In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, the Merciful
All Praise is due to Allah alone. And prayers and peace of Allah be upon the last Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Dear brothers and sisters! Allah Almighty says:
“If he holds the upper hand (authority or leadership), he goes about the earth creating mischief and laying to waste crops and human life. Allah does not love mischief. When he is told to have fear of Allah, he is seized by pride which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell shall suffice for him–what a wretched resting place!” [Qur’an, 2:205-206]
The Nigerian leaders must remember that if they deviate from the path of truth and justice, they can not be worthy of being protected by Almighty Allah. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has cautioned:
“No sin is more swiftly punished by Allah than injustice.”
And Imam Ibn Taimiyyah, the great teacher of Islam, while explaining Prophetic sayings on the issues of justice and injustice, wrote the following:
“Allah upholds the just state even if it is unbelieving, but does not uphold the unjust state even if it is Muslim.” [See Public Duties In Islam, page 95]
In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty has described how He punished many of the nations for indulging in injustice and mischief on earth. The deviations for which the past nations faced devastation, how can the contemporary Nigerian leaders gain exaltation by adopting the same conduct?
What the leaders need now is to rectify their lives in conformity with righteous guidance. They must stop adopting a self-complacent approach of justifying their failures by blaming the wrongdoings of others. And Nigerians have to be the standard-bearer of truth and justice, as they are commanded in the Qur’an:
“O You who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for Allah alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, Allah is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, Allah is aware of what you do.” [Qur’an, 4:135]
History bears this witness that nations that caused injustice to their fellow human beings did not survive for long. It is against Allah’s Sunnah (way). The present protests should be taken as a warning from Allah for the leaders and the led to wake up and to follow the course of returning to the path of righteousness. The Qur’an reminds us:
“Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He (Allah) may let them taste (the consequences of) some part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (to the right path).” [Qur’an: 30:41]
How to return? Almighty Allah has already exhorted:
“Therefore summon (mankind), and take the right course, as you have been ordered to; and do not follow their whims, but say: ‘I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord.” [Qur’an: 42:15]
Dear brothers and sisters!Always remember that you can grow without destroying others. Remember that your dreams can be fulfilled without sabotaging others. Remember that nobody must go down for you to rise. Remember that nobody must be shamed or embarrassed for your smile to be sustained. Remember that while others are rising, you can also rise. Remember that finding satisfaction in the pain of others will never bring you true happiness. Remember that what you wish others is a prayer for yourself. Try to become the good fire that genuinely lights up others, not one that ruins the joy, goodwill, and expectation of others. Never take delight in causing pain or sponsoring the tears of another. And allow the true fear of Allah to guide your days, strengthen your relationships and set your course.
This is the path to true peace, lasting influence and meaningful living!
I ask Allah to guide us all to true, genuine repentance, and to make our affairs easy here and the Hereafter.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected]; or +2348038289761.
