EID-UL-FITR SERMON FOR THE YEAR 1445AH (2024) DATED 1ST SHAWWAL, 1445 (10TH APRIL, 2024CE)
FIRST SERMON
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Prophet of Mercy, his family and companions.
Thereafter:
Allahu Akbar for the fasting of the fasting ones and their obedience to the command of their Lord, Allahu Akbar for the standing of the standers during the nights of Ramadan in bowing and prostration, Allahu Akbar for their recitation of the Quran and remembrance of Allah in humility, Allahu Akbar for their going out on this blessed day rejoicing and glorifying, Allahu Akbar for their visiting, shaking hands, forgiving, and showing the symbols of the religion, Allahu Akbar for their displaying the trace of Allah’s blessings upon them and their families and extending help to the poor among the Muslims.
Brothers in faith, this is the Day of Reward, a day when Allah looks upon His servants as they engage in glorification, praise, and exaltation, so He boasts with them before the angels, and He rewards those who fast out of faith and hope of reward (from Allah) with the best of rewards, forgiving and showing mercy. He (Allah) is worthy of fear and adequate for (granting) forgiveness, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.
The Joy of Eid, and Why Do We Rejoice?:
Dear brothers, this is the day of Eid, the Eid of breaking the fast. We have broken our fasts and rejoiced, the joy of the fasting person upon breaking their fast, and we await the greatest joy upon meeting our Lord. “The fasting person has two moments of joy: when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord.” He rejoices in breaking his fast; a natural joy, because he has attained his freedom, and what was prohibited for him has become permissible. He experience this joy every day after sunset when he breaks his fast, and he rejoices again after the completion of the month of Ramadan.
Indeed, Ramadan has passed, either as a witness for us or as a witness against us. Ramadan has passed as an intercessor for those who performed fasting and night prayers excellently, with faith and hoping for reward, so Allah forgave them for their previous sins. However, it will bear witness against those who failed to observe fasting and night prayers properly, there will be nothing for them from their fast except hunger and thirst, and their night prayers will only amount to fatigue and sleeplessness. So, what is the matter with people who did not fast or stand in prayer while living in Muslim lands and affiliating themselves with Muslims?!
“Whoever breaks his fast one day of Ramadan without a legitimate excuse or illness, he will not be able to make up for it even if he were to fast it for the rest of his life.” [Weak Hadith reported by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, An-Nasai, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad]
Ramadan has passed either as a witness for us or as a witness against us, and we hope it will be a witness for us and intercede for us along with the Quran. “Fasting and the Quran will intercede for the servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say: “O Lord, I prevented him from food and desires, so allow me to intercede for him.” And the Quran will say: “I prevented him from sleeping at night, so allow me to intercede for him.” He said: “So they will intercede”.
[Reported by Ahmad from the hadith of Abdullah bn ‘Amr, and Tabrani]
People rejoice at the passing of a month without realizing that this month represents folded pages of the book of their lives. It is the withered leaves from the tree of life. People rejoice at the passing of days and months without realizing that their lives are passing away with them. Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “O son of Adam, you are nothing but a collection of days, every time a day passes, a part of you is gone!”
Whoever worship Ramadan, so Ramadan is dead!:
Some people worship Allah only in Ramadan, but when Ramadan ends, what was between them and Allah ends too. You don’t see them frequenting the mosques, opening the Quran, moistening their tongues with remembrance and glorification, as if they worship Allah only in Ramadan and not in Shawwal and the rest of the months. Whoever worships Ramadan, Ramadan has died. But whoever worships Allah, Allah is alive and does not die. Some of the Salaf used to say: “How wretched are the people who only know Allah in Ramadan! Be a worshipper of Allah and not just a worshipper of Ramadan. Be devoted to Allah at all times, fear Allah wherever you are, and do not just be devoted to Ramadan: you reconcile with Allah in Ramadan and then confront Him with negligence and disobedience after Ramadan. The Lord of Ramadan is the Lord of all months.
It is as if the person fasted the entire year, fasting the month – meaning Ramadan – standing as ten months, and fasting six days, standing as two months. The reward for a good deed is multiplied in tenfold, so by doing this, it is as if they fasted the whole year. Thus, if someone observes these six days immediately after Ramadan or during the month of Shawwal, it is as if they fasted the entire year.
Fasting six days of Shawwal and its wisdom:
Indeed, Islam legislated for us fasting six days of Shawwal after Ramadan so that the Muslim remains in constant appointment with Allah, finishing from one act of worship to enter into another. An obedience ends for the beginning of another obedience, ensuring that one’s hand is always in the hand of Allah. It is narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Maajah, Tabrani)
These six days are equivalent to fasting for ten months, as fasting the month of Ramadan equals ten months, and fasting six days equals the reward of fasting for two months. By this, it’s as if one has fasted for the whole year. So, if one observes these six days immediately after Ramadan or within the month of Shawwal, it is as if they have fasted the entire year.
Reforming and Renewing Our Creed:
Honorable worshippers of Allah, know that Eid is a symbol of religion and a sign of monotheism. It is incumbent upon us to renew our covenant with Allah by improving our creed. Islam has taken care of monotheism and sincerity to Allah through worship. Therefore, Allah sent prophets and messengers to establish the creed of monotheism, sincerity to Allah, and to protect it from anything that contradicts it. Allah said: (وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ ) “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.'” (Quran, 16:36) He also said: (وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ ) “And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.'” (Quran, 21:25) And He said: (وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ ) “They were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Quran, 98:5)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say to the people of Makkah: “O people, say: ‘There is no deity but Allah,’ you will be successful.” Allah Almighty has warned us against falling into polytheism, for it is the greatest sin, the darkest injustice, the greatest crime, and it is a sin that will not be forgiven. Allah said: (وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا) “And worship Allah and do not associate with Him anything.” (Quran, 4:36) He also said: (إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ) “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” (Quran, 4:48) And He said: (إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ ) “Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire.” (Quran, 5:72).
Polytheism has many forms, including:
• Invoking other than Allah Almighty.
• Sacrificing and making vows to other than Allah Almighty.
• Swearing oaths by other than Allah Almighty, in glorification of the one sworn by.
• Hanging talismans and threads for warding off harm, preventing affliction, or seeking benefit.
• Believing in omens and superstitions.
• Seeking rain through stars and planets.
• Consulting fortune-tellers, soothsayers, and astrologers, and believing in them.
• The hidden polytheism that the Prophet (peace be upon him) feared for his nation, which is showing off.
• Some expressions that contradict or undermine monotheism, such as saying: “Whatever Allah wills and so-and-so wills,” “Had it not been for Allah and so-and-so,” “I rely on Allah and on you,” and other expressions that contradict the creed.
So, preserve your monotheism, safeguard it from anything that tarnishes it, and beware of polytheism, whether major or minor, for it nullifies deeds and leads to loss. Allah says: (وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ) “And if they had associated others with Him, then worthless for them would be whatever they were doing.” (Quran, 6:88), and He says: (وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ) “And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together.” (Quran, 4:140).
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no deity but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
Recognizing the generosity of the generous donors in Ramadan:
O Muslims, charity, including feeding the needy, is among the righteous deeds in general and specifically emphasized during Ramadan. Islam encourages it due to the great reward it entails and its fulfillment of the needs of the poor and destitute. In this context, it necessary to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the donors and charity givers- at various levels of the society- who provided assistance to Muslims during this noble month, despite the economic situation in the country. People were fearful and anxious before Ramadan about how they would find food to prepare for suhoor and iftar!! Thanks to the benefactors who facilitated the matter, they eat, drank, and were contented.
To all those who contributed to facilitating this act of kindness and delivering it to people thereby alleviating the burden of the poor and needy during this difficult time for many families, your efforts are appreciated, and we hope for great reward for you from Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward.” (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi) and he (peace be upon him) said: “Every morning, two angels descend. One of them says, ‘O Allah, give the one who spends something in charity a substitute,’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, give the one who withholds something destruction.'” (Agreed upon).
In conclusion, the entire society must work together to provide support and assistance to those facing difficulties, whether during Ramadan or at any other time of the year.
Preserving the Fifth Pillar of Islam – Hajj and Umrah:
Dear worshippers of Allah, it is with profound regret that Nigerian pilgrims have been prevented from performing Umrah during Ramadan this year, and the reasons are varied as indicated by the National Hajj Commission. The commission stated that “the current challenges faced by Nigerian Muslims in obtaining Umrah visas to travel to Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan primarily stem from the misuse of privileges granted in the visa issuance process.” Therefore, we recommend here the urgent pursuit of a sustainable solution to avoid such incidents in the future, while reminding pilgrims to adhere to the laws related to the process so as not to deprive others of privileges, in accordance with the principle of “There is no harm nor return of harm.” Additionally, we encourage deprived pilgrims from performing Umrah this year to preserve the money allocated for Umrah rather than squandering it while they have the choice, either keeping it for the following year or spending it on beneficial Islamic projects, as they will still be rewarded because actions are based on intentions and objectives.
Furthermore, the high cost of Hajj is a matter of concern, and we urge the federal government to intervene in this regard, while expressing our acknowledgment and appreciation for the support amounting to 90 billion Naira to support Hajj at a time when Hajj agents are demanding additional payment from pilgrims.
The need for an effective economy:
Regarding the economy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced upon assuming office: “The Renewed Hope agenda of my administration is characterized by our commitment to unlocking the full economic potential of our country, focusing on job creation, providing access to capital for small and large businesses, inclusivity, rule of law, combating hunger, poverty, and corruption.”
Dear Muslims, indeed, our country Nigeria is rich in abundant natural and human resources. However, despite this, the atmosphere is filled with complaints of hunger, as people find it difficult to put food on the table, the cost of living is unimaginably high, and the prices of goods have skyrocketed, with people pointing to foreign exchange as the cause.
While this is among the reasons for the current economic backwardness, the major reason is disobedience to the Lord of the Worlds. Allah says: (وَضَرَبَ اللهُ مَثَلاً قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَداً مِّنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ) “And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.” (Quran, 16:112) and He says: (ظَهَرَ الْفَسادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ) “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].” (Quran, 30:41).
Among the reasons for the appearance of corruption and deception in the current economic system used worldwide, especially in Nigeria, is that it is based on usury transactions. We hereby recommend that the federal government benefit from the Islamic economic system to some extent, because the Islamic economy is based on an ethical foundation that combats exploitation and exploiters by prohibiting usury, deception, ignorance in transactions, hoarding, monopolizing, extravagance, stinginess, manipulation, deceit, bribery, favoritism, and nepotism.
Recently, the BRICS countries – comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – have launched a new currency to compete with the US dollar, allowing them to assert their economic independence while challenging the existing international financial system. This is an important wake-up call for Islamic countries- who dominant the petroleum-exporting nations (OPEC)- to form a formidable bloc and strive to reintroduce the dinar system into the Islamic financial system, which was historically used as a means of exchange by Muslims from the era of the Rightly- guided Caliphs until the end of the Ottoman Caliphate. Because seeking honor from sources or systems other than that by which Allah has honored us, will lead to being humiliated by Allah. We ask Allah for safety.
Dear servants of Allah, it is known that the US dollar dominates the current system, constituting about 90% of all currency transactions. Until recently, almost 100% of oil transactions were conducted in US dollars; however, in 2023, about one-fifth of oil transactions were executed using non-US dollar currencies according to reports.
In conclusion, we commend the efforts of the federal government in purifying the banking sector, which aims to rectify the flaws in the issues of the foreign exchange rate. The fruit of this effort is gradually being reaped. We ask Almighty Allah to grant them further success.
.
Eradicating corruption:
Zaynab bint Jahsh reported: She said, “O Messenger of Allah, will we be destroyed while there are righteous people among us?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Yes, if sins becomes abundant.” (Sahih Muslim) It is imperative to combat corruption to deter mischief-makers before they corrupt people’s lives.
Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, a global unity despite differences in colors, languages, and homelands:
Dear brothers, the unity of this global Islamic nation, especially the Arab Islamic world, is a key force for progress and development. There is a slogan for the Islamic call campaign: “Our strength is in our unity, and our unity is our strength.” As we began Ramadan this year on a unified day in our country Nigeria, we hope this unity will continue.
Finally, dear Muslims, in the current year, we had the news of the death of several prominent scholars in our country, including Sheikh Abdul Hafiz Abu, who passed away on Tuesday, 19th January, 2024, at the age of one hundred and one (101 years), and the Chief Imam of Shomolu, in Lagos State – Sheikh Abdul Rafiu Adanijo, who passed away on Saturday, 27th Ramadan, 1445 AH. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of people are those who live long with good deeds.” We ask Allah to forgive them and admit them into His vast paradise, along with all deceased Muslims.
In addition, we received sad news of a fire outbreak at the famous Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island yesterday morning – Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – which affected 14 buildings, five of which were completely destroyed, and the fire spread to at least ten streets!
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service attributed the cause of the fire outbreak to refueling a generator and storing fuel in kegs on the penthouse of a complex consisting of three buildings housing a printing press with chemical contents.
We extend our sincere condolences to the traders and residents affected by this massive disaster during the celebration of the Eid, in addition to the harsh economic reality. Nevertheless, caution and safety must be ensured at all times. Allah has warned us against actions that may cause harm and destruction – these are safety lessons from the Quran. Allah says: (ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكة وأحسنوا إن الله يحب المحسنين) “And do not throw yourselves with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good” (Al-Baqarah: 195), and Allah also says: (ولا تقتلوا أنفسكم إن الله كان بكم رحيما) “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful” (An-Nisa: 29). We ask Allah Almighty to compensate for all that has been lost and to protect us all from disasters.
SECOND SERMON:
All praise is due to Allah, the One and Only. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without partner, the Unique, the Eternal. And I bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the best of those who worshipped Allah alone. O Allah, bless and grant peace upon Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, perpetually and without end.
Al-Quds (Palestine) is the concern of every Muslim
Dear honorable Muslims, Jerusalem and its Al-Aqsa Mosque hold a lofty status in our religion and a great place in our hearts. It is the site of the Night Journey of our Prophet, peace be upon him, from where he ascended to the heavens and led the prophets in prayer. It was the first Qibla for Muslims, and to it the hearts of the believers incline. Prayers therein are multiplied, and acts of worship draw one closer to Allah. Prophets, peace be upon them, walked its grounds, and the blood of martyrs was shed for its sake. The virtues and merits of Al-Aqsa have been elucidated in the Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions, highlighting its significance and status.
Allah, glorified and exalted be He, has made Al-Aqsa Mosque specifically and its surroundings generally: a land sanctified and purified by Allah, elevated in status among the worlds and made manifest. Allah Almighty said, narrating about Moses, peace be upon him: (يَاقَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنْقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ) “O my people, enter the Holy Land which Allah has assigned to you and do not turn back [from fighting in Allah ‘s cause] and [thus] become losers.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:21) It was from here that the Prophet, peace be upon him, ascended to the highest heavens in the famous incident of the Night Journey and Ascension, as Allah, exalted be He, says: (سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ) “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:1)
Dear Muslims, the war between the factions of Palestinian resistance and the Zionist occupation forces has been ongoing since October 7th after the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque. United Nations figures on the 183rd day of the war indicate that the number of casualties has exceeded 33,137 people, including 13,800 children. The number of injured has reached over 75,815 people, excluding the missing or those buried under the rubbles!.
Servants of Allah, your Palestinian brothers spent the fasting month under Israeli bombardment day and night, under a complete siege – air, land, and sea! They are deliberately and brutally starved to death, with the intention of committing genocide.
The required action is great and significant. It requires the entire Muslim Ummah to strive for the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, to reclaim it from the hands of the Jews, and to restore it to the realm of Islam. This is what Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did when he reclaimed it from the Romans, and what Salahuddin Ayyubi (may Allah have mercy on him) did when he recaptured it from the Crusaders. Before achieving this noble goal, we must assist them with all our means: financially, through prayers, by raising awareness among Muslims about this grand mission, and by boycotting the products of these oppressors.
Please donate after prayers (AQSAH CONCEPTS, 0005125108, JAIZ BANK).
Dua (Supplication):
O Allah, support Islam and strengthen the Muslims. O Allah, elevate the word of truth and religion by Your grace! O Allah, comfort our eyes with the victory of Islam and the empowerment of the believers. O Allah, provide for the Muslim destitute, clothe the naked among the Muslims, and feed the hungry among them. O Allah, release the prisoners, free the captives, and unite our hearts and theirs, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
O Allah, do not let anyone among us in this blessed gathering have a sin except that You forgive it, a sickness except that You cure it, a debt except that You settle it, a worry except that You relieve it, a dead person except that You have mercy on them, a disobedient person except that You guide them, an obedient person except that You support them, and a need in which there is Your satisfaction and in which there is goodness for us except that You fulfill it and make it easy, O Lord of the worlds!
O Allah, make this gathering of ours a blessed one, and when we disperse, let us disperse with protection. Do not make us miserable or deprived, O Allah. Make Nigeria a haven of security and safety, and make our country a land of peace, tranquility, generosity, and prosperity, like other Muslim lands. Lift from Nigeria the burden, epidemics, trials, and calamities, and likewise from all Muslim lands, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful. And may Allah bless our Master Muhammad, his family, and his companions abundantly.