Opinion
[Friday Sermon] Islam Is Simple, Don’t Make It Difficult For People!
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is for Allah, we praise Him, we seek His help, we ask for His forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our own souls and the wickedness of our actions, whoever Allah guides, there is none that can lead him astray, and whoever Allah allows to go astray, there is none that can lead him to the right path.
I testify and bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth but Allah, alone, without any partners. And I testify and bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His Servant and Messenger. As for what’s after:
Dear brothers and sisters! Allah Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an:
“We have sent down the Book (Qur’an) to you which manifests the truth about all things and as guidance and mercy and good news for Muslims.” [Qur’an, 16:89]
Respected servants of Allah! It reminded me of a post I read on Facebook recently and I thought how true this is, but easy to forget. Society is often so focused finding complicated solutions when the answers are already in front of us. Muslims in particular have a lesson in it.
• Allah intends for you ease
The religion is easy, beautiful and simply perfect. Why make things hard? Allah Almighty says:
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” [Qur’an, 2:185]
This Qur’anic verse explains that Islam is easy to follow and rather encourages us to create ease in religion. Unfortunately some Muslims are under the misconception that the more stringent they are in following religion, the more pious they become. This is totally in contradiction to what our pure religion teaches us. The misconception is a result of lack of understanding of religion and at times drives some people away from religion, mainly because of the way it is presented to them.
Some people have aimed at causing religion to deviate from its essence, preventing religion from being practiced by attempting to add on many difficult practices and superstitions to it. Such practices have sadly resulted in people deviating from Islam. However from the information set forth in the verses in the Qur’an and the replete stories and Hadiths by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), we can ascertain that it is easy for sincere Muslims to be good Muslims.
In this life we are tested and according to the morals and faith we show in this world Allah determines where our real life will be lived, that being Hell or Heaven. The test is quite easy; Allah Almighty wishes for us simply to live the life that brings happiness and peace in this world; in short to live our life in moderation.
• Don’t go to extremes
It is known in fact that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) always resisted any tendency toward religious excessiveness. He once said to his close companion Abdullah Ibn Amr:
“Have I heard right that you fast everyday and stand in prayer all night?” Abdullah replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Do not do that. Fast, as well as, eat and drink. Stand in prayer, as well as, sleep. This is because your body has a right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you, and your guest has a right upon you.” [Al-Bukhari]
This Hadith indicates that it is significant to maintain a delicate balance between the various obligations that demand our attention; between our obligations to Allah, our obligations toward others and our obligations toward ourselves. This is also demonstrated in many verses in the Qur’an illustrating that Allah is both merciful and kind.
Confucius once said:
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
This deeply resonates as we read stories of how people strayed away from Islam because they failed to realise its beauty and were intimidated by restrictions feeling their life would be unhappy with Islam’s boundaries. There indeed is a need to clarify such misconceptions, and encourage and remind Muslims to question where did their beliefs originate from. Was it from the Qur’an and Sunnah or a tradition they have been following without knowing its origin?
In all reality, Allah Almighty created us and in turn He knows what’s best for us and those who do not know these truths feel they may lead happier and more comfortable lives when the limits are removed. Allah says in the Qur’an to pray for both the good in this world and the good in the Hereafter.
It also speaks about the enjoyment of life:
“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer, eat and drink but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not wasters. Say: ‘who has forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the things clean and pure which He has provided for sustenance.” [Qur’an, 7:31-32]
Concerning matters of practice in Islam we have been taught that the rule is that you are expected to follow the truth as much as is possible. Allah has promised that His expectations are simple. However, in order to follow them we need to understand; in turn allowing that this strategy would ensure things are kept simple.
In sharing the message of Islam with people, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was advised in the Qur’an:
“It is part of the mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. If you were severe or hardhearted, they would have broken away from you’.” [Qur’an, 3:159]
It is on this note that when the Prophet sent his companions to teach Islam to the people he advised them:
“Facilitate religious matters to people and do not make things difficult. Obey each other and do not differ amongst yourselves.” [Al-Bukhari]
Allah has created a natural balance between what is easy to follow for humans and what is the minimal requirement needed to be a morally, ethically and spiritually pious person. This can be shown for example when we increase the price of a commodity, or make things more stringent, as mentioned earlier, in religion we will find lesser people wanting to buy that commodity.
However, we must remember that easiness in religion has to be done in the way that Allah wants us to do it. It should not be mistaken for casualness. This is simply a reminder for all including myself as sometimes Shaitan (Satan) attempts to divert us from religion, from Allah’s commands and good morals and even uses negative force on faith.
By insinuating unfounded suspicions in our thoughts, suggesting faithlessness or through actions and speeches, Shaitan (Satan) tries to divert us from Islam and or its simplicity setting up many different traps for us. In short, Shaitan (Satan) is our enemy, as mentioned in the Qur’an which narrates:
“O You who believe enter Islam totally. Do not follow in the footsteps of Shaitan (Satan) he is an outright enemy to you.” [Qur’an, 2:208]
• A balanced religion
One of the main features of Islam is that it is a balanced religion. It is known that whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always chose the easier, unless it was explicitly forbidden. This again proves the beauty of Islam and Allah’s mercy toward us.
While aiming to reach the afore mentioned balances between human spiritual needs and material needs I have personally come to realise it can be done by simplifying our life and lightening our material baggage by focusing more on our spiritual and mental needs.
While I am not suggesting making vows of poverty, I support the idea of reducing our quest for material possession as one easy and balanced form of working in this world and doing good deeds for the next world.
I have learned one form of getting closer to Allah and obeying one of Islam’s pillars may be accomplished as we offer charity bringing happiness to those less fortunate. We must raise our children and remind ourselves that we can only keep what we have, by giving it away; somewhat like paying it forward, but for the afterlife if you may say so.
Balancing between individual rights and responsibilities, we find that as life continues to bring us down many familiar journeys, one of those being a quest of living, we must work toward making everything simpler including our worships if we are to continue on our steady pace toward our ultimate goal, Jannah/Heaven.
Dear brothers and sisters! Bear in mind we must allow others to influence us positively whenever we are going wrong. After all, Allah has promised that He is not going to make any soul accountable for anything more than what his potential is, promising that He will forgive those who repent.
I end my today’s sermon by saying: all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and security―and his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour.
Wishing you and all your loved ones a Joyous Jumu’ah Mubarak.
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 through: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today Friday, Rabi’ul Thani 9, 1444 AH (November 04, 2022).
Opinion
Dangote Refinery: Finally, a Solution Nigeria Can’t Import!
By Abiodun Alade
If there’s one burning question on the minds of Nigerians these days, it’s this: why are we paying between N1,000 and N1,500 for a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)?
Sadly, the very people who should be explaining this strange new reality have decided to stay tight-lipped with heads buried in the sand like ostriches. Meanwhile, those who have been milking the country’s oil wealth while keeping its four refineries comatose – have been busy peddling a lot of dubious narratives to discredit Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Apparently, some people would rather pull the wool over our eyes than let us see the real picture.
Let’s get one thing straight: the Dangote Refinery is not to blame for the price of PMS in Nigeria. In fact, without this refinery, we might be staring at petrol prices as high as N2,500 a litre – just like the recent strident gloomy predictions from oil marketers and analysts.
The real culprits in this price mess are the oil cabals and their cosy friends at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). These folks are busy trying to spin the tale that locally refined products are somehow more expensive than imported fuel, which, in their view, justifies the ongoing need to import fuel and keep those highly subsidised prices intact. Let’s pause for a moment and ask: since when did importing fuel become a better deal than refining it locally? That’s like paying extra for a loaf of bread because someone else baked it in their oven… miles away.
As with all global refineries, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery doesn’t set pump prices for petroleum products. Those decisions, much to the chagrin of the refinery’s critics, are based on market dynamics, government policies, and, the influence of some very powerful individuals. The real reason for the recent hike in petrol prices is a simple equation: subsidy removal plus the floating of the Naira.
As recently as August, reports showed that the NNPCL was selling petrol at half the actual cost of imported fuel. Officially, the pump price was N568 per litre, but the true landing cost was a shocking N1,100 per litre. So, the NNPC was generously “subsidising” fuel imports by almost N600 per litre – subsidising, that is, until the entire scheme became too expensive to sustain. So, naturally, prices were hiked to N855 per litre.
And here’s the kicker: the Federal Government racked up an eye-watering N5.1 trillion in under-recovery and energy security expenses on fuel imports in 2023. Guess where that money came from? The same pockets that should have been filled with healthcare, education, and infrastructure funds. Instead, we were left with an empty wallet and a bill that was too big to ignore.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Guyana – the third-smallest sovereign state in the world, is generously handing out $100,000 cash grants to its adult citizens as part of its oil boom, while Nigeria – the most populous black nation on Earth – is amassing foreign debt to pay for fuel subsidies.
If the pricing template used to offset imported petrol costs was applied to products from Dangote Refinery, the price of petrol could be much lower than what we’re seeing today – possibly as low as N500 per litre. That’s right, N500. But of course, the government, apparently has decided not to restore the subsidies. After all, what was once intended as relief for the people has now turned into a siphoning operation.
According to a report by The Guardian Newspapers in October, oil marketers are making an extra 48% profit by smuggling petrol out of Nigeria to neighbouring countries, where the price is far higher. In Mali, the price is N2,266 per litre, in Cote d’Ivoire it’s N2,289, in Cameroon N2,196, and in Benin Republic N1,779. No surprises there, then, that daily PMS consumption in Nigeria keeps rising. And if the oil cabals get their way, we’ll be looking at a whopping 103 million litres per day – just like we saw in 2022.
The government is, understandably, trying to keep local prices aligned with those in neighbouring countries to curb smuggling. But honestly, until the greedy cabals are shown the red card and we finally declare that “business as usual” is over, the government strategy is dead on arrival.
While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Naira-for-Crude initiative is certainly a step in the right direction, the floating of the Naira is still keeping petrol prices stubbornly high. Why? Crude oil is priced in dollars, so domestic refiners, including the Dangote Refinery, are still paying the exact dollar amount for crude, but now in Naira. And when you convert dollar to Naira, it’s expensive. For instance, a mere $90 per barrel now translates to over N150,000.
Currently, a litre of Nigerian crude costs between N890 and N910, before factoring in refining and logistics costs. So, what’s the magic number? How much can a refinery – domestic or foreign – realistically sell a litre of refined petrol for? That’s the million-naira question!
With the Naira-for-Crude policy, the expectation is that the Naira will stabilise over time. If that happens, petrol prices should eventually fall. Imagine, if the Naira strengthens to N1,000 to the dollar – the price of petrol could drop significantly. That’s what every genuine, patriotic Nigerian should be rooting for – not chasing after mythical dollars that only serve to put more pressure on the Naira.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, proudly stated that the government would earn about N700 billion monthly from the sale of crude in Naira and from the subsidy removal policies, compared to the $600 million it was previously spending on fuel imports. So, let’s do the math: one option helps the people, the other helps the oil cartels. No prizes for guessing which one benefits Nigeria in the long run.
Of course, the oil cabals won’t see the benefits because it will take away their free access to wealth, allowing them to continue living their best lives. Isn’t it funny that these same marketers who have been crying about petrol prices because of a lack of local refining capacity are now saying it’s cheaper to import fuel than to refine it here? Where were they when the government was doling out trillions for the turnaround maintenance of refineries? Suddenly, the landing cost of imports, which was as high as N1,400 per litre, has magically dropped to under N1,000. How convenient!
It’s clear that the cartels have been blending off-spec fuel while collecting subsidies for “premium” products. Or perhaps they’ve been stealing crude and blending it abroad – after all, crude theft in Nigeria is a well-known business, especially when it’s done using large vessels under the radar.
Already, Nigerians are seeing the benefits of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in reducing the prices of other petroleum products like diesel and aviation fuel by over 45% and 35% respectively. Naturally, this earned Dangote a fair bit of flak from the oil cabals, who promptly wrote to President Tinubu, complaining that this “patriotic man” was ruining their business by alleviating the suffering of the people. Whoever knew that doing something good for the public could be so controversial?
Nevertheless, we’re confident that a similar reduction in PMS prices will follow once local refining capacity is fully embraced and stakeholders start putting Nigeria’s interests ahead of their own pockets. After all, if it works for diesel and aviation fuel, surely it’s not too much to ask that petrol prices follow suit – unless, of course, the oil cartels have a different agenda.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has chosen to rise above the noise, urging all stakeholders to put the nation’s progress and the welfare of its people above personal gains. Unfortunately, some prefer to keep spreading falsehoods about a private investment that is designed to propel Nigeria towards economic self-sufficiency.
For those still sceptical, I’ll say this: the Aliko Dangote I know is not the type to bow to propaganda, hate, or lies – especially when it’s all in defence of Nigeria’s national interest and the development of Africa.
Abiodun writes from Lagos
Opinion
The sad state of secondary education in Kano: An open letter to governor Abba Kabir Yusuf
Abubakar N Abubakar
May I respectfully write to inform his excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to note that; in recent times, Kano State under his stewardship, has gained attention for remarkable achievements in the education sector. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has been recognized as one of the most education-friendly governors, having earned an award from the Nigeria Union of Teachers during this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebrations. Additionally, the state received an accolade for its commitment to national education policies, with the Commissioner for Education, Honourable Umar Haruna Doguwa, accepting this honor on behalf of Kano.
In a significant step forward, Governor Yusuf had earlier in the year declared a state of emergency in education, allocating 29.97 percent of the Kano’s 2024 budget to the sector—well above UNESCO’s recommended 27 percent. These efforts highlight a genuine commitment to improving education, especially at the lower and upper basic levels, as well as in secondary and the tertiary institutions.
However, with all these positive attributes in the Kano’s kitty, these accomplishments lie a disheartening story: the neglect of senior secondary education in Kano. Secondary schools, particularly at the senior level, seem to have been overlooked in the state’s ambitious plans. This oversight is troubling, given that secondary education serves as a bridge between basic and tertiary levels, preparing students for higher learning or the workforce. While the government has made strides in other educational areas, the management and oversight of senior secondary education have suffered significantly.
A major factor in this neglect appears to be inadequate leadership and management within the sector. The board responsible for managing secondary education has, regrettably, been left in disarray. Essential oversight and support for teachers, vital to improving student learning outcomes, have been lacking. The board itself seems mismanaged, with leadership focused more on personal gain than on the welfare of students and teachers. This “jungle” atmosphere has resulted in a toxic environment that undermines the very purpose of education.
This article raises an important question: is Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf fully aware of the damage caused by ineffective leadership in this crucial sector? One wonders whether the issues within the board managing secondary education have been adequately communicated to the governor.
Moreover, If left unaddressed, this neglect risks nullifying the state’s broader achievements in education, in the recent or longer times.
It is my sincere hope that this article serves as a wake-up call to those in power in Kano to think twice. I specifically called on Governor Abba Kabeer Yusuf to take decisive action to change this trend with a vibrant leadership overseeing the sector. The future of Kano youth depends largely on an urgent intervention to restore service delivery, commitment and foresight before it is too late.
Opinion
Tribute to Abubakar Sadik Sunusi Bature (Modibbo) 2009 TO 2024
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return)
By Ibrahim Yaro Dawakin Tofa
Oh Abubakar, my dear son, you left us too soon. Your passing has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. I remember your calm and humble nature, your kindness, and your responsibility. You were a shining example of a young man who had a bright future ahead of him.
I wish you and Nuruddeen Ibrahim Yaro grew up together to become close friends like I and Sunusi. Your friendship was a beautiful thing to see, and I have no doubt that you both would have achieved great things together.
Nuruddeen, my dear son, I offer my heartfelt condolence to you. May Allah grant you comfort and peace during this difficult time. May the beautiful memories of your friendship with Abubakar bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
Abubakar, my dear son, I remember the effort your father made to take you to India in search of good health and well-being. He spared no expense in ensuring your happiness and health. I recall telling your father, “Malam yaron nan ka jiyar da shi duk wani dadi da za ka iya saboda ka ga sikila ne” (You are the closest person to your father, and he would do anything to make you happy). And indeed, he did everything humanly possible to make you happy.
It’s heartbreaking to hear that Abubakar Sadik had a dream that remained unfulfilled at the time of his passing. Becoming a barrister, and the head of Sunusi Bature’s household as the first son was clearly important to him, and it’s sad that he didn’t get to realize that goal.
It’s a reminder that life can be unpredictable and fragile, and sometimes our plans and dreams are cut short. But even in death, Abubakar’s memory and legacy can live on through the stories, memories, and impact he had on those around him.
May his family and loved ones find comfort in the memories they shared with him and the dreams he had, even if they weren’t fully realized. May they also find strength in the support of their community and the knowledge that they are not alone in their grief.
Good night, Modibbo. May Allah grant you Jannatul Firdausi and reunite you with your loved ones in the hereafter.
Condolence to Nuruddeen Ibrahim Yaro
Nuruddeen, my dear son, may Allah grant you the strength and courage to continue on the path of righteousness and responsibility, just like your dear friend Abubakar. You both had a special bond, and I pray that Allah reunites you both in the hereafter.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Verily, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return)
May Allah grant Abubakar Sadik Sunusi Bature Jannatul Firdausi and comfort his family and loved ones. Ameen.
Ibrahim Yaro Dawakin Tofa Talban Alajawa
27th October 2024”