THE MESSENGER (PBUH) AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTHDAY

Praise is due to Allah for the blessing He gave, to Him belong grace for the honour He bestowed on us, He perfected the religion, and completed the divine message by sending prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with guidance and the true religion in order that he proclaim it over all religion. The prophet completed the link of guidance, he reached the destination, and revealed the goal, and he clarified the middle balanced course, and raised the banner of Islam. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, He Has no partner, He is the possessor of greatness, pride and power. I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger, leader of the righteous faithfuls, may Allah bless him, his families and his righteous companions. Thereafter, O People fear Allah, for Allah Has assures a complete mercy for the righteous. Allah (swt) says: {وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ , الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ اْلأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَاْلإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلاَلَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ} (الأعراف: 156 – 157). “… My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs, Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper” (7:156-157) MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IS A BLESSING Muslims should be grateful to Allah for the grace of sending the messengers, revealing the scriptures and propagating the truth among men. Recognizing the The Creator would have been a difficult enterprise for human intellect to comprehend, inter-personal relation based on honesty and justice would have been elusive, as man would be unable to celebrate God with apparatus or ways that are practically not comprehendible for him. Revelation therefore formed the medium by which Allah elucidates to man the manners of recognizing Him, establishing true worship and formidable inter-personal relationship. Likewise the apostles became the elucidators and models of excellent characters for humanity. All mankind were ab initio in one religion- the religion of Adam (AS), however, as they grew in number, schism set in and opinions differed, a development which made Allah to raise messengers to them in order to uphold justice. Prophet Nuh (AS) was the first with Prophet Muhammad as the seal of all prophets. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent after the break in (the series of) messengers, he remain the most favoured of the prophets. He was an Arab of the progeny of prophet Ismail bn Ibrahim (AS) possessing the noblest lineage and birth. He was born in Makkah on 12th Rabiul- Awwal in the year of Elephant when Allah destroyed the companions of the Elephants who intended the demolition of the kaabah described in the Chapter of the Elephants. Eight, ninth, tenth, twelfth, seventeen and twenty- two of Rabiul- Awwal were some of the dates suggested for his birth THE PROPHET IS THE LIGHT OF GUIDANCE Brothers in faith, The world shines with clarity and meaningful explanation in remembrance of the birth of Muhammad (PBUH) who was an announcement of abundant grace to humanity. In these days we remember a fragrant history which will ever remain a light of guidance, a guiding landmark and proof for commitment to trust as well as honesty to shoulder a huge responsibility. None deviates from that path of guidance except the one that fools himself. This is a gratifying proof to those who seek for convincing proof to establish the truthfulness and honesty of Islamic message of being where man regains his soul and redirects it to natural guidance in an atmosphere filled with balance, stability and completeness after it was misled and lost. In that message, human nature, intellect, passion, heart, feelings, inclinations, needs and desires are all taken into account, not to speak of the protection of his honour and an outstanding concern for all that could actualize his efforts and humanness. Therefore, it would compel him to work in making history with trust and confidence, as well as realize his position in life, in order to favourably relate with God, human beings, and the world around him treading the ladder of values and principles that will earn him success in life and the pleasure of Allah in the hereafter. ALLAH’S BLESSINGS ON MAN O Believers! Allah honours man in two ways: firstly; when the revelation of Islam was sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and making his life history a demonstration and translation for the message. Secondly, for protecting the holy Qur’an the way it was revealed and preserving the prophet’s tradition and history through men of felicity who watch over it on behalf of the Ummah. Having protected the Quran by His himself and by the efforts of the truthful scholars who further the preservation of the Quran by watchfully protecting the prophet’s history, I therefore seek Allah’s protection for myself and for you from the evil in taking this month for mere pleasure, entertainment or passing/ short-lived remembrance which ends as the Friday sermon ends or by the end of Rabiul- Awwal. I seek Allah’s protection for myself and for you from this anniversary being wild, fragrant agitation which could lead those giving to desires and misconceptions about the prophet’s history and birth to invent innovations which are the perfect translations of their inner errors and confusion. However, such dispositions and confusion are not in the practices of our predecessors in both simple and complex matters. THE LOVE FOR THE PROPHET IS PART OF FAITH O Muslims, the love and believe in the prophet (PBUH) is a fundamental principle of faith which is sacrosanct to completeness of faith. Allah says: {قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ , قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ} (آل عمران : 31 -32 “Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger": But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.” (3:31-32) {فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا} (النساء : 65) “But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.” (4:65) The messenger of Allah, said : " Not one of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his family, his wealth, his son and his soul which is between his flanks …" The messenger of Allah, said : "None of you [truely] believes until his inclination is in accordance with what I have brought." There is no one who truly loves a person as much as the companions of Muhammad loved Muhammad, they were the best generation as described below: {كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّه}(آل عمران : 110), “Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah…” (3:110) The prophet said: “the best century of humans is my century, then those who came after them, then those who came after those” The sincerity of the companions’ love and believe in the prophet was not demonstrated through celebrating Mawlid or staging an anniversary days and nights and then forgetting his history, traditions and guidance, rather it was demonstrated through following his sunnah. {لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ اْلآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا} (الأحزاب : 21) “Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.” (33:21) قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيم (آل عمران : 31) . “Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31) O faithfuls, Allah Who sent Muhammad and connected between testifying to his messengership and testifying to His oneness, He is the One Who made him an exemplary model; in words and deeds, behaviours and disposition of affairs in the light of the revealed revelation being the true interpreter and the practical articulator of the divine message. What a stupid conception! Restricting affiliation to some aspects of prophet’s worship or moral and unfortunately following some other person in some other aspects of life. It is also a kind of disobedience to the message of Islam and the life of the prophet for someone to believe in some aspect of the Islamic law and reject others. As there is no severance between the message of Islam and the prophet of Islam who left no matter- simple or complex without placing it rightly, clarifying its status with practical Quranic proofs. On this note, the sincere celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet would be following the path he followed living for the cause of inviting to the way of Allah. SECOND SERMON All praises are due to Allah Who forgive sin, accept repentance, Who is strict in punishment, and has a long reach (in all things). There is no god but He alone with no partner. He raised Muhammad (PBUH) as giver of glad tidings, and warner, and as one who invites to Allah's (grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light. Oh Allah, grant peace and blessing to Muhammad (PBUH) his household, companions, and send salutation onto him accordingly. O Muslims, Faith and Piety are integral parts of the requirements needed to save the Muslim Ummah from the problems and temptations that surround it. These are not ordinary spoken words, Sayyid Qutb described faith thus: "but it is a fact, which carries responsibility, a trust which comes with burden, and a Jihad which requires patience, it is equally an effort which requires perseverance, it is not enough that people say: “we believe” and they have not dropped this claim before they were subjected to temptation and trial, but they stood firm on the claim, and survived the temptations cleanly with pure uncorrupted hearts....” This temptation on faith is a constant fundamental and tradition: Allah says: {أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لاَ يُفْتَنُونَ , وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ} (العنكبوت : 2 – 3) Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false. (29: 2- 3) God’s willing, the Islamic Ummah will be saved from these calamities if it renews her faith and piety and become steadfast. Oh Allah, endorse a guided affair for the Muslim nations where those who obey You shall be dignified and the sinfuls shall be humiliated, and Your servants will command good and forbid evil. Oh Allah restore the conditions of Muslims, correct their leaders and scholars, their youths, women and offspring. Oh Allah! be their guide in all their affairs, Oh Allah provide good for us in this life and the hereafter and protect us from the hellfire.

IMPACT OF THE PROPHET’S (PBUH) RELATIONSHIP IN THE PROPAGATION OF ISLAM.

Praise be to Allah Who have perfected His grace on us, He had completed the religion, and made our community the best nation evolved for humanity. He had sent a Messenger from amongst us to read to us the verses, teach us the Book- Qur’an and the wisdom- Sunnah even though we were in manifest error prior to this. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah (SWT) alone, He Has no partner; He is the God of the former and latter generations, The Sustainer of the seven heavens and earths. I equally testify that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was no more than a servant and Messenger of Allah, the seal of all prophets and leader of the messengers. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his families, spouses and companions- eminent personalities of the right wing, and those who follow them in goodness till the day of recompense. Thereafter, I hereby implore everyone and myself to exercise the fear of Allah; therein lies the pleasure of Allah, attainment of Paradise and escape from hellfire. The Holy Qur’an came with the good news thus: “Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.” (Maryam: 63). O brothers in faith, be informed that a well- grounded study of the prophet’s (PBUH) history, his personality, and benefitting from the potential lessons therein- all derivable from the original texts of the Sunnah- are capable to restore the sense of pride and leadership of the Islamic Ummah and to amend every form of her moral and ethical decadences which were caused by the influx of foreign civilizations dominating every aspects of her education and public orientation with all its might, civilization and communication prowess. The prophet’s unparalleled personality captures every mind owing to its naturally endowed excellent character and reputable human relation, irrespective of religious differences. His expressly balanced disposition in anger and satisfaction, patience and forbearance, played a major role in people’s acceptance of his message and the spread of the religion. This mettle would not come as a surprise, Allah actually purifies him from above the seven heavens thus: { وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ } (القلم 4 ) “And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.” (68: 4) On that premise we would like to respond to what is propagandize today in the west; describing Islam as a religion of barbarism and terrorism. They also claim erroneously that the method of inviting to Islam is not built on any moral standard. We would like to show another bright example of his message which was marred by persons who knew nothing of Islam, due to the actions of some Muslims today. HIS COMPASSION AND MERCY: Dear Muslims, The Prophet was the most compassionate and merciful person. { فَبِمَا رَحْمَة مِّنَ اللهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَو كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ القَلْبِ لانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ } (آل عمران159) . “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou do deal gently with them Were thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee” (3:159) This magnificent character endeared his message mostly for peoples’ acceptance. The prophet (PBUH) was distant from violence, hardness or wickedness. Due to his good disposition and honesty, his message penetrated into the houses in Makkah little by little, even into the homes of the eminent persons among the unbelievers in Makkah, they labeled him a sorcerer, breaker of ties between father and son, between brothers, and between a man and his kinsmen. (Seerah bn Hisham; vol 2, pg 105- 106) Brothers in Islam, let us bring forth some thought provoking stages in the history of the prophet (PBUH) to demonstrate his complete compassion, mercy and kindness for his Ummah: HIS COMPASSION AND MERCY TO HIS UNCLE- ABU TALIB Abu Talib was one of the greatest supporters and defenders of the prophet’s (PBUH) message, a reason why he (PBUH) sought for his becoming a Muslim, however that was not to be, but the knowledge of Allah encompasses all that. Saeed bn Musayb related from his father that: “When Abu Talib was about to die, the prophet visited him, he met Abu Jahl and Abdullah bn Umayyah bn Mughira in his presence, then the prophet said: “O my Uncle, say, ‘there is no god except Allah’, a statement I shall use as witness for you in the sight of Allah”. Abu Jahl and Abdullah bn Umayyah said: “O Abu Talib, will you denounce the religion of Abdul- Mutallib?” Allah’s Apostle kept on inviting Abu Talib to say it (i.e. ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’) while they (Abu Jahl and Abdullah) kept on repeating their statement till Abu Talib said as his last statement that he was on the religion of Abdul Muttalib and refused to say, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.‘ (Then Allah’s Apostle said, “I will keep on asking Allah’s forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden (by Allah) to do so.” Then Allah revealed: { مَا كَانَ للنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَّسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَو كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَى مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الجَحِيمِ } (التوبة : 113 ) “It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.” (9:113) And God also revealed concerning his uncle Abu Talib, directing the message to the Holy Prophet (PBUH): { إِنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَّشَاءُ ، وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالمُهْتَدِينَ } (القصص : 56) “It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one, whom thou love; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.” (28:56) (narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Muslim said in Kitaab Al-eeman no. 24 thus: “and in this is a proof for the soundness or validity of the Islam of the one who is about to die but have not reached the gargling stage, also the abolition of praying for forgiveness for Pagans, and also whoever dies as a pagan will be one of the dwellers of hellfire, nothing will suffice to save him from that.” In addition to that, Abu Talib benefitted from his effort with the prophet (PBUH). Abbass bn Abdul- Mutallib (RA) said to the prophet (PBUH): “How have you benefitted your uncle?” he used to defend you and show anger for your sake” The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) said: Yes; he would be in the most shallow part of the Fire: and but for me he would have been in the lowest depth of the Hell.” (narrated by Al-Bukhari 3/1408, in the book of the virtues of the companions, Abu Talib story section (3670). It means that the prophet (PBUH) interceded for him until the torment was reduced as stated in other collections. HIS COMPASSION AND MERCY TO THE JEW MAID BOY: We have in this a wonderful example of the prophet’s humility and mercy to this boy and in the way he invited him to Islam and his concern that he may not die as unbeliever. Anas may Allah be pleased with him said: A Jewish boy who do serve the Prophet, then he became ill, and the prophet visited him, and he sat by his head and said to him: “Accept Islam” he looked at his father who was present, and he (the father) said to him: “Obey Qasim’s father” and he accepted Islam, the prophet then left saying: “Praise be to Allah who saved him from the fire” (Bukhari, 1/455). This shows the Prophet’s kindness, and compassion to people in general which heralded the acceptance of Islam by this lad. HIS COMPASSION AND MERCY TO HIS PEOPLE- THE QURAISHITES: O Ummah of Muhammad! The prophet (PBUH) do worry and grief over his people greatly. Allah says: { عَزِيزٌ عَلَيهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيكُمْ بِالمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ } (التوبة : 128) . “It grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.” (9:128) He fear they die unbelievers, the peak of his compassion and mercy is manifested in the passionate manner he invites them, insisting to rescue them from the fire, despite the harm, ridicule and jest he faced from them. On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas [RA]. He said: "When the following verses were revealed: { وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ } (الشعراء 214 ) “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred." [26:214]. Messenger of Allâh (Allah bless him and give him peace) ascended Mount As-Safa and started to call: "O Bani Fahr! O Bani ‘Adi (two septs of Quraish)." Many people gathered and those who couldn’t, sent somebody to report to them. Abu Lahab was also present. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "You see, if I were to tell you that there were some horsemen in the valley planning to raid you, will you believe me?" They said: "Yes, we have never experienced any lie from you." He said: "I am a warner to you before a severe torment." Abu Lahab promptly replied: "Perish you all the day! Have you summoned us for such a thing?" The verses were immediately revealed on that occasion, { تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَب وَّتَبَّ ، مَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ } (المسد : 1 - 2 ) “Perish the hands of Abu Lahab! Perish he!, No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains!” (111:1-2) [Bukhari 4/1887] Another example of his encounter with his people was according to Urwah Ibn al-Zubayr narrated that Aisha, the wife of the Prophet told him thus: “I said to the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him: 'Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the (battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet replied, "Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of 'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn 'Abd-Yalail bin 'Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha-alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Jubreel in it. He called me saying, 'Allah has heard your people's saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.' The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, "O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them." The Prophet said, "No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him." (narrated by Al-bukhaari and Muslim in their true) In this example is the proof of his mercy and compassion despite severe injury he received, and the ability to retaliate. The prophet continued his message patiently, diligently, without despair, however his sadness stems from the lack of acceptance of majority of his people. Allah thus revealed to him: { لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِع نَّفْسَكَ أَلاَّ يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ } (الشعراء 3) “It may be thou frettest thy soul with grief, that they do not become Believers.” Ibn kathir said: “This is an amusing word from Allah to his Prophet peace be upon him, regarding lack of faith for those who did not believe among the infidels as Allah said: { فَلاَ تَذهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍ } (فاطر 8) “So let not thy soul go out in (vainly) sighing after them: for Allah knows well all that they do!” (35:8) similar to the words of Allah as follow: “Thou would only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message.” (18:6) Mujahid, ‘Ikrimah, Qatadah, ‘Atiyah, Ad-Dahaak and Al-Hassan as well as other commentators said: the statement: { لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِع نَّفْسَكَ } (الشعراء 3) means “to cause yourself death” Allah made this amusement of him because of his griefs and worries over his people, he wish them to be Muslims, he fear for them the painful torment, but Allah made faith a matter decree on His choice. Allah says: {وَلَو شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِي الأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا أَفَأَنْتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ } (يونس 99) . “If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!” (10:99) This is a great position demonstrated by the prophet (PBUH) despite the hostility but he never revenge rather he was patient, perseverant hoping they would be Muslims. HIS MERCY AND COMPASSION ON HUMANITY AT LARGE: From ‘Abdullah Ibn 'Amr Ibn Al-Aas, that the Prophet recited the words of Allah in Surat Ibrahim: { رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي } (إبراهيم : 36) "O my Lord! they have indeed led astray many among mankind; He then who follows my (ways) is of me, and he that disobeys me,- but Thou art indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (14:36). And Jesus said: { إِنْ تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ } (المائدة : 118 ) . “"If Thou dost punish them, they are Thy servant: If Thou dost forgive them, Thou art the Exalted in power, the Wise." (5:118). He then raised his hands and said: “O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah, he cried, then Allah said: “O Jibreel go to Muhammed-and your Lord knows best-ask him why he cries? Jibril came to him, he asks him, the prophet replied him as said- he knew best- Allah said: “O Jibril go to Muhammad and say: “We will make you satisfied and pleased with your nation, and we would not be wicked to you (narrated by Muslim). This supported by Allah’s word: { وَلَسَوفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَى } (الضحى 5) . “And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.” (93:5) Perhaps one of the most emphatic manifestations of his compassion and mercy for his Ummah would be on the day of resurrection when he will intercede for them on a day when the newborn will turn grey hair due to the calamity of the day. In the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik which is very long, here is an excerpt of the hadith: “Then I will ask for my Lord's permission, and it will be given, and then He will inspire me to praise Him with such praises as I do not know now. So I will praise Him with those praises and will fall down, prostrate before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for your will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' And then it will be said, 'Go and take out of Hell (Fire) all those who have faith in their hearts, equal to the weight of a barley grain.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down (prostrate) before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' It will be said, 'Go and take out of it all those who have faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a small ant or a mustard seed.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down in prostration before Him. It will be said, 'O, Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers!' Then He will say, 'Go and take out (all those) in whose hearts there is faith even to the lightest, lightest mustard seed. (Take them) out of the Fire.' I will go and do so." (Muslim, 1/182-183, the book of faith) This represents bright images of what teaches us the great aspect of compassion and mercy of the Prophet to his nation. {لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ اْلآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا } (الأحزاب : 21) “O Prophet! Fear Allah, and hearken not to the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites: verily Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.” (33:21) May Allah bless us all by the Holy Quran and benefit us with it. THE SECOND SERMON Praise be to Allah for His goodness and grace, I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, He has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger, may Allah bless him and his families, brothers and companions. Thereafter, O servants of Allah! Fear Allah in the right manner and work by being obedient to Him. Dear Muslims, Allah created man in the best mould, in the most beautiful image, and He blessed him with all the necessities of life and livelihoods including food and water, health and wind, and other than that in the heavens and the Earth. Allah says: (وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً مِّنْهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَاتٍ لَّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ} (الجاثية:13). And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect. (45:13) He made laws that could guard his life, which will give him a peace and safety in life, happiness and contentment. He legislate what would safeguard for him all the five necessities of life, including; religion, intellect, soul, dignity, and wealth. Therefore shedding of innocent blood remains the greatest and most horrible sin because that act runs contrary to the divine essence of creation. It is not surprising that Islam considers killing as one of the greatest major sins, it places it next to joining partner with Allah in several verses. Allah says: {قُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلاَّ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُم مِّنْ إمْلاَقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ} (الأنعام: 151). Say: "Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom. (6:151). He also listed the attributes of the servant of the Merciful God in Suratul- Furqaan thus: { وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهاً آخَرَ وَلاَ يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ وَلاَ يَزْنُونَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَاماً) إلى أن قال: (يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَاناً, إِلاَّ مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلاً صَالِحاً فَأُوْلَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَّحِيماً}(الفرقان: 68 – 70). Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy, Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (25:68-70) Anas Ibn Malik may Allah be pleased with him, related from the Prophet (PBUH): “The greatest of major sins are: Joining partners with Allah, killing, disobedience to parents, and false speech” (Al-Bukhari). This is our religion, the religion of peace and tolerance. May Allah forgive the believers- men and women, Muslims- men and women, the living and the dead, for You are All- hearing, Ever- near and Ever- responsive to calls. O Allah make us thankful to you, uphold your remembrance, make us repentant. O Allah accept our repentance, cleanse our sins, answer our prayers, establish our proof, guard our hearts, strengthen our tongue, obliterate our rancor, Oh Allah give us tranquility in our nation and homes, safe us from trials and evils, reform our leaders. Our lord give us goodness in this life and the hereafter, and safe us from the torment of the hellfire.

About / stops with the incident Flowers

Praise be to God, who prisoners servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and I see one of His signs is increasing its faith and strengthened by the conviction, and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, the True King described, who preferred our Prophet Muhammad on all the prophets and messengers, and make his religion openly every religion, and I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, the best of creation wholes and the first master and others, blessings and peace upon him and his family and companions good pure, and those who followed them in truth until the Day of Judgment. The distance / Vousikm O people and myself to fear Allah, the Ksakm of faith Serbala, and still grace you coming in, Vatqoh تسعدوا off and money, says Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, fear Allah right تقاته not die, but as you are Muslim} (Al-Imran 102) . All blessed before the trip: Dear brothers Muslims, know that after all the plight of a grant, after all distress فرجا that with hardship comes ease, it has been the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him to trouble great, this is Quraish had blocked the road in the face of the call in Mecca, in Thaqeef in Taif, in the Arab tribes , and tightened the blockade against advocacy and رجالاتها, from every side, and became a danger staring Prophet - peace be upon him - after the death of his uncle Abu Talib largest proteges, the Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - a past in the way, Saber is Lord, do not take in God to blame the facilities, and Ahrb warrior, nor Kidd مستهزئ, it's time for the plight of the great suddenness incident Flowers, a measure of the Lord of the Worlds, Faarj it without creatures all, and honor him for his patience and struggle, and spoke to him without mode, and keep it on the worlds unseen without all creation, and his collections with his fellow apostles in one hand, so the imam and role models for them, a خاتمهم and the last of them. "Education Leadership 1/447" Isra and Miraj meaning: It is intended Balasra: that trip curiosities, which started from the Grand Mosque in Mecca to the Aqsa Mosque بالمقدس, intended بالمعراج what came after the rise in dishes heavens even reach the level interrupted him Sciences creatures do not know what it really one and then return to the Grand Mosque, in one night in an hour one, to see God Nabih some verses he says: Glory which prisoners servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Aqsa Mosque, which blessed him to Nrih of Our Signs, He is the Hearer} (Al-Isra: 1), and said in a Maraj: {a rise again in the top, and then DNA Vtdly, was just around the corner, revealed to the servant that inspired, what a lie Fouad what he saw, Avtmarunh what he sees, and I saw catarrh again, when the Prophet, then the Commission shelter, as faint Sidra what collapses, what are estranged sight and overwhelmed, He saw major of the revelations of his Lord} (The Star: 7-18) Flowers recipe: Brothers in Islam and faith: There has been a prophet on his trip that talk right narrated by Imam Bukhari and others, and said: ((while I'm in الحطيم If you came to me coming, too difficult between this and this, then extracted my heart and then came a pot or basin of gold filled with faith فغسل heart Then a brutal then re, then come Balbrac, puts حافره when the ultimate tip came to bear it, he went my Jibril even come Holy House then entered and I prayed the prophets rak'ahs, then stepped up to me Jibril to heaven, Vasfh Gabriel and asked permission and with the Messenger of Allah, and went up in the heavens and saw Adam, peace be upon him and Yahya, Jesus and Joseph, and Idris and Aaron, Moses, Abraham ... each of them receives the Prophet saying: hello brother and the righteous Prophet, and in the way before Arouj Attah Jibril, a pot of wine and bowl of yogurt, chose milk, said Gabriel: I was instinct, and then topped up The Ultimate Tree (and DNA mighty Lord of Glory Vtdly), so was it just around the corner, revealed to God to him, suggesting fifty prayers to the nation on the day and night and requested mitigation of the Lord, after the signal Moses, peace be upon him, said: ((O Lord eased us , the ummah can not this ... Jabbar said the Almighty: O Muhammad, it does not alter the fifty or book, Every good ten-fold, they are fifty or book, which is five to you)). The insurer's position on this blessed journey: Dear brothers Believers: should be aware that Ascension was body and soul together and quoted scientists on that by saying the Lord of Glory Glory: {Glory which prisoners servant} (Al-Isra 1), and praise is disliked God for the shortage, disability, this does not come only major sins even if it was a dream of what was Mstazma then saying the Almighty: {servant} and slave is a total body and soul, for if Isra spirit would have said: the spirit of servant, if his spirit to كذبته Quraish, the minds does not deny that the spirits may roam prospects at the moment, and suggesting Isra body and soul Together ride to Shining, a creature up the ass and without the mule if Isra his spirit was not needed for the ride and the insurer hard in his faith does not deny never the possibility of Isra is a believer, the ability of God Almighty Muqtadir: {but ordered him if he wanted nothing to say to him, 'Be, Glory whose hand the kingdom of everything the Command} (YS: 82) and the insurer hard in his faith does not deny never the possibility of Flowers which is read in the book of God Almighty that God revealed slaves of slaves from heaven to earth and raise a slave of his servants from earth to heaven revealed Adam and Wife : {we told the Go down them all (Baqarah 38), raising Jesus, peace be upon him: {but God raised him and Allah is Mighty, Wise} (158 women), how Ncetkther the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him to limp by his master? The scientific facts that force inversely proportional to the time the more power less time, how if the force here is the power of the Almighty right? So in some reports came that the Prophet, peace be upon him family and he stopped and returned the bed was still warm. God bless you and me in Revelations, نفعني and Beware the guidance Mr. Thaqalayn, say what you hear and ask forgiveness of God to you and me and the rest of the Muslim It is better Algavrin. Second Sermon Praise be to God, who is praying and ensure the answer, and answer call المضطرين if an invitation, and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, God bless Muhammad and his family and his friends and him. O Muslims, you Baltdhara to God and supplication in all cases, because supplication sword for the believer and the strength of him as he was worshiping, but it needs our society today to pray, and know that God responds to prayer from investigating'm restaurant and imbued and ملبسا and leave sins and The reward for himself and يطهرها, The Muslim narrated in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him ((O people, God is good not only accepts good and that God is faithful as ordered by the senders, he said: O ye messengers, eat of the good things and do good I am what you do Knower} (Believers 51) {O ye who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided, and be grateful to God, if ye him worship} (cow / 172), then he mentioned the man prolongs travel shaggy dusty stretch hands to the sky, Lord, Lord, and his restaurant is haram and clothing is haram and fueled haraam and I answered so)). I pray to God, and you are certain to answer. O Allah, grant us representation and الإخبات you and grant us the sweetness of supplication and submissiveness between your hands, answer prayers and achieved our hope and we receive خائبين, O dearest Islam and Muslims and humiliated polytheism and polytheists and Ohn Kid unbelievers, and give us victory with them all, God forgive the believers, men and women and Muslim men and women living and dead. Oh God, make this country safe assured the generosity of welfare and other Muslim countries. The last prayer is that all praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

The Story of the Prophet’s Migration

Praise be to Allah, Who raised the believers’ prestige and honour, and weakened the status of the unbelievers with daunting humiliation. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls and the evils of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, non can mislead, whoever He misleads, none can guide. I testify that there is no god but Allah alone, He Has no partner,- such testimony that takes away the sayer from darkness to light, saves him from the worship of creatures, the dead and tombs and ultimately saves him from the fire, and admits him into the Paradise on the day of Resurrection. I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, Allah guided people through the blessing of his call, and what he brought including the Proof and Guidance. May Allah’s blessing, peace be upon him, his family and companions, and on all those who tread the path of his Sunnah till the Day of Judgment. O Servants of Allah, fear Allah in the secret and the open, and know that piety is the way out of every difficulty, and the way to Provision. Allah says: {وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً , وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْراً} (الطلاق 2-3) {And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.} (Talaaq: 2-3). Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters, these days remind us of one of the most important events in the History of the Messenger of Allah and his companions which demands that we make a pause at its proceedings all the time and emulate our Messenger within its framework, ranging from his faith and patience, struggle and morals, steadfastness, sacrifice and from all his virtues: Allah says: {لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فيِ رَسُولِ اللهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ} (الأحزاب21). (Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct)) (Ahzab: 21) Brothers in Allah, the Messenger of Allah stayed in Makkah after being commissioned as a Prophet for thirteen years directing people to the worship of Allah in order to take them away from the darkness of Shirk, Ignorance, Superstition and tyranny to faith and the ultimate success in this life and the hereafter. However, the polytheists in Makkah stood against this blessed message and left no stone unturned at causing an end to it, ranging from mockery, winking, injury and persecution to him and his companions. Despite these advances, the faithful group was patient and firm on the religion having been convinced that paradise is the reward for the patient ones and possessing a kind of faith that is truly registered in their hearts. The persecution of the polytheists heightened while the Apostle (pbuh) continued his search for every legitimate means to achieve victory for the religion and spread it on the surface of the earth. He used to take advantage of the pilgrimage to introduce Islam to the tribes seeking their support and assistance. In one of the seasons, Allah wished for His prophet to meet a delegation of Khazraj tribe from Madinah who listened to him and believed in his message. In the following year, another group among them gave him their oath of allegiance to support and protect him. By this, a base was formed for Islam in Madinah. Migration to Abyssinia: Before migration to Madinah, the first set of Emigrants (Muhajirun) had migrated to Abyssinia. While the persecution of the unbelievers got intensified against the Messenger of Allah and those who submitted to Allah, the Prophet approved of the migration to Abyssinia and said: (Verily, there, stays a king, no person is oppressed around him). Thus, twelve men and four women among the Muslims migrated, leading them was Uthman bn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah. They lived in Abyssinia among the best of neighbourhood, a situation the polytheists found distasteful, seeing the Emigrants enjoying stability: personally and religiously. They chose two wise men: Amr bn Aas and Abdullah bn Abi Rabee’ah, just before the two accepted Islam, they sent them with great gifts for King Negus and his bishops. When the two gathered the gifts to the bishops, they provided them with arguments to expel the Muslims. After the chiefs have agreed to advise Negus to expel them, the two came to Negus, presented the gifts and said: They said to him: "O King, there is a group of evil persons from among our youth who have escaped to your kingdom. They practice a religion which neither we nor you know. They have forsaken our religion and have not entered into your religion. The respected leaders of their people - from among their own parents and uncles and from their own clans - have sent us to you to request you to return them. They know best what trouble they have caused." The Bishops said: O King, release them to the two in order to return them to their people and country. But Negus felt the issue must be scrutinized, and to hear from all the parties. He then sent for the Muslims and they arrived having unanimously agreed to speak the truth whatever happens. Negus said to them: “What religion made you left your people and you did not take up my religion or that of any of these religious communities? Jaafar bn Abi Talib, the speaker for the Muslims said: “O king we were a people of ignorance; worshiping idols, eating flesh of dead animals, committing immorality, breaking ties of kinships, behaving badly to neighbors and the strong amongst us usurp the weak ones. We used to do that until Allah sent us an apostle from amongst us, we knew his lineage, his level of truthfulness, his trustworthiness, and his chastity, he thereby invited us to Allah that we may profess His oneness, and worship Him and discard what we and our fathers were worshipping other than Him, of stones and idols. He commanded us to say the truth, discharge trust, join ties of kinship, maintain good neighborliness, refrain from incest and bloodshed, and forbade us from immoralities, and false speech, consumption of the orphan's wealth, and from wrong accusation of chaste women. He commanded us to worship Allah alone, without associating partners with Him, and ordered us to observe solat, zakat, and fasting ...” Thus he enumerated for him the matters of Islam … “we therefore accepted him, believed and followed him based on what he presented to us of the religion of God. We therefore worshipped Allah alone without joining partners with Him, and we forbid what he forbade us and we legitimize what he legitimize for us, but our people became hostile to us, they tortured us and persecuted us in our religion in order to retract us to idolatory from the worship of Allah, the exalted, and that we should legitimize the obscenity we used to legitimize. When they subdued, oppressed and compelled us, standing between us and our religion, we set out to your country, choosing you over others, as we desire your nearness”. Negus said to him: Do you have with you any of what he said about God ? Jaafar said to him: Yes. Negus said to him: “Read it for me”. He recited the beginning of Surat Maryam. Negus wept until his beard got soaked, and bishops cried as well until their Books got soak when they heard what he recited for them. Negus then told them: “This and that brought by Jesus came from the same source” “The two of should leave” “By Allah, I will not release them to you” Then they left, and Amr bn El-Aas said to Abdullah bn Abi Rabee’ah: “By Allah, I shall meet him tomorrow concerning them with what I shall tear out their greens” Abdullah bn Abi Rabee’ah said to him: “Do not do that, they have relatives even though they disagree with us”. But Amr went ahead with his plan and told Negus the next day: “O King, they utter a great word about Jesus the son of Mary” Thus Negus sent for them and they were amazed when asked over their comment about Jesus but they resolved to say the truth whatever happens. On entry, and they were asked, Jafar replied: “We do say what our prophet (pbuh) brought to us concerning him: “He is a servant of Allah, His Messenger, His breath, and word which He inspired Maryam, the virgin maiden. Negus then picked a stick from the ground and said: “By Allah, Jesus is not more than what you said. Then he told the Muslims: “"Go, for you are safe and secure. Whoever obstructs you will pay for it and whoever opposes you will be punished. For, by God, I would rather not have a mountain of gold than that anyone of you should come to any harm."” Then he said to his entourage: “return their gifts back to them, I do not need it, by Allah, Allah did not collect a bribe from me when he restore my dynasty, where I will then need to collect bribes in its (administration), and as far as people obey me I obey them ” Ummu Salamah, the narrator of this story said: “The two left his domain dejected with the gifts they came with, while we stayed in the abode among the best neighbour. Migration to Madinah and the Schemings of the Polytheists: Then came the permission and the command of God for believers to migrate to Madinah. Then Muslims began to leave successively from Mecca and join their brethren- the Ansars in the Madinah. The Quraish had felt the danger of this migration and were afraid of the Messenger of Allah leaving, thus they met, consulted and agreed to kill him: { وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ} (الأنفال 30 ). {Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah. (Anfal: 30). Allah saved His Messenger, where he and his companion Abubakr, may Allah be pleased with him, left to the cave of Thawr towards the south of Mecca, and remained there for three nights as disguise strategy for the idolaters and using the appropriate means, as effort does not contradict reliance on God Almighty. The polytheists began the search for him and arrived near the cave, Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him heard the sound of their feet and agitated as fear over the Messenger of Allah not for himself and he said: “O Messenger of Allah, if anyone of them look towards below his feet, he would see us”. But the Apostle remained firm and connected with God Almighty confident in His victory and companionship. Allah, the Almighty says: { إِلاَّ تَنْصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَى وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ}(التوبة 40). {If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear, for Allah is with us": then Allah sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of Allah is exalted to the heights: for Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.} (Taubah: 40). God is the greatest. Such way do the enemies of Allah plan to eliminate the Messenger of Allah by deceits and deceptions, but they plot and plan, and Allah plans too. Allah revealed the plans of the polytheists to His prophet and authorized him to migrate while Abubakr had earlier prepared for the migration to Madinah and the Prophet said to him: “slowly, I hope to be authorized” By that, Abubakr stayed back in order to accompany the Prophet- peace be upon him. Aisha- may Allah be pleased with her- said: While we in the house of Abubakr by midday, the Messenger of Allah arrived at the door disguised. Abu Bakr said: Ransoming my parent for him, by Allah, nothing could have brought him by this time except an issue. The Prophet peace be upon him entered and said to Abubakr: “send out those with” He said: “They are your family” The Prophet said: “I have been authorized to migrate”. Abubakr said: “in your companion, O Messenger of God” He said: “Yes” He then said: “O Messenger of Allah! Take one of my two rides” the Prophet said: “with the price” Then the Messenger of Allah and Abubakr set out and stayed at the cave of Mount Thawr for three nights. Abdullah bin Abubakr- a young, intelligent and conscious boy- used to spend the nights with them to return to Makkah in the last hours of the nights to Makkah to be awake among the Quraishites. And whatever he hears concerning the prophet and his companion except that he keeps it until he gets to the two when night falls. The Quraishites searched for the prophet from all directions and used all means such that they place a price of hundred camels for whoever could apprehend the two or any of the two. But Allah was with the two, protecting and caring for them. The Quraishites stood at the cave’s entrance but could not see them. Abubakr said: “I told the prophet when we were in the cave that if one of them looks towards below his feet, he would see us!” The Prophet replied: Do not be sad, surely Allah is with us, what do you think of two people whom Allah is their third? Until the search for the two became a bit settled, they left the cave after the third night heading towards Madinah enroute the sea coast where Suroqah bn Malik on top his horse met them. Abubakr turned around and said: “O Messenger of Allah! This is the search, it has caught up with us! The prophet replied: “Do not be sad, surely Allah is with us” Suroqah came close to them and he heard the recitation of the prophet suddenly the two limbs of his horse sank into the earth while the belly touched the ground, though a hard ground. Suroqah descended and pulled it out, it stood, when it took out her hands, a radiant light follows it to the sky like a smoke. Suroqah said: “it came clear in my mind that the affair of the Messenger of Allah shall be manifested, consequently, I call out to them for an agreement. Then the prophet and the one with him stopped, as I rode my horse to them, I informed them of what the people wanted with them and I offered them provisions. He said to the prophet: “You shall pass by my camels and sheep at a particular place, take what you need from it”. He replied: “I do not need that” He then said: “conceal our matters”. Then Suroqah returned and never met anyone in search of the duo except he turned them back and said: “The side is adequately enough for” Glory be Allah, Praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah and Allah is the greatest. A man on his horse in search of the prophet- peace be upon him- and his companion in order to profit through them and profess pride of handing over the duo to their unbeliever enemies but never turn until he returned as a helper, a supporter, and a protector, offering them provision and whatever they wish for among camels and sheep while still foiling the attempts of those advancing towards their direction. Same is the case of whoever Allah is with, no one can harm, the end shall be for him. The Apostle arrived at Madinah and was welcomed with eagerness and joy, and the Migrants and the Helpers- Ansars- met forming the first Islamic State, which raised the Islamic flag and subjected the kings of Persia and the Romans. O servants of Allah! Let us make derive benefit from this great incidence and example in being consistent in the religion of Allah, whatever the temptations and obstacles, and sacrifice for it and work to uphold the banner of firm establishment on earth. Second Sermon Praise be to Allah, the end is for the pious and there is no aggression except against the oppressors. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, the protector of the righteous. I bear witness that Muhammad (pbuh) is His slave and Messenger, the honest and trustworthy, may Allah bless him and his family and all his companions. I admonish you and myself to fear Allah and obey Him and I warn you of sins and violation against Him. Dear brothers in Allah! The world today is deprived of security and safety, despite these stunning means of security achieved by modern science and despite these stunning inventions and innovations which discover and invent new discoveries daily. Likewise despite these massive planning based on scientific and psychological foundations to fight crime. Despite all these, the whole world is still deprived of security and safety. Millions of people in the world today live in a state of terror and dreadful panic, fear and anxiety, expecting death at every moment of their lives owing to what they see with their own eyes in the extermination of the human race, As well as what they witness with their own eyes in the cheapness of human blood! And the whole world in general and the Islamic world in particular will keep walking in this flight, and its face bear this suffocating heat, and will continue to walk in this labyrinth and misguidance, it will continue to walk and pass through this crisis, difficulty, narrowness and panic as long as it fails to return to the method of God Almighty over again. Oh God, bestow upon us with your fear and constant turn to You, inspire our guidance in your religion, and do not make the worldly matters the biggest of our concerns, and not the height of our knowledge, admit us into paradise with your mercy in the company the righteous, O You The Mighty, The All- Forgiving. Oh God, forgive the believing men and women, and Muslim men and women, living and dead, You are All- hearing, The Ever near, Ever -Responsive. O Allah! honour Islam and the Muslims, humiliate polytheism and the polytheists, destroy Your enemies, the enemies of the religion. O You The Strong, The Sturdy. O Allah! Make this country safe and peaceful, and other Muslim countries, by thy mercy, O You The Most Merciful.

RAJAB: VIRTUES & HERESIES.

To Allah belong all praises; pleasant, good and abundant, I praise and thank Him, I believe and repent unto Him, I seek His help and seek His forgiveness. I also seek refuge in Him from the evil of our souls and deeds. Whoever Allah guides is the guided, and whoever he misleads, you can never find a guide and protector for him. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah solely without any partner. I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and Messenger. O Allah bestow your salutation, peace and blessings upon Muhammad (PBUH), his families, companions, and those who follow them in goodness till the day of recompense. Thereafter, O servants of Allah! fear Allah and that is the reason for ease of man’s affair in life and hereafter. Allah says: :{وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا}(الطلاق:4) “and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy.” (65:4) {فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَى وَاتَّقَى , وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَى , فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَى} (الليل:5 – 7). “So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.” (26:88-89) أَيُّها الْمسلمون, اعْلَمُواْ رَحِمَكُمُ اللهُ أَنَّ شَهْرَ رَجَب لَهُ فَضْلٌ بَيْنَ اْلأشْهُرِ اْلإسْلاَمِيَّةِ وَهُوَ أَحَدُ اْلأشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ, وَالأشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ أَرْبَعَةٌ, وَاحِدٌ فَرْدٌ وَثَلاَثَةٌ سَرْدٌ, فَالْوَاحِدُ الْفَرْدُ هُوَ رَجَبُ بَيْنَ جُمَادى وَشَعْبَانَ, وَالثَّلاثَةُ السَّرْدُ هِىَ: ذُو القَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ, وَلَقَدْ كَانَ لِلأَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ عِنْدَ الْعَرَبِ شَأْنٌ عَظِيمٌ قَبْلَ الإسْلاَمِ الَّذِى جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا مُحمَّدٌ صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم, حَتَّى إنَّ اْلأَعْرَابِىَّ كَانَ يَلْقى فِى الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قَاتِلَ أَبِيهِ فَلاَ يَقْتُلْهُ, وَقَدْ وَرَثَ الْعَرَبُ عَنْ إبْرَاهِيمَ وَإسْماعِيلَ عليهما السَّلام تَقْدِيسَ هَذِهِ اْلأَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ فَكَانُواْ يَنْصَرِفُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى عِمَارَةِ اْلأَرْضِ مِنْ تِجَارَةٍ وَزِرَاعَةٍ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ, وَلاَ يَلْتَفِتُونَ إِلَى الْقَتْلِ الْتِزَامًا بِمَا أَرَادَ اللهُ تَعَالَى, وَقَدْ أَشَارَ القرآنُ الكريمُ إِلَى هَذِهِ الشُّهُورِ فِى قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى Dear Muslims, know -God have mercy on you- that the month of Rajab have virtues among the Islamic months; it is one of the sacred months. The sacred months are four, one in individual form and three are in sequence. The individual one is Rajab; between Jumada and Shaban. The three in sequence are Dhul- Qa’dah, Dhul-hijjah and Muharram. The sacred months were held in high esteem among the Arabs before Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), even the Bedouin Arab would meet his father’s murderer on the way in the sacred month and he will not slay him. The Arabs inherited reverence for the sacred months from Ibrahim and Isma’eel, peace be upon them. They do change to developing the land including trade, agriculture, etc., they do not turn to fight in adherence to God’s wish. The Qur’an points to these months thus: {إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَاْلأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ (التوبة : 36). Allah says: The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (9: 36) From Abu Bakrah, the Prophet delivered a speech at the pilgrimage, he said: (Verily time has made a round turn like the form it was when Allah created the heavens and the Earth, a year is twelve months including four sacred ones, three are in sequences; Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar between the month of Jumada and Sha’baan) Ahmad. Rajab is that month which reminds us always of that great event- Al-Israi Wal- Mi’raaj- which happened in the twenty-seventh night according to most scholars of Islam. It was a blessed journey, a gracious hospitality of Allah- the most beneficent, a miracle among the miracles of the Prophet (PBUH). It was a connecting trip that links between the Sacred Mosque (Ka’abah) and Al-Aqsa Mosque and between the Muslims and Jerusalem or Bayt Al-maqdis, Allaah says: { سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ}(الإسراء : 1) “Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).” (17: 1) The prophet- Muhammad (PBUH) led all the prophets at the mosque, as a pointer to unification or oneness of the religions of the prophets and messengers, as they all came from Allah, Who sent them to mankind with the religion of Islam. Allah says: {إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اْلإِسْلاَمُ} (آل عمران : 19) The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will) (3:19) {وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ} (آل عمران : 85) If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good). (3:85) In this month, the greatest pillar of Islam- after the two testimonies- was made mandatory; the obligatory prayers. Anas said: Salaat was ordained on the Prophet (PBUH) as fifty on the night he was taken on the celestial journey, then it was reduced until it became five, then he was called thus: “O Muhammad! Verily, my decree is unchangeable, surely, by (observing) these five (salaat) it stands as fifty” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi & Nasaai) It will be the first deed by which a servant shall be held accountable for on the day of resurrection while they stand before their Lord for accountability and reward. From Abdullah bn Qurt he said: the messenger of Allah said: “The first matter a servant shall be questioned about on the day of judgement is solaat (prayer), if it is good, all his deeds will be good, and if it is deficient, all his deeds will be deficient” (Abu Daawud & Tabraani). From Abu Hurairah, the prophet (PBUH) said: “The first thing by which a servant shall be judged is his solat (prayer), if he completed it, but if not, Allah (the exalted) will say: ‘check, does my servant have any voluntary act?’ If any voluntary act is found, He (swt) will say: ‘Use that to complete his obligatory acts’” (Hadith Qudsiy). Solat is the path to victory and success, prosperity and achievement in life and the hereafter. It is such that when its structure are based on devotedness and humility, it lights the hearts, purifies the souls and teaches the servant of Allah the etiquettes of true servitude to Allah, it also plants in the heart of the observer of this rights greatness of Allah- the exalted. Allah says: ( قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الَمُؤْمِنُونَ, الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلاَتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونِ} (المومنون ١_۲), The believers must (eventually) win through, Those who humble themselves in their prayers) (23:1-2) {إنَّ اْلإنْسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا إذَا مَسَّهُ شَرٌّ جَزُوعًا وَإذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا إِلاَّ الْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِمْ دَائِمُونَ} (المعارج ١۹_۲۳). Truly man was created very impatient; Fretful when evil touches him; And niggardly when good reaches him; Not so those devoted to Prayer; Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; (67:19-23) Dear esteemed brother, what credit does the month of Rajab possess other than this credit, there is no one single sound hadith from the prophet (PBUH) which specifies an act of worship for the month. On this issue, we witness some deviations with some Muslims today- may Allah guide them, who crave to get closer to Allah, get forgiveness of sins, seek the love of Allah and His pleasure, by using things God Has not ordained or authorized for them. Of course they intended good, however, how many are desirous of good but never reach it? O servants of Allah, the lesson here is not just on good intention, rather it is imperative in addition to good intention, that the deed must be legally enjoined. If otherwise, then the act is unacceptable and it is turned back to the owner. However, who is worthy to describe an act unacceptable in the sight of Allah? And what informs him that an act is unacceptable? In response we say: the informer of this fact is Muhammad (PBUH)- the truthful and trustworthy. In a hadith: “Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. into Islam) something that does not belong to it, it is to be rejected." According to the version in Muslim, (it reads): "Whosoever works a work which has for it no command of ours is to be rejected." Thus every act which is not commanded by the Lawgiver- Allah (swt), must be rejected and turned back to the owner. Part of what they do in Rajab is to slaughter, as in the days of ignorance people do slaughter and they named such animals ‘Ateerah. Scholars said: “Islam had obliterated this practice based on the hadith by Abu hurairah in the two Sahihs, that the prophet (PBUH) said: “No Fara’u and no ‘Ateerah” (Fara’u is the first produce, which Arabs slaughter for their gods. Ateerah is slaughtered in the month of Rajab). Part of the heresies in Rajab is the solaat (prayer) which Allah and His messenger had not commanded or authorized, which they call- The Salaat Al-raghaa'ib. Scholars said: There is no special solat (prayer) in Rajab. All the hadith purportedly narrated on the virtues of Solat of Ragaaib are all fabrications, futility and falsehoods. Some scholars said: it was introduced after four centuries, it was not known before then and none of the scholars of the glorious generations of Islam mentioned it. Part of what some people reserve the month of Rajab for is fasting. There is no hadith that talks about the specialty of the month of Rajab for fasting. However, whoever is accustomed to fasting can fast in it like Monday and Thursday and the moonlit nights (13th, 14th and 15th nights of every months) should observe it. In fact the prophet never observe fast completely in any month outside Ramadan as reported by the mother of the faithfuls- ‘Aishah (R.A): (The messenger of Allah do fast until we say he never cease fasting, and he do not fast until we say he never fast, and I have never seen the messenger of Allah (PBUH) complete the fast in any month except Ramadan, and I have never seen him plentiful in fasting in any month as in Sha’baan) (Bukhar & Muslim) Part of the innovations in Rajab is the Umrah which they named Ar-Rajabiyyah, this is also an aberration. There is hadith which describes the merit of Umrah in Rajab except in Ramadan. It was reported in the Sahih that: (An Umrah in Ramadan is equal to hajj) in another narration (equal to having hajj with me). Therefore whoever embarks on Umrah in this month with the intention for the merits of this month have committed an error. The prophet did not do Umrah in Rajab despite doing the Umrah four times. Ibn Hajar who wrote fathul- baari (may Allah grant him mercy) said: There was no hadith worthy as proof on fasting in Rajab or the fasting of any particular thing, and none was also recorded on observing any specific night out of it. Ibn taymiyah (may Allah grant him mercy) said: Salaat Al-raghaa'ib is observed in the first night of Rajab as twenty rak'ahs with Suratul- Fathahh and Suratul-Ikhlaas, it is an heresy on the agreement of the imams of the religion- Islam, as well as the keeping vigil of the night of the middle of Sha'ban, which is hundred (100) rak'ahs, suratul- ikhlaas is read a thousand times (1000), these are all fabricated innovations. Sayyid Saabiq (may Allah grant him mercy) said: “Fasting in Rajab do not have any virtue different from other sacred months, it was not related in the authentic sunnah that the fasting has any distinguishing virtue. (Fiqh sunnah, 1/516). Brothers in Islam, verily a Muslim who seeks goodness and reward seeks that from the Book of Allah and the authentic sunnah of His messenger (PBUH). In Sahih Muslim, the messenger (PBUH) said at the farewell pilgrimage: (I have left among you, that which if you hold onto them you will not be strayed forever; the book of Allah and my sunnah). In the Qur’an Allah says: {وَمَا ءاتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُواْ} (الحشر:7). So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. (59:7) May Allah make us all of the people who receive admonition when admonished and forgive us the early and later of our sins. Having said this, I seek Allah’s forgiveness for us all and all Muslims, He is verily All-forgiving, Most Gracious. THE SECOND SERMON All praises are due to Allah the Lord of the universe, He guided us to Islam, thereby making us among the best nation ever evolved for mankind, if we sincerely hold unto it. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone with no partner, I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the salutations and peace of our Lord be upon him, his families, and all his companions. Then know O servants of Allah that Islam is not name-calling and affiliation without commitment to its provisions, duties, and desist from desecrating its principles. A Muslim is actually the person who upholds the enshrined duties and shun the prohibitions. Islam is not only prayers, or pilgrimage or charity only rather it is a prayer and pilgrimage and charity, and faith and character, it is honesty and trust, love and fulfillment, charity and patience, humility and dignity and mercy. It is as well knowledge and civilization, education and work, community and system, politics and governance, economy and earnings, leadership and striving in the way of Allah. Therefore, there is no way out of the quagmire which the world have fallen into including, suffering, humanitarian problems, anxiety, disorder and chaos except by return to Islam and upholding its guidance and its formidable system. { فَفِرُّواْ إِلىَ اللهِ إِنِّى لَكُمْ مِنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ} (الذاريات ٥۰) Hasten ye then (at once) to Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open (55:50) {وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لاَ تُنْصَرُونَ , وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنْتُمْ لاَ تَشْعُرُونَ}(الزمر: 54 -55) "Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped. "And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive not! (39:54-55) {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ}(البقرة : 208) O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy. (2:208) O Allah grant honour to Islam and Muslims, and humiliate idolatry and idolaters, protect the possession of religion, humiliate the enemies of the religion. O Allah grant us security in our country- Nigeria, make this country safe, secured, generous, comfortable, and all other Muslim countries. O Allah, grant victory to your religion and your book and your Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and your righteous servants. Oh God, make our leaders merciful to us, and guide them to the truth, O Lord of the universe.

LABOURS’ RIGHTS IN ISLAM. (in remembrance of the world labours’ right day)

All praises are due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, repent unto Him and seek His forgiveness. We also seek refuge in Him from the evil of our souls and deeds. Whoever Allah guides none can mislead him, and whoever he misleads, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah solely without any partner. I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and Messenger. Allah sent him when there was break in apostleship and people were disconnected from all roads that lead to guidance. Thus, Allah gave sight through him out of blindness of ignorance, He created unity after being in disunity, and granted provision of abundance after poverty and lack. O Allah bestow your salutation, peace and blessings upon him as long as the night and day alternately succeed one another, and on his families, companions, pious followers till the day of recompense. Thereafter, O servants of Allah! fear Allah and the day you shall 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) THE DIVINE WISDOM BEHIND VARIED LIVELIHOOD AMONG MANKIND O servants of Allah, it is out of Allah’s wisdom that He made variety among mankind in their characters, provisions, capabilities, wealth, poverty, faith and disbelief. Exalted is Allah; The Wise, The All-knowing in His judgement and decree. {وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لاعِبِينَ مَا خَلَقْنَاهُمَا إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ} (الدخان38- 39). The prevalent variation among people in this world is firstly a conspicuous pointer to the perfectness/ absoluteness of Allah’s might that He is able over all things. After that, there is in the variety great benefits for mankind; had mankind been on the same level in wealth or poverty, or character or achievements, it would not have achieved the intended goal and benefit but Allah is All-wise the All-knowing. {أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مَعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَةُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُون} (الزخرف32) Allah says: “Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.” (43: 32) Allah favourably honours some part of the creation over others so that one will be subjected to the service of the other. Exalted is Allah; The Wise, The All-knowing in His judgement and decree. ISLAMIC LEGAL PRINCIPLES IN RELATING WITH WORKERS: O Muslim brothers, on the occasion of the world day for the rights of workers, people are asking about the working relationship between the employee and the employer, and the position of the Sharia on it? What is the position of the Sharia on cheating at work and the employee? Are there systems in Islam that deal with that relationship and is prepared for that. So that things can take the right track and take away injustice and aggression from everyone. Therefore trust becomes implanted in the hearts of the employee, it thus prevents the employer from injustice and tyranny is? We say: Yes, the Shariah of Allah came with what will actualize human happiness in this world and the hereafter, the right balance and moderation in all circumstances, firstly, in terms of the worker and the employer, Islam came to achieve this interest for both parties: 1- Working in Sharia has dignity and merit, and the income earned through working is the best earning. The prophet (PBUH) says: (The best of a man’s wealth is his earning from his handiwork and that of every good sale.) (related by Ahmed Al-tabaraani and Al-haakim and Al-bayhaqi) The best earning the servant of Allah could have is product from his labour and sweat, that is his pride, honour and virtues, that is also best for him than to ask people and humiliate himself. In an hadith (If any of you takes his rope and came with firewood, sells it, and then profit himself through it, that is better for him than to ask people either they give him or prevent him) (agreed from the hadeeth of Abu hurayrah) A worker is dignified as he discharge his duty with honesty and sincerity and fears Allah, hence his earnings then is good, honourable, accompanied by self dignity, self-esteem and saving it from humiliation, disgrace, begging people and resorting to them. 2. Allah commands the employee and the employer to adhere to the obligations of the contract between them. Allah said: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ} (المائدة1) {O you who believe fulfil (all) contracts} (5: 1) The employer should abide by the contract signed between him and the employee in the payment of the wages, job description, amount of work so that it is clear to everyone. The employer is required to carry out the contract between him and the employee in totality because it is a trust. And if he deviate from it then that will be treacherous; an act of hypocrites who lies when they speak, they break their promises and betray trusts. It is obligatory on the employee to abide by the terms of agreement with all trust, truth and sincerity. If both parties adhere to these terms of agreement then, things will sail smoothly with the grace of God. 3. Also, Islam encourages the employer to pay the employee his wages on time, the prophet (PBUH) said: “Pay the employee his wages before his sweat dries” (Al-bayhaqi in the Sunan). Procrastinating the workers, delaying their rights and entitlements for many months despite the employer’s full capability to pay, but due to complacency, fraudulent manipulations and exploiting the money for his interests. The workers will be expecting their entitlements but he does not care. Even some confront them with their grievances, or become compelled to relinquish some of their rights wrongfully, and these had bad and severe consequences. 4. Also, it forbidden on him to deprive him of any of his having discharged their duty. In the hadith the prophet (PBUH) said: (Allah said: “I am the opponent to three persons and whoever I am to him an opponent, I defeat him: he mentioned of them: (a man who sold a freeborn and ate the gain from it, and a man who employed people, he got his right from them, but he did not give them their rights, and a man who had a covenant with Me but betrayed” (narrated by Al-bukhaari in chapter on leasing) Allah is an opponent to these men on the day of resurrection; an opponent to the employer who suffers the employee, he got his full right from him, and then procrastinates, denies, and deal unjustly with his right, and hide from him, come up with tricks, deception, fraud and cover ups that are actually conspicuous. Allah encompasses and sees him and his secrecies. GIVING WORKERS’ THEIR RIGHTS LEADS TO ACCEPTANCE OF PRAYERS. Servants of God, there are commendations to the employer who discharge his obligation in the Islamic law. Giving the workers their rights in honesty leads to acceptance of prayer and deliverance from tribulations and crises. The prophet (PBUH) tells us a story of the three who sought shelter at night in a cave. A big rock rolled down the mountain and closed the mouth of the cave. They could not move it and no one knew nothing about them. And when they became powerless and unable to achieve anything, they looked up to Allah and seek a means to Him by their good deeds. They were three, one of them said: "O Allah! I employed few labourers and I paid them their wages with the exception of one man who did not take his wages and went away. I invested his wages and I got much property thereby; camels, cows, sheep, slaves and farm land. (Then after some time) he came and said to me: O Allah's slave! Pay me my wages. I said to him: All the camels, cows, sheep, slaves and farm land you see, are yours. He said: “Are you mocking at me? I said: “I am not mocking at you”. And he said: “O Allah” So, he took all the herd and drove them away and left nothing. O Allah! If I did that for Your Sake only, please relieve us from the present suffering.' So, that rock shifted completely and they got out walking. (narrated by Al-bukhaari in chapter on leasing and Muslim in chapter on Dhikr and Prayer). Thus is the reward of the truthful ones, with sincere, honest treatment among people. The consequence of non-performance of rights: The opposite is the dealing with the person who deny rights deservingly he gets destruction in earnings and loss in his business, in addition to what is awaits him in the sight of Allah including chastisement and the curse of the oppressed. The prayer of the oppressed meet the opening of the gates of the heaven and accepted by Allah. Allah said: “By My might, I shall defend you even if it be after a while” (narrated by Ahmad and Al-tirmidhi). There is no partition between the prayer of the oppressed and Allah as said by Mu’aadh: “And fear the prayer of the oppressed, there is no partition between it and Allah” (narrated by Al-bukhaari and Muslim) Dear Muslims, it is obligatory on the Government to fear Allah as they employ workers; both men and women. The fear of Allah in the covenant that is between her and Allah. Firstly is to know or recognize their needs and recognize their poverty status, and to treat them with kindness in all matters. The prophet (PBUH) said: “Your brothersyou’re your slaves, Allah put them under you, and whoever Allah place his brother under him, let him feed him from what he eats, and cloth hin from what he wears, do not assign to them what they cannot capable to do, but if you do, then, assist them with it” (narrated by Al-bukhaari and Muslim). And you should not betray them, Allah says: {إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا اْلأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا} (النساء : 58) Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things. (4: 58) { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ }(الأنفال27). O ye that believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you. (8: 27) From this perspective, we join our voice from this Minbar with those who are demanding their rights from the Trade Union of workers and professionals in various States of Nigeria in particular, and the world at large. May Allah benefit you and I with the Holy Qur'aan, and the guidance of the leader of the apostles (PBUH), Having said my message, I seek Allah’s forgiveness for me and you and all Muslims, from all sins, engage in seeking forgiveness from Him, He is All-forgiving, Most- merciful. THE SECOND SERMON All praises are due to Allah the Lord of the universe, He guided us to Islam, thereby making us among the best nation ever evolved for mankind, if we sincerely hold unto it. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone with no partner, I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the salutations and peace of our Lord be upon him, his families, and all his companions. Dear Muslims, know that honour is earn through true faith and good work. {ولِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ} (االمنافقون 8) { But honour belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the Believers} (63:8) Allah does not give honour to the lazy and weak people, but to the believers who do good works, Allah says: {وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فيِ الزَّبُورِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الذِّكْرِ أنَّ اْلأرْضَ يَرثُهَا عِبَادِيَ الصَّالِحُونَ إِنَّ فيِ هَذَا لَبَلاَغاً لِقَوْمٍ عَابِدِينَ}(الأنبياء 105-106). {Before this We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Moses): My servants the righteous, shall inherit the earth. Verily in this (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah.} (21: 105-106). We see in this verse that Allah makes the inheritance of the Earth for the His believing servants who are described as righteous. Good and righteous works are products of sincere faith, life goes on in it, the earth becomes developed after goodness of the hearts, and life becomes organized, the source of wealth will be for all people, the system will be effectively productive, and there will be increase in blessings in all areas of life. Thus it will be inevitable that work must be stem from sound doctrine within a spiritual atmosphere, producing and not destroying, reforming and not corrupting, and actualizing benefits and good for all the people. O Allah grant honour to Islam and Muslims, and humiliate idolatry and idolaters, protect the possession of religion, humiliate the enemies of the religion. O Allah grant us security in our country- Nigeria, make this country safe, secured, generous, comfortable, and all other Muslim countries. O Allah, grant victory to your religion and your book and your Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and your righteous servants. Oh God, make our leaders merciful to us, and guide them to the truth, O Lord of the universe.

THE HIJAB; FAITH, WORSHIP, PURIFICATION AND MODESTY.

To Allah belong all praises, the Lord of the worlds. He honoured with Islam and made us the best nation ever evolved for mankind. We praise Him, we seek help from Him and we ask for His pardon. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our souls and deeds. Whom Allah guides right, no one can lead him astray and whom He leaves to stray there will be no Guide for him. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone with no partner, He is the Lord of mankind and their King. I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. He was sent to all mankind, He made his law everlasting and all-encompassing for all races. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his families, and companions, who believed in him, followed him, spread his religion and propagated it. Thereafter, O people! I admonish you and myself to fear Allah- the Great, Who created you. Seek His help by obedience to Him with what He provided for you, hold onto His scripture, be aware that you shall be questioned concerning Islam and its landmarks. Allah says: ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﯖ ﯗ ﯘ ﯙﯚ ﯛ ﯜ ﯝ ﭼ الزخرف: ٤٤ “The (Qur'an) is indeed the message, for thee and for thy people; and soon shall ye (all) be brought to account..” (43: 44) Dear Muslim brothers, there is a great care for the Muslim woman in Islam to preserve her chastity and make her honourable and elevated in status. The attached standard enshrined for her dress and adornments are only to serve as impediments to consequential evil that could result from dazzling display of beauty and decorations, it is not a restriction of her freedom rather they are protections to prevent her from falling into the pit of humiliation, vulgarity, and from serving as object of lust in the eyes of her beholders. THE HIJAB: FAITH, OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH AND HIS APOSTLE Hijab in Islam is faith and obedience to Allah and His apostle. A believing woman will not challenge the command of her Lord or would she prefer anything contrary to Allah’s injunction in this matter. ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭑ ﭒ ﭓ ﭔ ﭕ ﭖ ﭗ ﭘ ﭙ ﭚ ﭛ ﭜ ﭝ ﭞ ﭟ ﭠﭡ ﭢ ﭣ ﭤ ﭥ ﭦ ﭧ ﭨ ﭩ ﭪ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٣٦ Allah says: “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (33: 36) Allah also instructed women to adorn the Hijab in His word thus: ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﮐ ﮑ ﮒ ﮓ ﮔ ﮕ ﮖ ﮗ ﮘ ﮙ ﮚ ﮛ ﮜ ﮝﮞ ﮟ ﮠ ﮡ ﮢﮣ ﮤ ﮥ ﮦ ﮧ ﮨ ﮩ ﮪ ﮫ ﮬ ﮭ ﮮ ﮯ ﮰ ﮱ ﯓ ﯔ ﯕ ﯖ ﯗ ﯘ ﯙ ﯚ ﯛ ﯜ ﯝ ﯞ ﯟ ﯠ ﯡ ﯢ ﯣ ﯤ ﯥ ﯦ ﯧ ﯨ ﯩ ﯪ ﯫ ﯬ ﯭ ﯮ ﯯ ﯰﯱ ﯲ ﯳ ﯴ ﯵ ﯶ ﯷ ﯸ ﯹﯺ ﯻ ﯼ ﯽ ﯾ ﯿ ﰀ ﰁ ﰂ ﰃ ﭼ النور: ٣١ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss. (24: 31) ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭶ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭼ ﭽﭾ ﭿ ﮀ ﮁ ﮂ ﮃ ﮄ ﮅﮆ ﮇ ﮈ ﮉ ﮊ ﮋ ﮌ ﮍ ﮎ ﮏ ﮐ ﮑ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٣٣ And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the dazzling display of the former times of ignorance. (33: 33) ﭧ ﭨ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭽ ﮝ ﮞ ﮟ ﮠ ﮡ ﮢ ﮣ ﮤ ﮥ ﮦ ﮧﮨ ﮩ ﮪ ﮫ ﮬ ﮭ ﮮﮯ ﮰ ﮱ ﯓ ﯔ ﯕ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٥٩ O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (33: 59) ﭧ ﭨ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭽ ﯞ ﯟ ﯠ ﯡ ﯢ ﯣ ﯤ ﯥﯦ ﯧ ﯨ ﯩ ﯪﯫ ﰁ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٥٣ And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. (33: 53) ﭧ ﭨ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭽ ﭡ ﭢ ﭣ ﭤ ﭥ ﭦﭧ ﭨ ﭩ ﭪ ﭫ ﭬ ﭭ ﭮ ﭯ ﭰ ﭱ ﭲ ﭳ ﭴ ﭵ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٣٢ O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear (Allah), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. (33: 32) THE HIJAB; A WORSHIP: Hijab is one of the greatest acts of worships as well as one of the most important obligations because Allah commanded it and forbade its opposite which is nudity. The Prophet (PBUH) also commanded it and forbade the opposite in his Sunnah. Equally, the scholars- old and new- are unanimous on its obligatory status where there is none among them who is in exception. The insinuation that tries to confine the Hijab, as an act of worship of a particular era, needs to substantiate its claim with credible proofs, but they obviously have none. We therefore say emphatically: “There is no new thing in the Hijab” Even if the Hijab had not been enjoined by the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and that there had not been any narration on its virtues, it would have been one of the virtues and good qualities which would be praiseworthy for a woman to abide by and guard, how then is it when it’s obligation is enshrined in the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the consensus of the scholars? THE HIJAB; PURITY AND CHASTITY: Be aware that the Hijab is purification and a guide of chastity for the woman. Allah, the Exalted says: ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﮇ ﮈ ﮉ ﮊ ﮋ ﮌ ﮍ ﮎ ﮏ ﮐ ﮑ ﭼ الأحزاب: ٣٣ And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. (33: 33) ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻﭼ ﭽ ﭾ ﭿ ﮀ ﭼ النور: ٦٠ but it is best for them to be modest, and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things (24: 60) DAZZLING DISPLAY OF NAKEDNESS, THE WAY OF IBLIS- THE DEVIL: Dear Muslims, the story of the encounter of Adam with Iblis- the devil reveals the level of his desire to expose nakedness and stripe off the covering dresses. Dazzling display of nakedness is his fundamental goal. ﭧ ﭨ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭽ ﮊ ﮋ ﮌ ﮍ ﮎ ﮏ ﮐ ﮑ ﮒ ﮓ ﮔ ﮕ ﮖ ﮗ ﮘﮙ ﮚ ﮛ ﮜ ﮝ ﮞ ﮟ ﮠ ﮡﮢ ﮣ ﮤ ﮥ ﮦ ﮧ ﮨ ﮩ ﮪ ﭼ الأعراف: ٢٧ O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith. (7: 27) Therefore Iblis- the devil is the brain behind the campaign for Dazzling display of Nakedness, he is one of the leaders of the so-called liberation of women. DAZZLING DISPLAY OF NAKEDNESS; A JEWISH AGENDA. The Jews had a great stake in causing the destruction of many nations through women ordeal. They are people of experience in this area from the ancient periods. Ibn Hisham narrated from Abi ‘Awn: An Arab woman brought her slave, she then sold him in the market of the tribe of Qaynuqa, and she sat down by a jeweler, but they tried efforts to make her reveal her face, and she refused. But the Goldsmith deliberately got the tip of her cloth tied to her back, unknown to her. When she stood suddenly, her nakedness became exposed and they laughed at her, and she shouted. Then, a man among the Muslim leaped at the Goldsmith who was a Jew and killed him. The Jews then mobbed the Muslim and got him killed. The family of the slain Muslim complained to the Muslims over the action of the Jews. This resulted into an ugly scenario between them and the tribe of Qaynuqa. O Muslims! pay attention to the machinations of your enemies and their plots to destroy you. Women Issue remains one of the greatest issues they have made a weapon against you, which is wielded in your faces by some of your children who have been deceived. Rise up to shut down these filthy tongues, and destroy these dubious pens (writers), which emit these toxins among you. Recognise where it comes from, and block its way towards you. There is for you, that which if you hold unto it, you will not be strayed or overpowered- the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger and the religion of Islam. These enemies have nothing except lies, imposture and deceit. Constantly give thanks to Allah for His blessings and ask Him for steadfastness on His religion and safety from the evil of temptations and trials. May Allah benefit me and you with the Holy Qur'aan, and the guidance of the leader of the apostles (PBUH), Having said my message, I seek Allah’s forgiveness for me and you and all Muslims, from all sins, engage in seeking forgiveness from Him, He is All-forgiving, Most- merciful. The Second Sermon All praises are due to Allah the Lord of the universe, He guided us to Islam, thereby making us among the best nation ever evolved for mankind, if we sincerely hold unto it. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone with no partner, I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the salutations and peace of our Lord be upon him, his families, and all his companions. Thereafter, Be aware that you have not been created in vain, and you have not been left in life unguided. God created you to worship Him, and He orders you to act on the concept of the unification of God, while He supplies you with His abundant grace. He subjected the night and the day to you to employ them in your obedience to Him. He sent His Messenger to you, He revealed to you His book, to show you what is permissible and forbidden, what is beneficial to you and what is dangerous, of all that you bring to Him including dangers and frights so as to take caution and prepare for what is before you. performance is in this world while reward is in the hereafter. Allah says: ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭞ ﭟ ﭠ ﭡ ﭢ ﭣﭤ ﭥ ﭦ ﭧ ﭨﭩ ﭪ ﭫ ﭬ ﭭ ﭮ ﭯ ﭰ ﭱ ﭲ ﭳ ﭴﭵ ﭶ ﭷ ﭸ ﭹ ﭺ ﭻ ﭼ ﭽ ﭼ فاطر: ٥ - ٦ {O men! Certainly the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah. Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents, that they may become Companions of the Blazing Fire.} (Fatir: 5-6). Imam Ali bn Abi Talib said: “The life of this world flees away while the life of the hereafter draws nearer, and both has progenies. Hasten to be of the progeny of the hereafter and do not be of the progeny of this world. For today is for work and performance without any accountability, but tomorrow is accountability and there will be no work.” Utilize your time in this life for what will benefit you in the hereafter. ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭪ ﭫ ﭬ ﭭ ﭮ ﭯ ﭰ ﭱ ﭲ ﭳ ﭴ ﭵ ﭶ ﭷ ﭼ الشعراء: ٨٨ - ٨٩ "The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, "But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart; (26: 88- 89) If we fail to fill our times with obedience and worship, we would lose and regret over its expiration. ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﭑ ﭒ ﭓ ﭔ ﭕ ﭖ ﭗ ﭘ ﭙ ﭚ ﭛ ﭜ ﭝ ﭞ ﭟ ﭠ ﭡ ﭼ العصر: ١ - ٣ By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. (Asr: 1-3) Therefore consider, which of the two groups would you align with, the Losers or the Gainers? Verily what happened last week in Borno in the killing of more than 185 lives of unarmed civilians by the security forces JTF, mainly women and children, is unacceptable by all standards, this is not a humane alternative for Amnesty recommended by the intelligent Nigerians for the Government. It is mandatory for Muslim leaders to denounce this evil and demand from the Federal Government to call to order this barbaric force before it decimates the people and the country. In addition to this calamity was the fire that consumed 70 houses and shops and businesses in Ibadan, when an oil truck fell into the gutter on Monday, in this week,- though no life was lost, praise be to Allah, however, many sustained serious injuries and lots of properties were lost in the event. We therefore call on the Federal Government to handle road projects with all sincerity of purpose and complete sense of responsibility, while the Federal Fire Services should be at alert, well equipped with modern equipment to confront such occurrences in the future. Allah says: ﭧ ﭨ ﭽ ﯽ ﯾ ﯿ ﰀ ﰁ ﰂ ﰃ ﰄ ﰅ ﰆ ﰇ ﭼ الشورى: ٣٠ Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because on the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness. (42:30) O Allah grant honour to Islam and Muslims, and humiliate idolatry and idolaters, protect the possession of religion, humiliate the enemies of the religion. O Allah grant us security in our country- Nigeria, make this country safe, secured, generous, comfortable, and all other Muslim countries. O Allah, grant victory to your religion and your book and your Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and your righteous servants. Oh God, make our leaders merciful to us, and guide them to the truth, O Lord of the universe.