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Muslims Are Brothers And One Body!

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3 years ago

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Imam Murtada Gusau

By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Friday, Jumada Al-Ula 15, 1444 AH (December 09, 2022)

In the name Of Allah, Most merciful, Most compassionate

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation—may He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and send His peace and blessings upon him—likewise upon his family, Companions, and true followers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! This week’s (Friday) piece will In Shaa Allah be on the brotherhood in Islam.

Respected servants of Allah! Wallahi, Islam has taken every necessary measure to preserve humanity from division and discord. One of these measures is the principle of brotherhood. This principle wipes away all the differences that exist between people, like lineage, wealth, and all other qualities that people use to distinguish themselves above one another.

This is brotherhood of the closest kind.

The meaning of brotherhood as I intend it is a brotherhood based on faith and respect. It is a brotherhood that exists between a large number of people who share the same beliefs and religious identity. Allah Almighty says:

“And He has brought their hearts together. If you had spent all that was in the Earth, you would not have brought their hearts together.”

And Allah Almighty describes the believers as being brothers. He says:

“The believers are but brothers.”

The reason for their being described in this way is that they: all share the same beliefs, work towards the same goals and share the same code of behaviour.

Brotherhood can be based on belief and religious identity. This is the meaning intended when speaking about faith and other related topics. Allah the Most High says:

“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.” [Qur’an, 49:10]

And He says:

“…so you, by His grace, became brothers.”

This verse means that they became brothers by virtue of their Islam and loved one another and were united through the greatness of Allah, so they cooperated in acts of righteousness and piety. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said:

“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, forsake him or despise him.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Please let’s think for a moment: Why did Islam establish brotherhood on the basis of faith and not on the basis of relationship or race?

The reason why Islam did not build its concept of brotherhood on blood relationship or race is because these two things have their basis in material considerations. Consequently, they cannot bring about a strong and united community that can resist the disagreements and conflicts that might tear it apart. This is especially true if the differences are ideological in nature or are based on beliefs and methodology. It has repeatedly been seen that blood brothers can be brought to kill one another when their beliefs or interests differ (eg: Kabilah (Cain) and Habilah (Abel)). In contrast, people who share the same faith or belief system can work together even though they come from different countries, speak different languages, or have different racial backgrounds.

The concept of the Ummah (Nation), that all Muslims are linked in one community of faith and belief, is an integral part of Islam. The Islamic Brotherhood is not based on economic interests, race, or colour. It is based on something infinitely superior: rejection of falsehood and acceptance of the Truth as revealed by the One True Allah (God). Not only is this Brotherhood based on faith, it is also a part of that faith. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“You cannot enter paradise unless you become a total believer and you won’t become a total believer unless you love each other. Shall I tell you what would increase your love? Spread the salam (peace), between yourselves.”

In one of his Hadiths, our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) says:

“They do not do injustice to others nor do they tolerate any injustice to themselves. In their love and concern for each other, all members of this Brotherhood are one body: when any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels the pain. When one of its organs fails, the rest of the body responds and watches over it by contracting fever.” [Muslim]

It is related by Abu Musa Ash’ari (RA) that The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“The connection between Muslims is like that of a strong building – one part strengthens another.” The Prophet then showed this by interlocking the fingers of one hand with those of the other (that Muslims should remain united – thereby strengthening one another). “It is sufficient evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother. The life, wealth, and honour of a Muslim are inviolable by another Muslim.” [Muslim]

And in another Hadith:

“Two brothers are likened to a pair of hands, one of which washes the other.”

Hudhaifah (RA) relates that:

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“The Battle of Yarmuk had just ended. I was walking over the battlefield among the martyred and injured with a pitcher of water. I was looking for the son of my uncle. I found him lying in blood on the burning sand. He was about to die. I asked him whether he wanted water. Unable to speak, he gestured that he did. I was just offering it to him when a groaning was heard: ‘Water! Water! Please, a drop of water!’ My uncle’s son, whose name was Harith, heard that and gestured that I should take the water to him. I hastened to the groaning one, who was Ikrimah. Ikrimah had not yet taken the pitcher when a similar groaning was heard. Refusing to take the water, Ikrimah wanted me to take it to the one groaning. When I got to that one, who was Iyash, he was supplicating: “O Allah! We have never refrained from sacrificing our lives for the sake of faith. Honour us with the rank of martyrdom (Shahadah), and forgive our sins!” Iyash saw the water but did not live long enough to drink it. I immediately returned to take the water to Ikrimah. However, I found Ikrimah also martyred (died). Then I hastened to Harith, my uncle’s son. Unfortunately, he too was lying dead on the burning sand. This is the most touching event I have witnessed in my life. It was their unshakable belief in Islam, which caused them to behave that way. It was Islam which created such degree of brotherhood among people.”

Anas (RA) reports that Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) once said:

“I swear by the Allah Almighty in whose power my life is, any one of you cannot be a true believer unless he desires for his fellow-brother what he desires for himself.”

Allah, The Almighty, says:

“And hold fast, all of you together to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves and remember Allah’s favour on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He joined your hearts together so that by His Grace you became brethren.” [Qur’an 3:103]

On another occasion the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“The believer is friendly and easy to befriend. And there is no good in the person who does not befriend and does not get befriended.” (Ahmad)

Dear brothers and sisters! Another dimension of this brotherhood relies upon the idea of loving one another just for the sake of Allah. This idea can be exemplified by the words of our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him).

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) says:

“On the Day of Judgment, seats will be placed around the Throne (Al’arsh) [of Allah] for a group of people whose faces resemble the full moon. These people shall not experience any fear or terror although all others will. They are the friends of Allah (Auliyah) upon whom there shall be no fear and who shall not be sad. It was asked, ‘Who are those people, O Messenger of Allah?’ The Messenger (Peace be upon him) replied, ‘They are the ones who love one another for the sake of Allah, The Exalted.’”

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) once said:

“A man set out to visit one of his brothers for the sake of Allah and Allah Almighty appointed an angel to watch over him. The angel asked the man, ‘Where are you going?’ The man replied: ‘I wish to visit my brother.’ ‘Do you need anything from him?’ asked the angel. ‘No,’ replied the man. ‘Then why are you going to visit him?’ inquired the angel. The man answered, ‘I love him for Allah’s Sake.’ The angel said, ‘Then know that Allah has sent me to tell you that Allah loves you because of your love for your brother and that He has decreed Paradise for you.’” [Muslim]

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also said in a Hadith Qudsi:

“Allah, the Exalted, says ‘Indeed, My Love shall be bestowed upon the ones who visit each other for My Sake. Indeed, My Love shall be bestowed upon the ones who love one another for My Sake. Indeed, My Love shall be bestowed upon the ones who approach one another in humility for My Sake. And, indeed, My Love shall be bestowed upon the ones that rush to help one another for My Sake.” [Ahmad]

Please, I beg all my Muslim brothers and sisters to forgive me, as In Shaa Allah myself, I forgive everyone who offended me.

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon our Prophet as our Lord commanded:

“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” [Qur’an, 33:56]

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

O Allah, we ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know.

O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know.

O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge.

O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good.

Respected servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.

Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours – He will increase you therein.  And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and security―and his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour.

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.

This Friday piece was prepared and sent to you from here on my admission bed in National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria. Please your kind Du’a and prayers are needed, and if Allah Almighty take my life, ask Allah please, to forgive my sins, my shortcomings and my failings, and grant me Jannatul-Firdaus.

Thanks, Wa Jazakumullah Khairan.

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Persistent Insurgency in Borno: A Security Analyst Speaks on Military Sacrifices and Government Response”

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March 22, 2026

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“Persistent Insurgency in Borno: A Security Analyst Speaks on Military Sacrifices and Government Response”

 

Interview with Abbas Yushau Yusuf
Featuring Security Analyst and Retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu

 

In this interview, retired captain and security analyst Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu sheds light on the tragic killing of soldiers in Borno.

What is your perspective on this incident?

Adamu: I can say the killing of soldiers in Borno is a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges in the region. At this moment, such attacks are often driven by renewed insurgent regrouping, attempts to assert dominance, and exploit gaps in intelligence or security coordination.

It may also be linked to increased military pressure on insurgents, pushing them to retaliate, as well as the use of asymmetric tactics like ambushes.

This situation highlights the urgent need for stronger intelligence gathering, improved equipment, better inter-agency coordination, and enhanced welfare for troops on the Frontline. Their sacrifice must not be in vain—there must be a renewed, strategic, and sustained effort by all stakeholders to end insurgency and restore lasting peace in the Northeast.

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But losing senior officers like that—isn’t it a failure on the part of the Nigerian military?

Adamu: Well losing senior officers in such attacks is deeply concerning and raises serious operational questions, but it should not be viewed in isolation as outright failure of the military.

Modern insurgencies, especially asymmetric warfare like in Borno, are unpredictable and often target high-value personnel to create psychological impact and gain propaganda advantage. Senior officers sometimes move close to the frontlines to boost morale and supervise operations, which can increase their exposure to risk.

However, incidents like this do point to possible gaps in intelligence, force protection, movement protocols, or coordination that must be critically reviewed. It underscores the need for stronger surveillance, better risk assessment, and stricter operational security when deploying high-ranking officers.

So, rather than labeling it simply as failure, it is more accurate to see it as a serious setback and a signal for the Nigerian military to reassess and strengthen its strategies, protection measures, and intelligence systems to prevent a recurrence.

But experts say when insecurity persists for many years, like the Northeastern insurgency, it shows the government is not serious. We are now in the 17th year—remember it started in 2009?

Adamu: Yes of course many experts argue that when insecurity persists for so many years, it raises legitimate concerns about the level of seriousness, consistency, and effectiveness of government response.

Seventeen years after the insurgency began in 2009, the continued attacks suggest that beyond military action, there have been gaps in strategy, coordination, and long-term planning. Prolonged conflicts like this often point to deeper issues such as weak intelligence systems, insufficient political will at critical moments, poor continuity of policies, and limited focus on root causes like poverty, governance, and community engagement.

While there have been undeniable efforts and sacrifices by the military, the duration of the crisis indicates that more decisive, well-coordinated, and sustained actions are needed. Ending such insurgency requires not just force, but a comprehensive approach that combines security operations with development, justice, and strong institutional accountability.

 

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APC Sets the Stage for Historic Convention, Launches ‘Cleaner Abuja’ Initiative

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March 22, 2026

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Ibrahim Ahmad

The Environment and Sanitation Sub-Committee for the 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been officially inaugurated, with a firm commitment to ensuring a clean, safe and environmentally sustainable convention.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, marks a significant milestone as the first sub-committee to be constituted by the Convention Central Working Committee.

Performing the inauguration, former Senate President and Deputy Chairman of the Convention Central Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, described the development as a strategic step toward delivering a well-organized and successful national convention.

The sub-committee is chaired by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was unavoidably absent but represented by the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment.

In his remarks, Anyim commended the Secretary of the sub-committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, for her proven leadership capacity, organizational competence and dedication to duty. He expressed confidence that the committee, given the calibre of its members, would play a critical role in the success of the convention.

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He stressed that maintaining a clean and orderly environment is essential, not only for the comfort of participants but also as a reflection of the discipline and image of the party.

Responding, Senator Ekwunife expressed appreciation to the party leadership for the confidence reposed in the committee, assuring that members are fully prepared to deliver on their mandate.

She disclosed that the sub-committee has already commenced strategic planning aimed at ensuring a hygienic and well-managed environment before, during and after the convention.

Ekwunife also invited the Deputy Chairman to the committee’s flagship awareness programme, tagged “Walk for Safe Environment and Safety,” which is designed to sensitize stakeholders and participants on the importance of environmental responsibility ahead of the convention.

The APC National Convention is scheduled to hold on March 28 and 29, 2026.

Reaffirming the committee’s vision, she emphasized that maintaining a clean and safe environment throughout the convention remains non-negotiable.

She further highlighted the sub-committee’s theme, “Cleaner Abuja, Great Convention,” under the broader “Keep APC Convention Clean Initiative,” as a guiding principle for its activities.

The committee also pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure environmental compliance throughout the convention period, with the aim of setting a standard for future political gatherings in Nigeria.

The inauguration signals the APC’s early and strategic preparations for its 2026 National Convention, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the sub-committee will deliver a model framework for environmental management at large-scale political events.

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FG to Introduce Learner Identification Number for Primary School Pupils to Boost Education Tracking

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March 22, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government is set to introduce Learner Identification Number, LIN, for school children right from primary school level to be able to track their academic progress, as they continue their education journey.

The innovation is part of what the Federal Ministry of Education is working on to improve the sector and also allow for higher completion rate for pupils moving from basic education level to senior secondary school level.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Saturday during an interactive session with some journalists in Lagos.

“We have over 50,000 public primary schools in the country with over 23 million pupils. However, from statistics available to us, only a little over 3 million among those pupils move to the junior secondary school level in our public schools, then the question is, where are the about 20 million not enrolled in our public secondary schools? It is obvious that we cannot say our private schools accommodate all of them.

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“The issue is simply lack of access and we are working on that. There is need to build more schools and I have met the Nigerian Governors’ Forum over that. State governments need to build more schools to accommodate more pupils and students.

“To also follow up on our pupils and students, we are introducing the Learner Identification Number right from primary school level for our children. It will be unique to each child and they will have the number no matter where they started schooling or later transferred to. If somebody is expected to be in JSS class one and he is not there, we will be able to know the reason why he is not continuing his education,” he said.

Alausa also said the government would soon phase out common entrance examination for pupils moving from primary school level to junior secondary school level.

“It will be replaced by Continuous Assessment, CA. The CA will reflect the performance of the pupil from primary one and even if a pupil is transferring from one school to another, he will take it along to his new school,” he explained.

The Minister added that efforts are on to resuscitate the school feeding programme, so as to attract more pupils to the nation’s public schools.

He gave the hint that the programme would be transferred from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the FME for property monitoring.

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