UNDERSTANDING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES

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THE UNDERSTANDING OF BROTHERHOOD IN ISLAM

Praise be to Allah, who made believing men and women allies, joined their hearts, and made them brothers. Allah says in his wise revelation thus: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.. " ( 49: 10) . We praise and thank Him, we believe and depend on him. We seek his refuge from the evil of ourselves and our deeds. Whomever Allah guides is truly guided and whomever He misleads none can guide. I testify there is no god but Allah alone and that our leader- Muhammad (pbuh) is his servant and messenger who came to plant the tree of brotherliness among Muslims, and joined as brothers between the Muhajirun and the Ansar. O Allah shower peace and blessings on him, his household, companions and whoever follow their guidance and footsteps till the day when- “Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous” (43: 67) " الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ" (الزّخرف: 67 ). Having said that, Worshipers of Allah, I enjoin you and myself to fear Allah, the Almighty- this is a basic foundation for faith in the hearts of believers. Allah says: 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]. " ( 3: 102 ) . يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا " (النَّساء: 1) " O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer (4:1). يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا (70) يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا " (الأحزاب: 70- 71) O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.( 71 ) He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.(33: 70- 71) Dear Muslims, being the fourth sermon in the month of sofar, we shall talk on the meaning of brotherhood in Islam, as the second pillar in the establishment of a new society having discussed the first pillar which was the erection of a mosque. The meaning of brotherhood Linguistically it means to associate as brothers. Your brother is one related to you through your father or mother or both. Or someone you both shared breast milk, a partner, a friend, a representative, or a companion. In other words, close relations among brothers and sisters, associates, or friends. The Arabs say: “Your brother is he who comforts you”, they also say: “many of your brothers whom were not born through your mother” and also: “Brothers of friends are closer than brothers of birth” A brother, truly is the one who accompanies and stays with one. it could be on a journey, geographical affiliation, General understanding of brotherhood In the Qur’an, the word “brother” and all its derivatives is repeated in the ninety- two times with all classified under five broad interpretations: 1- Brotherhood by birth, Allah says: (لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِلسَّائِلِينَ " (يوسف: 7)) “Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask” (12:7) "وَإِنْ كَانُوا إِخْوَةً رِجَالًا وَنِسَاءً فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ " (النِّساء : 176) “If there are both brothers and sisters, the male will have the share of two females.” (4:176) 2- Brotherhood by tribe or country: Allah says: ("وَإِلَى عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ " (الأعراف:65)) “And to the 'Aad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?" (7: 65) “And to the Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” (7: 73) “And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” (7: 85) “And 'Aad and Pharaoh and the brothers of Lot” (50: 13) 3- Brotherhood of humanity: Allah says: ("يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ "(الحجرات :13)) This verse emphasis the unity for humanity and that variation or difference in nations and tribe is not for preference or honour of a tribe or race over the other rather it is for recognition, mutual understanding, that men could live together. Tribal or national association or affiliation should only be considered the way people affiliate with houses, communities but piety alone gives honour. Islam wage war against all form of separatist association including racism, tribalism, nationalism, , regarding it as self-centredness. The Prophet said: “He is not part of us, he who invites to tribalism, or fight for the sake of tribalism, or die in the cause of tribalism: (Abu Dawud). “The Arab has no preference over the non-arab, nor the Non-Arab over the Arab, Nor the white over the black, or the black over the white, except with piety, you all are from Adam (AS) and Adam is from the soil” Allah says: "وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْعَالِمِينَ " (الرّوم: 22) . “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.” (30:22) 4- Brotherhood of disbelief, hypocrisy, and wastefulness: " يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَقَالُوا لِإِخْوَانِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا غُزًّى لَوْ كَانُوا عِنْدَنَا مَا مَاتُوا وَمَا قُتِلُوا لِيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ " ( آل عمران 156) “O ye who believe! Be not like the Unbelievers, who say of their brethren, when they are travelling through the Earth or engaged in fighting: "If they had stayed with us, they would not have died, or been slain." This that Allah may make it a cause of sighs and regrets in their hearts. It is Allah that gives Life and Death, and Allah sees well all that ye do.(3:156) وقال تعالى : " إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا " (الإسراء :27) . Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.(17:27) They are brothers due to their involvement in disbelief, hypocrisy and wasteful spending. 5- Brotherhood of Islam. Allah says: إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ "(الحجرات:10) The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. (49: 10) وَالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ " (الحشر :10) “And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful." (59: 10) Specific focus on the understanding of the brotherhood of Islam In Islamic history and the practice of our pious predecessors and those after them, brotherhood had several meanings some of the following are as follow: - A fraternity of faith based on the system laid by Allah flowing from piety and the clinging to the rope of Allah - A social fraternity - An attribute of faith in Allah. We shall stop here to continue next on the role of brotherhood in societal reformation. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah who says: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them..” May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. Shaikh Zuhailiy said in At-Tafseerul- Muneer: “The number of lunar month is twelve in Allah’ knowledge and wisdom, and in his commandment in the guarded platelet, from the day of the creation of the heavens and earth. Allah established these months and named it in the manner he has arranged it from the day he created the heavens and earth, according to his divine practice and perfect, most wonderful system. He revealed that to the Prophets, his judgement remains eternally. The change in the names orchestrated by the polytheists cannot make any impact. The intention here is obedience to Allah’s order and rejection of the position of the people of ignorance on the interpolation of the names of the months and fabrication of norms on the innovated names of the months. - Using the lunar months in all our endeavours including the worship as against the Gregorian even if it is twelve months. It is a pathetic scenario to find muslims- male, female, young, old, scholars and Islamic organizations displaying great concerns and attachment to the Gregorian calendar more that the lunar months, they celebrate the idolatry festivals, they organize special tahajud on January 1st, adorning new clothes with their entire family. In addition to the fact that the Gregorian calendar has a lot to do with idolatry. 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 POSITION OF ISLAM ON CHRISTMAS

Praise be to Allah, who said: “They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him. " ( 9: 31) . We praise and thank Him for the blessing of Islam which is best of graces. Whomever Allah guides is truly guided and whomever He misleads none can guide. I testify there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and apostle of Allah who conveyed the message, discharged the trust, advised the people. Allah used him to clear the air of misconceptions, and he strove in the cause of Allah truly. O Allah shower peace and blessings on him, his household, companions and whoever follow his guidance and footsteps till the day of recompense. Having said that, Worshipers of Allah, I enjoin you and myself to fear Allah, the Almighty- this is a basic requirement for whoever hopes for the hereafter, as evident in the following verse: 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]. " ( 3: 102 ) . " تِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِي نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَنْ كَانَ تَقِيًّا " (مريم :63) " That is Paradise, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were fearing of Allah. " ( Maryam : 63 ) . Dear Muslims, today’s sermon is on the Islamic view on Christmas due to its relevance at this period as Christians and some ignorant Muslims prepare for the annual celebration. It is imperative to guide our brothers and sisters and save them from the manipulations of the devil in full compliance with the divine instruction thus: " وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَى تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ " ( الذّاريات : 55 ) “And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers. “ (51: 55) The definition of the feast: The Feast refers to every day taken for celebration in memory of an important event. ( Dictionary of students: p 461 ). Also it means every day celebrated in memory of revered of beloved one. (Lexicon Broker: p 666 ) . Definition of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah: "The Feast is a generic name which include every day or place, where people gather, and all the activities done in these places and times. The prohibition does not end on the festival alone rather it extends to everything held in reverence including the times and places that have no basis in Islam. (Iqtidhaa siratil mustaqeem, Ibn Taymiyyah, p 176 ). The Milaad: is the birthday. The context here is the Christmas- the birthday of Prophet Isa, the son of Maryam - peace be upon him. "The birth of Jesus Christ and the blessings of the best delivery on Tuesday, the twenty-fourth of December, more than 600 years before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). (Prophethood and Prophets, Ali Sobuniy) People of the Book in the doctrine of Christ - peace be upon him There is no disagreement over any of the Prophets as exist over Prophet Isa (AS). The Christians fell into disagreement about him resulting into negligence and excesses. The Jews claimed he is a bastard, born without a father. But Christians claimed he is " Son of God" because he was created from God’s spirit, which is an integral part of God, therefore they believe he must the Son of God. The two groups exceeded bound and fell into error and misguidance- one group made him the Son of God, and the other group called him a bastard. In contrast to those positions, the truth is evident in the Qur’an that he is a messenger of Allah sent to the Israelites with guidance and clear signs. His mother was the chaste, honest, and pure virgin who guarded her modesty. Allah said about her thus: مَا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ انْظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآيَاتِ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ "(المائد :75) “The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.” (5 : 75 ) The verse refutes the claims of the two groups- Jews and Christians. It also described the human attitude of food consumption of both Issa (AS) and his mother, to emphasis that both are in want, both eat and excrete, however, such is not worthy for God or the son of God, if such exists. Details of Christians’ beliefs in Christ (AS) The holy qur’an gives details of the Christians’ beliefs classifying them into three groups: 1 – Those who believe that Christ is the Son of God, created from His spirit. 2 – Those who believe that Christ himself is "God" incarnated in the body of Jesus and came down to earth to save people from their sins. 3 – Those who believe in the doctrine of trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and that the three are one, and the one is three. According to the book of the Stories of the Prophets, it stated: "The Christians fabricated a doctrine that God is a composite of three divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and these are all one. Then God (God the father or God the son, based on their disagreement) descended in human form to be embodied in Maryam who gave birth to Jesus.” Jesus Christ (AS) did not say or know about this idea. However, when the Christians ministered among the pagans who worship divine persons, belief in incarnation, the cross and redemption, they accepted Christianity still harboring these idolatry doctrines, and reconciling between it and their newly found religion. They deify Christ and say that God descended from him "Person of the Son" united with the " father " and " Holy Spirit " and embodied in " the womb of Mary ," and then came as god in human form. One wonders how Jesus could be god when he was born through the vagina of a woman like other human beings. How could he be god while he eats, drinks, sleeps, feels pain and gets tired and uses the toilets, Allah is above what the wrong-doers say . Quran’s response to these false doctrines: The Quran responds and refutes the Christians’ falsehood and misguidance about Jesus exposing their disbelief and stubbornness. Allah says" " يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ انْتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَكُمْ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا " ( النِّساء : 171 ). O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs. " (4: 171 ) . " لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ (72) لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَهٍ إِلَّا إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَنْتَهُوا عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (73) أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (74) مَا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ انْظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآيَاتِ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ"(المائدة : 75) He said the bulk of exalted in Surah asserting their disbelief in that dogma stray : " They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers. They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. " (5: 75 ) If the Jews and Christians show amazement about Jesus because he was born without a father, then the case of Adam is more amazing because he was created without a father and without a mother. Allah says: إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ (59) الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ" (آل عمران :59- 60) “Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was. The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters."(Al-Imran: 59-60 . Miracles of Jesus - peace be upon him : The Miracles of Jesus are many some of which are mentioned in the Qur’an. His miracles are like all the miracles of the prophets, they do not indicate the divinity but indicates truthfulness of his prophecy. Some of the miracles include: healing the sick, healing the blind and the lame, raising of the dead, and providing news about some of the unseen, and the talking in the cradle, etc. Allah says: إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ اذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى وَالِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدْتُكَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِي فَتَنْفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِي وَتُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِي وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِي..." (المائدة :110) "[The Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; ... " (5: 110 ) SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. Servants of Allah , the Almighty said in His Holy Book: "مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَى مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ" ( التَّوبة: 113 ) "It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire. " ( 9 : 113 ) Brothers and Sisters in faith, the death of the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela has become a source of confusion for some Muslims who are ignorant of their religion and lack understanding. Surprisingly! Some of them ask forgiveness for him, saying: "O Allah, forgive your servant Mandela and have mercy on him" Some even compare him with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), recounting his achievements one after the other, what an absurdity! Allah says: And We will regard what they have done of deeds and make them as dust dispersed." ( 25: 23) Imam Shafi'i said: The true personality of a person is in the core of his knowledge and piety. If these are absent, then his personality is meaningless. The knowledge mentioned here is faith in Allah. Whatever the height and achievement of a person in life, if he is not a believer there is no hope of reward for him. Allah granted him good things of the world including wealth and children, longevity and wellness, etc. Allah says: "مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَرَمَادٍ اشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ لَا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا عَلَى شَيْءٍ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الضَّلَالُ الْبَعِيدُ " ( إبراهيم : 18 ) “The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord is [that] their deeds are like ashes which the wind blows forcefully on a stormy day; they are unable [to keep] from what they earned a [single] thing. That is what is extreme error." (Ibrahim : 18) Islam acknowledges and respects true achievers and people of honour. The Prophet affirmed truthfulness of Shaytan on what he revealed to Abu hurairah when he caught him stealing of some of the things kept in his care thus: “He said the truth but he is (by nature) a liar” The Prophet also confirmed that king negus possessed the characters of justice and support for the truth when he approved migration of some of his companions to his country: "He is a king that never allow injustice against anyone" Mandela is a model for African leaders in characters of humility and patience, sacrifice and selflessness and much more, perhaps for this reason, Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi visited him about two years ago. Thus the International Union for Muslim Scholars sent a delegation comprising of a chairman, the secretary-general and some members to the people and government of South Africa, with sincere condolences for the demise of leader Nelson Mandela - who was a symbol of the struggle for freedom, justice and dignity ... 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!"

IMPORTANCE OF THE HIJRAH CALENDAR

All praises are due to Allah who placed in the alternation of day and night lessons, and made the disappearance of months and years a remembrance and admonition. I testify there is no god but Allah alone, who has placed in the sky great stars, and placed therein a sun the [burning] lamp and a luminous moon. And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude. I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and apostle of Allah sent before the last hour as giver of good news and warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp. He conveyed the message, discharged the trust, admonished the Ummah, and strove in the cause of Allah sincerely. May Allah bestow peace and blessings on him (pbuh), his families, his companions and those after them in righteousness till the day of judgement. Thereafter, O Servants of Allah, fear Allah and the day of your return to Him. (يَوْمَ لاَ يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلاَ بَنُون إِلاّ مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ) (الشعراء 88-89) “"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, "But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart.”(26: 88- 89) (يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُحْضرًا وما عمِلتْ مِنْ سُوءٍ تودُّ لوْ أنّ بيْنها وبيْنهُ أمدًا بعِيدًا وَيُحذِّرُكُمُ الله نَفْسهُ}(آل عمران 30) "On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself. " (3: 30) Dear servants of Allah we discussed last Friday the lesson derivable from the Prophet’s hijrah. Today being the third session on hijrah will focus on the importance of the hijrah calendar. Allah says: " هُوَ الذِي جَعَلَ الشَّمسَ ضِياءً والْقًمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا بِالْحقِّ يُفَصِّلُ الآياتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ" (يونس:5). “It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand.” (10:5) The calendar is division of periods and time. The hijrah calendar was adopted as the standard for Muslims during Umar’s reaign as the Khalifah- Leader of the Muslims with consensus. History of the Islamic hijrah calendar There are several accounts of the history of the hijrah calendar. Some of which include: - “Maimunbn Mahraan said: “Umar was paid for Sha’baan, He said: “Is it the last Sha’baan or the next or the current? Then he gathered the Prophet’s companions (pbuh) and instructed thus: “establish for people what they will recognize (in dating)” Someone said: “Write in accordance to the Roman date” They said: “that will be too long, they do write from the time of Dhul-Qarnain”. Another said: “Write in accordance to the Persian date” They said: “As a new king assumes the throne he discards what exist before him”. They then agreed on the number of period of the Prophet’s stay in Madinah, which was discovered to be ten years. And they wrote date in line with the Prophet’s (pbuh) hijrah” - Uthman bn Ubaid said: I heard Sa’eed bn Musayyab saying: Umar (R.A) gathered the Muhajiruns and the Ansars and said: “From when should we commence the date”, Ali bn Abi Talib said: “From when the Prophet (pbuh) left the land of polytheism i.e, from the day he migrated. And Umar bn Khattab wrote that. He wrote this by 16th of Muharram two and a half years into his throne, based on the advice of Ali bin Abi Talib - may Allah be pleased with him. - Ibn Hajar gave as the reason for choosing Muharram as commencement date instead of Rabiul-Awwal- the month of his migration. That the companions that consulted with Umar proposed four events that could be used for the date as follow: the Prophet’s birth, the day he was made a prophet, the day he migrated and the day he died. But the day he was born and made a prophet were with lots of controversies, and they also neglected the day he died as this will be a source of grief and agony for Muslims. No other than the hijrah was left and they chose it as the commencement date for the hijrah calendar. (Umar bn Khattaab, his personality and era; pg: 139- 140) Difference between Hijrah and Gregorian Calendar 1- Hijrah is lunar based while Gregorian is sun based. 2- Hijrah calendar has 29 or 30 days monthly while the Gregorian is 31, 30, 29, or 28 days. 3- Hijrah calendar is connected with the Islamic Shariah Laws e.g Fasting, Zakat, Hajj, Divorce, etc but the Gregorian is connected with idolatry. Importance of the Hijrah Calendar 1- The hijrah calendar is of nature as Islam is a natural religion. Allah says: :" فأقِمْ وَجْهَكَ للدِّينِ حنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَّرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لاَ تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ولكنَّ أكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ" (الرّوم:30) “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.” (30: 30) 2- It represents the reviving of the Prophet’s Sunnah. Allah says: "قُلْ إنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ فيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ" (آل عمران:31) “Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (3: 31) The Prophet said: “… So for you is to observe my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-principled and rightly-guided successors, holding on to them with your molar teeth.” 3- It reminds of the Islamic history from the time of the Prophet (pbuh) till the present time. Allah says of the importance of history: (وكُلاًّ نَقُصُّ عليْكَ مِنْ أنْبَآءِ الرُّسُلِ ما نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤادَكَ...(هود:120) “And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. “ (11: 120) 4- The hijrah calendar is a landmark and signposts for du’aat and workers on the path of Allah. The Prophet said: “Allah shall raise persons who will reform the religion every century” This chronology is based on the hijrah calendar. 5- The counting for menstrual circle, the waiting period of the divorced or the bereaved woman is based on the lunar calendar. 6- The hijrah calendar is also used in Islamic laws: such as fasting for atonement in cases like deliberate killing, Zhihaar, intercourse during the day in Ramadan, supererogatory fasts like 13th, 14th and 15th days monthly, Ashurah, first ten days of Dhul-hijjah, the sacred months, Arafat day for non-pilgrims etc. Allah says: :" إنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهورِ عِنْدَ اللَّه اثْنا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذلكَ الدِّنُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلاَ تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ" (التَّوبة: 36). “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. “ (9: 36) Benefits of the hijrah calendar 1- There are so many benefits some of which include religious, social, economic etc. It is used generally for both worldly and religious affairs. Allah says: "يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ الأَهلَّةِ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ والْحَجِّ..."(البقرة:189) “They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj." (2: 189). Hence it is used in religious activities for solat timing, zakat, fasting, hajj and umrah. Likewise in mundane affairs; for letter writing, planting and harvest periods, recording of events like marriages, births, deaths, agreement, appointments etc. 2- It is also used for all business and financial transactions like buying and selling, loans, salaries and wages. Allah says: “O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. “ (2: 286). Using the hijrah calendar for payments of salaries, employees would have gained complete one year extra at the end of every thirty years, in comparison with the Gregorian calendar. Islam and the hijrah calendar Dear Muslims, to forget or show ignorance about the hijrah calendar is tantamount to displacement of the identity of the Muslim nations. It also permits the hegemony of the western Christian identity over it, in addition to being imitation of the misled nation. The Prophet said: “Whoever imitates a people is of them”. We must make the calendar relevant in our daily, weekly, monthly and annual affairs, apply it to all our correspondence, appointments, and teach our children, wives and families. We hereby call on all Muslim countries, Islamic organizations, and individuals to apply the hijrah calendar even if it requires mentioning the corresponding Gregorian date, if they are sincere in their faith in the religion, till a better situation presents itself. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. Thereafter, Allah says: " وَءَاتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَى حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلاَ تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيراً* إنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَكَانَ الشَّيطَانَ لِرَبِّه كَفُوراً* (الإسراء:26-27). “And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.” (17: 26- 27) It is regrettable that the Government of Nigeria spends a lot of money on frivolous things which does not have direct benefit to the citizens. What an open loss! Some weeks ago the golden Eaglets of Nigeria won the U-17 world cup. Nigerians- the government and the people were very excited and cheerful, but suddenly they have forgotten the various problems we languish in, including the social, economic, educational, political, religious and psychological problems. The federal government spent a huge amount on the players as usual, but university lecturers (ASUU) have been on strike for nearly five months. Infact, in the process of searching for solutions to the problem, the former president of ASUU - Professor Festus Iyayi met his death. In addition to that was the whooping 255 million spent by the Aviation minister for the purchase of two bulletproof cars! The hype in the last few weeks on the issue was very high, but unfortunately nothing is heard again on the issue. The gubernatorial election in Anambra state saw a situation where some names of voters were missing on the voters’ list. This threatens the future of election in Nigeria, when the Election Commission (INEC) is unable to conduct free and fair election in a single state, with all its human and material resources, then, the general election in 2015 could be a charade. 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 IMPORTANCE OF MOSQUE IN AN ISLAMIC SOCIETY.

All praises are due to Allah who made the mosques His houses in the world where His remembrance and praises are celebrated days and nights and abode of association for believers. Allah says: “In mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings” (24: 36). I testify there is no god worthy of worship but Allah to whom all faces and voices surrender to. I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and apostle of Allah- Muhammad who said: “When sees a man who frequent the mosque, testify to his faith.” (Al-bayhaqi). May Allah bestow peace and blessings on him (pbuh), his families, his companions and those after them in righteousness till the day of judgement. Thereafter, O Servants of Allah, I enjoin you to fear Allah. Piety is the sign of faith which also safes from fire. Allah says: يآأيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِه وَلاَ 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].”(3: 102) Dear brothers and sisters in faith this is the second meet in the discussion of the foundations of a new society which was discussed briefly. Today’s sermon will concentrate on the importance of the mosque in the Muslim community. Linguistically the word Masjid- meaning mosque is derived from the verb, Sajadah- that is, to prostrate by placing the forehead on the ground, i.e- a place on which one prostrates,- the house of worship for Muslims. The sacred mosque refers to the Ka’bah. Technically, it refers to every part of the earth surface according to the saying of the Prophet - peace be upon him - "The earth surface was made for me as a mosque and an object of purification. Whoever of my Ummah is comeby by the solat should observe it.” This is one of the characteristics of the nation of Islam. Qadi ‘Iyaadh said: “This is because the people before us did not observe prayers except at places they were certain of its purity, we (Muslims) were granted permission toobserve prayers on all land except where is forbidden.” Qurtubi said: “This is a preference of God for the Prophet (pbuh), Prophets before him were only permitted to pray at places specified such as the synagogues and churches.” Masjid- is the name of a place which is derived from the action of prostrating because prostration is the most honourable action of solat where the servant is closest to his Lord. This is clearly established because the name of the place was not derived from any of the other actions of solat e.g bowing. The Building of Mosque: Immediately the Prophet got to the city of madinah, the first task he embarked upon was the building of a mosque. This is the first and most important foundation in the establishment of the Islamic society. The Prophet set up the Quba mosque described in the Qur’an thus: "لَّمَسْجِدٌ أسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ, فيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا, وَاللَّه يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِين* (التَّوبة:108) “A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (9:108) The Mosque: a basic necessity for the Muslim Ummah: Dear beloved in Allah , the need of the Muslim Ummah to the mosque follows her need to pristine faith, noble ideals, values and ethics, and a commitment to the Sharia and its provisions and their steadfastness of true servitude to Allah- the Exalted and all of these cannot be done away from the mosque. The need of the Muslim Ummah to the mosque is no less importance to the need to Islam itself. The Muslim community acquires the character of firmness and cohesion by standing by the Islamic principles, and by the commitment to her faith and etiquettes, all those are developed within the spirit of the mosque and its revelation. Brothers in faith, surely the establishment of brotherhood and love among the Muslims are part of the principles of Islam. But these values can only be perfected in the mosques. Muslims meet daily at different periods of not less than five times in the house of God, leading to displacement of the barriers of prestige, wealth and opinions. The Islamic system and the teachings spread the spirit of equality and justice among Muslims in their various affairs and conditions. However, the realization of this atmosphere cannot be perfected unless Muslims come together daily before Allah in devotion. If a Muslim retires to his house to worship Allah by bowing and prostrating, without fulfilling the concept of partnering together in worship – daily congregational prayers and Friday congregational prayers- the essence is jeopardized, as the full meaning of justice and equality is that the society overcome the traits of pride, superiority and selfishness, and this can only be achieved under the mosque setting. The beginning of mosque in the world: Servants of Allah, when our Father, Adam - peace be upon him - and his wife, our mother Hawaa descended from paradise to earth, the first thing he did was lay the foundations for the building of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Returning to Islamic history, we find that the first act the Prophet - peace be upon him – did after migrating from Mecca to Medina was the building of the mosque. Importance of mosques in the Muslim community: 1. The mosques are the houses of Allah on earth. Due to its status and virtues Allah made mention of it in twenty-eight (28) verses of the holy Qur’an, and He attached it to himself as a sign of honour: " وأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ للَّه فَلاَ تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَداً". " And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone." 2 . Allah (swt) enjoin towards its construction and maintenance. He equally describes people who are committed to its custody as believers in Allah and the Last Day. Allah says: " إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّه والْيوْمِ الآخِرَ" (التَّوبة:18) “The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day." ( 10: 18) . 3 . The mosques are places of worship, remembrance of Allah, supplication and submission to Allah. They are also the places to celebrate praises of Allah, offer prayer and show humility before Allah- the Exalted, and seeking great rewards, observing Tahajjud, recitating the Qur’an and reflecting on its meaning. 4 . Allah describes suspending the mosque, and to prevent people from gaining access to it as an act of injustice. Allah says: " وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ مَنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَى فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَئِك مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفين , لهُمْ في الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ" (البقرة:114). "And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment." (2 : 114 ). 5 . To defend and protect the mosque is a basic requirement which fighting could be called for in its cause. Allah says: "وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيز" (الحج:40) "And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." (22:40). Qurtubiy said: “meaning, were it not the permission of Allah to the prophets and the believers for fighting the enemies, the people of shirk would have dominated and disrupted the properties of people of religions including the places of worship, but He protected it by enjoining fighting in order to permit devotion to worship. 6 . The mosques is the most beloved place by Allah- the Exalted. A fortress of faith and the starting point of proclamation of Tawheed- oneness of Allah- the Exalted. 7. The mosque is an institution of intellectualism, science, and societal related affairs. It produced great professors for humanity in the field of traditional and modern knowledge about a thousand year including scholars of jurisprudence, science of hadith, scholars of medicine, engineering, mathematics and others of both religious and worldly knowledge. It is rare to meet such a huge number of them in one civilization, let alone that they are all the product of one school. Brothers of faith, we might not be possible for us to conclude our sermon about the mosque at this first session, we will continue in the following sermon – God’s willing - and the sermon will focus on the role of the mosque in the reformation of the society. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. Servants of Allah, Allah (swt) made injustice an forbidden for Himself and among His creatures as He says in Hadith Qudusiy: “O my servants, I forbade injustice on myself, and I made it forbidden among you, do not be unjust (among yourself) … ” “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]. Racing ahead, their heads raised up, their glance does not come back to them, and their hearts are void. And, [O Muhammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation? And you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it had become clear to you how We dealt with them. And We presented for you [many] examples." (14: 42- 45) Brothers of the faith, the enemies of Islam and Muslims declare war day and night against Islam and its adherents thinking they can eradicate Islam and Muslims!!!. It is common news that the Angolan Government want to eradicate Islam in her homeland rushing to demolish mosques- more than sixty (60) mosque have been demolished! "فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ" (النُّور: 63) “So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” (24: 63) " يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ " (التَّوبة:32 “They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.” (9:32) In addition to the Angolan case, it was reported that the President of Zimbabwe expelled foreigners from his country and confiscated their money unjustly. And injustice is the darkness on the day of resurrection as said the Prophet-peace be upon him. We equally enjoin the Federal Government to heed the advices of the wise in applying peaceful approach to solve the problem of Boko Haram, following the path of his predecessor Yar’ Adua in order to avoid human and material losses. 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!"

PEACEFUL HOME: CHILD UPBRINGING A TOOL

Allah (S.W.T) mentioned it in Q4 vs 2 that …    …  … Then marry (other) women of Your choice… The prophet (S.A.W) also said that (annikahu sunnati wa mon rogiba an suunati falaesa mini. (Marriage is my practice and whoever rejects my practice is not of me. In another hadith the Prophet said “Tazawaju wa tawaladu fa ini mukathirun bikumul ummamu yaomal kiyamin”. From the ahadith stated above it is clear that Allah and His Prophet want us to marry. The Prophet also mentioned that one of the proceeds of marriage is procreation of children. These children may be source of happiness for the parents in this world and in hereafter. They can also be of assistance to the parents to get to the paradise if they are properly trained. The Prophet said “whosoever sponsors two girls until they grow up, he will be with me in paradise like that (bringing two of his fingers close together.) In another hadith the Prophet (S.A.W) said that "idha mota ibn Adam inqataa amaluhu ila min thalathin: sadaqatin jariya, ao ilimin yun fau bihi, ao waladin salihin yadiu lahu. Teaching of Islam made us realize that parents stand the chance to benefit alot from their children if they play their role as parent very well. Training by p

unishment As for the punishment given by parents to their children it differs in quantity, quality and method. Abu Dawud and Al-Hakim related that Ibn Amir Ibn Al-As said that the Prophet (SAW) said: (command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them for not praying at the age ten, and separate between males and females in beds). From the hadith above, Prophet (SAW) recommends that punishment can be part of means of training children. But before punishment is introduced other methods such as setting examples, giving admonition, instruction and encouragement must have been used on the same issue for a period. From the hadith these other methods would have been used to reform or train the child for 3yrs at least. If the child refused to change the punishment can be introduced. One may also conclude that a child of less than 10yrs should not be punished; rather you use other methods to train him. According to Ibn Khaldun. The one, who was brought up by violence and submission, whether a learner, a mamluk, or a servant, humility will seize him, will make him displeased, inactive and lazy. It will force him to lie and be cunny for fear of hands stretching to subdue him. It will teach him to be trickish and deceptive which will become his habits and manners and will spoil his personality. Conclusion The Messenger (SAW) outline to parents and educators clear methods for dealing with child's perversion thus: (1) Calling attention to the wrong thing through direction: the hadith narrated by Umar Ibn Abi Salamah in Bukhari and muslim. (2) Pointing out the wrong deed in a gentle manner. (3) Pointing out the wrong deed by gesture (4) Pointing out the wrong deed by rebuke (5) Pointing out the wrong deed by desertion (6) Pointing out the wrong deed by beating. If punishment of beating is to be meted out on children, the following guidelines should be followed. (1) That the educator should not resort to beating except after using all aforementioned methods of discipline and reproach. (2) That he should not beat when he is in a great anger least he should inflict harm on the child. (3) He should avoid beating harmful places such as the head, face, chest (4) That beating at the first time should be unsevere and unpainful. It should be on the hands or feet with a thin stick. The beatings should be between one and three if the child has not yet reached puberty. However no matter the age the strikes should not be more than 10 in conformity with the Allah’s Messenger’s tradition. “No one should be given more than 10 lashes except in punishment for breaching one of Allah’s bounds”. (5) That he may not beat a child of less than 10yrs of age according to the aforementioned hadith “command your children to pray when they are seven years old and beat them for not performing it when they are ten years old”. (6) That the parent or educator should beat the child by himself and not leave it to a brother or a peer so that grudge and dispute may not arise.

WHERE STARTS THE ROLE OF PARENT ON THEIR CHILDREN Parents start preparing for their children by choosing the right partner be it male or female. The Prophet gave us the criteria for choosing a right partner. The person be a mumin or muminat and should be pious notwithstanding her beauty, lineage or achievement. Therefore if Allah gives them a baby, the first word that the prophet S.W.A. recommended that the baby should hear is the Adhan and them Iqamat. Abu-Dawud and At-Tirmidhiyy related that Abu Rafi said “I saw Allah’s Messenger saying Adhan in Al-Hassan ibn Ali’s ear when Fatimah gave birth to him”. TAHNIK Tahnik means to chew a date, then to rub the new born’s mouth with it by putting a little of the chewed date on a fingertip, and inserting it into the baby’s mouth. It is recommended that Tahnik be done by a pious and righteous man, for seeking His blessings and hoping that the baby may grow up righteous and pious. It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim that Abu-Burdah related that Abu-Musa (R.A) said: I had a baby and I took him to the prophet (SWA), the prophet (SWA) called him Ibrahim, and made Tahnik to him with a date and asked Allah to bless him, and gave him to me. (4) Shaving the baby’s head On the seventh day it is recommended that the baby’s hair should be shaved and the silver value of the hair should be given out to the poor. Malik related in Al-Muwatta that Jaafar ibn Muhammad’s father said: Fatimah (R.A) weigh the hair of Al-Hasan, Al-Husayn, Zaynab and Umm-kulthum and gave its weight in silver to the poor. (5) AQIQAH This means slaughtering a goat on the seventh day of a child’s birth. From salman Ibn Amir Ad-Dabbly said that Allah’s Messenger said" Aqiqah is to be offered for a newly born boy, so slaughter for him and relieve him of harm. (6) CIRCUMCISING THE NEWLY BORN CHILD Abu Hurayrah related in Sahihayn that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: five practices are of fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustache short, clipping the nails and depilating the hair of the armpits. The prophet recommended that both male and female child should be circumcised. It has a religious rationale and healthy benefits which have been clarified by the scholars and uncovered by the physicians. Having done everything mentioned above, the parents would have done what is expected of them at the tender age of the child, what remains is to provide for him/her the necessary needs of life, take care of his health, try as much as possible to protect him from injury during the cause of his development and growth and make the environment conducive for him to maintain the pristine intellect and soul such that it will not corrupt in anyway. If parents are able to do this, definitely the child will grow up to be a pious, righteous Muslim because the prophet (S.A.W) said: (every child is born on the fitrah of Islam but it is the parents that turn them into a Jew, a Christian or an idol worshiper. However the prevailing conditions all over the places do not allow natural growth and development of a child into a God conscious morally upright individual. CAUSES OF CHILDREN PERVERSION (1) CORRUPT COMPANIONS AND BAD PEERS One of the great factors that lead to children’s perversion is the corrupt companions and bad peers. Islam has instructed the parents to observe the conducts of their children and guided them to choose for their children the good company to acquire from them every noble manner and Sublime behaviour, and directed them to warn their children of the evil company and bad peers. Almighty Allah said in Suratal Zukhruf: 67 (close fellows upon that day shall be enemies to one another except the pious ones. Hadith: the Prophet said" the likeness of the good companion and the bad one is like that of the perfume bearer and the bellow blower". So, the perfume bearer will either give you some, buy from him or get a nice smell from him. But the bellow blower will either burn your cloth or you will get a bad smell of him. (2) Mismanagement of free time It is known that children grow up fond of playing and having adventures. An adage says" unbusy or free hand is devil’s workshop. Shaytan visits every free or unbusy souls, it suggest to them what to do. And what will Shaytan do to them is to invite them into immorality and indecent acts that will earn them punishment of Allah. It is the duty of parents to tackle this problem by offering practical mean of engaging the children at their free times. (3) Mistreatment of parents to children If a child is treated by his parents with cruelty, hard beating, tormenting blame, contempt scandalizing and derision, he may react by withdrawing into his shell, seclude himself, loose trust and confidence in the parents and may lead to choosing confident from outside home or give him a psychological problem which may turn to psychiatric problem. (4) POVERTY It is evident that when the child lacks what suffices him of food and clothes and faces poverty and deprivation, he will resort to leaving his place to look for provision, there the evil hands and corrupt companions can pick him and lead him to grow up as a corrupt person. (5) Conflict and discord between parents Among the factors that lead to children’s perversion is deep conflict and continual discord between the father and mother. When the child sees clashes between his parents he will abandon this depressing atmosphere, look for friends with whom he will spend most of his time. So, if those friends are bad he would get used to perversion. (6) DIVORCE Among the factors that lead to children perversion is divorce. When the child misses the caring mother and responsible father, he will grow up corrupt and pervert. What makes such a situation even worse is the marriage of a divorced woman to another man. The 1st husband may prevent her from having contact with her children; hence those children will miss mother care totally in their upbringing. (7) WATCHING PORNOGRAPHIC AND CRIME FILMS Among the great factors that lead to children perversion and corrupt behaviours is what they watch on television and internet. These include pornographic and detective films. Children go into the sites of obscene film and picture on internet and cable network. The soul gets corrupted and they become wayward. Through internet they make friends which may eventually influence their lives negatively. It is the duty of every parent to keep their children away from watching pornographic and detective films, and prevent them from buying impudent magazines and possessing amorous novels or reading books that can corrupt their ideology. (8) PARENT’S FORSAKING THE BRINGING UP OF THEIR CHILDREN When parent’s forsake the reformation of their children, and neglect their role of guiding and raising them, due to one reason or the other, the children will be trained by the society. This means they can join any group, practice any religion, choose any way of life for themselves because they are at the mercy of the society. A poet observes this and said: the plant that grows in the green field is not like that which grows in the desert. How come we hope perfection for children who were fed with the breast of imperfect mothers? EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CHILD EDUCATION Having enumerated the various causes of children perversion, the discussion will not make much sense if we do not make mention of the effective means of training these children that will prevent them from falling into perversion. (A) TRAINING BY SETTING EXAMPLE One of the effective means of training is by setting example for the trainee to follow. Children in most cases copy or emulate what their parents do because they are the closest persons to them and it is what they see that they emulate. That is why it is easy for psychologist to predict the kind of home a child comes from by mere studying the child's’ behaviour. If the parents are truthful, chaste, and of noble character. You find their children as such but if the parents are liars, drunkard, coward of and treacherous, the children will pick most of these negative behaviours from them. No wonder Allah doesn’t mince words when he told us in the Qur’an that ‘Laqad kana fii Rasuli llahi uswatu hasana……………’ (The best examples are in the Messenger of Allah for you to follow). However, it is not sufficient for the parents to set a good example before the children, thinking that they have discharged their duty but they should link the children to the best example of the prophet. (B) TRAINING BY ADMONITION Another important effective means of bringing up a child is by constant admonition. The Prophet (SAW) said" Adinu Nasiiha." Parents must have a particular period or time with the children to educate them on different aspect of life ranging from belief (Aqidah) to moral (akhlaq), social, Ibadah etc. apart from the routine admonition, from time to time one must enlighten them on issue be it academic, religion, national/social, economy politics etc. In Qur'an 31 vs 13 -19, Luqman admonished his son on Aqeedah and morals. This method has an advantage of been an interactive method. The parent can get feedback immediately and the children also have opportunity to ask questions and bear their mind out. (C) EDUCATION BY OBSERVATION What I mean by this method is that parents should pay attention to their children's behaviour; whenever they notice any error in their behaviour they make correction instantly. It is one of the firmest bases in forming a well-balanced and integrated personality. The Prophet (SAW) said "whoever among you that observes or sees any abominable thing should change it with his hand, if he is unable to do that, he should change it with his tongue, if he is unable to do that then with his heart, that is the weakest of faith. Umar Ibn Abi Salamah said “I was a boy in the lap of Allah’s Messenger, and my hand used to move everywhere in the dish, so Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said to me “O boy, mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand and eat from the nearest place to you. (Bukhari and Muslim). Ibn Abbas said “Allah’s Messenger (SAW) saw a gold ring on a man’s finger, so he took it off and threw it away and said one of you takes a piece of fire and make it in his hand” after Allah’s Messanger left, it was said to the man, take your ring and make use of it. He said “by Allah, no I will never take it after Allah’s Messenger (SAW) took it off (my finger). Abdullah Ibn-Amir (R.A) said, my mother once called me, in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (SAW) in our house, and she said come here I will give you something. Allah’s Messenger said what do you want to give him, she said I want to give him dates, If you do not give him something it will be written as a lie. Dawud and Bayhaki Parents should observe the following aspect about their children and take the necessary steps in correcting the abnormalities. - The aspect of aqidah - The aspect of ibadah - The aspect of friends and peer group - The aspect of books, magazines and publications he reads - The aspect of morals i.e. does he tell lies, is he a trust worthy person, crafty, does he steal, is he rude, proud, lazy etc. - The aspect of speech he made, does he call people bad name, does he abuse people, utter impolite words.

Death of a partner

Historically, death of a partner was a major cause of single parenting. Death may result from diseases, maternal death, war/ coup de-tat, accidents, road, rail, air plane crash, riot, religious or ethic or tribal wars, communal and border clashes, political thugery/ crisis, peace keeping operations, (Liberia, Somalia, Mali, Syria and several other ways. In most developed countries diseases and maternal death not infrequently resulted in widower or widow responsible for children. Improvements in sanitation and maternal care have decreased mortality for those of reproductive age, making death from this area a less common cause of single parenting. In Nigeria, accidents occurred frequently either by road, plane crash which has increase the number of single parents in our society.