By Mallam Harun Umar
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
All praise is due to Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his noble companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, the purpose of our existence is to worship Allah, the Almighty. Every act of worship we perform, from the daily prayers to the grand pilgrimage, is a testament to our submission to His divine will. However, true worship extends beyond mere rituals. It encompasses our thoughts, words, and deeds.
It is therefore crucial to reflect upon our lives and assess the quality of our worship. Are we truly striving to please Allah in every aspect of our lives? Or are we merely going through the motions, neglecting the substance of our faith?
*A Path to Righteousness*
Today, I would like to share with you a profound advice from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) outlined five essential principles that can lead us to righteousness and divine favour:
Fear Allah and Avoid Forbidden Actions. The first and foremost principle is to fear Allah and abstain from all that is forbidden. By doing so, we purify our souls and draw closer to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of avoiding sinful acts, such as consuming alcohol, engaging in illicit sexual relations, and backbiting.
Contentment and Gratitude. The second principle is to be content with what Allah has bestowed upon us. True wealth lies not in material possessions but in spiritual richness and contentment. By cultivating a grateful heart, we can experience true happiness and peace.
Maintaining Peaceful Coexistence. The third principle is to maintain peaceful coexistence with our neighbours, both Muslim and non-Muslim. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stressed the importance of treating our neighbours with kindness, compassion, and respect. As Allah says in the Quran: "Worship Allah, and join none with Him as partners, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer, and what your right hands possess. Truly, Allah loves not those who are arrogant and boastful." (Quran, 4:36)
Wishing Good for Others. The fourth principle is to wish good for others as we wish for ourselves. This includes praying for their well-being, forgiving their mistakes, and treating them with kindness and compassion. By embodying this principle, we can build strong relationships and foster a harmonious community.
Moderation in Laughter. The fifth principle is to be moderate in our laughter. Excessive laughter can lead to frivolity and distract us from our spiritual pursuits. It is important to maintain a balance between joy and seriousness.
*The Seven People Shielded by Allah's Mercy*
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also mentioned seven categories of people who will be shielded by Allah's mercy on the Day of Judgment: A just ruler, a truthful and sincere person, a person who fulfills his promises, a person who guards his chastity, a person who is generous and charitable, person who fasts regularly, a person who prays at night while others sleep.
Finally, my dear brothers and sisters, let us strive to implement these principles in our daily lives. By doing so, we can attain the pleasure of Allah and secure our place in Paradise. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us the ability to act upon this divine counsel.
Ameen.
*Mallam Harun Umar writes from the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board's Central Mosque Benin City.*