National Chief Imam's sermon on Unity and Spying on the Muslim bretheren

THE SERMON OF HIS EMINENCE THE NATIONAL CHIEF IMAM OF GHANA,
SHEIKH PROFESSOR OSMAN NUHU SHARUBUTU, ON UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS ON 9th
MUHARRAM 1442 WHICH FELL ON 28th AUGUST 2020 AT THE ABOSSEY OKAI CENTRAL
MOSQUE, ACCRA, GHANA
We give glory to Almighty Allah for bringing us together as
one people with a common faith. The Almighty Allah said in the Holy Quran
Chapter 49 Verse 10 : “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement
between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”
Oh my people, please note that believers are brothers and
friends of one another.
Let me emphasis that "Good believers are friends of one
another” regardless of any forms of diversity.
Oh my people, let us acknowledge that the rope that brings
us together and binds us as one family is faith in Allah and His Messenger
Muhammad (SAW).
Indeed, this faith is nothing but unity. And that unity
requires a sense of fellow feeling among us to help one another at all times.
Also, the unity is expected to generate among us related values such as
compassion, love, fairness, and justice.
We ask Allahu (SWT) to increase His blessings and favors
upon anyone who leads a morally upright life and does everything to please
Allah without looking for a reward from mankind.
Whoever acts justly to please Allah will have his rewards
from Allah alone.
We bear witness that there is no god but Allah and Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah, whom Allah has sent to this world to
guide mankind to the right path. May Allah praise and accord him all blessings
and favors.
The Almighty Allah warns us in many verses in the Holy Quran
not to humiliate one another, not to suppress our brothers, not to spy on our
brothers, not to denigrate our brothers, not to disrespect our brothers.
Whoever does any of the above mentioned vices will not taste the mercy of
Allah.
Oh my people, let me emphasize that Allah forbids spying on
one another, and He admonishes us not to reveal the secrets and shortcomings of
our brothers. Oh my people, beware that If you reveal the secrets and
shortcomings of your brother, Allah will reveal yours too.
Oh my people, listen to Quranic injunctions and obey Allah
to grant you and your children prosperity in life.
The Almighty Allah said in the Holy Quran Chapter 49 Verse
11 to 12: "O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule
[another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule
[other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one
another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the
name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it
is those who are the wrongdoers.”
“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption.
Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would
one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.
And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.”
Brothers and sisters, read the whole chapter 104 of the
Quran. Allahs says:
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. Woe to every slanderer backbiter.
2. Who gathers wealth and counts it over.
3. Thinking that his wealth has made him immortal.
4. By no means, he will be thrown into the Crusher.
5. And what will make you realize what the Crusher is?
6. God's kindled Fire.
7. That laps to the hearts.
8. It closes in on them.
9. In extended columns. Chapter verse.
The Almighty Allah entreats all believers to be each others'
keepers and to love one another for the sake of Allah, nor for any material
gains.
We should not call one another unwelcomed names that the
other person does not want.
Do not despise one another, you may never know the rank of
the person you despise. He or she may have higher ranks at the sight of Allah
than yours.
The Almighty Allah has commanded believers to think of one
another in good faith.
Prophet Muhammed (SAW) has said that “there is no greater
deed from Allah than two things: 1. Keeping good faith in Allah and 2. Having
good faith with mankind. There is also no grave evil above two things: 1.
Having bad faith in Allah and 2. Keeping bad faith with people.
Oh my people, beware that having evil thoughts towards one
another is a grave mistake and a great sin that may land one into the hell
fire.
May Allah help us, make it easy for us, and guide us. Ameen.
Translated into English by Alhaji Khuzaima Osman, PA to the
National Chief Imam with special editorial assistance from Dr. Mohammed Marzuq
Abubakar Azindoo