IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL BEING THE FOURTH KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF D. HIJJAH, 20/D. HIJJAH/1434AH (1/NOVEMBER/2013CE) SELF ACCOUNTABILITY All praises are due to Allah who placed in the alternation of day and night lessons, and made the disappearance of months and years a remembrance and admonition. I testify there is no god but Allah alone, who has placed in the sky great stars, and placed therein a sun the [burning] lamp and a luminous moon. And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude. I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and apostle of Allah sent before the last hour as giver of good news and warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp. He conveyed the message, discharged the trust, admonished the Ummah, and strove in the cause of Allah sincerely. May Allah bestow peace and blessings on him (pbuh), his families, his companions and those after them in righteousness till the day of judgement. Thereafter, O people, I enjoin you and me to fear Allah, that is surely the supply which benefits, and the profitable trade. It is the garment of honour and prestige, the dress of bliss and victory and the crown of leadership. Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, as we bid farewell to a hijrah year and welcome another a question pops up thus: “What have we place forward to the ending year and what have we prepared for the approaching one? If we are able to answer this question, we will be able to call ourselves to account. If the Muslim Ummah is able to respond to this question, she will be able to recognize the position she occupies in the committee of nations. Regarding this question, we know that Islam encourages us to manage our time well from wastage because we will later be held accountable. Though each one of us carries his diary with him, or place it on his desk; he records in it the daily duties and appointments. Whenever the appointment comes, he rushes to fulfil the obligation. After a while when he surfs the diary again, he finds some shortcomings, or missed appointments and promises, which gives him depression and sadness. Thus do each of us does with his diary. A righteous Muslim must always have periods of self assessment especially when crossing from one stage to another in life. The heart of man is so sensitive to changes, it most times tends towards evil. Allah says: “the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. “ (12:53) Hence it is incumbent on every servant of Allah that hopes to meet his Lord to lengthen his self assessment. Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali said: “know that as it is required for a person to have a specific time at the beginning of the day where he sets conditions for himself at enjoining the truth, he should also have a time in the evening where he calls himself to account on every deed and action, the way traders do at the end of the each day, month, or year. This effort of the traders is out of their concern to acquire things of the world and the fear of losing anything there from, except those things which loss could be favourable … then why won’t a wise person hold himself to account in matters which could result to either eternal perdition or eternal happiness? The perceived nonchalance is a precipitate of negligence and abandonment and lack of God’s guidance- we seek refuge with Allah from such evil.” (Ihya-l-ulum 4/588) Meaning of Al-Muhasabah (self accountability) Mawaridiy described it thus: “that a person turns through his actions during the day at night, if he finds it praiseworthy, he maintains it, but if he finds it disgracing, then he should reach out to avert it if possible and refrain from it in the future. (Adab-d-dunya wa-d-deen 342, culled from Nadratu-n-na’eem encyclopedia 8/3317). Ibn Qayyim said: “Al-Muhasabah is that a servant of Allah be able to distinguish what is for him from what is not for him, hence, he will take hold of what is for him and discharge what is not for him, because he is a traveler, on a journey of no return”. (Madariju-s-saalikeen, 1/187). The benefits of Al-Muhasabah (self accountability): 1- The absence of Al-Muhasabah (self accountability) is a warning of the Ummah’ collapse into the depth of corruption and wave motion that could end in the lake of fire where men and stones shall be the fuel. Corruption becomes manifested and visible when the community or individual do not expect accountability, from Allah the subjugator, or from a just leader, or a just people, or from the self reproaching soul. As long as the individual or society do not expect accountability on their actions they obviously do as they like and they dispense without check or control, thus they imitate the inmates of fire. Allah says: {إِنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ لاَ يَرْجُونَ حِسَاباً وَكَذَّبُواْ بِئَايَاتِنَا كِذَّاباً}(النبأ:27- 28). Indeed, they were not expecting an account, and denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial. (78: 27- 28) 2- It provides opportunity to discover self defects, imperfections and drawbacks. Whoever sees his defects, he places himself on the right pedestal, even when it is proud or over bearing. There is no doubt that knowing oneself provides humility to God and servitude to Him. He will never become proud of his actions however large, and do not despise his guilt, however small. Abu Dardaa (R.A) said: (A person have not understand in the right matter until he shows hatred to people for God’s sake, then returns to himself and exhibit the stronger hatred” (Az-Zu’hd by Imam Ahmad, p. 196). 3- It makes one to recognize the right of Allah and greatness of His bounties and favours. This will be possible when he compares Allah’s grace on him with his acts of negligence to Him. Hence, it will be a deterrent from doing shameful and ugly practices; and he realizes that success is attained by Allah’s pardon, forgiveness and mercy. And comes to realize that God deserves the right to be obeyed not disobeyed, remembered not to forgotten, and thanked and not derecognized 4- It purifies the soul and makes it comply to Allah’s command. Allah says: He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. (91: 9- 10). Malik bn Dinaar said: May God have mercy on a slave who said to his soul : “Are you not the owner of so and so? “Are you not the owner of so and so? Then disgrace it, then he smashes its nose, and then mandate it to abide by the book of Allah which becomes its guide” (Ighathatu-l-Lahfaan p : 79) 5- Al-Muhasabah grows and maintain a conscious heart and develops a sense of responsibility and weighing of deeds in accordance with the shariah balance. (Tarbiyatu-Zhatiyyah, p: 98 ). 6- Ibn Qayyim warns of negligence Muhasabah saying: The most harmful thing on the Mukallaf is neglect and leaving accountability, dragging on issues. These leads to destruction. That is way of the people of vanity who turn a blind eye to the consequences, and drags matters, and rely on pardon, he thus neglect self accountability and consideration of consequences of matters. When he does this, it becomes easy and gratifying for him to fall into sins and difficult to get himself off the hook. (Ighathatu-l-Lahfaan p : 79) Dear Muslims, when captains of industries have made accountability the core of their administrative obligations, then what do you feel about the poor and weak servant of Allah who spends stages of his life towards meeting His lord, which could either be success and bliss or destruction and torment. Servants of Allah, O people living in this world where the devils voice goes loudest, enticing people with his tricks and mischief, we really need self accountability. Sins battles against us in our role and within our people, whereas forgetfulness covers our souls and we distant from obedience to God. The importance of self accountability O believers Allah says: {ياأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ}(الحشر:18) { O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. } ( Al - Hashr : 18). Hasan al-Basri said in the interpretation of the words of Allah Almighty : { {وَلاَ أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ}(القيامة:2)} You will not meet a believer but reproaching himself thus: “What do I want with my food? “What do I intend with the drink? But the sinner continues without admonishing or reproaching himself”. (Tafseer Baghawi, 4/4211 & and Az-Zu’hd by Imam Ahmad p : 396 ) . Allah Almighty says in the description of the faithful who held accountable themselves when they slip, commit error, and repent from it: {إنَّ الَذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ} (الأعراف: 201 ) Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight. ( 7 : 201). Umar (R.A) said: “Call yourself to account before before you are called to account, measure before you are measured, be prepared for the greatest show” {يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لا تَخْفَى مِنكُمْ خَافِيةٌ}(الحاقة:18) { That Day, you will be exhibited [for judgement]; not hidden among you is anything concealed. } ( 69:18) (Hilyatul- Aoliyaa by Abu Naim , 2/ 157) و مِنْ غَيْرِ مُحَاسَبَةٍ. ويقول مَيْمُون بن مَهْرَان: إنَّهُ لاَ يَكُونُ الْعبْدُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ حَتىَّ يُحَاسِبُ نَفْسَهُ أشَدَّ مِنْ مُحَاسَبَةِ شَرِيكِهِ( الزهد لوكيع بن الجرّاح تحقيق الفريوائي ص:501). Hasan al-Basri describes the believer saying : The believer is just and firm on himself, he call his soul to account for Allah’s sake. Accountability will be mild on those who call themselves to account in the world, but accountability will be difficult on the day of judgement on those who took the matter without self accountability.” Maymun bn Mahraan said: A servant will not be among the pious until he scrutinize himself more than the scrutiny of his partner (Az-Zu’d by Wakee bn Jarrah p : 501 ) . SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. O Muslims, the migration of our Prophet, peace be upon him reminds us of something important, and that is the Hijrah date. Do you know that many Muslims do not know the present Hijrah year or month. Every nation has its history which it cherishes. The Jews are proud of their religion, and the Chinese have their history, and the Copts have their history, and all are proud of their history and the protect it, except the Muslim Ummah who forgot of its history. This is the manifestation of alienation from her religion and history which is a natural product of the psychological defeat which have seized control of the Muslim individually and groups. The adoption of the Hijrah date is a sign of commitment of Muslims to their religion and sustaining the link to the generations of the Ummahs magnificent history and a revival of the excellence that characterizes this Ummah. Allah says: { You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. } (Al-Imran : 110 ) (The best century was my century, then those who follow them and then those who follow them). Then know that to forget this history translate to the dissolution of the identity of this Ummah and the imposition of the Western Christian identity, it is also an imitation of the misled group which scholars have warned against. We are though compelled to use the Christianised dating which is connected to many of our affairs, nevertheless, even if it means by mere remembrance of the hijrah dating daily is the only link to show our commitment, and adopting it in our letters and appointments, and that we teach our children and remind our wives and among ourselves. Dear Muslims, the Hijrah date is the adopted date of the Muslims which all the acts of worship is linked to in Islam. We therefore call on the Islamic countries and Islamic organizations and individuals - if they are honest in their affiliation to Islam - to commit themselves to the Hijrah date and there is no harm in mentioning of the corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar, until we are able to get better access. كما نَحُثُّ الحكومةَ الْفَيدِرالِية أن يَسْتَجِيبُوا لِمُطَالَبِ أَساتذة الجامعات (ASUU) حتي لا نُضِيعَ مسْتَقْبِلَ هذه الأمة, غَدَ هَذِه الدَّولة –شَبَابُهَا- في الْفُسُوقِ وأَنْوَاعِ الْفُجُور, فَالْبِطَالَةُ قد يُؤَدِّي إِلي الْفُجُورِ –والعياذ بالله. ونُدِينُ شَأْنَ الشُّرْطَةِ النيجيرية تِجَاهَ أَسَاتِذَةِ الْجَامِعَات أَثْناءَ مُظاهَرتِهِمْ قَبْلَ الْأَمْسِ فِي أَبُجَا (Abuja)، فهذا قبيحٌ في صورته وخِزْيٌ للبِلاَدِ عندما يُضْرَبُ رِجَالُ الْعُلُومِ وشُرَفَاءُ الأُمَّةِ وَمُرَبِّي أَجْيَالِ الْأُمَّةِ لِلْغَدِ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله We hereby urge the federal government to respond to the demands of university lecturers (ASUU) so as not to waste the future of this nation, - in immorality and debauchery acts. Unemployment may lead to immorality - God forbid. We also condemn the act of the Nigerian police to the university lecturers during their demonstration two days ago at Abuja. This act is ugly in his image and shame for the country where it hits the men of knowledge and noble personalities of this country and the breeders of the nation future leader!!! Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 10:24:43 +0000
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