EIDUL-FITR KHUTBAH 1446 AH (2025 CE)

EIDUL-FITR KHUTBAH 1446 AH (2025 CE)

DATED 1ST SHAWWAL, 1446 AH (30TH MARCH, 2025CE)

THE FIRST KHUTBAH

All praise is due to Allah, abundant praise. Glory be to Allah morning and evening. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without partner—whoever fears Him, He protects, and whoever relies on Him, He suffices. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, His chosen and beloved one, the best of creation and the guide to righteousness. May Allah’s blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions, who strove in Allah’s cause sincerely.

O people, fear your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and spread from them many men and women. Fear Allah, through whom you seek your mutual rights, and be mindful of kinship ties. Verily, Allah is ever watching over you.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi al-hamd.

O believers! This is a great and noble day, a day of joy, happiness, and celebration. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“For the fasting person, there are two joys: when he breaks his fast, he rejoices in it, and when he meets his Lord, he rejoices in his fasting.”
Today, we rejoice in breaking our fast and completing our month. The greatest joy will be when we meet our Lord and receive the reward for our fasting. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“In Paradise, there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, through which the fasting people will enter on the Day of Judgment. No one else will enter with them. It will be said: ‘Where are the fasting ones?’ They will enter, and when the last of them enters, it will be closed, and no one else will enter through it.”

O noble Muslims! This Eid is one of worship, remembrance, charity, unity, and joy. A believer should not neglect Allah’s commands or indulge in His prohibitions. Rather, he should remain steadfast in obedience as he was in Ramadan, for this is a sign of accepted deeds. Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The reward of a good deed is another good deed after it, and the punishment of a sin is another sin after it. If Allah accepts a servant, He guides him to obedience and distances him from disobedience.”

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi al-hamd.

O Muslims! One of the greatest acts of worship, especially on this day, is reconciliation and avoiding grudges and disputes. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Shall I tell you of something better than fasting, prayer, and charity?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “Reconciling between people, for discord is the razor (that shaves away religion).”

It is therefore essential that those who have disputes reconcile, purify their hearts, and open the door to mutual understanding. The Prophet (ﷺ) also said: “Allah only increases a person in honor when he forgives, and whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah raises him.”

The Necessity of Caring for the Palestinian Cause and the People of Gaza: Our Duties Towards Them

O noble Muslims! The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced today, Sunday, March 23, 2025, that the total number of casualties from the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has risen to 50,021 martyrs. The number of injured has increased to 113,274 during the same period. Additionally, 233 martyrs were added to the cumulative statistics after verifying their records. Since Israel resumed its aggression on March 18, 2025, 673 Palestinians have been martyred, and 1,233 others have been injured.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever does not concern himself with the affairs of Muslims is not one of them.” (Reported by al-Tabarani)

Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Tarifi said:
“One of the signs of hypocrites in this era is that when Islam is attacked, they remain silent, but when its followers make a mistake, they appear.”

The Obligation of Jihad and Our Duty Toward Palestine

Know, O Muslims, that jihad is an ongoing obligation until the Day of Judgment, and it is the pinnacle of Islam. The first level is the rejection of oppression in the heart, and the highest is fighting in the cause of Allah. Between these levels are jihad with words, the pen, the hand, and speaking truth against a tyrant. There is no survival for a nation, no revival of a state, no preservation of rights, lands, honor, and wealth except through jihad in the path of Allah.

Allah says: “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him.” (Al-Hajj: 78)

Our Responsibilities Towards Palestine

  1. Strengthening Our Faith:
    • Renew our intentions, strengthen our connection with Allah, and trust in Him for all our efforts and sacrifices.
    • Recognize that jihad is the highest peak of Islam and a source of our honor and glory.
  2. Raising Awareness:
    • Every Muslim family must instill in their hearts and their children that Palestine is their primary concern and the greatest cause of the Ummah.
  3. Financial Support:
    • Support the oppressed by dedicating a portion of our financial resources to aid our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
    • Donate through the “Palestine Project” – ((AQSAH CONCEPTS, 0005125108, JAIZ BANK)).
  4. Spiritual and Moral Support:
    • Love the Mujahideen and spread awareness about the justice of their cause.
    • Encourage people to donate and engage in nightly prayers, supplicating to Allah to relieve their suffering and grant them victory.
  5. Public Demonstrations and Advocacy:
    • Participate in marches and solidarity events supporting the besieged and the defenders of Al-Aqsa and the sacred sites.
  6. Communication and Encouragement:
    • Stay in contact with our brothers in Palestine through phone calls and online platforms to uplift their spirits and strengthen their resolve.
  7. Boycotting Israeli, Jewish, and American Products:
    • It is an Islamic obligation by the Quran, Sunnah, and consensus of scholars to fight for the liberation of Muslim lands from occupiers.
    • Boycotting the products of the oppressors is a form of resistance that weakens their economy and supports the Palestinian cause.

O Scholars and Leaders of the Ummah! The protection of Al-Aqsa and the liberation of Palestine rest upon your shoulders. It is a personal obligation (Fard ‘Ayn) upon you, as the bearers of Islamic knowledge and guidance. Among your greatest duties is to educate the Ummah about its role in supporting Palestine and reclaiming Al-Aqsa from the Zionist occupiers. You must lead the way in its liberation.

The Necessity of Adhering to the Correct Islamic Creed

Islamic creed (Aqeedah) is the foundation upon which Allah sent His messengers and revealed His books. It is the primary duty of all mankind, as Allah says:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adh-Dhariyat: 56)
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.” (Al-Isra: 23)
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.’” (An-Nahl: 36)

Unfortunately, many Muslims today deviate from this true creed for the sake of worldly pleasures, including scholars who are supposed to be the inheritors of the prophets. Many young scholars are consumed by shirk, superstition, and wealth-driven rituals, disregarding human dignity.

A tragic example of this corruption of Aqeedah is the case of a young Arabic teacher in Ilorin, Nigeria, named Abdulrahman Muhammad Bello (29 years old). He beheaded a 24-year-old female student, Hafsah Yetunde, for a ritual sacrifice. This crime stems from a lack of proper Islamic education and correct Aqeedah. He learned Arabic but failed to grasp the true essence of Islamic piety.

Islamic school leaders must prioritize proper Aqeedah and sound Islamic upbringing, serving as role models for their students, just as the Prophet ﷺ was for his noble companions.

The Need to Implement Islamic Shariah in Southwestern Nigeria

O noble Muslims! Know that Shariah is the divine law prescribed by Allah for all aspects of life—faith, worship, ethics, transactions, and governance—to ensure success in both this life and the Hereafter.

It is applicable at all times and places, contrary to the claims of Islam’s enemies and ignorant Muslimswho dismiss it as outdated. This era of science, civilization, and technology needs divine guidance more than ever!

Allah says:

“Does He not know who He created? And He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware.” (Al-Mulk: 14)
“And We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification for all things.” (An-Nahl: 89)

We therefore urge the government, particularly the states in Southwestern Nigeria, to establish Shariah Court of Appeal alongside the State High Courts and Customary Courts, in accordance with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Article 275 states:

275. (1) Any state that requires it shall have a Shariah Court of Appeal for that state.

Furthermore, Article 277 defines the jurisdiction of the Shariah Court of Appeal, in order to avoid any form of ambiguity, like those peddling falsehood of amputation! The text of the section states:

277. (1) The Shariah Court of Appeal of a state shall exercise appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil matters related to Islamic personal law, as specified under paragraph (2) of this article.

Thus, it is a legal right for Muslims to demand the establishment of a Shariah Court of Appeal in their states. They should not face threats, insults, or defamation for exercising this right, as seen recently in Oyo and Ekiti States, where Muslim communities were simply trying to establish a Shariah Arbitration Committee. Importantly, the Shariah Court is exclusively for Muslims, and its use is neither compulsory nor enforced upon non-Muslims.

Warning to Muslims About the Conspiracies of Yoruba Polytheists

O noble Muslims! Allah says:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ﴾
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religions, even though the polytheists dislike it.” (At-Tawbah: 33)

The polytheists in Yoruba land do not want Islam to rise and are making efforts to revive shirk, superstition, and witchcraft. They have even petitioned the government to declare an annual public holiday for their festival, similar to what Muslims and Christians have. This holiday never existed in our land before!

Furthermore, they have started mocking Islam and Muslims, just as the polytheists of Makkah did during the Prophet’s ﷺ time. A recent example is a public dispute between two prominent Yoruba scholars, widely circulated on Facebook and YouTube. One scholar accused the other of wrongdoing, and the second swore by the Quran to prove his innocence. However, the polytheists mockingly challenged him to swear by something other than the Quran—a clear act of disrespect to the Book of Allah.

Is this not a blatant transgression? Why are polytheists interfering in a matter between two Muslim scholars? Their words indicate mockery of the Quran, which is a serious offense. We seek refuge in Allah from such actions.

﴿يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ﴾
“They wish to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, even if the disbelievers hate it.” (At-Tawbah: 32)

16 Muslim Travelers from Northern Nigeria Killed in Uromi, Edo State

O Muslims, last Thursday, the nation witnessed a brutal attack by an enraged mob against some Muslim travelers from Northern Nigeria, resulting in the killing of 16 people. These travelers were hunters returning from Port Harcourt (Rivers State) to Kano State to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. However, they were intercepted by a violent mob, who beat them and burned them alive, falsely accusing them of being kidnappers.

This heinous crime was intentional and must not go unpunished. Life must be protected, as Allah says:

﴿وَمَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا﴾
“Whoever kills a person—unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land—it is as if he has killed all of mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.” (Al-Ma’idah: 32)

These victims had a right to a fair trial before being executed and burned in such a barbaric manner. If such incidents are not handled justly and transparently, they could lead to ethnic and religious conflicts, which would be detrimental to our country at this critical time.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, who now grieve instead of rejoicing for eid. We pray that Allah grants them strength, patience, and steadfastness. We also call on the Edo State Government and the Federal Government to take firm and decisive action appropriate to the severity of this crime.

The Death of Scholars is a Loss to Islam

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes it away by the death of scholars. Until when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant leaders who, when asked, will give rulings without knowledge, thus going astray and leading others astray.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Just before Ramadan, we lost a great da’ee, Sheikh Muhyiddin Ajani Bello, known for his eloquent sermons. Before Ramadan, we also lost a fearless mujahid of Lagos, Sheikh Qamardeen Ajala, whose impactful da’wah greatly influenced Muslim youth in Lagos Island. During Ramadan, we lost Professor Sheikh Murtadha Badmas, a distinguished academic and former Imam of the University of Lagos Mosque (Akoka). Lastly, the medical director of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Alimi, also passed away. He was a pious man and a generous philanthropist who strove to raise the word of Allah high.

May Allah forgive them, have mercy upon them, and admit them into the highest ranks of Jannah, among the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous—what an excellent company!

May Allah shower His blessings upon me and you this Eid, and may He grant us His bounty and mercy, making us among the people of excellence and increase. I seek forgiveness from Allah the Almighty for myself and for you, so seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

THE SECOND KHUTBAH

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and the final outcome is for the righteous. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partners, the Guardian of the righteous. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the truthful and trustworthy. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions until the Day of Judgment.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahi al-hamd.

The Importance of Fulfilling Obligations and Observing Voluntary Acts

O Muslims! One of the greatest ways a servant can draw closer to Allah is by fulfilling the obligations that He has prescribed. Among these is the prompt making up of missed fasts due to valid reasons, whenever one is able to do so, without unnecessary delay. No one knows when their time of death will come. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah said: ‘My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts until I love him.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Among the recommended voluntary acts that a Muslim should not neglect is the fasting of six days in Shawwal. The reward for fasting these six days, along with the fast of Ramadan, is equivalent to fasting for an entire year. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a lifetime.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Honor and Role of Women in Islam

O Brothers in Islam! Islam has granted women immense value and has honored them as mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters due to their crucial role in protecting and building society and raising a righteous generation that will uplift the Ummah toward progress and excellence.

It is obligatory for Muslim women to fear Allah, uphold His rights, maintain His boundaries, adhere to the teachings of Islam, and observe their hijab and modesty. They must beware of the misleading paths of those who seek to erase their identity and violate their dignity. Let the Mothers of the Believers be your example, and the daughters of the Prophet ﷺ your role models.

Supplication (Du’a)

O Allah, forgive the believing men and women, the living and the dead. Heal our sick and the sick among the Muslims. You are the Near One, the Hearer, and the Answerer of supplications.

O Allah, seize the usurping Zionists and take revenge upon the criminal occupiers. Restore Al-Aqsa to the hands of the Muslims. O Allah, remove from us affliction, disease, and hardship.

O Allah, we ask You for pardon and well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, guide our leaders to what pleases You, and lead them toward righteousness and piety.

O Allah, make this country safe, stable, and prosperous, along with all Muslim lands. O Allah, make our Eid joyous and our deeds righteous and guided. Return this Eid to us with security, faith, peace, and Islam. May every year find you in goodness.

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