Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
The fall out of the last Khutbah is an imperative to dwell on the Islamic manner of repentance. It is not non-human to err in daily activities but keeping in line with getting out of misdeeds is a priority. 'To man is err but to Allah is forgiving' is a general and non-seizing principle workable all the time in human circle. Glory be to Allah, the Most forgiving and Oft-Merciful as long as the days revolve and years recycle. Peace and blessing be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and his guided followers till infinity.
Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) declared in Qur'an 39:53 saying: 'Say: 'O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' This Ayah provides ample avenue for stemming tide around master-servant relations. The variations among mankind is an indication for error and forgiveness as the central theme of the above Ayah. For forgiveness to serve human purposes, questions such as the attitude of the erring person, possible being remorseful and readiness for a change come in line.
In the first place, who is a Muslim desired? Can someone profess Islam but deeping self into hurting others? Of what purpose is religiosity with less spirituality. And of course, can the spirituality of men be the true reflection of their behaviours? These and many more puzzles continue to disturb minds in view of the incessant misdeeds of men to have attracted clemency and pardon. Before pardon, what does Islam expect of a man in the instance of continual animosity and error?
The strategic response to these questions and several others related to this discourse is generated from the Hadith of the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) saying: 'المسلم من سلم المسلمون من يده، والمهاجر من هاجر ما نهى الله عنه
meaning: 'A Muslim indeed is the one from whose atrocity other Muslims are safe; while a Migrant is he who shuns what Allah made unlawful.' This shows that the symbol of Islam appears not only in the deep mark on the forehead but also in the coordinated manner a Muslim portrays himself in the neighborhood.
To put this discourse in proper perspectives, clemency and pardon granted by the Nigeria Government, though drawing controversies based on the ground and nature of offence committed ab-initio, would not serve human purpose if it does not measure up on the laid down conditions for repentance. As complimentary as forgiveness appears, it is secondary to repentance. This leaves us with moral question of readiness by the 175 convicted to tow the line of repentance.
In Islam, for clarity, one may not be buoyant enough to stigmatise a man with taint of disbelief for Allah warns against that. 'Therefore hold not yourselves purified: He knows best who it is that guards against evil (Qur'an 53:32).' Neither should a man absorbs nor exonerates himself of any misgiving because the dint of flesh is capable of overtaking him any moment. This goes in tandem with the main indication which may not be imperative of Qur'an 17:84: 'Say: 'Everyone acts according to his own disposition: but your Lord knows who is best guided on the way.'
Coming back on track, the conditions for genuine repentance involve feeling remorseful on the past misdeed, seeking forgiveness and of course, resolving not to return to the old evil way. This shows that washing off the hands from evil compelling situation makes valuable the repentance aside from the vulture-like mannerism. Vulture in its characteristic traits devours dead meat and eats to the fill, rubs the beak on the floor in hypocritical attempt to get rid of the site only go go back to take turns another time.
In fact, the noble Messenger painted the picture of repentance in a clear similitude to a piece of washing soap. An attempt to laund a clothe without which results in futility. The pardoned inmates in their various capacity would make the nation proud if only they distant themselves from related offences for which they hitherto convicted. Critics of this measure also would not have recourse to mock the exercise in a way to deny extension of such gestures to others in their former status. So the question of 'Selective Morality' would not feature in the game.
As related in the last edition on this forum, a long lasting measure to ensure complete rehabilitation of the pardoned and released inmates should be taken into consideration. Decongestion of the Correctional Centers to disallow continuous detention with or without trial should be re-engineered. In the same manner, a total overhauling of the Judicial system to ensure unfettered trust in the Nigerian citizens is long overdue. These and other re-engineering measures would thrust Nigeria to the world good record as against the ignoble and stained sight of its current situation.
Above all, the Nigeria situation calls for fervent prayer in the sense that the extent to which lives and properties are at risk on daily basis takes too much toll on the economic development. The situation of distrust in the State Security Apparatus beats citizens' imaginations thereby looking elsewhere for possible protection. If this would take proper shape, the Nigerian Authority must stand up to action to put things in order to attract security of lives and properties as the main chunk of dividends of any political dispensation. Till we meet again in another topic, thanks for your unalloyed patronage. Jum'at Mubarakah.
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DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAU-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. ©2025 https://www.slaipaclass.com
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