Opinion
[Friday Sermon] Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) have been sent as a mercy to the world!
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation. May the salutations of Allah, His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet, his family, his companions and his true and sincere followers until the Last Day – then to proceed:
Dear servants of Allah! I advise you and myself to have Taqwa (consciousness of Allah), for there is no salvation on the Day of Resurrection except through it. Allah the Most High says:
“And Allah will deliver those who are conscious of Him to their places of success (Paradise). Evil shall touch them not, nor shall they grieve.” [Qur’an, 39:61]
He Almighty also says:
“He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt.” [Qur’an, 6:12]
Dear brothers and sisters! Allah’s Mercy to His servants is great and His favour upon them is immense. And His Mercy is complete and does not have any deficiencies. And it is not driven by inability or weakness. It is the Mercy of the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent that encompasses everything with mercy and knowledge.
And the greatest mercy on this Ummah (nation) from the Lord is that he designated for them the Prophet of mercy. Through His Mercy, He honoured this final Ummah (nation) with the best of His creation and sent to them the seal of the Messengers. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was the most merciful of the Prophets to his Ummah (nation). He (Peace be upon him) was the most compassionate, vigilant, pardoning and forgiving of the Prophets to his Ummah (nation).
And through the Prophet (Peace be upon him), Allah took people out of the darkness into the light. And He the Exalted sent down all kinds of mercies through him. Such that the people of the earth are compassionate through it until the Day of Resurrection. Allah Almighty said:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Qur’an, 21:107]
His message revealed from His Lord the Exalted showered all kinds of mercies upon the creation. The people and the jinn. The believer and the disbeliever. The righteous and the wicked. The young and the old. The strong and the weak. The near and the far. Men and women. The birds and animals. Animals and inanimate objects.
And he (Peace be upon him) came with a Shari’ah (legislation) all of which is good and mercy for the people. And there is no one on earth from the time that he was sent to our present day until the Day of Resurrection except that will be touched by this mercy that Allah the Most High made reach all the worlds. Therefore, it was narrated in an authentic Hadith that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Oh people, indeed I am a gifted mercy.” [as-Sahihah of Imam al-Albani]
And those with preference and the greatest share of this mercy are those who believe in him, honour him, support him, and follow the light (the Qur’an) which has been sent down with him. It is they who will be successful. Their success will be in this world and the next. And just as it is indicated in the Qur’an that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) is a mercy to the worlds it is also mentioned in the Qur’an that he (Peace be upon him) is a mercy to the believers in verse 61 of surah At-Tawbah. Allah Almighty says:
“(He) believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you.” [Qur’an, 9:61]
And from his mercy for those who believe in him and embraced his religion is that he supplicated for them much. Especially if one considers the state of other Prophets with their Ummahs (nations). His mercy for his Ummah (nation) overtook him and he supplicated for them. As related by Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Aas (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) recited the Words of Allah, the Exalted, and the Glorious, about Prophet Ibrahim who said:
“O my Lord! They have led astray many among mankind. But whosoever follows me, he verily, is of me.” (Qur’an, 14:36) and those of Prophet Isa (Jesus) who said: “If You punish them, indeed they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (Qur’an, 5:118). Then he (Peace be upon him) raised up his hands and said, “O Allah! My Ummah (nation), my Ummah (nation),” and he wept; Allah, the Exalted, said: “O Jibril (Gabriel)! Go to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) – and your Lord is most knowledgeable- and ask him: ‘What makes you weep?” So Jibril came to him and asked him (the reason of his weeping) and the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) informed him what he had said (though Allah is most knowledgeable). Upon this Allah said: “Jibril, go to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and say: ‘Verily, We will please you with regards to your Ummah (nation) and will never displease you.” [Muslim]
The mercy of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) for his Ummah (nation) was to an extent that he preferred them over himself in the answered supplication that Allah gave him as He the Exalted gave other Prophets before him. He did not limit this supplication to himself and he included his Ummah (nation). As Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Every Prophet had a supplication that was granted by Allah. I dedicated my granted supplication to having intercession for my Ummah (nation) on the Day of resurrection.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“Every Prophet had a supplication that was granted, and every Prophet advanced their supplication (in this world). But I reserved my supplication as intercession for my Ummah (nation) on the Day of Resurrection, and it will reach, if Allah wills, those of them who die, not associating anything with Allah.” [Muslim]
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, how great his mercy was for us and how cautious he was over us. Can the believers in him be blamed for loving, honouring and supporting him when he preferred them over himself and designated them for his supplication in a situation of all situations!? By Allah, no one can blame them for that aside for a disbeliever or a hypocrite who is hiding his disbelief or an ignorant person that does not know the virtue of the Messenger (Peace be upon him). Allah Almighty said:
“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.” [Qur’an, 9:128]
From the mercy of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to his Ummah is that he selected for them a complete and easy to follow Shari’ah (legislation). And the most precise and attainable decrees. And Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described him and she is the closest of people to him:
“The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was never given a choice between two matters but that he chose the easier of the two as long as it did not involve sin. If it was sinful, he was the furthest person from it.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
He (Peace be upon him) used to leave a deed that he wanted to do and was able to handle as a mercy for his Ummah (nation) fearing that it would be obligated and the majority of them would not be able to handle it. And whoever views his Sunnah can see that. And how many times did he (Peace be upon him) say: If it was not a hardship for my Ummah (nation) I would have commanded them with such and such or if it were not a hardship for the people I would have commanded them with this. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) would give up a deed that he liked to perform, fearing that the people would follow suit and it would be obligated upon them.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Dear brothers and sisters! Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) was afflicted for the sake of Allah Almighty, like no one else has been afflicted. He (Peace be upon him) said:
“Indeed I have feared for the sake of Allah, such that no one has feared, and I have been harmed for the sake of Allah, such that no one has been harmed.” [Tirmidhi]
Be conscious of Allah Almighty and obey Him. And know that affliction in religion and worldly matters is the path of the Messengers of Allah (Peace be upon them). And that steadfastness through affliction is the way of the successful servants of Allah. Allah Almighty said:
“Did you think that you would enter Paradise even though Allah has not yet seen who among you strove hard in His way and remained steadfast?” [Qur’an, 3:142]
There were periods when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was deeply grieved due to his people denying him, and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) being tormented and killed. And for his loss of supporters among mankind. And due to the hardship and harshness of life. And many instances of his grief were recorded in his fragrant biography after the start of his mission.
And the first grief that befell him (Peace be upon him) after start of his mission and the most intense and the greatest was due to the pause in receiving revelation after he received it for the first time. Waraqah Bin Nawfal (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“No man has come with what you brought without being harmed. And if your day comes while I am alive, I would support you strongly. But after a few days Waraqah died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) became sad.” [Bukhari]
And every believer who has a day in which he does not recite anything from the Qur’an must grieve. Because the Prophet (Peace be upon him) grieved at the pause in the revelation in spite of it being out of his control. So what about the one who is able to recite the revelation at every moment to nourish his heart, guide his soul and rectify his condition, but falls short in that regard and does not grieve over his shortcomings?!
And when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) invited his people to Iman (faith) they denied him. So he grieved deeply over them due to his knowledge of the fate of those who denied. And because he wanted for them Iman (faith) and a conclusion of success and great triumph. Allah Almighty addressed him to lighten his grief:
“We know that you, [O Mohammad], are saddened by what they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers reject.” [Al-An’am 33]
Rather, his grief over his people’s denial of him nearly destroyed him, until Allah Almighty prohibited him from devastating himself through extreme grief. Allah Almighty said:
“Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Mohammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.” [Qur’an, 18:7]
That is, perishing out of grief and sorrow for them. And that is because your reward is due from Allah Almighty and if Allah the Most High knew that there was good in them, He would have guided them. But He knew that they are only suited for the fire. Therefore he forsake them, and they were not guided. So occupying yourself with grief and sorrow for them is of no benefit to you.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was the most sincere in advice to his Ummah (nation) and had the highest compassion for them. He almost perished regretting the misguidance of those among Quraish who went astray, and they hurt him and tortured his followers!
And every believer should grieve over the disbelief of the disbelievers, and the hypocrisy of the hypocrites and the disobedience of the sinners. Because he desires good for all mankind and hates evil for them. And there is no good better than Iman (faith). It is happiness in this world and the biggest success in the hereafter. And there is no evil greater than disbelief and hypocrisy. For it is misery in this world and eternal torment in the hereafter. For people of Iman (faith) know the truth and have mercy on creation.
A believer benefits from the prohibition of Allah Almighty to His Prophet (Peace be upon him) to not grieve to the point of destroying himself or Impeding him from working for the religion of Allah Almighty and calling to it. Just as the accusations of the disbelievers and hypocrites against the people of faith do not weaken their strength or resolve. This and more happened to the Prophet and he armed himself with patience in facing their false claims and slander. And not being deceived by the prominence of the disbelievers and their lead in worldly matters despite their stubbornness and arrogance towards the truth. Indeed, this is from the trial of Allah – the Most High – of them. Allah Almighty said:
“And do not extend your eyes towards that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendour of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.” [Qur’an, 20: 131]
And if the caller to the truth is saddened by people’s painful reality and their distance from Allah Almighty, know that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was saddened over that before them. And if they are saddened by the words of the disbelievers and hypocrites and their plotting, know that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was saddened about that before them. And if they are saddened by the worldly prominence of the disbelievers and hypocrites, know that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was saddened about that before them. However, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) prevailed and the disbelief, disbelievers and their plotting vanished. And Islam was honoured and spread. And the call of the Prophet spread all over the earth. And Allah Almighty was most knowledgeable and wise when he forbade his Prophet (Peace be upon him) from having intense grief.
May Allah the Exalted reward him (Peace be upon him) for his Ummah (nation) with the best reward that a Prophet was given for his Ummah (nation). And we ask Allah the Exalted to grant him the intercession and favour, and the high eminent level, and raise him to the honoured station that Allah promised him. May Allah make us among those who love and support him. And we ask Allah to resurrect us in his group and that we enter paradise with him. Indeed Allah is the All Hearing, Answering.
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet, as your Lord commanded:
“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” [Qur’an, 33:56]
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good.
Servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
All praises and thanks are due to Allah alone, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Dhul-Qa’adah 03, 1443 AH (June 03, 2022).
Opinion
State Police in Nigeria: Understanding the true position of the proposed constitutional framework
DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel (Rtd.)
The renewed national debate on state policing has sparked intense discussions. Supporters see it as a solution to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. Critics, however, fear political abuse and threats to national unity. Given these differing views, it is important to understand the true constitutional position of the current proposals before the National Assembly.
An examination of the *Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1055)*, along with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) analysis of the earlier House Bill (HB. 617), shows that the proposed framework is neither a full transfer of policing powers to the states nor a continuation of the current centralized system. Instead, it introduces a cooperative federal policing model.
This model balances state autonomy with national standards and constitutional safeguards.
The first key point is that the Federal Police will not be abolished. The proposal creates a Federal Police Service while allowing State Police Services to operate alongside it. The Federal Police will continue to handle federal responsibilities, including counter-terrorism, cybercrime investigations, border security, organized crime, inter-state offences, and the protection of federal institutions and assets.
It is also important to note that state policing is not compulsory. States that lack the financial or institutional capacity to establish their own police services can continue to rely entirely on the Federal Police Service. In simple terms, the amendment gives states a choice, not an obligation, to establish their own police organizations.
The proposed framework sets strict conditions before a State Police Service can begin operations. A state must pass its own enabling law, establish the required institutions, and obtain certification confirming that it meets nationally defined minimum standards.
These standards will cover recruitment, training, vetting, discipline, firearms management, the use of force, accountability systems, and criminal information management.
One of the most debated issues is the possibility of federal interference in state policing. The Senate Bill addresses this concern by limiting federal intervention to exceptional situations. Such intervention may occur where there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order. It may also occur if a governor requests assistance, if a State Police Service becomes unable to function, if there is evidence of widespread violations of fundamental rights, or if threats extend beyond state borders and affect national security.
Any federal intervention must be temporary, necessary, and proportionate. It must also be subject to judicial review. The President must authorize it in writing, and notice must be given to the Governor, the State House of Assembly, the National Police Council, and the National Assembly. In addition, such intervention cannot dissolve a State Police Service or suspend democratic institutions, except as permitted under existing constitutional provisions.
The framers of the Bill have also addressed concerns about possible misuse of State Police Services by governors. The proposed safeguards expressly prohibit governors from directing State Commissioners of Police to target political opponents, political parties, associations, or groups outside the provisions of the law.
Commissioners who believe a directive is unlawful or inconsistent with national standards may seek a review through the appropriate Police Service Commission or the courts.
To strengthen institutional independence, the proposed amendments provide security of tenure for both the Inspector-General of Police and State Commissioners of Police. Their removal would require valid reasons, a fair hearing, recommendations from the National Police Council, and approval by a two-thirds majority of the relevant legislature.
These measures reflect widely accepted international standards for democratic policing.
Another important feature of the framework is the clear limitation on federal control over State Police Services. While the National Assembly will establish national minimum standards, it will not exercise routine control over appointments, promotions, transfers, suspensions, dismissals, or operational decisions within State Police Services. The only exception is during constitutionally approved interventions.
This approach preserves state autonomy while ensuring consistent professional and ethical standards nationwide.
The PLAC analysis correctly notes that the proposed model does not create a fully independent state policing system. Instead, it incorporates elements of federal oversight to address concerns relating to funding, accountability, human rights protection, and potential political misuse. The objective is to decentralize policing without weakening national unity or undermining the constitutional order.
Viewed objectively, the proposed amendment seeks to balance local responsiveness with national integrity. It aims to bring policing closer to communities while maintaining safeguards against abuse. It also protects the shared security interests of the Federation.
In essence, Nigeria is not moving toward two competing police systems. Rather, it is moving toward a cooperative federal policing arrangement. This model recognizes the need for local control of security issues while preserving constitutional mechanisms that safeguard democracy, human rights, and national unity.
The success of this initiative will depend not only on constitutional provisions but also on the strength of institutions, adherence to professionalism, and the political will to uphold the rule of law. Like any major reform in a democratic society, state policing should be judged not only by fears but also by the safeguards it contains and the practical benefits it can bring to the security and welfare of Nigerians.
DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel (Rtd.).
By Jamilu Uba Adamu
Since 1987, June 26 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—a day set aside to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and its devastating effects on individuals and society. This year’s theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reminds us that while the fight against drugs continues, our strategies must evolve.
Simply put, the drug problem is still with us. New drugs continue to emerge, and we must respond with innovative solutions, including the use of sports to keep our youths engaged and productive.
Nigeria’s greatest resource is not oil; it is its youth. The energy, creativity, and determination of young people will determine whether we build a stronger nation or lose a generation. One of the most effective tools for channeling that energy positively is sports—but only when it is built on discipline.
Sports is more than playing football on weekends or sprinting on the track. It teaches valuable life lessons. When a young person wakes up at 5:00 a.m. for training, they learn punctuality. When a team loses and returns to train harder, they learn resilience. When eleven players on a pitch follow the instructions of one coach, they learn respect for authority, teamwork, and discipline.
Here in Kano, the effects of drug abuse are both painful and visible. Drug abuse is fueling fadan daba, phone snatching, and other violent crimes across our streets and communities. The truth is simple: idle hands are the devil’s workshop, while busy feet on the pitch have little time for crime or drugs.
Talent without discipline is wasted talent. Many of our youths possess enormous potential, but without discipline, that potential often turns into frustration. Discipline means:
- Self-control — saying “no” to peer pressure, drugs, and violence.
- Consistency — training even when no one is watching.
- Respect — for rules, opponents, coaches, and oneself.
A boxer who cannot control his temper outside the ring will never become a champion inside it. A footballer who skips training will never wear the national jersey. Discipline is the bridge between potential and achievement.
In our communities, we see too many young lives derailed by drugs. The equation is clear: idleness + bad company + lack of purpose = drug abuse. Sports helps break that cycle.
Let us encourage our youths to choose the pitch over the street corner and the “jungle.” Let them choose training over idleness. Let discipline be their guide in life, just as it is in sports.
To parents, schools, and government: invest in sports facilities and mentorship programmes across our 44 Local Government Areas. Every playing field we build in Kano is a prison we may never need. Every disciplined athlete we nurture is a future leader we secure.
If we get this right, Kano, with its vibrant and youthful population, will not only win trophies at national sporting events but will also reclaim its promising young people from the grip of drug abuse and crime.
Mr. Jamilu Uba Adamu is the Officer-in-Charge of Sports, NDLEA Kano Strategic Command.
He can be reached via jameelubaadamu@yahoo.com.
Urges electorate to remain peaceful, prayerful, and law-abiding
By Lamara Garba
The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared that his political future, including the question of re-election in 2027, rests entirely in the hands of Almighty Allah, stressing that political power is neither a matter of life and death nor something that any individual can permanently give or take away.
Governor Yusuf made the remarks while addressing Kano pilgrims and Hajj officials in Makkah during a Sallah visit on Wednesday.
Speaking before hundreds of pilgrims, the Governor quoted verses from the Holy Qur’an, reminding the faithful that ultimate authority belongs to Allah alone, who grants power to whom He wills and withdraws it whenever He pleases.
According to him, while politicians and their supporters often become consumed by political calculations and permutations, true believers understand that leadership is a divine trust bestowed by Allah at His appointed time.
“Power belongs to Allah alone. He gives leadership to whom He wills and takes it away from whom He wills. No human being can stop what Allah has destined, and no one can impose what Allah has not ordained,” Governor Yusuf said.
The Governor noted that he remains completely submissive to the will of Allah regarding future political developments, including his possible re-election, insisting that his focus remains on serving the people of Kano State diligently rather than becoming distracted by political anxiety.
He stressed that elective office should never be viewed as a do-or-die affair, adding that public service is meaningful only when carried out with sincerity, the fear of God, and a commitment to the welfare of the people.
“Leadership is not a matter of life and death. What matters most is serving humanity, discharging one’s responsibilities faithfully, and leaving the rest to Allah. Whatever Allah decrees will surely come to pass,” he stated.
Governor Yusuf, however, urged Kano citizens to remain politically conscious and actively participate in the democratic process by ensuring that they possess valid voter cards ahead of future elections.
He called on those whose voter cards require renewal to do so promptly and encouraged eligible citizens who have not yet registered to take advantage of the registration exercise before it closes.
The Governor said voter registration remains a civic responsibility that enables citizens to exercise their constitutional right to choose leaders and contribute to the growth and development of society.
He also appealed to the pilgrims to continue praying for peace, unity, stability, and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.
Observers believe Governor Yusuf’s remarks reflect growing confidence within his administration following what many regard as remarkable achievements recorded over the past three years in education, healthcare, infrastructure development, agriculture, human capital development, and women and youth empowerment.
The Governor maintained that while political debates and speculations may continue, the final decision on who occupies positions of authority rests with Almighty Allah, whose decree cannot be altered by any human effort.
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Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
K-SAFE hails Gov. Yusuf as Kano tops ECOWAS education spending ranking
Abdulaziz unveils project inspection initiative, trains APC social media inflluencers at Arewa media summit
Kano ranks best in ECOWAS on education spending index
Kano recruits over 16,000 teachers, begins 10-year education reform plan
Kano emerges top beneficiary as World Bank rewards states with $27m for reforms
Kano delegation participates in international labour conference in Geneva
