By Mumini AbdulKareem
For Allah (SWT) to favour anybody with Islam on earth has been described as the greatest gift that the Almighty can bestow on anybody.
Muslims should therefore consider such favours as rare privilege from Allah (SWT) and do everything possible to protect the faith while showing gratitude to Allah by adhering strictly to the dictates of God as prescribed in the Quran and explained in the tradition of the Prophet (SWT).
Ustaz Ahmad Muhammad, noted this during the Tafsir of The Muslim Congress (TMC) which was held at Ayeloja Central Mosque, Osere, Ilorin on Friday, adding that worldly possession of adherent of other religions should not deceive Muslims to abandon their faith.
According to him, out of love from Allah, He can decide to withhold whatever we have been praying for which might affect our faith at the end of the day and debar Muslims from gaining paradise.
“Don’t be carried away by the possession and worldly properties of the people of other faiths who live in opulence. That you are barren, poor, sick or suffering from loss of sight or hearing is not a yardstick to measure how close one is to God. On the other hand, it can be a test to increase level of our Imam and make us achieve Allah’s ultimate goal for us which is paradise and also delusion to those who have decided to worship others beside Him to increase them in their folly.
“The goal of the Muslim is paradise and we should continue to be grateful to Allah for making us Muslim by observing our five daily prayers in congregation at scheduled times, fast in Ramadan and embark on Hajj among other acts of worship, which some people consider as difficult or too stressful for a God that said He is love and merciful.
Quoting copiously from the Glorious Qur’an and Traditions of the Prophet (SAW), Ustaz Ahmad said Muslims should hold on to their faith no matter the trials and tribulations adding that they should learn from the examples of those that have traded their hereafter because of wealth and possession which is for just a short period of time.
He therefore called on Muslims to be contented with whatever positions they find themselves and reciprocate Allah’s love for favouring them with Islam.
Present at the programme were the Kwara State Wali (coordinator of TMC, Engr. Basheer Olalekan Ariyo) and other personalities.
