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A True And Sincere Muslim Believer Cannot Be Deceived Twice!

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Imam Murtadha Gusau

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation—may He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and send His peace and blessings upon him—likewise upon his family, Companions, and true followers.

Dear brothers and sisters! Know that faith (Iman) is that condition of belief from which springs forth a multifaceted act of multiplying virtues. This condition brings into bloom a life full of obedience which in turn generates such deeds that even removing a minor obstacle from someone’s path guarantees reward from Allah Almighty. In other words, a Muslim Believer (Mu’min) becomes such an embodiment of nobility that his heart bleeds if some one gets hurt. Such a faith (Iman) also creates in him the attributes of foresight, prudence, sagacity, sound judgment and understanding. That is why the Noble Qur’an time and again refers to the appealing and overpowering characteristics of a Believer (Mu’min) to encourage believers to maintain their distinct attribute. I am quoting here some Hadiths of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to refresh the belief, to enliven the mind and to nourish the spirit. Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“A Believer (Mu’min) is not bitten twice from the same hole.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

That means that a true Believer (Mu’min) would not put his finger twice in a hole to be bitten by a snake. The Hadith educates a Believer (Mu’min) in carefulness, circumspection, foresight, precaution, scrupulousness, and vigilance. According to Prophet (Peace be upon him)’s biographer Ibn Hisham, he (Peace be upon him) first used this sentence and later it became a proverb in the Arabic speaking world. Imam Ahmad (Rahimahullah) writes that a faithless person by the name of Abu Ghurrah al-Hamji used to recite satirical poetry against Islam. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Badr. He started pleading for forgiveness and said that he had a family and children to look after. Prophet (Peace be upon him) was moved by his petition and forgave him without ransom. Once freed, he went back on his words and started reciting poetry defaming Islam and its Prophet again. By a share coincidence, he was taken prisoner at the Battle of Uhud and pleaded for forgiveness again as before. Had he been forgiven the second time, he could have mocked and boasted to have cheated the Muslims. It was on this occasion the Prophet (Peace be upon him) uttered this very beneficial immortal sentence (Hadith).

Abu Hurairah relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“A Believer (Mu’min) is innocent, simple and good natured, and the hypocrite is cunning and mean natured.” [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

What the Hadith means is that a Believer (Mu’min), being trustworthy himself, trusts others and can be deceived for being innocent, sincere, honest, and simple. There is yet another Hadith which quotes a dialogue between Paradise and Hell. The Paradise would exclaim:

“What is wrong with me that only the innocent, the simple and the weak will take me as their abode.”

The answer is that a Believer (Mu’min) dislikes finding faults, shortcomings, and weaknesses in others. He is neither curious about them, nor he is eager to publicise them. It is just against his very nature.

Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari says that the Paradise is referring to people whose hearts are oblivious of every thing except Allah’s remembrance.

Abu Usman (Rahimahullah) declares that such people don’t care much about this world but are very careful about the Hereafter.

Imam Auza’i (Rahimahullah) says:

“Such people are blind towards bad things, but have an excellent vision for virtuous deeds.”

Abu Sa’id Khudri (RA) relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Be fearful of Believers (Mu’min)’s intelligence and his foresight in understanding of the human nature, because he sees things by Allah’s given vision,” and he recited verse 75 of Surah Al-Hijr, which reads: “There truly is a sign in this for those who can learn…” [at-Tirmidhi]

Scholars have interpreted the term: “Understanding of the human nature.” as the ability to perceive things in depth to see their real and true nature, and to deduce factual results from the analysis of situations and circumstances. No one can deceive a true and sincere Believer (Mu’min) because exposed to his penetrating eyes is the real and the fake, the sincere and the hypocrite, the honest and the cheat, and the high and the low. He sees the real worth of people and knows who is who, because he was not a fool (Mumu)!

Abu Hurairah (RA) says that once Prophet Isa (AS) caught a thief red handed and reprimanded him for stealing. The thief said:

“I swear by Him, Who is the Only One worthy of worship, that I did not commit theft.” Seeing the thief’s stubbornness, Prophet Isa (AS) said: “Alright, I have faith (Iman/Belief) in Allah, and accept that my eyes must have betrayed me.” [Muslim]

This attitude of Prophet Isa (AS) tells us that Allah Almighty’s Greatness is embedded in the Believers (Mu’min)’s heart and he surrenders himself in total negation of the self when the name of Allah Almighty is mentioned. There is nothing more important to acknowledge but Allah Almighty’s total and complete sovereignty. According to a Hadith, if a slave while being punished by his owner asks for forgiveness for Allah’s sake, the master should stop his punishment then and there without least hesitation and without wasting a single moment. Instead of arguing with the thief, Prophet Isa (AS) thought to use that opportunity to educate the thief that it was the height of his insolence to swear by Allah’s and then lie. A true and sincere Believer (Mu’min) is always after the betterment of his Hereafter rather than wasting his time in the indulgence of arguments.

Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Do not call grape by the name of Karam, as it is the attribute of a Believer (Mu’min)’s heart.” [Muslim]

The Arabic word “Karam” means kindness and generosity. Arabs used to call grapes by the name of Karam, because they used to make wine from grapes, which was their favourite drink. The then Arabs mistakenly thought that wine helps to create and promote kindness and generosity in man’s character. Prophet (Peace be upon him) disliked such an interpretation because the wine is the mother of all evils. Great scholar Zamakhshari opines that Prophet (Peace be upon him) based his opinion on verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat, which reads:

“Oh People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should recognise one another. In Allah’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him. Allah is all knowing, all aware.”

When Allah Almighty said the word “Honoured” then it should relate to the heart of a Believer (Mu’min) and be not associated with anything which is totally forbidden. “Honour” comes through piety and purity.”

Abu Sa’id Khudri (RA) said that:

“A Believer (Mu’min) is like a horse tied to its peg, to which he returns after roaming around. Similarly a Believer (Mu’min) is liable to forget but he being faith bound returns to his base.” [Musnad Ahmad]

Abdullah Bin Amr Bin As (RA) relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“I swear by Him, Who posses my soul, a Believer (Mu’min) resembles that goldbrick which if thrown in the furnace, neither changes its colour, nor looses its weight. I swear by Him, Who owns my soul that a Believer (Mu’min) is like a honey bee, which sucks nectar from beautiful flowers, turned it into the beneficial honey, and neither misuses or damages the flower petal by her weight.”

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has likened the character of a true and sincere Believer (Mu’min) to the sterling quality of pure gold and the beneficence of the honey bee. Impure gold if thrown in the furnace looses its weight after its impurities are burned and it also changes its colour. A Believer (Mu’min) is like the honey bee who feeds on the pure and fairly earned livelihood; he is a source of benefit to others and is an agent of peace and brotherhood. He does not harm others or cause any damage to the environment. By extension, this example teaches us patriotism; love for the community, respect for neighbours, and makes us aware for the better maintenance of our social, natural and physical environment. Let us listen to two other Prophetic Hadiths, as quoted by Abu Musa (RA), Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“The relationship of the believer with another believer is like (the bricks of) a building, each strengthens the other.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

And Nu’man Bin Bashir (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Sahl Bin Sa’ad (RA) relates that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“In the community of believers, a believer’s place is like that of the head in the human body. The whole body suffers due to headache, so the believer should feel the pain if others in (Muslim) community suffer.”

There is no doubt that Islam teaches sympathy, love, and promotes brotherhood, the spirit to help others in their hour of need. If a Believer (Mu’min) can not afford to buy food for his hungry brother, he should share his own meal with the hungry. That was the spirit of love, sacrifice and mutual concern which brought into being a love-woven society. Verse 103 of Surah Ali-Imran is a clear reminder to such a quality:

“Hold fast to Allah’s rope all together; do not split into factions. Remember Allah’s favour to you: you were enemies and then He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace; you were about to fall into a pit of Fire and He saved you from it – in this way Allah makes His revelations clear to you so that you may be rightly guided.”

One thing should be remembered that the more we adhere to our faith and are firm in Tawhid i.e. the belief in Oneness of Allah Almighty, the more united will be the Muslim Ummah. We are distancing ourselves from the qualities of the early Muslims (As-Salafus-Salih). They were pure from jealousies, mutual rivalries, and envy. They never looked down upon their brother and never lashed their tongue with taunts or derogatory comments, but unfortunately we are afflicted with these vices. It is time to wake up to the realities of our faith and be aware of our rights and duties as a Muslim. Once a companion asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, who is the best among people?” Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied: “Truthful by tongue, pure and kind at heart, and without any burden of sins, the one who does not have grudge or envy towards others [is the best].” [Ibn Majah]

Respected servants of Allah! Here are the lists of some good qualities a believer has to follow if he want to succeed here and the hereafter:

1. Learn your religion as much as is needed, either by learning directly from scholars, reading books or by asking scholars.

2. Protect yourself from every kind of sin.

3. If sin is committed, immediately repent and ask forgiveness from Allah Almighty (Taubah).

4. Do not violate the rights of others; do not harm others by tongue or hand. Do not say negative things about others.

5. Do not keep the love of wealth and the desire of a “big name” in your heart, and do not excessively engage in seeking superior food and superior clothes.

6. If someone points out your mistake, do not argue, immediately accept it and repent from it.

7. Do not travel, except for a great need, as during travel you decrease in wariness and a lot of undesirable things happen, a lot of good deeds are missed, your daily routine of Zikr (remembrance of Allah) is interrupted and nothing happens on its proper time.

8. Do not laugh excessively and do not talk excessively, and take special care to avoid talking with strangers of the opposite gender (Ghair-mahram) frankly and freely.

9. Do not quarrel unnecessarily or argue with others.

10. Be aware of the orders of the Shari’ah in every moment of your life.

11. Do not be lazy for worship (Ibadah).

12. Spend most of the time alone in solitude.

13. If you have to mingle with others then be the most humble to others, serve others, and do not show pride.

14. And mingle minimally with the rich (especially the bad and criminal ones among them).

15. Stay away from the irreligious and ungodly person.

16. Do not find faults in others, do not have bad opinion about others, keep your eye on your own shortcomings and try to fix them.

17. Try to fulfill your prayers (Salah) in best possible way on the right time with full attentiveness.

18. Constantly remember your Lord either through tongue or heart, and do not let any time be wasted.

19. If you feel pleasure in remembering Allah, and you feel joy, then thank your Lord for this.

20. Be polite.

21. Organise a timetable for all your work, and thoroughly stick to it.

22. What ever loss, worry, sorrow, test or trial you come across, believe it is from Allah and do not worry about it and remind yourself that “I will get reward for this difficulty.”

23. Do not keep the accounts of worldly affairs in your heart and do not talk and discuss about worldly matters all the time; instead think about your Lord.

24. Benefit others as much as you can: either worldly benefit or religious benefit.

25. Do not decrease your food and drink to such a degree that it will make you sick; on the other hand do not increase it so much that it will make you lazy during worship (Ibadah).

26. Do not hope to get benefit/profit from other than Allah; do not let your thoughts wander such that you think “we might get benefit from so and so.”

27. Eagerly and restlessly seek your lord.

28. For a blessing either small or large, be thankful to your Lord for it, and do not be despaired by poverty.

29. Forgive the mistakes and faults of people under your authority.

30. Hide the faults of others, but if someone is trying to harm the society or harm someone, and you happen to know about it, then inform that person (i.e. the one who might get harmed).

31. Try to serve guests, travelers, the poor, scholars and the elderly.

32. Keep righteous company.

33. Fear your Lord all the time.

34. Remember death.

35. Ponder and go though the events of your day; if you remember a good deed, thank your Lord for it and if you remember a sin, seek repentance.

36. Do not tell lies on any condition.

37. Do not attend unlawful gatherings.

38. Live the life of modesty and forbearance.

39. Do not be proud.

Dear brothers and sisters! Please let us try as much as possible to inculcate the attributes of a true and sincere Believer (Mu’min)’s in us and then invite others to embrace them!

Lastly, I pray, may Allah Almighty enable us to realise the importance of the gift of life and the countless blessings we have been bestowed with and utilise our time prudently and wisely on the way it pleases Allah Almighty and His Messenger (Peace be upon him). Ameen!

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.

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.

Friday, January 06, 2023 (Jumadal Akhirah 13, 1444 AH)

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Opinion

The Menace of Begging and Misuse of Public Trust: A Call for Dignity in Kano State

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Ruqayyah Hamidu Muhammad PhD

 

Begging (also known as panhandling) is the practice of imploring others to grant a favor, often a gift of money, with little or no expectation of reciprocation. A person doing such is called a beggar or panhandler. Beggars may operate in public places such as transport routes, urban parks, and markets. Some beggars adopt a persistent approach, approaching motorists in traffic, and creating nuisance along major highways. How ever begging, no doubt, is a downgraded act which leads to the image tarnishing as well as loss of prestige and dignity of any person engaging in it.

Islam prohibits begging as a profession, and considers it to be lazy work that goes against the strength that Allah gives. The Prophet Muhammad advised people to try to earn a living through lawful and good means, encouraging self-reliance and hard work. The only condition for one to beg is when he is extremely poor and in dire need, then such an individual can approach others for assistance and once his need is met, he goes back to his normal business. Islam frowns at taking begging as a means of livelihood.

Although contributing factor to this issue is the economic downturn, resulting in the closure of industries and factories, fuel subsidy removal, different acts of terrorism, leaving many without alternative means of livelihood. While discouraging begging, Islam also stresses the responsibility of those with resources to provide charity (zakat and sadaqah) to alleviate poverty and prevent people from resorting to begging.

The issue of begging, especially in places like Kano, where cultural and religious values encourage generosity, reflects a troubling misuse of kindness and a lack of systemic solutions to poverty. While the Islamic principles of charity (zakat and sadaqah) aim to create a safety net for the needy, the exploitation of this benevolence has led to social and urban challenges.

I want to commend and encourage the Kano State Government for its efforts to address the issue of begging, as it reflects a thoughtful recognition of the need to tackle this societal challenge. Taking decisive action against the menace of begging is crucial, not only to restore the dignity of individuals (who risk losing their sense of self-worth) but also to enhance the social and urban fabric of Kano.

The issue of paramilitary organizations like KAROTA (Kano Road and Traffic Agency), Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC) officials, and other related entities soliciting bribes or “begging” from motorists on Kano streets is indeed troubling. This practice undermines public trust in these institutions, compromises their integrity, and creates an atmosphere of lawlessness and embarrassment for both the authorities and the public.

To rebuild trust and professionalism, the government must make accountability and ethical behavior non-negotiable priorities. Ensuring that institutions like KAROTA and road safety agencies operate with transparency and respect for the public will not only enhance their effectiveness but also restore the dignity of both the enforcers and the citizens they serve.

The issues of begging and the misuse of public trust in Kano are deeply intertwined with broader societal and institutional challenges. While poverty and economic downturns have pushed many into desperation, the exploitation of kindness and corruption among enforcement agencies exacerbate these problems. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that combines compassion, accountability, and systemic reforms.

The Kano State Government’s efforts to tackle begging are commendable, and they should be bolstered with robust policies that empower individuals to seek dignified livelihoods. Similarly, eradicating unethical practices within paramilitary and traffic enforcement agencies must be a top priority to restore public trust and professionalism.

By fostering an environment of dignity, transparency, and responsibility, Kano can pave the way for a more equitable and harmonious society where charity serves its true purpose, laws are upheld with integrity, and every individual is encouraged to contribute positively to the community. Let this be a collective commitment to reclaim the soul and pride of Kano for the benefit of all.

 

Ruqayyah Hamidu Muhammad PhD, is the Executive Director Network for Awareness for Socio-economic Rights and Sustainable Development (NASSDEV). 

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Opinion

Friday Sermon: Encouraging Islamic Education Reduces Crime In The Society!

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By Imam Murtadha Gusau

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Dear brothers and sisters! One of the most effective ways Islam employs to combat crime, prevent it, and reduce its prevalence is through purposeful education. This education is considered one of the most important means to resist evil and corruption, and it has a profound impact.

 

Islamic education is distinct from other forms of education in the sense that its primary and ultimate goal is to create virtuous individuals. While other educational systems aim to prepare citizens who may differ in their qualities and philosophies, Islam seeks to educate individuals regardless of their gender, race, language, or nationality.

 

As far as Islamic education is concerned, the human being is the focal point in all aspects: intellect, soul, body, and instincts. Islam provides a comprehensive framework and methodology to guide individuals toward achieving this goal.

 

Moreover, Islamic education seeks to guide individuals towards becoming the most righteous and Allah-conscious people. It emphasises that one’s worthiness or nobility in the sight of Allah is determined by their level of piety and consciousness of Him. As mentioned in Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse: 13:

 

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

 

Islamic education encourages people to be devout worshippers, recognising that the primary purpose of their creation is to worship Allah alone, as mentioned in Surah Az-Zariyat, Verse: 56:

 

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”

 

Furthermore, it calls for individuals to seek the pleasure and guidance of Allah in both their private and public lives, following His guidance wholeheartedly. As mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse: 38:

 

“So if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter].”

 

Islamic education is not only characterised by its focus on humanity but also by its deeply rooted religious aspect. It connects individuals with their Creator, instilling in them hope and fear of Allah. It addresses human nature, awakening the innate factors of goodness within them. As mentioned in the book “Islamic Studies,” the connection of the human conscience to Allah is the primary line in profound ethical education. This necessitates that religious beliefs serve as a fundamental basis for individual or social education, aiming not only to achieve social or national interests but also to attain a higher, fundamentally human goal characterised by the desire to please Allah alone and sacrifice for His noble countenance.

 

Islamic education aims to shape the Muslim individual and Muslim society, guiding lost humanity towards divine faith and the Islamic perspective on humans, the universe, and life. This concept is beautifully summarised in the book, Islamic Education between Tradition and Modernity, page 98.

 

What confirms the role of Islamic education is that it is a practical type of education that calls for goodness, emphasises it, prohibits evil, and warns against it. This is reflected in the verses where Allah seeks faith accompanied by righteous deeds, e.g:

 

“Those who believe and do righteous deeds – those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 82]

 

Islamic education is not theoretical and far-fetched from practical application; rather, it is within the capabilities and limits of human potential. In this regard, the exemplary model for humanity is the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), whom Allah has made a role model for all people through his words, actions, and character, e.g:

 

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” [Surah Al-Ahzab, 21]

 

Therefore, he is the embodiment of all the principles, values, and teachings of Islam, making Islamic education a blend of theory and practical application, with a strong focus on the latter.

 

One of the characteristics of this education is that it is continuous and comprehensive, involving everyone. Hence, we find a strong emphasis in the Prophetic Hadith on the role of the family in education. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

 

“Everyone is born a Muslim, but his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

This highlights the pivotal role of parents in the upbringing of their children for Islam places this responsibility on their shoulders. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

 

“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The Imam who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband’s house and children and she is responsible for them; and a man’s servant is a shepherd in charge of his master’s property and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.” [Bukhari]

 

He also emphasised the importance of good manners in upbringing, saying:

 

“There is no gift that a father gives his son more virtuous than good manners.” [Tirmidhi]

 

Indeed, the role of schools is crucial in shaping the minds and characters of young students due to their natural inclination to imitate. This is why the early generations of Muslims were very particular about selecting righteous educators for their children. As mentioned by Sheikh Uthaimin, the Islamic spirit within students largely depends on the teachers and their knowledge and conduct. Teachers who embody this spirit can effectively nurture it in their students.

 

Then comes the role of the society that is based on virtue. It assists in promoting goodness, condemns evil, distances itself from those who engage in it, and tightens the social bonds around them. We can see this in the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, (Peace be upon him), when he ordered people to boycott those who had lagged behind from participating in the Tabuk expedition. Their punishment was social isolation until they repented to Allah. (He turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind; (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its spaciousness, and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them,- and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” [Surah at-Tawbah, 118]

 

In this way, Islamic law focuses on nurturing and reforming the individual throughout all stages of their life. It provides them with noble Islamic values, guides them towards high moral standards, instills faith in their hearts, and directs them towards goodness while steering their thinking away from evil and corruption.

 

Undoubtedly, true faith and sincere conviction serve as a strong fortress and a protective barrier against committing indecent acts and violating prohibitions. Genuine faith is what guides towards the right path, and hearts filled with faith, relying on Allah, provide no openings for the devil to enter. As they say:

 

“Faith is the source of virtues, the bridle of vices, the foundation of conscience, and the strong bond between humanity and its noble values.” [See Islamic Guidance for Youth, page 38]

 

This faith is the barrier between a person and evil, because the believer knows with absolute certainty that Allah is watching over them. No matter how hidden their actions may be from people, they cannot escape Allah’s knowledge. If they evade worldly punishment, they will not escape the punishment of the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

 

“The adulterer is not a believer at the moment when he is committing adultery. The wine drinker is not a believer at the moment when he is drinking wine. The thief is not a believer at the moment when he is stealing. The robber is not a believer at the moment when he is robbing and people are looking on.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

Dear servants of Allah! One of the results of education in the history of Islamic society is that crime has been confined to the narrowest of limits, even after the Islamic society deviated significantly from the comprehensive meaning of Islam. However, it has remained one of the least deviant societies among human societies to this day. Sheikh Abu Zahrah states:

 

“A single glance at the state of a community that applies Shari’ah law and the level of security within it, compared to a city in Europe teeming with people who have torn apart the bonds of law because it is a human-made construct, and among them, you’ll find a lack of belief in it, demonstrates to us the impact of faith in people’s hearts.”

 

This perspective shows us that crime correlates inversely with civilisation. In communities that follow heavenly laws, as urbanisation increases alongside faith, hearts become more refined, and crime decreases. In the Islamic civilisation during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the era of the Companions, crimes went in the opposite direction to the growth of Islamic civilisation. As civilisation expanded, crime decreased.

 

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.

 

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

 

This Friday sermon (Jumu’ah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 13 Jumadal Ula, 1446 AH (November 15, 2024).

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Opinion

Dangote Refinery: Finally, a Solution Nigeria Can’t Import!

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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

 

 

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