Stand for Justice, No Matter the Cost

By Imam Murtadha Gusau

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.

Dear brothers and sisters! In the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), there is a moment we often overlook, but it carries the weight of justice, honour, and Prophetic leadership.

Imam Hafiz Ibn Kathir mentions in his book Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, when a Muslim woman was harassed and mocked in the marketplace of Banu Qainuqah. Her veil was snatched, and her honour was attacked. One of the Muslims tried to defend her and was killed. That one cry, that one violation was enough for the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to move the entire army. He didn’t wait for the right timing. He didn’t host discussions about the strategic consequences. He didn’t deliver a Khutbah [Sermon] about it first. He didn’t weigh how it would affect his alliances or public image.

He rose, gathered the believers, and expelled the entire tribe that violated her. Justice was delivered because honour was sacred.

Beloved brothers and sisters! One woman. One violation. And the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) mobilised an Ummah.

Fast forward to today: Gaza and many innocent people in Nigeria are screaming. Not one woman, but thousands. Not one child, but tens of thousands. Not one house, but entire neighbourhoods turned to dust.

Yet many of us scroll past the genocide, post aesthetic reels, argue over side issues, or polish Islamic content to appease algorithms while Gaza and many Nigerians bleeds.

Where is our outrage? Where is our action?

The Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was never meant to be passive. It was built on the backs of those who stood for truth even when it cost them everything. Bilal Ibn Rabah was tortured but didn’t break. Khabbab Ibn Al-Arat was burned but stayed firm. Sumayyah was killed for being steadfast on her Iman [faith]. And when injustice showed its face, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) faced it head on.

Today, we face a genocide, we face an ethnic-cleansing. A war not just on people, but on truth, on identity, and on our collective conscience.

In an age of comfort, we’ve learned to recite Islam, but forgotten how to live it.

There are always three types of people in every era of crisis:

1. The passive – those who watch and stay quiet.

2. The fearful – those who care but are too afraid of losing status, position, followers, or friendships to act.

3. The brave – those who stand up, speak up, donate, rally, mobilise, and raise truth, even if it costs them everything.

Respected brothers and sisters! Be from the third. Be from those who Allah raises in honour for standing when others hid. Stop debating. Start doing. Stop branding. Start building. Stop fearing cancellation. Start fearing Allah. Allah the Most High says:

“Do you fear them? But Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.” [Qur’an, 9:13]

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) didn’t wait for political cover to move. He didn’t require millions of followers or a trending hashtag. He had courage, and more than that, he had certainty in Allah the Almighty.

All of us are being tested. This is the time to unite, to donate, to educate, to speak, and to stand with our wealth, our voices, our platforms, our energy, and our Du’a (Supplication).

Our people who are facing the problem of insecurity in Nigeria doesn’t need your silence. Our poor innocent villagers doesn’t need your comfort. Poor men, women, children needs your voice. Your influence. Your funds. Your fearlessness.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) did not stay silent when honour was stripped from one woman. What then will we say to Allah about our silence as entire people are being annihilated?

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. And if he cannot, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]

Ask yourself, what level are you really on?

This is not just innocent villagers test, it’s ours.

Dear brothers and sisters! Throughout history, there have been innumerable figures who have epitomised and shown incredible bravery and courage in the face of any kind of provocation and attack, in the face of hardship and suffering. The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) were exemplars of bravery; their unwavering levels of courage and loyalty left a permanent mark on the pages of history.

These extraordinary individuals stood alongside the Noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in times of unimaginable pain and torture in the early days of Islam. These men and women sacrificed their lives, wealth, time, and honour for the sake of their Ummah and Islam.

From the stories of the early converts to the titan warriors who later entered the fold of Islam, the companions fearlessly followed the path of righteousness, leaving behind such examples of morality and compassion that have inspired generations and continue to do so.

Fellow Nigerians! Let’s delve into the remarkable acts of bravery and courage displayed by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), exploring the great impact of their bravery and the lessons we can take from their examples.

These great people (Sahabah/Companions), without showing any tribalism, clashes with and fought their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and relatives who are criminals in the Ummah. They didn’t give them any cover for been from the same tribe or region.

Why?

Because there’s no tribalism in Islam. Because their great leader, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) did not give them that kind training.

In Islamic teachings, you can’t back, support, defend or give a cover to your brother who is a criminal or a terrorist or a bandit against your Ummah or your nation. Mind you, a true and sincere Muslim cannot do that!

Respected brothers and sisters! Allah the Almighty says:

“Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.” [Qur’an, 5:33]

In Islamic law, those who fight against Allah and His Messenger are subject to severe consequences, as they are considered to be in a state of war against the Ummah and its foundational principles. These consequences can include various forms of punishment, depending on the specific circumstances and the severity of the transgression, and are often aligned with the concept of jihad, which can involve fighting in self-defense or defending the faith.

The Qur’an and Sunnah provide guidance on the permissibility of fighting and the appropriate responses to aggression and transgression. Key Qur’anic verses and Prophetic Hadith highlight the following points:

● Self-Defense and Jihad:

Muslims are permitted to fight in self-defense or in defense of the faith when attacked or oppressed.

● Limits of War:

Even in warfare, there are limits and ethical considerations, and Muslims are instructed not to exceed these limits.

● Punishments for Disobedience:

Those who fight against Allah and His Messenger, and who actively oppose the principles of Islam, are considered to be rebelling against Allah and His authority. This can lead to various forms of punishment, which are detailed in Islamic jurisprudence.

● Consequences in this World and the Hereafter:

Depending on the nature of the transgression, punishments in this world may include imprisonment, fines, or other forms of retribution, while in the Hereafter, those who persist in their rebellion against Allah and His Messenger face divine retribution.

Those who actively reject the core beliefs and principles of Islam, including the oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), are considered to be in opposition to Allah and His Messenger.

Those who oppress others, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, and who act against the principles of justice and fairness, are considered to be in opposition to the teachings of Islam and may be subject to punishment.

Those who spread discord, mischief, corruption, terrorism, banditry and chaos in society, or who try to undermine the social order established by Islamic principles, are considered to be fighting against Allah and His Messenger.

Those who betray the trust (Amanah) placed in them by the Muslim Ummah, or who engage in acts of treachery and deceit, are considered to be in opposition to the principles of Islam.

In summary, the concept of fighting against Allah and His Messenger encompasses a range of actions that are deemed harmful to the Muslim Ummah and its foundational principles. While Islamic law provides for self-defense and the defense of faith, it also emphasises the importance of justice, righteousness, and adherence to Allah’s commands.

And finally, please let’s all join hands to struggle for a Nigeria, where everybody can live in peace, unity and progress; where everyone will be his own brothers and sisters keeper, as Allah the Almighty want us to be!

Wallahul Musta’an Wa Bihi At-Taufiq.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.

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