Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
We begin by praising Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Lord of all creation. We seek His guidance, His mercy, and His forgiveness. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the end of time.
O Muslims! Another Friday has arrived, a time for reflection, introspection, and spiritual renewal. Today, we look into a profound hadith, a wise counsel from our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). This hadith, authentic and deeply insightful, offers guidance for navigating the complexities of life and achieving success in this world and the hereafter.
The lessons contained within this hadith are not mere stories of the past, they are timeless principles that remain relevant to our lives today. We must take them to heart, ponder their meanings, and strive to implement them in our daily actions.
Remember, O Muslims, that sermons are only beneficial when they are translated into practice. Words without deeds are like a tree without fruit. Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Quran that this is a reminder for those who are living.
This hadith, though concise, encapsulates profound wisdom. It addresses the challenges and trials that befall humanity and offers solutions rooted in faith and righteous conduct. The Prophet (peace be upon him), in his infinite wisdom, forewarned us about certain tribulations that would arise, urging us to be vigilant and prepared.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed the Muhajirun (the migrants) upon their arrival in Madinah, a critical moment in Islamic history. He said, "O you Muhajirun, you will be tested with five things, and I seek refuge with Allah lest you experience them. Firstly, immorality never appears among a people but diseases which were never known before will spread among them."
Let us reflect upon this first warning. Immorality, in its various forms, has become rampant in our societies. We witness a decline in moral values, a disregard for ethical boundaries, and a normalization of behaviours that were once considered unacceptable. The consequences of this moral decay are evident in the rise of various diseases, both physical and spiritual. We see the emergence of illnesses that were unheard of in previous generations, a stark reminder of the divine wisdom in the Prophet's (peace be upon him) words.
O Muslims! The sanctity of marriage is being eroded, and infidelity has become widespread. We hear of shocking incidents that defy human decency, such as the betrayal of trust within families. The bonds of marriage, meant to be a source of love, compassion, and stability, are being shattered by lust, selfishness, and a lack of commitment. The rise of promiscuity, the objectification of women, and the normalization of premarital relationships all contribute to the breakdown of the moral fabric of society.
Furthermore, we see the rise of deviant behaviours that were once considered taboo. Homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, and other forms of sexual perversion are now openly practiced and even advocated for in some quarters. These acts not only violate the teachings of Islam but also contradict the natural order established by Allah (SWT).
The Prophet's (peace be upon him) warning about the spread of diseases is not merely a physical one. It also encompasses spiritual diseases, such as the hardening of hearts, the loss of faith, and the inability to discern right from wrong. When immorality becomes prevalent, it corrupts the soul and weakens the connection with Allah (SWT).
O Muslims! What will we say to Allah (SWT) when we stand before Him and are questioned about our actions? How can we justify our complicity in the moral decay of our societies? We must take responsibility for our choices and strive to purify our hearts and our actions.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "And secondly, they do not decrease the measures and the scales but they will be afflicted with famine, severity of living and oppression of the rulers."
This warning highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in our dealings with one another. Cheating in business transactions, manipulating weights and measures, and deceiving others for personal gain are all acts that incur the wrath of Allah (SWT). These practices not only harm individuals but also destabilize the entire economy and create an environment of distrust and resentment.
We see this phenomenon playing out in our world today. Inflation is rampant, prices are soaring, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. While there are various factors that contribute to economic hardship, the Prophet's (peace be upon him) words remind us that dishonesty and unfair practices play a significant role.
O Muslims! We must be honest in our business dealings, fair in our transactions, and mindful of the rights of others. We must remember that Allah (SWT) is watching us and that we will be held accountable for our actions.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) continued, "And thirdly, they do not withhold the Zakat of their wealth but the rain will be withheld from them, and were it not for the animals, it would not rain."
This warning emphasizes the importance of fulfilling our obligations towards Allah (SWT) and towards the less fortunate members of society. Zakat, the obligatory charity, is a pillar of Islam and a means of purifying wealth and fostering social justice. When we withhold Zakat, we are not only disobeying Allah (SWT) but also depriving the poor and needy of their rightful share.
The consequences of neglecting Zakat are severe. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that rain would be withheld, leading to drought, famine, and hardship. This is a reminder that our actions have consequences, both in this world and the hereafter.
O Muslims! Let us be diligent in fulfilling our obligation of Zakat. Let us remember that the wealth that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon us is a trust, and we will be held accountable for how we spend it.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) further said, "And fourthly, they do not break their covenant with Allah and the covenant with the Messinger of Allah but Allah will give power over them to their enemies who will take some of what they possess."
This warning highlights the importance of fulfilling our promises and honouring our agreements. Breaking covenants, whether with Allah (SWT) or with the Messinger or other people, is a sign of hypocrisy and a cause of Allah's (SWT) displeasure. When we break our covenants, we lose the trust of others and open ourselves up to humiliation and defeat.
O Muslims! Let us be truthful in our words, faithful to our commitments, and honourable in our dealings. Let us remember that Allah (SWT) is the witness to our covenants and that we will be held accountable for them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) concluded, "And fifthly, when their rulers do not judge according to the Book of Allah and do not choose what Allah has revealed, Allah will cause them to kill each other."
This final warning highlights the importance of just and righteous leadership. Leaders who rule according to the dictates of their own desires, ignoring the laws of Allah (SWT) and the principles of justice, will inevitably lead their people to destruction. Internal strife, conflict, and bloodshed will become the norm.
O Muslims! We must pray for just and righteous leaders who fear Allah (SWT) and who are committed to upholding His laws. We must also hold our leaders accountable and speak out against injustice and oppression.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "Allah is pleased with you for three things and He dislikes three things for you. He is pleased with you that you worship Him alone and that you associate nothing with Him, and that you all hold fast to the rope of Allah and do not become divided. And He dislikes for you idle talk, excessive questioning, and wasting wealth."
This hadith provides further guidance on how to live a life that is pleasing to Allah (SWT). It emphasizes the importance of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah), unity among Muslims, and avoiding frivolous pursuits.
O Muslims! Let us strive to implement these teachings in our lives. Let us worship Allah (SWT) alone, hold fast to His rope, and avoid all forms of division and discord. Let us refrain from idle talk, excessive questioning, and wasting our resources.
May Allah (SWT) guide us, forgive us, and grant us His mercy. May He enable us to live our lives according to His pleasure and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ameen.
Mallam Harun Umar writes from the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board's Central Mosque.
