IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE THIRD SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF JUMĀDĀ AL-ULĀ
DATED: 16/05/1447 AH — CORRESPONDING TO 07/11/2025 CE
TOPIC: COOPERATION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PIETY: ITS SCOPES AND METHODS
THE FIRST SERMON
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, ask His forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls and the misdeeds of our actions. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his companions, and all who follow them upon righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
O people, fear Allah — the Exalted — as He should be feared. Know that cooperation among people is a necessity that none can dispense with. It is a natural instinct and an inborn disposition upon which Allah created all creatures — young and old, male and female, rich and poor. None can live in isolation from others.
Indeed, the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ have emphasized cooperation in goodness and all forms of righteousness. Allah the Almighty says:
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” [Surah Al-Mā’idah, 5:2]
In this verse, Allah commands His servants to cooperate in all forms of goodness and righteous deeds, and forbids them from aiding one another in sin, transgression, or violating the sanctities of Allah.
Allah the Most High also says:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger.”
— [Surah At-Tawbah, 9:71]
This divine alliance among the believers entails mutual support and cooperation in every act of goodness and righteousness.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The believer to another believer is like a building, each part strengthening the other.” Then he interlaced his fingers. (Agreed upon)
Ibn Baṭṭāl (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Every form of cooperation among Muslims that contributes to the well-being of their religion and worldly life is recommended and encouraged — and this ḥadīth is proof of that.”
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of one body; when any limb aches, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Agreed upon)
O servants of Allah, cooperation among Muslims is one of the defining characteristics of the Islamic community. Muslims are in dire need of mutual cooperation, for each individual is responsible to contribute according to his ability and position — the scholar with his knowledge, the wealthy with his wealth, the writer with his pen and words, the brave with his courage, the expert with his experience, and the thinker with his sound opinion and insight.
Cooperation among Muslims manifests in many forms and across numerous areas…
– Among the forms of cooperation in righteousness and piety is working together to support this religion, calling people to it, and making Islam beloved to their hearts. The religion of Islam is a trust upon the necks of the Ummah, and it is their duty to rise to the responsibility of conveying and inviting others to it. Allah the Exalted says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ
“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.” [Surah Muḥammad, 47:7]
And Allah the Most High also says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا أَنصَارَ اللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّهِ
“O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, ‘Who are my supporters for Allah?” [Surah As-Ṣaff, 61:14]
O Muslims, among the forms of cooperation in righteousness and piety is cooperating in establishing the duty of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. This noble duty is one of the moral foundations of the Ummah. Allah the Almighty says:
وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ
“Let there arise from among you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.” [Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:104]
And He, the Most Glorious, says:
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ
“You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” [Surah Āl ʿImrān, 3:110]
A believer, according to his ability, does not approve of evil nor remain silent about it. He changes it with his hand if he has the power and authority to do so, or with his tongue by speaking the truth and warning against falsehood, or with his heart — so that Allah knows his hatred and disapproval of such evils.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “By Allah! You must enjoin good and forbid evil, and you must restrain the hand of the oppressor and compel him to follow the truth, or else Allah will strike your hearts against one another, and then He will curse you as He cursed them.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
O servants of Allah, among the forms of cooperation in righteousness is helping to fulfill the needs of fellow Muslims.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every Muslim must give in charity.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what if he finds nothing to give?” He replied: “Then let him assist a craftsman or help one who is clumsy at his work.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The word ‘akhraq’ (clumsy) refers to one who lacks skill or ability in work.
Another aspect of cooperation is relieving the distress of those in hardship.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever relieves a believer of one of the hardships of this world, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Likewise, giving charity to the poor from whatever surplus one possesses is also among the noble acts of cooperation.
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on one of our journeys when a Bedouin came riding his camel, looking to his right and left. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Whoever has an extra mount, let him give it to one who has none; and whoever has extra provisions, let him give to one who has none.’ He kept mentioning various kinds of wealth until we thought that none of us had any right to surplus possessions.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Among the forms of cooperation in righteousness and piety is supporting the oppressed.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.”
They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, we help him when he is oppressed, but how do we help him when he is an oppressor?” He replied: “By restraining him from oppression — that is your help to him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
Therefore, if you see your Muslim brother committing injustice, you should stop him and warn him about its evil consequences and punishment. And if you see him being wronged, then support him to remove that injustice by all lawful means within your capacity.
– Among the forms of cooperation is working for reconciliation among people, bringing their hearts together, and resolving conflicts through peaceful means. Allah the Exalted says:
لَا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
“No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who advocate charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking the pleasure of Allah — We will give him a great reward.” [Surah An-Nisāʾ, 4:114]
And He also says:
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ
“So fear Allah and set right relations among yourselves.” [Surah Al-Anfāl, 8:1]
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Shall I not inform you of something more excellent in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity?” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said: “It is reconciling relations between people; for indeed, discord between people is the shaver — I do not say it shaves hair, but it shaves away religion.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhī)
– Among the forms of cooperation is the cooperation between husband and wife in managing their household and caring for their family. Allah has prescribed mutual rights between the spouses. He says:
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
“And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:228]
Mutual cooperation between the spouses in the affairs of their life strengthens love and harmony. When ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about what the Prophet ﷺ used to do at home, she said: “He was in the service of his family, and when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhārī)
– Among the forms of cooperation is the cooperation among children and family members, working together in goodness, avoiding evil, and eliminating causes of division and conflict. It includes cooperation among relatives to strengthen family ties and avoid severing them, and among tribes or clans to prevent injustice and aggression — but not based on hateful tribalism, rather upon faith and righteous deeds.
– Another form of cooperation is cooperation with those in authority — cooperation between the citizens and their leaders in implementing matters that aim to reform the Ummah and guide it toward goodness and righteousness.
Cooperation also includes striving to unite hearts, preserve unity, and prevent discord and chaos. The leader’s cooperation with his people should be reflected in alleviating their sufferings, meeting their needs, and ensuring their welfare to the best of his ability.
– Among the greatest forms of cooperation is cooperation among Muslim nations — to preserve their security, strengthen their economies, unite their voices, and stay away from chaos and from allowing foreign powers to dominate their destinies and resources.
May Allah bless me and you in the Noble Qur’an, and benefit us with its verses and wise reminders. I say these words of mine and seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, for me, for you, and for all Muslims from every sin. So seek His forgiveness and repent to Him — indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah- abundant, pure, and blessed praise, as our Lord loves and is pleased with. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions, abundantly until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
O Muslims, in recent days we have heard certain foreign statements regarding our country — statements that depict what is happening as though it were a religious war, accompanied by threats and hints of interference.
The truth, however, is that the justification presented by the current President of America, Trump, is not genuine. Their concern is neither to defend a group nor to show compassion for anyone. Rather, it is greed for the resources and wealth of our land. The enemy is always seeking a way in — and whenever they perceive weakness, they become emboldened.
O servants of Allah: It is to be praised, even if these statements are disturbing, that they reveal to the world that our internal security is afflicted with a deep malfunction — that our country suffers from terrorism, killings, kidnappings, corruption, and neglect of responsibilities. The people of this country have been harmed: Muslims, Christians, and all citizens alike; bullets do not distinguish one religion from another. It is therefore incumbent upon the state and those concerned to rebuild the country’s security, reform the agencies, strengthen intelligence, and confront crime and corruption without laxity.
As for the bad aspect of those allegations, it is that they turn a complex issue into a religious conflict. Allah knows that what is happening in our land is not a war between a Muslim and a Christian; rather, it is a tangle of problems: weak governance, organized crime, competition over resources, proliferation of weapons, and shortcomings in upbringing, awareness, education, and religion. Beware — beware — of igniting sedition, for when sedition is kindled it leaves nothing intact.
The most reprehensible thing is that some sons of this homeland rejoiced at foreign threats, adopted rhetoric that harms their country, and imagined that bombs, if they fall, will choose their victims on the basis of religion, region, or party! By Allah, no — bombs do not know a mosque from a church, nor do they know a Muslim from a Christian; they do not distinguish between innocent and guilty.
O servants of Allah, the protection of the homeland is everyone’s responsibility, and religion commands it. Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (Al-imran: 103)
And the Prophet ﷺ said: “The believer to another believer is like a building, each part strengthening the other.” So let the people of the North fulfill their duty in confronting extremism, corruption, and silence in the face of crime; and let the people of the South fulfill their duty in moderating their discourse, avoiding incitement to hatred, and not belittling national brotherhood. Let the scholars — Muslim and Christian alike — play their role in calming hearts and building trust; for if the homeland is lost, sermons, songs, or shouting will not avail us.
In this sense Professor Dr. Abdul-Razzak bin Abdul-Majeed Alaro (may Allah preserve him) said: “The need for a strong and stable Nigeria is of utmost importance; we have no homeland other than this, so we must remain vigilant, united, and support every sincere effort that achieves security and peace.”
O you who believe, we do not fear external threats if our interior is sound; a nation is not defeated when its people are united, and a community is not breached when it holds fast to the Book of its Lord and the Sunnah of its Prophet.
O Allah, set right the conditions of our country, protect the lives of our people, unite our word upon the truth, and avert from us seditions — whatever is apparent of them and whatever is hidden. O Allah, whoever intends evil for our country, make his plot return upon his own neck and make his scheme destruction for him. O Powerful, O Exalted.
May Allah send peace and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.