Opinion
Friday Sermon: How Islam Supports And Encourages Girl-Child Education!
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! Acquisition of knowledge is sine qua non for all human beings to enable them to have basic information and act according to the principles of the religion. In fact, no religion and no ideology place as much emphasis on education and knowledge as much as Islam does and makes the seeking of knowledge and application of what has been learnt mandatory for both men and women. Thereby, knowledge is one of the indispensable pillars upon which the edifice of Islam has been erected. Notwithstanding, education is a prevalent accusation raised against Islam today and the discrepancy in educational opportunities between men and women in many Muslim countries is often adduced as a primary instance of this.
Respected brothers and sisters! Women and girls have been victims of ruthless power struggles for centuries in all societies and cultures around the world.
Sadly, but truly, many societies including some Muslim societies continue to exercise this patriarchy in different forms such as the denial to education, unequal salaries compared to men in workplaces, forced marriages and prostitution, among many others.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) came at a time when the Arab society, like so many patriarchal societies at that time, was rife with abhorrent practices against girls. He preached Islam, liberating women and girls in every walk of life, education being a prime aspect. This sermon examines the facts about the importance of female education in Islam. It does so through referencing verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s noble book, and Hadith, authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), along with offering a short glimpse of his wive’s level of education.
Let me start with the first Qur’anic revelation. Allah Almighty says:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clinging form. Read! Your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by means of the pen; taught man what he did not know.” [Qur’an, 96:1-5]
These Qur’anic verses address humankind to seek knowledge and delve in critical thinking. The emphasis laid in the acquisition of knowledge, in the above Qur’anic verses, surpasses any statement or action denying girls the right to education. Had these Qur’anic verses only been for men, it would be inconceivable to imagine the extent of progression that the society made in a mere twenty-three years — the entire duration of the revelation of the noble Qur’an.
In another verse in the Qur’an, Allah the Most High says:
“(This is) a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.” [Qur’an, 38:29]
It is important to mention that the word “men” in the above Qur’anic verse refers to humankind as it does so in several other places in the Qur’an when Allah addresses humanity. These and other Qur’anic verses inform the readers that engaging in critical thinking is a moral obligation on both men and women. The Qur’an repetitively reminds people to ponder, to think, to analyse, thus using their mind power to contemplate and understand, whilst making no distinction between men and women.
Let me now examine some Hadith, authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). He (Peace be upon him) said:
“Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim.”
And also:
“He who has a girl (daughter) and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any servant who observes Allah’s right and his master’s right will get a double reward.”
And also:
“If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion.”
Three important themes around education are emerging in the above Prophetic Hadiths. From the first Hadith we infer that education is not a right but a responsibility on every Muslim, male or female. In the second Hadith, emphasis is laid on the quality of education imparted to the girl and the latter part deals with the encouragement to free slaves (Islam denounced and later abolished slavery). The third Hadith speaks volumes about the superiority of the person who seeks knowledge over the one who does not. The reference here to superiority is to the person who seeks knowledge, man or woman.
We shall now examine information about the intellectual abilities of two wives of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): Khadijah and Aisha.
1. Khadijah Bint Khuwailid: The first wife of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), was a wealthy tradeswoman, the richest woman in Makkah at the time, who exported goods as far away as Syria (Sham). To manage her large business, she employed several males and to do so then in Arabia, necessitated that you have a high level of understanding and wisdom.
2. Aisha Bint Abubakar: The youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), was very talented and possessed an incredible memory. As a Muslim scholar, she is credited with narrating more than two thousand Hadith and was noted for teaching eminent scholars. She had a great love for learning and became known for her intelligence and sharp sense of judgment. Her life also substantiates that a woman can be a scholar, exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. The example of Aisha in promoting education, particularly education of women in the laws and teachings of Islam, is a hallmark in female education in Islam. Because of the strength of her personality, she was a leader in every field of knowledge, in society and in politics.
Dear servants of Allah! Islam advocates educating women and enlightening them about the teachings of religion, as this greatly influences the life of women as well, as those of their children in the future. As Hafiz Ibrahim, the Poet of the Nile said:
“The mother is a school; if she is well-prepared, a noble nation is prepared.”
Besides, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) addressed women saying:
“O womenfolk….”
He even specified a day on which he used to address them; when some female Companions said to him:
“Men are always with you. So, specify a day for us.”
He indeed specified a day on which he met them, admonished them and commanded them… [Bukhari and Muslim]
Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to urge women to teach each other. For example, he said to Ash-Shifa Bint Abdullah Al-Adawiyyah:
“Teach Hafsah the Ruqyah (protective and healing supplications) for Namlah (Namlah literary means ‘ant.’ It is a skin disease where pustules appear on the side of the body and they are swallowed like ants), just as you taught her writing.” [Ahmad and Al-Hakim]
The mothers of the believers, such as Aisha and Hafsah, used to explain and teach matters of the religion to women. This was also the guidance of other male Companions, for they were keen on teaching their wives and informing them about the teachings of the religion, especially rulings that are specific to women, such as those related to ritual purification, menstruation, postpartum bleeding, prayer, marriage, divorce, breastfeeding, and so on. Some Companions used to hold gatherings of knowledge in their homes in order to teach their children and daughters.
Imam An-Nawawi transmitted on the authority of Qatadah who was a Tabi‘i, that:
“Whenever Anas Ibn Malik completed the recitation of the whole Qur’an, he used to gather his family and supplicate Allah (Du’a).” [Abu Dawud]
On the whole, Islamic scholars were keen on teaching women. History has recorded the biographies of women who were knowledgeable in religion and were taught by their fathers, brothers and husbands. Such men present shining examples in caring for and educating both men and women without discrimination. Life i.e. daily obligations and duties did not divert them from their duty towards their families until their sons and daughters grew into excellent role models in knowledge and piety.
Here, I will mention the biographies of some women who learnt from their fathers and husbands. The purpose of this is to highlight the woman’s position in Islam. Women Islamic scholars were appreciated by Muslim biographers, and therefore, they included them in their classifications of great figures and biographies. It is hoped that this will urge women students to exert their best efforts in learning religion and mastering what is beneficial for them in their scientific and practical lives.
These women scholars specialised in different branches of knowledge at different ages. The names of women Companions have not been included because they are numerous and well-known. Rather, I will mention women from among the Tabi‘is and their successors:
1. Asma’u Bint Asad Ibn Al-Furat
Her father was the Maghrib’s (North-West Africa) famous scholar and judge. She was her father’s only daughter and he used to teach her the noble Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh. She used to attend her father’s assemblies of knowledge (Halqah) and contribute to debates. When her father was appointed as the army’s commander in order to conquer Sicily, he attained a great victory and besieged the city of Sousse, but was killed there in 213 AH. Asma’u married one of her father’s students whose name was Muhammad Ibn Abu Al-Jawad and who was the head of the Hanafi scholars in Maghrib. Asma’u died in 250 AH. To know more about her biography, please review Ad-Dibaj Al-Mazhab, by Ibn Farhun, page 305, and Faqihat Alimat, by Muhammad Khair, page 29.
2. The Sister of Imam Al-Muzani
She was the sister of the Shafi‘i scholar, Isma’il Al-Muzani, the companion of Ash-Shafi‘i, who died in 264 AH. His sister used to attend the Fiqh lectures of Ash-Shafi‘i. Some of the Shafi‘i scholars used to transmit her Fiqh opinions and her decisions regarding what she believed to be the most preponderant opinions. To know more about her biography, review Tabaqat Ash-Shafi‘iyyah, by Al-Asnawi, Volume 1, page 443.
3. Hafsah Bint Sirin
She was the sister of the noble Tabi‘i, Muhammad Ibn Sirin. She was trustworthy and knowledgeable in Fiqh, as well as in other branches of knowledge. She was a sincere worshipper and one of the most prominent Tabi’i women. She completed the memorisation of the Qur’an at the age of twelve (12), and lived for seventy (70) years. Her brother, Muhammad, used to ask her about what he did not have knowledge about in the Qur’an. Mahdi Ibn Maimun mentioned that she remained in her place of worship for thirty (30) years, and did not leave it except for siesta and answering the call of nature. She died after 100 AH. Her traditions are mentioned in different books of Hadith. To know more about her biography, review Tahzib Al-Kamal, by Al-Mizzi, Volume 35, page 151; and Siyar A’lam An-Nubala, by Az-Zahabi, Volume 4, page 507.
Respected brothers and sisters! below is a very nice story which will In Shaa Allah make you all aware about the importance of women’s education, especially young Muslim girls!
After finishing Salatul Isha’, a Muslim girl sat on her prayer mat to make Du’a. Once she finished making Du’a to her Lord, her mobile phone rang. She picked up saying: ‘Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu’. The voice of a young man replied: ‘Wa alaikumus salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu!’ Can I speak to (so and so) please? The Muslim girl said: ‘Sorry brother, you have dialed the wrong number’… Then she hung up. After few minutes, her mobile rang again. She picked it up, it was the young man who called her few minutes ago. He told her: ‘I called again to apologise for disturbing you! You seem to be a good girl! Can I know you better?’ The girl was shocked for few seconds but then she replied: ‘Brother… Fear Allah! you are supposed to be at the Mosque praying Salatul Isha’ but here you are going after girls to flirt with them at night! Here you are disobeying your Lord instead of obeying Him! Shame on you!!!’ After saying these words, she immediately hang up. A few days later, he called her again: ‘Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu sister, please don’t hang up! I want to apologise again and inform you that I went back to pray all my five (5) daily prayers at Mosque! All praises be to Allah and thank you for waking me up from my neglectfulness! Please, can I know the name of the one through whom Allah guided me? I really need someone like you in my life to strengthen my faith (Iman) and support me to stay on the right path! Please help me sister, may Allah reward you for that!’ She didn’t reply and started to think: ‘Should she accept to help him to stay on the right path? Should she accept that he will be in touch with her from time to time to help him strengthen his faith (Iman)?’ She heard a satanic voice whispering: ‘He is a good guy now! Why are you so worried about it?! Let him call you… you both have pure intention! He really needs you! If you refuse his suggestion, he will go astray and it will be your fault!!’ She was about to tell him her name but suddenly a little voice whispered: ‘Allah is watching you’… You see, it was her conscience and her education which woke her up from making a big mistake! ‘Sorry brother!’ she replied finally: ‘If you are sincere in your repentance then you will find people who are better than me to help you! Even I need someone who will help me to stay on the right path more than you! At Mosque, you will surely find many righteous brothers who would be good company, which will help you to get closer to Allah! Please, if you really fear your Lord now and afraid of His punishment, then do not call this number ever again! Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!’ Then she hang up and she went back to her prayer mat rising her hands to make the following Du’a:
“O Allah, Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on your religion and save me from the evil of Fitnah, Ameen!”
Conclusively, the take away message in today’s sermon is that Islam promotes education, particularly girl’s education. Had it not been so, the world would not have witnessed the transformation of a society plunged in anarchy and hegemony into one enlightened with critical thinkers and scholars, all in the span of twenty-three years.
Dear brothers and sisters! I pray, may Allah accept our Ibadah (worship) and supplications, May He guide our leaders and provide us with a lasting peace, unity and progress in our beloved country Nigeria, ameen Ya Mujib!
All perfect 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, 11 Jumadal Akhirah, 1446 AH (December 13, 2024).
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
All thanks and praise are due to Allah, from Whom we seek help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and the evil consequences of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides will never be misled and whoever strays from Him will never find a guide. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah. Likewise, I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the servant and the
Messenger of Allah.
Dear brothers and sisters! The month of Ramadan has arrived again, the month of fasting and prayer. It is the month that provides an opportunity for forgiveness from Allah and emancipation from our sins. It is the month for performing good deeds and giving in charity. It is the month when the gates of the heavens are opened and the rewards for our deeds are magnified many times over. It is the month wherein prayers are answered and the status of the worshipper is elevated. It is the month wherein sins are forgiven.
Allah bestows so many blessings upon his servants in the month of Ramadan. This is the month of fasting that is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) fasted during this month and directed his followers to do the same. He told us that whoever fasts this month with faith, seeking Allah’s reward, will have all of his past sins forgiven. He likewise informed us that whoever stands in prayer throughout this month will have all of his past sins forgiven.
The month of Ramadan contains within it a night that is superior to a thousand months. Whoever is denied the goodness of that night is indeed deprived.
We should welcome this month and embrace it with happiness and joy. We should have the truest resolve to observe the fasts and the prayers and to compete in doing righteous deeds. During this month, we should ardently repent for all of our sins and encourage each other to engage in virtuous deeds and call to what is right and forbid what is wrong. In this way, we will succeed in attaining the blessings and the great rewards of Ramadan.
The fast provides us with many benefits and is full of wisdom. It purifies and strengthens our hearts. It rids us of our baser tendencies like exuberance, arrogance, and stinginess. It reinforces our good traits like fortitude, clemency, and generosity. It supports us in our inner struggle to please Allah and attain nearness to Him.
Fasting teaches us about ourselves and our needs. It shows us how weak we are and how truly dependent we are upon our Lord. It shows us how much Allah has blessed us. We are reminded of our brethren those who are less fortunate and are inspired to treat them well. We are compelled to thank Allah and to use the blessings He has provided us in obedience to Him.
Allah the Almighty draws attention to these many benefits when he says:
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those who were before you that you may learn self-restraint.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 183]
In this Qur’anic verse, Allah makes it clear that he prescribed fasting in order to purify us. Fasting is a means for us to learn self-restraint and cultivate our piety. Piety is to observe the commandments and prohibitions of Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him) sincerely out of our love and reverence for Allah, and to avoid His punishment and anger.
Fasting is a great act of piety in itself and a great means of increasing our piety in all aspects of our religious and worldly lives.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) pointed out one of the benefits of fasting when he said:
“O young people, whoever among you has the wherewithal to marry should do so, because it assists us in lowering our gazes and safeguarding our private parts. Whoever cannot do so should fast, because fasting diminishes sexual power.”
The reason that fasting has this effect is because Shaitan (Satan) flows like blood through our veins. Fasting constrains this flow while and acts as a reminder of Allah and His greatness, thereby reducing Satan’s influence over the fasting person while at the same time his faith strengthening. He naturally starts engaging in more acts of obedience and fewer acts of sin.
There are many other benefits of fasting that we can discover with a little thought and reflection. Fasting is good for bodily health. It gives the body a chance to purify itself of accumulated poisons, a fact which has been confirmed by numerous and famous medical doctors.
The sacred texts speak quite extensively about the virtues of fasting in the month of Ramadan and about it being a duty upon the believers. Allah the Almighty says:
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those who were before you that you may learn self-restraint. Fasting for a fixed number of days. The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and the criterion. So whoever witnesses the month should fast it. And whoever is sick or upon a journey should fast the same number of days (later on). Allah wishes ease for you and he does not wish hardship upon you. He wants that you should complete the period and that you should exalt Allah for that to which he has guided you that perhaps you may be thankful.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 183-185]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Islam is built upon five things (pillars): testifying that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying Zakah, fasting the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to the House.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
When the angel Gabriel asked the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about Islam, he replied:
“Islam is to bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to pay charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to make the journey.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Angel Jibril (Gabriel) then said:
“You have spoken the truth.” Then he said: “Tell me about faith.”
Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) replied:
“It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree, both the good and bad of it.”
He said:
“You have spoken the truth. Tell me about excellence in faith.”
Allah’s Messenger replied:
“It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and though you do not see Him, you know that He sees you.”
He said:
“You have spoken the truth.” [Muslim]
Respected brothers and sisters! This Hadîth is of considerable importance and deserves serious thought and consideration.
Once Mu’az Bin Jabal said to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):
“Tell me about some deed that will admit me into Paradise and distance me from the Hellfire.”
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) replied:
“You have asked about something great, yet it is very simple for one for whom Allah makes it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with him in worship. Establish prayer, pay Zakah, fast the month of Ramadan, and undertake the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.”
Then the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him added:
“Should I not inform you about the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield. Charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Dear servants of Allah! Fasting is a most virtuous act with a reward commensurate with its greatness. This is especially true in Ramadan, since Allah has made fasting therein an obligation upon the believers and a means of their attaining peace and salvation.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Every deed of the human being is for himself and its reward is multiplied for him from ten to seven hundred times. Allah says: ‘Except for fasting, for truly it is for Me and I alone will reward it, for verily he abandoned his desires, his food, and his drink for my sake.’ The one who fasts experiences two joys, one upon breaking his fast and one when he meets his Lord. Surely the breath of the fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“When Ramadan commences, the gates of Paradise (Jannah) are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are bound in chains.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“On the first night of Ramadan, the devils and rebellious jinn are bound in chains, The gates of Paradise are opened until not a single gate remains closed. The gates of Hell are bound shut until not a single gate remains open. Then a caller calls out: ‘O desirer of good, go forth! O desirer of evil, restrain yourself! Allah is emancipating people from the Fire every night’.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
On the eve of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gave a beautiful sermon and said:
“O people! A great and blessed month is coming upon you, a month containing a night better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting in its days an obligation and observing prayer in its nights a voluntary act. Anyone who seeks nearness to Allah in this month through any virtuous act will be like one who carried out a religious obligation at another time, and anyone who performs an obligatory act of worship in this month will be like one who performed seventy such acts at another time. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah]
Dear brothers and sisters! We must seize the opportunity presented to us in this blessed month and appreciate the greatness of this time by engaging in all the worship that we can. We must hasten to perform good deeds. Allah has made this month a time for worship and for competing with one another in righteousness and goodness. We must increase our prayer and our spending in charity. We must busy ourselves with reading the Qur’an. We must hasten to help the poor, the needy, and the orphans. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was the most generous of all people and he was even more generous in Ramadan. We must follow the good example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) by redoubling our efforts in this blessed month.
We need to safeguard the blessings of our fasts from our sins and our shortcomings. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever does not leave off false speech and false conduct, Allah has no need of his leaving off food and drink.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“When any one of you is observing the fast for the day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor raise his voice. If someone insults him or quarrels with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting’.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Respected brothers and sisters! Wallahi, we must beseech Allah for forgiveness in this great month and do all that we can to take advantage of this precious time. We must avoid committing any offence against the fast that will diminish its blessings and invoke Allah’s anger. Therefore, we must not be negligent of our prayers or stingy with our zakah, sadaqah and charity. We must not consume interest or the property of the orphans. We must not steal, oppress anyone, or disrespect our parents. We must not spurn our kinfolk. We must avoid backbiting, slander, lies, and falsehood. We must eschew false oaths and claims. We must not shave or trim our beards or leave our moustaches to grow. We must not listen to song and musical instruments. Women must not make a wanton display of themselves and men should not mix with them. These sins are forbidden throughout the year, but in Ramadan they are even more forbidden and more sinful.
We must fear Allah and avoid what Allah and His Messenger (Peace be upon him) have prohibited us. We must be upright in our obedience in Ramadan and throughout the rest of the year. We should call one another to this and by doing so attain the success and salvation that this blessed and great month promises us.
Dear brothers and sisters! As usual, please, we are soliciting to you, to assit us, help us, give us your Zakah, your sadaqah, your charity and your donations during this 1446/2025 Ramadan.
Indeed, in our great country, Nigeria, in African countries and around the world, orphans and children are facing hunger, poverty, fear and the loss of healthcare and education due to the insecurity, conflict and the climate crisis. In our Islamic center, our teams are working tirelessly to provide the resources orphans and children need to overcome war, famine and other crises – helping them build brighter, more hopeful futures.
This Ramadan, as we come together to celebrate the blessed and great Month, it is important to reflect on those in need. During Ramadan, and all year long, by donating what you can afford, you can help give hope to our orphans, our boys and girls in our Islamic schools. Your Zakah, Sadaqah, charity and donations can make a difference in the lives of children and their families, especially in this Ramadan.
Please, donate to help our orphans, children and the needy. Donate to help our Islamic schools. Donate to help our Da’awah activities, FISABILILLAH!
Our this year’s (1446/2025) Ramadan target is:
Ten million naira (₦10,000,000) In Shaa Allah.
And all those who intend to donate food items, clothes etc, our doors are always open In Shaa Allah.
The following are our bank details:
Account number: 1779691620
Account name: Murtala Muhammed
Access Bank.
Or:
Account number: 0048647196
Account name: Murtala Muhammed
GTBank
For more information call the following contacts:
08038289761, 08056557477, 09158822160, 09019183949.
We’re looking forward to your Zakah, your Sadaqah, your charity and your donations In Shaa Allah.
Jazakumullah Khairan as you kindly assit for Allah’s sake.
Lastly, I ask Allah the Almighty to reform all our affairs, to provide us with strong will to change our situation for the better and to provide the entire Ummah with glory, strength and unity. I ask Him also to accept our deeds, prayers, and supplications.
I also pray, may the Almighty Allah remove all our tears, all our worries, all our sorrows and all our pains and replace them with complete happiness, complete smiles and complete good health, ameen Ya Mujib!
All perfect 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, Sha’aban 15, 1446 AH (February 14, 2025).
Saleh Adamu Kwaru
Prof. Salisu Shehu’s academic career is marked by a series of significant achievements that reflect his commitment to scholarly excellence. He has held various academic positions, contributing to the development of curricula and educational programs that emphasize critical thinking and ethical reasoning. He is celebrated for his excellence, perseverance, and hard work. He not only enhances every responsibility he takes on but also transforms tasks to provide better service. When confronted with a seemingly impossible challenge, Prof. Salisu finds a way to make it achievable.
However, beyond his academic and professional accomplishments, there are hidden treasures in Prof. Salisu’s life, particularly within the confines of his home. Navigating through his home reveals the hard work and dedication to nurturing a family grounded in Islamic knowledge and values. Recently, he hosted a Walima to celebrate the remarkable achievement of his seven children, all of whom have memorized the entire Qur’an. Among them is Ummu Sulaim’s extraordinary achievement of memorizing 20,000 ahadith. Before these remarkable children, the older siblings had already achieved similar successes.
These accomplishments are not mere coincidences; they stem from scholarly guidance, strong parenting, and mentorship, as well as the supportive and enriching environment that Prof. Shehu has cultivated at home. This dedication and success attest to Allah’s statement: “And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (29:69).
Prof. Salisu’s parenting philosophy is grounded in instilling a solid foundation of Islamic knowledge and values, which has clearly borne fruit in his children’s achievements. It is also on record that all the children have excelled in their academic pursuits, with some breaking graduation records. These children have ventured into various fields of knowledge, including law, medicine, science, and other critical areas of study. This remarkable feat highlights the importance of determination and dedication in the pursuit of knowledge. As stated in the Qur’an, “And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge’” (Qur’an 20:114).
The influence of Prof. Shehu’s family extends beyond their academic and spiritual achievements. The family’s home environment is characterized by a culture of continuous learning, mutual respect, and a commitment to community service. Prof. Salisu’s wives have played instrumental roles in nurturing their children and instilling values of discipline, empathy, and resilience. The family’s unity and shared values have created a nurturing space where each member can thrive and contribute positively to society.
As a respected academic and leader, he has played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions and has served as a mentor to numerous aspiring professionals. His legacy is characterized by a commitment to instilling values of hard work, firmness, and faith in future generations. As John C. Maxwell said “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”, Prof. Shehu’s mentorship and outreach programs have empowered many young scholars to pursue their academic and professional aspirations, creating a ripple effect of positive change within the community.
Truly, Prof. Salisu’s journey is not just about his own achievements; it also highlights the influence of his values and principles on those around him. The inspiring journey serves as a compelling case study in the intersection of personal success, decent, humble life devoted to serving humanity. His legacy is one of inspiring future generations to strive for excellence and to contribute positively to society. In Sahih Al-Bukhari, the Prophet (May Allah’s Peace and blessings be upon him) said ‘All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for his subjects; a woman is a guardian in her husband’s home and is responsible for her subjects’. This hadith underscores the importance of fulfilling one’s duties and being accountable for those we care for, whether in positions of authority or within our families.
Indeed, if there is a life worthy of emulation and practice, it is that of Prof Salisu Shehu, Walin Tabawa Balewa. His unwavering principles and ethical standards serve as a model for integrity, excellence and devotion. Embracing the values and lessons from his life can guide us towards making meaningful contributions in our own endeavors and striving to create a better world for future generations.
Allah Ya karawa Wali lafiya da jinkiri mai alkhari.
Opinion
IGP tenure elongation may spell doom on national security, Human rights lawyer Dantani raises alarm
A human rights lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani Esq, has faulted the National Assembly passage of the Police Act which paved the way for the tenure elongation of Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The human rights activist insisted the IGP’s tenure extension, the sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s bidding for Egbetokun to remain in office till the end of 2027, may have far-reaching consequences on national security.
In a petition issued on Friday, Barrister Dantani worried about the action of the National Assembly, which he said has disrupted the leadership system in the police force, undermined the constitution, and eroded public trust in governance.
That apart, Dantani lamented the action of the President to extend Egbetokun’s stay in office amounted to a glaring example of nepotism and disenchantment to morale and career progression in officers.
Citing the provisions of the laws guiding the appointment and tenure of the IGP in Nigeria, Barrister Dantani insisted the extension of Egbetokun’s service may temper with national unity.
In particular, the human rights activist referenced sections 7 and 18 (8) of the Police Act. 2020, which stipulated the age of retirement, reminded the Federal lawmakers to contravene the provisions of the act with IGP Egbetokun’s extension.
The controversial amendment of the Police Act by the National Assembly in favour of an individual violates the sanctity of the rule of law, particularly equality before the law, Barrister Dantani submitted.
“No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. Mr Egbetokun was born on September 4, 1964, and by arithmetic computation, clocked the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024.
“He is also not covered by the provision of (iii) above, as he is neither a judicial officer nor an academician. The implication of the foregoing is that, by operation of law, IGP Egbetokun, who had reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, should have retired from the Nigerian Police Force and consequently from his position as the IGP by effluxion of time”. Dantani worried.
He lamented how the national assembly reduced the power of the presidency despite the separation of power to amend the police Act for the sake of Egbetokun’s extension in office.
“Specifically, on July 23, 2024, the National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas hastily passed the Bill to amend the Police Act 2020 in record time.
“Earlier that day, the House of Representatives had approved the Police Act Amendment Bill to allow the Office of the IGP occupant to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in his or her appointment letter.
“On the same day, the Senate also took the same action following an appeal by the presidency that Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, be allowed to continue serving his four-year term in office even though he had attained the compulsory retirement age of 60 on September 4, 20204.
“The Executive Bill sought to amend Section 18 of the Police Act 2020 to allow an officer appointed as the IGP to serve beyond the current limit of 35 years in service or the age of 60. The Bill proposed to create a new section 18(8A) to enable the IGP to stay longer than 35 years in service and 60 years of age, whichever comes first”.
The human rights activist posited the decision to extend the IGP’s tenure has effectively blocked the advancement of other senior officers next in line for leadership roles while stagnating junior officers.
He called on the President to prioritize merit and competence over personal affiliations in appointments and promotions in the police force added that Institutions thrive when individuals are selected based on their qualifications and capabilities, not their connections.
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