The Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin Central Mosque, Prof. Nasir AbdusSalam, has urged Muslims Faithful not to be too much joyful after the end of the holy Months, but be obedient to Allah, as there is no real joy in this life as compared to the joy of the hereafter awaiting the believers only.
Prof. AbdusSalma made the call today in his 1446 AH Eid-ul-Fitri Khutbah (1st Shawwal, 1446 AH) sermon, tagged, “Eid Celebrations Between joys and sorrows”, which was held at the University’s Central Mosque praying ground.
“This time, the month should have softened our hearts, infused tolerance, love, and sense of forgiveness into our system sufficient enough to reconcile the
differences between you and others among family members, old friends, and neighbours. Tolerate their weaknesses, forgive their past, and broke truce among yourselves”, he said.
While, congratulating believers, he extended all forms of praise, glorifications, and adoration beyond how they could be expressed in words belong to Allah (SW), adding that he testified to His oneness and the Messengership of Maolana Mustapha (SAW) as expressed in the Arabic introduction part of this Khutbah.
He also advised Muslims faithful to reconcile differences with their fellow Muslims, tolerate their weaknesses, forgive their past and broke truce among themselves.
“The only lasting joy in this life is the inner joy of the heart whenever it discovers Allah. That explains the readiness of believers to keep on fasting, endure long standing in Qiyaamullail, recitation of Qur’an despite the associated hardship with these acts because they hope for the joy of the hereafter. There is no joyful occasion in this life that is free from trial and tribulation”, he said.
The Chief Imam added that Muslims worldwide are also congratulated on successful completion of a month of spiritual journey that was full of rigorous training that has transformed all to better Muslims in terms of piety, compassion for human race, and devotion to commandments of Allah.
“O Allah! We have fasted to the best of our ability, let our best be pleasing to you, and accept all our good acts as deserving your reward. ‘Ibaadallah! Thirst is quenched, hunger has vanished, and the reward of sacrifices is certain for the obedient servants. Allah has promised you joyful moments, one in this life and the other in the hereafter as prizes for keeping fast diligently as reported in Hadith Abu Huraira and Abu Sa’id (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah’s Messenger(as saying), there are two occasions of joy for the observer of fast; when he breaks the fast, and he is happy when he meets Allah. By Allah, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk (Muslim 1151f; Book 13, Hadith 214).”
Prof. AbdusSalam said that Allah intertwined joy and sorrow, fear and tranquillity, peace and war, loss and gain, defeat and victory despite Allah’s promise of joy at the point of breaking the fast like this, adding that all actions were preceded by purposeful and sincere intentions to be profitable.
“No action was accidental, and there were results for all actions embarked upon by believers”, he said.
He advised them to cool down their anger and hatred for whatever he or she might have done, help their brothers, and sisters as well as themselves to defeat Shaitan, who will never wish for reconciliation.
On women’s effort in the month, he said,
“The blessing of Allah is assured if you can
do that.Oh, congregation of women folk! This Khutbah will be deemed incomplete without a section specifically addressing the affairs of women. That is the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).During the spiritual ascension, the Prophet was shown the inmates of hellfire, and the majority of them were women. “
“Oh, believing women! However, if you keep the duties ordained upon you and avoid distractions, nothing will prevent you from entering paradise. The Prophet assured you in a Hadith of Anas bin Malik (RA). The remedy are in four duties: Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity, and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of paradise she wishes.”
Prof. AbdusSalma, who prayed for Allah benevolent on all members of the University community, the state and the country, also urged believers to fast the six days fast in the month of Shawwal, the 10th month.
“Whoever observes the fast, it will be credited to his account of good deeds as if he keeps fast every day of a year. The 6 fasts may be spaced as the format of Prophet Daud (AS), every Mondays and Thursday of Shawwal, or as it may be convenient for you, “he added.
