Insecurity: Shun tribalism in all ramifications, Cleric warns Muslim

By Jimoh Sulyman
The Chief Imam of Ansarudeen Central Mosque, Imam Shafi’i Muhammad, has urged the Muslim ummah to be conscious of the auspicious nature of the new Islamic month of Rajab and its importance in respect to the tradition of the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
He said this on Friday while delivering his weekly sermon before leading the congregation in the two-unit prayer inside the mosque premises which was well attended.
The cleric who stressed on the need for the people to return to Allah in repentance and shun all shades of sin, especially during these holy months said “Prophet Muhammad called on the people to return to Allah in repentance and sin no more Allah loathes hypocrisy especially in these months as the months are well revered.
“This month (Rajab) is a month that Allah places high premium on and one of the four sacred months in Islam. In these months, Allah loathes hypocrisy during the four months which include Rajab, Dhul Qhada, Dhul Hijja and Muharram.
“Sinning is like dirt and the only way to wash off the dirt is through repentance to Allah and whenever one repent, all their past sins will be forgiven. It will be as if they never sinned in the first place and Allah is always ready to provide us with second chance after we have realised our wrong way”, he added.
The Imam charged the Muslim faithful to strive to do good before death comes and emphasised that now is the best time to worship Allah that they have the time while they’re still alive.
“You should all hasten to the worship of Allah, we don’t know the Ibadah that will be our last on earth, stop procrastinating on doing good deeds for the sake of Allah because you don’t know when death will come to you”.
The scholar further enjoined the people not to forget that it is Allah that reciprocate good deeds and give retribution for bad deeds adding every good deed done will be repaid in ten folds by Allah. “Verily, it is Allah that accepts deeds, both good and bad and it is He who will pay everyone back for their actions, whatever one does will be reciprocated in ten folds”.
The Imam weigh-in on the recent issue of intertribal animosity adding that the misunderstanding was the handiwork of Shaytan who always like to foment trouble wherever he could especially where peace resides to derail the people especially Muslims.
“This is the work of Shaytan, in his bid to cause trouble amongst us, Nigeria as a nation has been in existence for a longtime and we all have integrated into one another, we marry each other, Fulani marries Yoruba, Yoruba marries Hausa, in all these, we still coexist together in peace, because in the past the problem of tribalism is nonexistent”.
He further reiterated that “Islam forbids tribalism as a religion that encompasses all races and tribes under one community and never separate one from the other. Islam encourages equality and mutual respect among all the people of the world, both the Muslims and the Non Muslim”.
Shafi’i however implored the people to be kind to their fellow human beings and show mercy upon them whenever they can so that Allah will be merciful to them in return.
“Increase in your charity to your fellow human, it is Allah that gives wealth to whomever He wishes and no one can question Him, but it is imperative upon the wealthy in the society to never forget those around them that are not as privileged as they are.
The Imam however urged them to practice their Ibadah especially giving their charity away from the eyes of the public and also without the mindset of self gratification and seeking public approval. He said Allah doesn’t like those that showoff.
He however called on the people to be just in all their dealings according to the injunctions and dictates of God Who has mandated us to be just to people and show kindness to everyone that comes our way regardless of who they’re. “Allah commands us to be just and good towards people without having any ulterior motives or without knowing who they’re”, he submitted.