ISLAMIC PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCILvigilance for national peace and stability

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