (the prophet) commands: “I said: He says: “Worship Allah alone, join no partner with Him, shun what your fathers do say, and he commands solat, charity, modesty, and joining of family ties. …” (Bukhari). Seeking modesty also forms the content of the prophet’s prayer: “O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, and modesty” (Muslim). Islam has also made chastity a condition for permissibility to marry of the people of the book. Chastity is as well the character and symbol of believing women and the veiled Muslim women. The Hijab stands also as symbol of chastity protecting one from injurious accusation: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.” (33: 59) “…suitable that they will be known”- to be known as chaste and virtuous. “and not be abused” – i.e: that the unchaste person may not cross their path with immoral words, or acts. The verse shows that knowing the beauty of a woman is an abuse to her and her family exposing her to temptation and evil. Allah says: “And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (24: 60) Allah permits women of post- menstrual age to put aside their outer garment but concluded that for them to be modest is better for them than going out with display of their beauty and privacy. That means this rule will be more compelling and deserving for youthful ladies The Hijab as a cover: The Prophet said: “Verily Allah is Shy, Covered, He loves shyness and cover” (Abu Dawud) Allah describes the grace of cover on Adam and Hawaa thus: (إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَى (118)) [طه: 118] “ Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed.” (20: 118) (يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ) الآية [الأعراف: 26] “ O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. … “ (7: 26) Abdur-Rahman bn Aslam said: (when he fears Allah he conceals his private parts, that is the clothing of righteousness) For this reason, you find that those who do not fear Allah and do not have shyness or chasteness like the westerners, the major concern for clothing is only for beauty and adornment. But the believers wear clothes firstly to cover their private parts out of shamefulness, secondly for beauty and adornment. Sins are defects that one must distance himself from and conceal oneself against it. In the same way private parts are defects that must be concealed and taken away from all forbidden things. Perhaps those deepened into sins do not care of what is exposed of their privacy, however, believers that desist from sins they distance themselves from the act of exposing their privacy. Obligation to conceal the private parts (يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ) [الأعراف: 31] Allah says: O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid,” (7: 31) (قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ (30) وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا) [النور: 30، 31] “Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.( 31 ) And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof …” (24: 30- 31) The prophet said: “We are forbidden that our privacy be seen” (Hakim) The love of concealing the privacy was the habit of the prophets of Allah. Abu Hurairah narrated that: “Verily Musa was a man who had shamefulness, concealed his privacy, none of his flesh was seen” (Bukhari) The prophet (pbuh) do pray thus: “O Allah conceal my private parts, give me security in my fears” (Tirmidhi) The prophet said: “A woman should not come close to another woman and then describe her to her husband as if he is looking at her.” (Ahmad) The Hijab is shamefulness Shamefulness or shyness is derived from the Arabic word- life. The prophet said: “Shynes brings good” “Shyness is totally goodness” SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah, Who says: " وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُؤَجَّلًا...(آل عمران :145 ) “And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined… “ (3:145) " وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (169) فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (170) يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (171) {آل عمران : 169- 171} “And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,( 170 ) Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. ( 171 ) They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost –“(3: 169- 171) Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) raised to perfect good characters for men, his household, companions and those who follow them till the day of recompense. Thereafter, Servants of Allah, I call on you to direct our attention to the events in Egypt affection our brothers in Islam- The Muslim Brotherhood. Allah says: " وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ (155) الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ (156) أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ (157) {البقرة :155- 157} “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, ( 156 ) Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." ( 157 ) Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. " أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ (214) {البقرة : 214} “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” (2: 214) Presently 520 of their members were sentenced to death on Monday, 23-5-1435 (24-3- 2014). The following day, Tuesday, the same court sentenced another 680 to death! Subhaana Allah. Allah says: " وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَنْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ (8) الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ (9) إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِيقِ (10) إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ (11) إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ (12) {البُرُوج : 8- 10} ” And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy, ( 9 ) To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, over all things, is Witness.( 10 ) Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire.” (Buruj: 8- 10) Dear Muslims, we are certain that Allah gives and takes life: " وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُؤَجَّلًا...(آل عمران :145 ) “And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined… “ (3:145) If it means their time is up, then they are matyrs … " وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (169) فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (170) يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (171) {آل عمران : 169- 171} “And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,( 170 ) Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. ( 171 ) They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost –“(3: 169- 171) Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"

THE CLAIM TO WOMEN LIBERATION

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL All praise is due to Allah, the lord of the worlds who declared in the holy qur’an thus: وَلَنْ تَرْضَى عَنْكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper. (2:120) We praise and thank Him, we believe and rely on Him. We seek protection in Allah from the evil of our souls and actions. Whoever Allah guides is the guided person, and whoever He (allows) to stray, you will find no one for him as a guiding protector. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worship except Him alone, without partner. I equally bear witness that our leader and our master, Muhammad is his servant and messenger. O Allah shower your peace and blessing upon Muhammad (SAW), his household, his companions and those who follow them in righteous till the Day of Recompense. Thereafter, O servant of Allaah, I admonish you and myself to fear Allaah, following His injunction thus: “"... وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (130) وَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِي أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ (131) وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ (132) " . “… but fear Allah that you may be successful. ( 131 ) And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers. ( 132 ) And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.” Q3:131-132 My brothers and sisters in faith, this is the second sermon in the month of Jumaadal-Ula and we shall be discussing “The Claim to Women Liberation” having talked about the series of lectures centered on the prophetic heritage and climaxed last week with “Duties of Muslims towards the Qur’an” By this topic- ‘The Claim to Women Liberation’ we mean the west’s claim of liberating women from what they refer to as the shackles of the Islamic law and their wish to give total freedom to women. The meaning of personal freedom in the west means carelessness, i.e: bestial freedom, this means that man is free to do what he wishes and not what they should, even if it violates the moral values , or hurts himself, or hurts persons who cannot complain, like the animals or the environment, or the cosmic relationships around him. This could either desecrate man to the level of the animal that conducts its need alone without having the mind that could prevents him or deter him. Or elevate him to the ( the status of a god ) which is not queried about his actions. The two postulations are errors and deviation from the uprightness. Human rights are not absolute without restrictions as believed by the West, which changed freedom to total freedom making man run after his desires like an animal, even worst in some situations that the animals. This made it nudity part of their form of human right even in the public, infact the practice of sexual intercourse in public gardens, parks, roads. Gay therefore is a right for every man and woman and gay marriage a constitutionally binding right. A woman as part of her right is free to abort her baby as that is merely an integral part of her and she is free in this body. They fail to see this new creature in her womb as having the right to life giving to it by Allah, the Creator, which cannot be trampled upon by any person; not the mother, or the father. The west failed to recognize that absolute freedom does not exist in the world; the vehicles on the highway move on some specific lanes in accordance with traffic rules and regulations, same goes for the ships navigating the great oceans and seas, the airplanes cruising the airways, if any of them deviate from the designed or laid down path, it exposes itself to destruction. The sun, the moon, the stars, all runs along specific orbits. Allah said: لَا الشَّمْسُ يَنْبَغِي لَهَا أَنْ تُدْرِكَ الْقَمَرَ وَلَا اللَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ (يس :40) It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming. (36:40) Physical honour not a honour in reality: The proponents of the west claim honouring the woman in the open from what they described as oppression of men- her father and husband etc- as well as desecrate religious beliefs regarding her as meaningless and devil’s bondage, but in actual sense kill her secretly. They relate with the woman as they do with the man forgetting her natural build-up is quite different. This was the position of Alexis Carrel in his book- “Man, the unknown” Verily, the woman was created to be the mother of human generation, a reason why she gets pregnant, gives birth, nurses, and rears, menstruates, etc. Allah said: " حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا " (الأحقاف : 15) His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship,(46:15). To saddle her with men’s kind of responsibilities is an injustice on her part and favoritism for men over her. In the west, she is used as tool of enjoyment or fun, sexual arousal. This is why the philosophy of women's fashion in the West is focused on highlighting beauty, embodiment of attractions, and exposing stimulating forms, lacking all forms of decency as we (Muslims) know it. Women also have become the most important element in the advertisements, even to advertise men’s products. And woe be unto those women who wither their youth, cast their modesty in the waste bin and care less, as the reality with famous actresses in America, France and elsewhere. The family system have been dissolved, family values broken down, many girls don’t get married, or stay under any family cover, rather they prefer to serve as concubines, sex partners etc without the accompanying responsibility of marriage; financial, moral, social and religious. Brothers and sisters in Islam, imagine the misfortune of this lifestyle, what would be the fate of the foetus who does not know his father, or the father is not legally credible with a fatherly compassion. This necessitated the crave in the west for the absolute legalization of abortion with no controls or restrictions, without any regard for religion, virtue or morality. What sort of freedom allows the killing of an innocent foetus in the mothers’ womb, just on the pretext of the parents’ bestial desire. Liberating the woman from darkness and oppression of ignorance In Islam, the woman is accorded her balanced rights and honour coming out of the oppression of the days of ignorance, regarding her as human, daughter, mother, one of the members of the family and society. The woman as a human: Islam views her as important as men, and she could be rewarded or punished like men, she is also regarded as one of the two basic sexes of humanity. Allah said: " يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى " (الحجرات :13) , “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female …” (49:13) "فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى " (آل عمران : 195) “And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female …” (3: 195) " إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا " (الأحزاب :35) . “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (33:35) The prophet said: "Women are the twin halves of men" Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood , Tirmidhi and Darimiy. Her honour as a daughter: Islam prohibits greatly killing of her either for fear of destitution, shame, or for whatever reason. This is achievement is enough pride for Islam in abrogating infanticide. Islam also enjoined good discipline, education, care and spending on her till she is married and not without her consent. Her honour as a wife: Islam gave her rights as it has given to the man except in the family level. Allah said: " وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ " And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. (2:228) It also enjoined financial spending on her and good relations with her. Allah said: " وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ " (النِّساء :19) . And live with them in kindness. (4: 19) Honouring her as a mother: Islam places attainment of Paradise under her feet, and enjoins good relationship with her as mother and for what she suffered for her children’s sake: " وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا " (الأحقاف : 15) . "And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. " (46: 15). Honouring her as a member of the family and society: Islam forbids that she is inherited with the husband’s estate on his death. " يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَرِثُوا النِّسَاءَ كَرْهًا " (النِّساء :19) O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. (4: 19) It also gave her eligibility for ownership, sale and purchase and other contracts as men have: " لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ " (النِّساء :32) For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. (4:32) She is also allotted a portion of the inheritance which was hitherto restricted to men. " لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ نَصِيبًا مَفْرُوضًا " ( النِّساء :7 ).َ For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share. (4:7) SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah, Who says: " مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ " ( النّحل :97 ) Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. " (16:97) Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) raised to perfect good characters for men, his household, companions and those who follow them till the day of recompense. Thereafter, Servants of Allah, there are worldly renowned days recognized for certain events or occasions. Among them are scholars of Islam keep silent on them because they have nothing to do with Islam and Muslims, while they warn Muslims of the dangers of some of them, and some others they defined the Islam position on them. Every 8th of March annually is recognized as the International Women's Day. Women are viewed in Islam as dignified persons, and infact, a chapter is named the chapter of the women in the Qur'an and nothing of such for men. In addition to that Allah placed on her the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil and that is not restricted o men alone in the Muslim community. Allah said: " وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (71) . " The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (9:71) . Islam also made the seeking of knowledge obligatory on them, as for men. We have seen of them great scientists, scholars of literature, poetry, memorizers of the qur’an, … etc where great scholars consult and visit… There were among them those who gave verdicts on religious issues like ‘Aisha, the mother of the faithfuls, … after her we had people like Zainab daughter of Imam Alaau- d- din As-sarmaqandiy, the author of the book- "Tuhfatul-Fuqohaau" … we also had Zainab al-Ghazali in Egypt. Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"

THE DUTIES OF MUSLIMS TOWARDS THE NOBLE QUR’AN

All praise is due to Allah, the lord of the worlds, and it suffices. He revealed the book as mercy, criterion, and guidance and as the strong rope. He who grips it succeeds in life and afterlife. He who turns away from it perishes till he will end up in the fire. May Allah save us from evil and obedience to desire. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worship except Him alone, without partner. I equally bear witness that our leader and our master, Muhammad is his servant and messenger. O Allah shower your peace and blessing upon Muhammad (SAW), his wives- mothers of the faithful, his noble companions and those who follow them in righteous till the Day of Recompense. Thereafter, O servant of Allaah, I admonish you and myself to fear Allaah, following His injunction: “" ...وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَى ..." (البقرة : 197 ) And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. . Q3:102 My brothers and sisters in faith, this is the first sermon in the month of Jumaadal-Ula and we shall be discussing “Duties of Muslims towards the Qur’an” having talked about the scientific miracles of the noble qur’an. Brothers in Islam, if we recognize the distinguishing qualities and uniqueness of the Qur’an what then is our duties towards the Qur’an? - We must love the Qur’an and accord it the maximum respect it deserve as being the word of Allah- the best and most truthful words. - We must read, recite and reflect over its verses and messages. - We must follow the legal provisions of the Qur’an including its laws and manners. ‘Aishah was asked about the character of the Prophet peace be upon him, and she replied: “His character is the Qur’an”. The hadith means that the Prophet is the practical representation of the laws of the Qur’an, he perfectly displayed complete obedience to the Qur’an, the exemplary model for everyone of us as said by Allah thus: {لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا} [الأحزاب: 21] . There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.(33:21) Taking it from this point, we are duty bound towards this great book of Allah which has been qualified with several superlative qualities thus: " وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ " ( الحجر : 87 ) And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur'an. " إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ " (فصِّلتْ : 41) Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message after it has come to them... And indeed, it is a mighty Book. (41: 41) " بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ مَجِيدٌ " ( البروج :21 ) But this is an honored Qur'an (85: 21) " إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ ( الْواقعة : 77 ) Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an (56:77) Our duties to the noble qur’an: 1- Proper recitation and listening: The injunction over proper recitation is found in the Qur’an thus: “And recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones … “ ("... وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا ( الْمُزَمِّل :4)) Recitation with steady calmness and clear pronunciation of every letter and diacritical marks as did the Prophet (pbuh) his companions and those who came after them. It is imperative that we perfect our ability to recite the qur’an by taking advantage of the pool of opportunities that surround us that can aid the recitation and take after any reciter of your choice through cassettes or CDs, radio stations devoted to quranic memorization or attend any of the quranic memorization schools around. We should learn, teach our children and students, because there is no excuse for any shortcoming in this regard. 2- Pondering over it and adopting humility: Beautiful recitation must be accompanied with reflection over the verses and high humility. Allah said: "كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ " ( ص :29) [This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (38: 29) أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا" (النِّساء 82) Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction. (4: 82) " أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا" (محمّد :24) Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? (47: 21) Thus, the heart and the mind must be devoted when we recite to achieve the reverence. Why not when Allah says " لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ " ( الحشر :21 ) If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought. (59: 21) " أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ " (الحديد :16 Humility grants increased reward for recitation. Abdullah bn Mas’ud (R.A) said: “I heard the messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying: “He who recites a letter from the book of Allah gets a reward of a goodness for it, and the goodness is ten manifolds. I do not mean (Alif Lam Mim) is a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter. The Prophet said: “The Qur’an was revealed in grief thus when you recite it shed tears and if you could not then try to shed tears.” Unfortunately today we found people only listen to the qur’an for the sake of the rhythm without reflecting or revering the message being communicated even where the qur’an mentions the torturing of the inmate of hellfire, or the dreadful chastisement for consumers of the wealth of the orphan unjustly. It is our failure to reflect and comprehend the message of the qur’an, as did our predecessors, that gave even enemies of Islam- including the Jews, the audacity to transmit quranic recitation over their stations, because they are completely sure that the quran no more awakens the senses of Muslims today. It should be stated that reflecting over the qur’an and working by it is the required catalyst needed to bind the separated parts of the Ummah and restores her virility and strength. 3- Working by the Qur’an: The Qur’an was not revealed to be recited for the dead or kept in homes or structures but as a methodology of approach for individuals and nations. Allah said: "... وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ " ( النَّحْل : 89) And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims. (16: 89) " إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا " ( الإسراء :9 ) Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.(17:9) { وَهَذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ} ( الأنعام :155) And this [Qur'an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy. When Muslims rise up to work by the Qur’an and implement its injunctions then will they become the best of nations as intended by Allah where all the worlds will submit to their supremacy peacefully without the mischievous sword story fabricated by the Orientalists. Islam came to Egypt on the hand of Amr bn Al-‘Aas with some thousands of army with the goal of displacing the Romans who occupied Egypt providing opportunity for anyone interested to join Islam. Muslims then related and accommodated the Coptic Christians without compelling them to be Muslims. After a while Islam spread among Egyptian in multitudes without any sword or army …, but by practical application of the Qur’an as did the Prophet (pbuh) whereby ‘Aishah (R.A) described him thus: “his character is the qur’an.” For a bit of the character of the Prophet (pbuh) read the following: {وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا (63) وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا (64) وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا (65) إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا (66) وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا (67) وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا (68) يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا (69) إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا (70) وَمَنْ تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا (71) وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا (72) وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا (73) وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا (74) أُولَئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا (75) خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا ( الفرقان :63- 76) } ( 63 ) And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace, ( 64 ) And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer] ( 65 ) And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; ( 66 ) Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence." ( 67 ) And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate ( 68 ) And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. ( 69 ) Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated - ( 70 ) Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. ( 71 ) And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance. ( 72 ) And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity. ( 73 ) And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind. ( 74 ) And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." ( 75 ) Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. ( 76 ) Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence. Further to that, the following verses could be consulted: (Q23: 1-10), (Q2: 3- 5), (Q8: 2- 4), (Q51: 16-19), (Q76: 5- 12). Hence it is our duty as Muslims individuals, groups and nations to live by the Qur’an. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah, Who says: " إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَنْ يُقَتَّلُوا أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوا أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُمْ مِنْ خِلَافٍ أَوْ يُنْفَوْا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ (33) إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَقْدِرُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ( المائدة : 33- 34) ( 33 ) Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment, ( 34 ) Except for those who return [repenting] before you apprehend them. And know that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. ( 35 ) O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed. " (5:33-35) Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) raised to perfect good characters for men, his household, companions and those who follow them till the day of recompense. Thereafter, Some of the lessons derivable from above verses are as follow: The verses contained two judgements; the punishment for those who spread mischief and evil and the judgement for the repentant persons. The judgement in this world is to be killed, crucified and that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides and that they be exiled from the land by imprisonment or expulsion from his town to another town of at least a distance of about 89 km to his residential town. There is no dispute that the banditry kill carelessly even in situation where the slain is not equivalent to the killer. The punishment in the hereafter is severe torture in Jahannam- hellfire due to the magnitude of their crime. The two punishments had an addition of disgrace. It is deducible from the combination of the two penalties for the evil perpetrators that the Haddu- prescribed punishment for crime- does not cancel punishment in the hereafter. The Haddu- prescribed punishment for crime- only act as checks not as cleansers as clearly shown in the verses. This form the position of Hanafi school. The majority of scholars agree that Haddu- prescribed punishment for crime- acts as expiation as well- i.e, cleanses the sin, relying on the hadith: “He who commit any of these crimes, and is punished for it, that will be expiation for him. And he who commit any of these crimes, and Allah covers him, then his affair rest with Allah, if He wills, He pardons him; and if He wills, He punishes him.” (Muslim) The rule of a repentant criminal before he is apprehended is the same regarding all other criminals. He who kills will be killed in revenge. He who injures another will be injured in retribution or pay the legally prescribed financial compensation. He who steals will have his hand cut off. He who steals any property and returns it, the heir (family member) of the owner or the slain owns the right of pardon. Brothers in faith, the activities of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria today is similar to the act of waging war against Allah described in the verses above. Islam is dissociated and innocent of them and all their evil perpetrations including the gruesome killing of the students of the federal government college, Yobe, the destruction of towns and villages, the sporadic shooting openly in markets, mosques and churches. In the view of Islam, Boko Haram are a destructive sect spreading corruption on earth. In addition, is the injustice of our rulers in Nigeria over the suffering unleashed on Nigeria over the problem of fuel scarcity, whereas Nigeria is an oil-producing state with exporting capability, adding to the ugly scenerio is the timely co-incidence of the experience with the centenary celebration of our country. What then is there to celebrate after a century of existence? Is it the gradeur failure of the power sector, or the sadnening security imbroglio, or the Boko Haram threat, or the collapse in the education system? So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner. (51: 50) Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"

SCIENTIFIC MIRACLES OF THE NOBLE QUR’AN

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL [All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. [He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward ( 3 ) In which they will remain forever And to warn those who say, "Allah has taken a son." (Q18: 1-5). We praise Him, the exalted and thank Him, we believe in Him and rely on Him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worship except Him alone, without partner. I equally bear witness that our leader and our master, Muhammad is his servant and messenger. O Allaah shower your peace and blessing upon Muhammad (SAW) whom you sent to the whole worlds as a glad tiding and warner. You revealed onto him (SAW) the clear scripture (Al-Qur’aan) as a comprehensive eternal proof till the day of Judgement. O Allaah! Be pleased with his noble companions those who spread the law of the Qur’aan and its justice and equity and those who followed them in righteous till the Day of Recompense. Thereafter, O servant of Allaah, I admonish you and myself to fear Allaah, following His injunction: “"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ " ( آل عمران : 102 ) O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]. Q3:102 My brothers and sisters in faith, this is our fourth gathering in Rabee’uth-Thaanee in the school of the noble messenger (SAW). Today, if Allaah wills, we shall continue on the discussion on “The scientific Miracles of the noble Qur’aan” My esteemed audience, surely, the scientific miracles are numerous, the great scientists of this world have discovered and confirmed these astounding realities of knowledge in the noble Qur’aan. We shall mention them briefly considering the time and capacity at our disposal. 1. Universal Identity and essence of life Allaah, the exalted says: {أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقاً فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلا يُؤْمِنُونَ} (الأنبياء آية 30) “Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Q21:30) The Tafseer of the verse: Allaah the exalted demonstrates in this verse His absolute power and great authority in the creation of things and subdual of the creations addressing the disbelievers in His Lordship who also join partners with Him thus: Can’t they see that the heavens and the earth were as one single matter (entity), jointly fixed together ab initio? Then, they got separated making the heavens seven firmaments and the earth of same layers. He then filled the space between the earth and the closest heaven with air, it also releases rain and the earth produces plants. Allaah the exalted says: وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلا يُؤْمِنُونَ} (الأنبياء آية 30) “… and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Q21:30) A clear expository that water forms the content of every living thing- concrete, plants, animals and human being. For there can be no life without water. For this reason the stars… like the moon and planets are not habitable due to absence of water. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated: “I said: O messenger of Allah, when I see you, I feel great satisfaction and delight, inform me about everything. He replied: “Everything was created from water” Then Allah conclude the verse with “Then will they not believe?” i.e would you not confirm with what you can see? Surely that cannot exist on its own, rather it has its fashioner and disposer. Scientific commentary on the verse This miraculous revelation in the Qur’an is supported by modern science, which posit that the universe was a single matter made of gaseous content and then was split into planets (cloud of gas). Our solar system as of today is the result of all those divisions. This position is explained by scientists that the sun has 67 components of the 93 components found on earth. The number of elements discoverable in the sun could be more provided the attending difficulties involved in the process of discovery is surmounted. Some of the common elements found in the sun which is common as well on earth as known to us include: hydrogen , Helium, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Iron ... etc. 2 – The Origins of the Universe: {ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلأَرْضِ ائْتِيَا طَوْعاً أَوْ كَرْهاً قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ} (فصلت آية 11) Allah said: { Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly." } (41:11). The Tafsir of the Quranic verse : This means that Allah deliberately decided the creation of the heaven and intended to proportionate it, or it means that His order ascended to the heaven while it was smoke. The smoke is all that rose from the flame of fire and it is equally used to refer to rising vapour, steam or dust from the ground. Most commentators said that the smoke is water vapour that rose from the water when it was created. What is referred to is that it was existing before then. Then Allah addressed the heaven and the earth, saying Come [into being], willingly or by meaning bring forth all the provisions and benefits that I have made in you to my creatures and they responded appropriately. Scientific commentary on the verse The astronomers have several theories for the beginning of the universe. The renown astronomer Sir James Jeans says : (the reasonable fact is that matter in the universe began as gas which began to spread through the space systemically and the planets were formed by the condensing of these gases) Also a professor of theoretical nature at the University of Washington- Dr. George Jaamou in his book, The Suns said: (The Universe at the beginning was filled with gas, which was spread (distributed) in a regular distribution, it was gas of density and temperature that are unimaginable ...) 3 – The capacity and expanse of the universe : {وَالسَّمَاءَ بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ} (الذاريات آية 47) {And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.} (51: 47) . The Tafsir of the Quranic verse : Allah (swt) pointing to the creation of the firmaments And the heaven We constructed i.e we made it as preserved ceiling as said in another verse- {And We made the sky a protected ceiling } (Q21:32). The word (بِأَيْدٍ) means strength and ability. (وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ) means that we have expanded the boundaries and created space between it and the earth and raised it without pillars, independent as it is, with every meaning of the word sky whether referring to the orbits of the stars and planets, or a group of constellations of stars called the galaxy containing hundreds of millions of stars, or meaning layers of space littered with stars, planets or other connotations of the word sky. Scientific commentary on the verse Concerning the theory of expansion of the universe, astronomers have observed signs that points to the movement of the solar system with the aid of farthest reaching binoculars in a well-organised stream. This reality have been used to prove that the external planets (cosmic root) appear to be far apart from our solar system but they diverge from one another, and on this basis, the universe is not static but grows and expands like the soap-bubbles or balloons expand while the physical objects are maintained on their sizes. Allah said: (مَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْ رَبِّكَ مِنْ مِثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَلا أَصْغَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَلا أَكْبَرَ إِلاَّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ" (يونس آية 61)) "And not absent from your Lord is any [part] of an atom's weight within the earth or within the heaven or [anything] smaller than that or greater but that it is in a clear register." ( Yunus verse 61) . 4 – Existence of Pair in all things: Allah said: {وَمِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ} (الذاريات آية 49) “And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember. “ (51: 49) Tafsir of the Quranic verse: Allah reveals in this verse His power and ability for making all creatures in pairs; in types and categories. For example, day and night, male and female, heaven and earth, sun and moon, land and sea, light and darkness, disbelief and faith, death and life, misery and happiness, paradise and fire, sweetness and bitterness, Jinn and man, including animals and plants, in order to remember and learn that the creator is one. Scientific commentary on the verse: It is known and visible behold that pair is evident in plants and animals in terms of masculinity and femininity and inanimate objects in terms of the elements. 5 - Underwater and surface waves: {أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَاهَا وَمَنْ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُوراً فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ نُورٍ} (سورة النور آية 40) . Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allah has not granted light - for him there is no light. (24:40) Tafsir of the Quranic verse : Allah illustrates the similitude of the unbeliever, his work and his heart which could not comprehend. Scientific commentary on verse: This verse points to the underwater and surface waves (the greatest and most feared waves of the ocean are the unseen waves which are generated from within the depth of the ocean. It is known for many years that ships that navigate the Arctic encounter great difficulty at the area hitherto called the dead sea. It is now known that this experience is caused by the tidal current. The Qur'anic verse says- “within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves”, reference to the internal and surface waves. To support this is the quranic description of the sea which means great volume of water and great depth. In this is a reference to the oceans other than the beaches. Worthy of note as well is that these places always have minimized intensity of the sun, which provide opportunity for the gathering of clouds filled with darkness in line with the reality. Stages of development of the fetus in the womb : Allah declared the creation of Adam as the origin of man, thereafter his progeny was based on the following quranic description: " وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ سُلَالَةٍ مِنْ طِينٍ (12) ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَكِينٍ (13) ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ " ( المؤمنون :12- 14) " And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators." ( 23: 12-14 ) Dr. Wahbah Zuhailiy in his interpretation said: " this verses show the creation of man, his stages.. as clear evidence of the existence of God and His Oneness. He began the creation of Adam from clay or dust, then made his progeny from the mixture of a sperm from a man and another from a woman, then an embryo is formed- the sperm turn to clot then lump of flesh then to bone, then covered the bones with flesh where appear the features of human, and it becomes a new creation like the first creation by breath of life into it after been inanimate. Scientist have bear witness to this stages without dispute. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah, Who says: " يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْأَحْبَارِ وَالرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنْفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (34) يَوْمَ يُحْمَى عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَى بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ هَذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا مَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ " ( التَّوبة :35 ) The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard." (9:35) Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his household, companions and those who follow them till the day of recompense. Thereafter, Some of the lesson in the above verse include: 1 - the prohibition of consuming people's wealth unlawfully, 2 - prohibition of hoarding money without spending it the cause of Allah 3 – Decree of punishment for whoever hoard wealth in the hellfire on the day f judgement. Brothers of faith see the way the leaders in Nigeria embezzle the state wealth unjustly- Millions and billions and trillions. The case of kerosene subsidy is currently investigated. Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"