By Ishola Balogun

Goodness or ihsan,and a sense of collective responsibility towards one another are the prerequisites for a good Muslims. With that, you can have orderliness in the society where majority of people will be happy. The poor and the needy will be given their dues.

People will not be insensitive to the plight of others.  Government and leaders will be responsible to their duties and the followers will be happy to do their part. Crimes will be reduced to the barest minimum and tolerance and peacful co-existence will rule the world.

But are we all Muslims. If many of us are, are we Mumeen? Are we living our lives for others as advised by the Prophet (s.a.w)? The Prophet (s.a.w) enjoined us to always do good to others even to the point of sacrificing your interest if that will bring happiness and life to others.

He taught that if a Muslim is performing ablution for prayer and somebody who is dying of thirst cries for water, it becomes necessary for the Muslim to sacrifice the water meant for ablution to quench the thirst of that person, even if he is a non-Muslim.

Islam, therefore, is all about goodness to the creatures of Allah and not solely about a salat without any iota of goodness to humanity. We read the story of an Israeli prostitute who was saved from being one of the dwellers of Hell as a result of her kindness to a dog. The dog was reported dying of thirst, running helter skelter searching for water.  It got to a well and it was going round the well in utter discomfort.  This Israeli prostitute saw this dog and came to its rescue.  She took off a pair of her shoes and watered it and fed the dog severally until the dog was satisfied.  By this singular act, Allah forgave her and admitted her into al-janah.

Those who are bent on amassing wealth, and denying the less fortunate a share are those who will suffer in the hereafter and will be deprived of the mercy of God. (3:180, 4:37, 47:38, 89:17 to 89.24). Not feeding the needy is cited amongst the major reasons for which someone will not be in paradise (74:42 to 74:46).

Being insensitive to the plight of those in need of help is another means of incuring the wrath of Allah.  The Quran describes as hypocrites those who perform their salat but do not show kindness to the orphans and the needy; these are those who have sold their chances of being in al-janah. (107:1-7). Amassing wealth for its own sake or for the love of bequeathing money for children unborn is an evil deed deserving of extreme punishment on the Day of Judgment (9:35).

The lesson is that not only are Muslims repeatedly instructed to spend, they are explicitly instructed to spend from their most cherished possessions, from what is dear to them, from what they consider to be the best that they own to releiving those who are in one for of hardships or the other. Aprt from financial consideration, kindness in deed, and act of goodness even to those who wrong you are the major kernel of what Islam is all about.

Charity is not mandatory and has no preset limit, it is strongly encouraged in hundreds of verses in the Quran. Various verses of te Holy Qur’an pontificate the act as a means of obtaining God’s mercy and forgiveness (24:22, 92:17 to 92:18), cleansing the souls of impurity (9:103), and attaining superior degree faith (30:38, 76:8 to 76:9, 90:10 to 90:16).

Muslims urged to support Sultan’s peace effort

Muslims in Nigeria have been urged to support the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on his effort towards bringing peace to all parts of the country.

The call was made by the President of the Delta State Muslim Council, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha while inaugurating the state chapter of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam, at Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

He described the Sultan as man of peace, adding that his efforts should be complimented by Muslims and non Muslims alike.

Inaugurating the executive, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha enjoined them to sustain the tenet of Islam which centers on love, peace and unity. The Muslim Leader reminded Muslims to cultivate the ideas of hands of fellowship to others no matter the situation pointing out that Islam is peace.

Also, speaking Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Awalu Tukur commended the initiative of the state Muslim Council.

Highlight of the occasion was the foundation laying ceremony of a mosque at the JNI Centre by the President of the Delta State Muslim Council, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, supported by the Special Assistance to the State Governor Alh Awalu Tukur.

Those sworned in are, Alhaji Jibril Ijenije – Chairman, Alhaji Yussuf Eregbemi–Vice Chairman, Muktar Usman Secretary, Mallam Lawal Ighoroje -Assistant Secretary,  Alh Abdulsalam Ekpuze – Treasurer, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed Ozziggis – P.R.O, Alh Isa Onokeroraye – Fin Secretary.

Tambuwal urges Muslim scholars to correct misconception

House of Representatives Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has urged Muslim scholars to enlighten Nigerians on Islamic teachings and principles to correct misconceptions.

Tambuwal made the call during the opening of the 27th National Qu’ranic Recitation Competition in Gusau. He said there was need to create awareness on the Islamic teachings of peace.

He said: “I want the Muslim scholars to make it widely known that Islam encourages peace and anybody that wants to spoil the religion will not succeed.

“No where is violence mentioned in the Qu’ran and the Holy Prophet never encouraged violence among Muslims. Ullamah should continue to teach the youth about peace and stability; without peace and stability, there cannot be unity and progress.”

Others are Alh Abubakar Suleiman – Missioner, Barr. Elunor – Legal Adviser, Alh Aminu Oki – Co-ordinator Delta Central, Alh Mohammed Okotie, Religious Officer, Mohammed Johnny Delta South, Kamaru Bello Delta North, Alhaji Awalu Tukur, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, Alhaji Mohammed Isima and Alhaji Billiaminu Emiko Patrons respectively.

ISBON meets in Ogbomoso

Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria, ISBON, will hold its yearly retreat in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, this weekend.

According to the National Ameer of the association, Justice S. B. Belgore in his statement recently, the three-day event will address challenges militating agaisnt the growth of Islam in Nigeria, welfare of members among other issues.

The retreat which opens today will last till April 1, with delegates expected from the West African states such as Ghana, Togo, Niger and Chad.

National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Mansur Abdulhamid said the Ogbomosho camp was a life-time opportunity for members from all over the country to meet with fellow brothers from other countries in order to forge a common front to advance the cause of Islam.

Anwar Islam holds conference            

The annual conference of Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria opens today. The three-day event which is the 97th  in the series will discuss various challenges facing the country from Islamic perspective.

Among them are challenges of violence, crime, corruption and insecurity with a view to proferring solutions to them.

The guest lecturer is Dr. Nosiru Onibon, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.

The conference which holds at Jubril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, Lagos by 9am daily will last till Sunday, March 31, 2013.