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An inspirational exhortation for discerning minds!

31/12/2024

Don’t Get Fixated About The New Year

Every year comes with its goodness and evil side. In 2020 for instance, in spite of over seven months of total lockdown and the Endsars protest taken its toll on the economy, there were still many people whose fortune improved astronomically. In the out gone year, despite the serious economic meltdown, many got married; many have their quest for the fruit of the womb fulfilled, many children were born, many got promoted, yes many successes were recorded though many got bankrupt, many companies folded up and many died. “If a wound (and killing or death) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (killing or death) has touched others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that God may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from amongst you…” (Q3:140) were the exact words of God to impress on the minds of the receptive believers on the inevitable changing phases of life, year in year out.

NO YEAR IS ENTIRELY GOOD and NO YEAR IS ENTIRELY EVIL! Don’t get fixated that because it’s a new year, the sun that is shining over you is new or that the moon and stars that illuminate your nights are new. It is the same old world and old environment which can only be made better by new attitude to life. Take charge of your life this year, concentrate on your strength, do not overstress yourself, know your limits and rather than carrying your complaining attitude into the year, be receptive to many opportunities around you and exploit them legitimately to your benefits. While it is right and good to plan, put Almighty God in all your plans. Your physical strength and intellectual inclinations only would not see you through to the gate of accomplishment and success without God. Just be positive and all will be well with you!
To all good people of God, I wish you a happy and prosperous 2025!

Imam Mustapha Adebayo Bello (PhD)
Director, Center for Theology and Spiritual Intelligence

08/11/2024

From The Minbar

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Most Merciful. May the Peace and Blessing of Allah continue to abide with the Noble Prophet, his household, his companions and all Muslims till the Day of Resurrection (aamin)
So all praise and thanks are Allah’s, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth and the Lord of the worlds. And His (Alone) is the Majesty in the heavens and the earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Qur’an 45:36-37
I bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. To Him belongs all authority and offer of gratitude and He has capability over all things. I also bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His chosen and beloved Servant and Messenger. He was sent by Allah with True Guidance and True Religion to prevail over all other creeds and Allah is sufficient as a witness.

O Allah, Bestow Your Boundless Blessings and Mercy on our Prophet Muhammad, His household, his companions and the generality of Muslims, male and female till the Day of Judgement (aamin).

Brethren in faith, today is the first Friday in Jumada-l-Awwal 1446 AH and our sermon today is a reminder on who we are as Muslims in the midst of the resurgence of idolatry in our midst as a people. Truly, the history of Islam in Yorubaland is intertwined with the checkered receptiveness of its peoples and institutions which occasioned its growth particularly in the over three centuries before the arrival of Christianity in the late 18th century. No one who is familiar with the history of Islam in our lands would forget the exploits of Obas Lamoye of Iwo, Kosoko of Lagos, Habibu Lagunju of Ede, Momodu Laatosa of Ibadan and other prominent personalities like Balogun Kuku of Ijebu-Ode whose conversion led to the entrance of multitude into Islam in their different towns leading to its efflorescence from then up till this present time. In spite of this tainted background, our great grandparents through the purest indoctrination and education received from their religious teachers knew the minimum demands of Islam in its perforce non-accommodative of any religious mixture of elements of other religions in faith and worship so that their efforts would not be lost:

But it has already been revealed to you, as it was to those before, “If you were to join others (gods) with Allah, truly fruitless will be your work (in this life), and you will surely be in the ranks of those who lose (of all spiritual good). Qur’an 39 verse 65

Shirk (association of partners with Allah in faith and worship) therefore becomes an intolerable virus to the pristine values of Islam which must be expunged without any room for accommodation. This is because it is a sin which renders all acts of worship worthless and lead the sinner into Hellfire. Allah says:

Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases, to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed. Qur’an 4:48

It is therefore based on the understanding of these verses and similar others in the Qur’an that made them to constantly struggle against polytheism and idol worshipping right from the first day Islam was preached and practiced in Yorubaland up till the present time. It was for this rea*on that they often prayed “Olohun pana adebo re, gbe Sunna Anabi ga” meaning “O Allah extinguish the fire of polytheism and idol worshipping and uplift the traditions of the Prophet”. However, in spite of their resentment for polytheism and idol worshipping, they maintained peaceful coexistence with the adherents of this Yoruba religion yet jealously guarding their faith from any form of theological infiltration hearkening to Allah’s clear instruction:

Say: O you unbelievers. I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion and to me mine. Qur’an 109:1-6

Perhaps except for a few recorded cases of skirmishes and clashes, Muslims in Yorubaland have always lived in harmony and mutual respect with adherents of other religions sharing both good and bad times together as citizens of the same country. They hearkened to Allah’s words:

Do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite abuse Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did. Qur’an 6:109

The morality of the above verse is in the following tradition where the Prophet equated abusing other people’s parents as a major sin:

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn As reported: The Messenger of Allah said: It is one of the major sins when a man abuse his parents. It was asked: Would a man ever abuse his parents? He replied: “Yes. He abuses the father of another man, who in return abuses his father, and he abuses his mother, and so the latter abuses the former’s mother.

Over the centuries since Islam had arrived in Yorubaland, there has always been conscientious Muslims who practiced pristine Islam even though their rank and file has been corrupted by their syncretic brethren who still strayed into idolatry practices in spite of their affirmation of the Kalimah. These syncretic Muslims are the sore thumb in an healthy hand requiring constant treatment which their conscientious brethren offer through preaching and indoctrination.

However, the seeming equilibrium is being shattered by the growing excessiveness and extremism on the part of some adherents of virtually all religions in the region. To us as Muslims, there are now amongst us those who out of genuine resentment has jettisoned Qur’anic and Prophetic guidelines for religious interaction spelt above by lampooning their gods with reckless abandon in public preaching especially on line. This has emboldened irrational persons amongst them to in retaliation publicly cast aspersions on Allah and the sanctified personality of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Another evil of this perilous time is the resurgence of idol worshipping in Yorubaland euphemistically referred to as “Isese”. This is accentuated by the official recognition accorded it by most of the states in the region with a public holiday on August 20 of every year. Some of the syncretic Muslims who are often criticized by their conscientious brethren are now suddenly finding sanctuaries in the shrines of worshippers of Yoruba gods out of ignorance. Others are motivated by the quest for illicit wealth, power, authority, position and influence to stray into the consulting rooms of the diviners of the Yoruba religions and even regrettably becoming initiates.

My brethren in faith, the import of this sermon is to implore us to respect the plurality of our society. For us to live in peace and harmony with peoples of other faiths, we must learn to respect them in their religious practices and not intentionally insult their sensibilities. Respect they say begets respect. However, we must equally demand respect from them particularly the adherents of the Yoruba religion now that they have been officially recognized as a distinct religious group by government. We must demand an end to molestation of Muslims in public spaces by their masquerades and restriction of movement in the day time for the purpose of worshipping their gods. To those amongst our brethren who are hobnobbing with them because of their quest for wealth, power, authority, position and influence listen to what Allah says in Qur’an 17 verse 18:

Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected

In Qur’an 92 verses 8 to 10, Allah described the pitiable and ignoble end of such Muslims who seek for means to every end outside the fold of Islam

But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self sufficient and gives the lie to the truth, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery.

This is because in Islam there is no half measure in matters of faith and worship. It is either you are fully inside or you are outside. Allah says:

O you who believe! Enter into the religion of Islam wholeheartedly and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan, verily he is to you a plain enemy. Qur’an 2:208

To those who are still deluded about the reality of Islam and still nurse a doubt in their minds by saying “we and them worship the same God but different means”. This sentiment is a blatant lie far from the truth. Our God is Allah, the One, Unique Being, One Indivisible Entity. No one doubts the compelling majesty of Allah-the Giver of Life and the Causer of Death-except one with a deluded mind. Can there be another god besides Allah is the question the Qur’an employed consistently to engage every perceptible mind in the following five verses (60-64) of Surat-ul-Naml (Qur’an 27) on the reality of the Existence, Oneness and Omnipotence of Super Controlling Being Who has no resemblance whatever amongst His creatures:

Or, Who has created the heavens and earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES ALLAH? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.

Or, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing waters? CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES ALLAH? Nay, most of them know not.

Or, Who listens to the soul distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES ALLAH? Little it is that ye heed!

Or, Who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES ALLAH?- High is Allah above what they associate with Him!

Or, Who originates creation, then repeats it, and Who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth?CAN THERE BE ANOTHER GOD BESIDES ALLAH? Say, “Bring forth your argument, if you are telling the truth!

As for me THERE CAN NEVER BE ANY OTHER GOD EXCEPT ALLAH, He is our God and He is my God, Who in the words of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is He….

Who created me, and it is He Who guides me, Who gives me food and drink; and when I am ill, it is He Who cures me; Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again); and who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgement; Qur’an 26: 78-80

As we are navigating this perilous time of resurgence of idolatry in our lands, let us all continue raise our voice in faith and worship to hallow His praise, acknowledge our nothingness and renew our faith in His Omnipotence in the following edifying words “Fa li Llahi-l-Hamd, Rabbi-s-Samaawaati wa Rabbi-l-Ardi Rabbi-l-‘Aalamiin. Wa lahu-l-Kibriyaa’ fii-s-Samaawaati wa-l-Ardi, wa Huwa-l-‘Aziizu-l-Hakiim” Qur’an 45: 36-37. We pray in the lyrics of one of our Forebears in faith that Allah insulates us from the evil of the contemporary time:

Rabbana Rabba – I – Alaakhqi
Najinaa min Sharri – Zamaani
Wa ‘a tina minka Salamata
Wa ‘atina minka Sa ‘aadata
Wa ridah ma ‘a naniI-l-amaani

O our Lord, the Lord of creatures
Save us from the calamities of the Present Time
Grant us from Yourself Abiding Peace
Grant us from Yourself Abiding Success
Because in it is in Your Pleasure that the accomplishment of our desires lies

May Almighty Allah purify our thoughts, cleanse our deeds of inequities, blot out our sins and accept our sincere repentance. May He expand our breast and grant us the receptiveness to understand this message better than the way it has been presented. May His Choicest Blessing and Salutation continue to abide with noblest of mankind, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his companions and his household (aamin).

Imam Mustapha Adebayo Bello (PhD)
Director, Center for Theology and Spiritual Intelligence

16/08/2024

From The Minbar

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Most Merciful. May the Peace and Blessing of Allah continue to abide with the Noble Prophet, his household, his companions and all Muslims till the Day of Resurrection (aamin)

All praise and thanks are Allah’s, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad) the Book (the Qur’an), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (He has made it) straight to give warning (to the disbelievers) of a severe punishment from Him, and to give glad tidings to the believers, who do righteous deeds, that they shall have a fair reward (i.e. Paradise). They shall abide therein forever. Qur’an 18: 1-3

I bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. To Him belongs all authority and offer of gratitude and He has capability over all things. I also bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His chosen and beloved Servant and Messenger. He was sent by Allah with True Guidance and True Religion to prevail over all other creeds and Allah is sufficient as a witness.

O Allah, Bestow Your Boundless Blessings and Mercy on our Prophet Muhammad, His household, his companions and the generality of Muslims, male and female till the Day of Judgement (aamin).

Today is 12th Safar 1446 AH corresponding to the 15th of August 2024. The International Youth Day is marked on the 12th of August every year to draw the attention of the world to the cultural and legal issues affecting the over 1.8 billion young people. Our sermon titled “Applying Youthful Age to Useful End” is therefore dedicated to this important segment of the population upon which rest the future of our beleaguered world. The theme for this year is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development” and as Muslims whom Allah has raised as models for other nations, we cannot but be in the fore front of promoting ideas and programs that would facilitate the transformation of the burning energies and potentials of this critical mass of world population.

Youthful age comes with enormous energy which if not properly annexed and utilized may become an albatross to socio-economic, political and spiritual progress of the world. It is for this rea*on that many of the revolutionary changes that Allah has effected on the world by decimating and compromising forces of evil have always been through the employment of youths as harbingers and prosecutors. Whether in the heroic exploit of the youths of the cave as recorded in Surat-ul-Kahf (Qur’an 18: 9-26), or in the valiant selfless sacrifice of a certain boy in Surat-ul-Buruuj (Qur’an 85: 4-11), or in the altruistic nature of the righteous boy of Antioch in Surat-ul-Yasin (Qur’an 36: 13-29), the indispensable role of youth in the triumphant struggle of goodness over evil is incontestable. In these three scenarios, these young person’s saved their people from unbelief by paying the supreme sacrifice and their heroic exploits led to the efflorescence of belief for many generations after them. The truth about all this is that if God Almighty could find these young men worthy of being the torch bearers of His Message of salvation and redemption of man at such critical times, who is it therefore to say that young people are not fit for leadership because of their supposed exuberance?

Addressing the above poser becomes important considering the penchant towards gerontocracy not just in government but in religious circles. While it is true that maturity and experience which come with age are required for optimum performance on any given job, it is also true that ability to be creative and imaginative which are rooted in the freshness of youthful thought makes decision taking and result gaining quicker and smoother. Perhaps this is the divine wisdom why Almighty Allah usually deploys youth as Prophets for His redemptive intervention in the destiny of man. Right from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), these sublime souls amongst men are inducted into their Prophetic mission at young age when their brains are fresh, limbs strong and spirits high upbeat to carry out the enormous Prophetic assignment. Even in the case of Prophets who were officially commissioned at the age of 40 like our Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his induction had commenced much earlier at the age of 25 when he started visiting cave Hira.

It is also not a coincidence that majority of his companions who strove with him while alive to free Arabia from the shackles of darkness and ignorance and became propagators of the faith as governors, judges, jurists, platoon commanders and leaders amongst men in the different provinces of the world after his transition in 632 C:E were majorly young people. Ali bn Abu Talib was 35 when he was appointed governor of Kufa, Khalid bn Walid and ‘Amr bn As, the conquerors of Iraq and Egypt respectively were both in their 30’s when they started leading various units of the Muslim army. Mu’adh bn Jabal whom the Prophet affectionately called “the one who will lead the scholars into Paradise” was in his early 20’s when the Prophet appointed him as an emissary to Yemen. ‘Abdullah bn Abbas who was nicknamed as the “Scholar of the Ummah” by the Prophet was just 14 at the time of his death. Usaman bn Zayd bn Harith was under 20 when he was dispatched out by the Prophet to lead the army to avenge the defeat at the Battle of Mu’tah. ’Umar bn ‘Abdul-Aziz regarded as the “Umayyad Saint” and one of the most successful Khalifah of Islam was 38 years at the time of his death after transforming the socio-economic landscape of Ummah for three years in Damascus.

The point being made here is that Islam historically is not against the involvement of youth in leadership. Muslims of our generation should emulate our righteous forebears in the area of inclusiveness. The situation where leadership is reserved or recycled amongst old people who are almost senile should be jettisoned. Leadership of Muslim organisations must involve youth in their affairs not just as “the euphemistic youth leader” but in strategic leadership positions because most of them started out as youth organisations at inception. The enormous accomplishment of Ansar-ud-Deen in terms of establishment of schools cannot be separated from the vibrant youthful leadership it had at inception as “Young Ansar-ud-Deen”. The creativity in programming of NASFAT which accounted for its success in empowerment projects and establishment of a university can also be attributed to its youthful leadership at inception.

Though it can be argued that the demand of leadership requires carefulness which many youths are in deficit of because of their exuberance, yet exuberance is neither a vice nor a virtue that should be used as an excuse for exclusion. Truly on the dark side of it is rashness, impatience, haughtiness and recklessness yet its bright side which brings forth such spirit of burning enthusiasm, unusual energy, charismatic cheerfulness and ability to take risk should not be ignored. Just as we have reckless and delinquent youths who engage in all manners of vices as gambling, alcoholism, gangsterism, cultism, and armed robbery, there are equally promising youths who are doing great things in academics, IT and entrepreneurship. While the impressionable young minds should be encouraged to become responsible adults by yielding grounds for them to lead and take leadership responsibilities, the socio-economic and political contradictions which produce the spoilt brat amongst them should be addressed.

It is therefore in preventing these contradictions that Islam prescribes elaborate rules on parenting in such a manner that children are nurtured into becoming inspirational youths and responsible adults. One of such rules is the enforcement of performance of Salat on children at a very young age. The Holy Prophet (SAW) directed parents to encourage their children to embrace devotional worship (Salat) as early as the age of seven (7) because of the character molding capacity. By the age of ten (10), he further directed that they should be punished for either avoiding or neglecting it. The imperative of this is that Salat is the obligation every believer owes his Creator. It is for this rea*on that Muslims are expected to pray fervently:

Our Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salat (devotional worship) and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my invocation. Qur’an 14: 40

Notwithstanding the demands of making ends meet which may make observing the five daily obligatory prayers in family congregation at all times extremely unattainable, it’s suffices however to practicalize such spiritual fellowship with the Subhi and Ishai prayers. This is the minimum standard that every Muslim family should strive to attain. The instructive word for the Muslim man whose responsibility is it to lead other members of the family in this noble direction is, ‘enjoy Salat on your family and be patient in offering them...’ (Qur'an 20:132). Being patient with other members of the family in exercising the authority concerning Salat means attaching punishments and rewards to the level of compliance to serving Allah by each and every member of the family through it. Punishment in this regard could be a stern look, verbal reprimand or denial of privileges on account of negligent of prayers. In the like manner there should be incentives not just to encourage the praying ones but equally to induce non-conformists to fall in line. If we sometimes yell at, rebuke or chastise our wives and children for inconsequential infractions bordering on housekeeping and academic studies respectively, we should not feel shy to sometimes take hard line posture when it comes to infractions against Allah through avoidance or negligence of Salat.

Through Salat young people learn the practical demonstration of how impactful the virtues of punctuality, regularity, patience and endurance is as they strive to meet the pleasure of their Lord during the course of the devotional worship. These virtues once imbibed become handy and useful as they navigate the trouble waters of the world in their growing years in school, professions, business and family life.

In addressing this year’s theme of “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, it is important to reiterate that the education that Islam encourages Muslims to purse is not restricted to religious education alone. This is because Allah is the Source of all knowledge and as such any kind of education that has utilitarian value in terms of knowledge, skill and aptitude which can transform the lives of individuals and the nation is considered pursueable in Islam. Formal education in terms of acquisition of university degrees is not enough to navigate successfully this material driven society. This is because such acquired knowledge would only make you an enlightened citizen of the world while only skills (or technical know how) would guarantee you the much desired financial prosperity to live a meaningful and productive life. Yet as important as the two are, only the right aptitude would sustain both and make them enduring. This is the understanding of our righteous forebears many of whom are not just religious men or theologians but also outstanding scientists, geographers, astronomers, historians and philosophers. One of the invocations of the Prophet is “Our Lord! Grant us useful or beneficial knowledge” and this is suggestive of such knowledge that would make life and living more meaningful and facilitate eternal felicitation. In getting one’s portion of the resources of this world in terms of riches and worldly endowment which Allah warned believers never to ignore (Qur’an 28:77), Muslims particularly youths need to pursue such kind of education that could guarantee them prosperous life. They must take advantage of the enormous opportunities available in the digital economy to develop problem solving applications and educational skits and contents devoid of immorality and indecency to earn their own legitimate share of the world economy. The digital world is too important to the modern man to be left alone only in the hands of those who use it to publicize nudity, atheism and LGBTQ matters. Because no time is considered too early in life to define one’s path to success in terms of career, profession, vocation and family life, the Prophet advised Muslims to take advantage of their youthful life for old age. Muslim youth should therefore embrace education as they move surefootedly into future.

May Almighty Allah expand our breast and grant us the receptiveness to understand this message better than the way it has been presented. May His Choicest Blessing and Salutation continue to abide with noblest of mankind, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his companions and his household (aamin).

Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving people! (aamin)

Subhana Rabbika Rabbi-l-‘Izzat amma ya’sifuna, wa-s-salaam ala-l-mursalina wa-l-hamdu-li-Llahi, Rabbi-l-‘Aalamin

Imam Mustapha Adebayo Bello (PhD)
Director, Center for Theology and Spiritual Intelligence

25/05/2024

CENTER FOR THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

“None will reflect except People of Understanding”

Friday Reflection
…Take Care of Yourself

That times are hard is an understatement. In fact, it is harder than some of us on an average earning can imagine. The high cost of food items, daily necessities and drugs as well as transportation fare is making life so miserable that one can only imagine the suffering the poor and the vulnerable members of our society is experiencing. If the rich and the average citizens are complaining bitterly every day then it means the poor are already dying. While it can be argued correctly that we are all guilty of the socio-economic and political rots that brought this untold hardship on us through our individuals acts of commission or omission, yet we cannot continue to agonize when we can do so much to help ourselves as people of faith. Firstly, we (as Muslims) are discouraged from joining others in imprecating (cursing) either the political dispensation or the political players because the alternation between prosperity and adversity in time (just like day and night) is a divine arrangement and trial to determine those amongst us who will be faithful to Him at every point in time. Allah says “if a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched others, such days of varying fortunes We gave to men and men by turns that Allah may know those that believe…” (Qur’an 3:140). Besides, the Prophet warned “Do not curse time, for Allah is time”.

Secondly, we should not join others in dissipating energy, time and other resources on matters outside our control as ordinary citizens. While it is not wrong to feel concerned about how our country is being governed, we should be careful not to lose our mind and head in the quest of ventilating our thoughts particularly in mutual discussion in the public space. This is because there is nothing much anybody can do single handedly to effect any enduring change. Or what can you really do about the high cost of petroleum products? What magic can an individual perform to halt the high exchange rate other than the euphemistic demand to patronize Nigeria in goods and services and how far reaching can this be in effecting any positive change? What can you really do to stop political office holders from embezzling public funds? Yes, it is true that the collective concerted efforts of all are required to turn around the economy for the better, yet how feasibly soon can this be? While we pray fervently for that day to arrive soon when the entire citizenry would be so politically conscious to effect the desired change, one is left with no other option but to concentrate one’s effort in bettering ones lot in the midst of this economic hardship.

Being concerned about one’s fate is the import of the Prophetic advice “One of the excellences of man’s religion (Islam), is to leave what does not concern him” and it starts in prioritizing one’s life and wellbeing above everything. As individuals we should only purse whatever would elongate our life and enhance our well being while shunning anything that would undermine or compromise both. Wellbeing in this context means your health and happiness. Just as I posited few weeks ago when I asked rhetorically “Are we really suffering?” considering our wasteful lifestyles in our socio-economic, political and religious endeavours, I am still at a loss, how the poor in our midst pretend to be rich by being extravagant thereby making themselves poorer. Fake life or life of pretense which makes many of us to put ourselves under serious financial and emotional burden to please our family members, friends and associates should be jettisoned to a life of reality. In the midst of paying for your house rent, other utilities, children school fees and other essentials from your meager income, can you still afford the many a*o ebis and accompanied souvenir gifts for the many owanbe parties you are invited to? Have you considered the risk to your life travelling on bad roads and in this era of kidnapping if you have to attend that party? Do you have a major significant role to play at the event that your absence would be felt if you decide not to attend? Between risking your life on that journey where your presence does not add any value other than just being there and appreciating the invite through monetary gift, which one is considered economically sensible? Answers to these questions would determine how far you have gone in prioritizing your life, health and happiness over everything. Self love is the key to happiness in this difficult time.

On the spiritual level, we must stop agonizing over the difficult times as if we do not have enough rea*ons to thank Allah. The gift of life and good health that most of us are enjoying is trivialized and unappreciated because of hard times. It is because you are alive that is why you know you are suffering, the dead feels nothing. That you are hungry is because you are healthy, the sick doesn’t feel hunger. In reality, suffering or hard time should be a motivation to get closer to Allah. Adversity has a way of getting people closer to God than prosperity. While the rich may not see God as a major rea*on for their riches, the poor often see Him as the Rescuer Who Alone has the capacity to turn around their fortunes for the better. If this is true, why should it be difficult for you to turn your sleeplessness (insomnia) that have defied medication into Tahajjud (vigil) thereby putting your worries before Him? Why is it difficult for you to fast on a day you know you are not sure of food on your table, thereby turning your deprivation into a spiritual advantage? Do you trouble yourself looking for a restroom to urinate when you are well drenched under the rain? Taking care of oneself requires self admission of vulnerability and prioritizing one’s life, health and happiness above everything through living within ones means, cutting off frivolities, attracting positive vibes through healthy living, dispelling negativities in thought and deeds and entreating Allah for help through ceaseless invocations and fasting. Allah admonishes in Qur’an 5 verse 105 “O you who believe! Take (good) care of yourselves. No evil would befall you from those who are misguided if you take (necessary) precautions…” None would ponder over this except those with understanding!

Imam Mustapha Adebayo Bello (PhD)
Director, Center of Theology and Spiritual Intelligence

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