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(Friday Sermon)The Virtues Of Eating Halal And The Evils Of Eating Haram

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Imam Murtadha Gusau
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the 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! In some of my previous Friday sermons (Khutbah) I discussed Luqman Al-Hakim’s first advice to his son with regards to the quality of Prayer (Salat). The second advice he gave was about food. He said that you should guard and watch your food intake. It is a two-part advice. One is that over eating should be avoided, because it is the root cause of ill health. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had advised us to divide our stomach into three compartments; one for food, the second for water, and the third for air. If applied, this formula can ensure good health.
The second part of the advice means to be careful about the Halal (pure and recommended) and the Haram (forbidden) food, because the Noble Qur’an and Hadiths of Prophet (Peace be upon him) mandate Halal food. Halal food means that food must be procured and purchased through fair, legitimate, and honest means. According to a Hadith quoted in Sahih Muslim:
“Prophet (Peace be upon him) mentioned a person, who had dust on his clothes and hair due to a long journey, was making supplications saying “Ya Rabb, Ya Rabb”, but his food, drink and dress was Haram. Though Allah Almighty accepts supplications of a traveler, but his involvement in Haram made his supplications unacceptable.”
According to one of Prophet (Peace be upon him)’s Hadith:
“Supplications of three persons are accepted: the traveler, father’s supplication for his off spring, and supplication of the oppressed against the oppressor.”
According to yet another Hadith:
“Allah Almighty has appointed an angel, who day and night announces from Baitul-Maqdis that obligatory and supplementary prayers of a person, who eats Haram, will not be accepted.”
Anas (RA) asked Prophet (Peace be upon him) to pray for him so that he may become “Mustajabud-da’awah.” The term “Mustajabud-da’awah” means a person whose prayers and supplications are accepted. Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied: “Ya Anas, earn an honest living and eat Halal food, Allah Almighty will make you “Mustajabud-da’awah”, and will grant you whatever you ask. Keep yourself away from Haram, because even a morsel i.e. a small bite of Haram food invalidates supplications for forty days.” [At-Targhib wat-Tarhib]
There are many other spiritual and physical disadvantages of Haram food. Let me listed four disadvantages:
1. Haram food extinguishes the light of Iman (faith), and the heart become dark.
2. It makes man dull, lethargic, and inactive.
3. It causes to commit Haram deeds and corrupts thoughts and action.
4. It kills conscience and puts a barrier between man and virtue.
The essence is that Haram creates a distance between man and religion, ruins the Hereafter, the door of virtues is closed on him, and that of temptations and sin is flung wide open.
Yusuf Ibn Artat (Rahimahullah) is quoted in Kitabul-Kaba’ir that when Shaitan (Satan) finds a youth busy in prayers and submitting to the obedience of Allah Almighty, he asks his friends to find about his food and drink. If it turns out to be Haram, then there is nothing to worry about as his prayers and obedience is futile and wouldn’t be of any good to him.
Respected brothers and sisters! In today’s society Haram is practiced in many ways, and majority is not even aware of it. Interest, usury, bribery, cheating in commercial transactions, lying, disregards of duties of the self and rights of others, theft and larceny and many other Haram acts are a common practice. Knowledge is not scarce, but it is action which is missing. And the main reason is that our earnings are not honest, and our food and drink is not fair and pure. As a result we cannot practice virtue and are devoid of righteousness.
According to a Hadith of Prophet (Peace be upon him) there will be some people on the Day of Judgment whose virtues will match the size of the mount Tihamah, meaning that they will have abundance of good deeds. But when they will stand before Allah Almighty, all their good deeds will be on no value, and they will be thrown into Hell Fire. Companions (RA) submitted, why will that happen o Messenger of Allah? Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied that they performed Prayer (Salah), observed fast, paid Zakah, and performed Hajj, but never saved themselves from Haram, which ruined all their good deeds.” [Kitabul-Kaba’ir]
Allah Almighty says in verse 51 or Surah Al-Muminun:
“O Messengers eat good things and do good deeds.”
The Qur’anic verse has used the word “Tayyibat” which means nice, pure and decent things. In the Islamic Shari’ah, things that are condemned as Haram are neither pure, nor appealing to common sense, that is why “Tayyibat” means things which internally and externally are pure and appealing. The verse tells us that all the Prophets and Messengers were given two main instructions. One: Eat pure and Halal food, and Two: Perform good and righteous deeds. When Prophets and Messengers, who are Ma’sum minal-Khata (incapable of committing sins), have been commanded as such, then we their followers should be very particular in taking all precautions possible to avoid Haram and the forbidden.
Scholars say that the combination of these two commands Akli-Halal and Amalis-Salih, i.e the fairly earned wages and pure food and the righteous deeds are interdependent. There is a wise saying that goes as follows:
“Halal earnings and food make you do good and righteous deeds, and Haram earnings and Haram food prompts you to commit Haram acts and deprives you of the ability to think or do good.”
Dear Servants of Allah! It was due to the teachings of the Noble Qur’an and training of Prophet (Peace be upon him) that companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) were very cautious and conscious about their food. Let me give you just one example here. Once Sayyidinah Abubakar Siddiq drank the milk brought by his servant. He later asked as to where he did bring the milk from? The servant replied that he had performed a “Kahanat” for a certain tribe and was given milk in exchange as wages. “Kahanat” is a Haram act, a sort of chanting that was common in the pre-Islamic days. Hearing this Sayyidinah Abubakar Siddiq immediately put his finger in his throat and threw out, and kept doing that for some time. People who saw the situation thought that perhaps Sayyidinah Abubakar Siddiq will pass out due to pain. Sayyidinah Abubakar Siddiq made repentance, prayed and submitted:
“O Allah, I repent and apologise for the milk which has gone into my system. When Prophet (Peace be upon him) heard of the incident, he commented: “Don’t you know that nothing goes to the stomach of Abubakar Siddiq (RA), except what is “Tayyib”, pure and Halal food?” [Bukhari and Muslim]
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 Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today Friday, Rajab 12, 1444 AH (February 03, 2023).

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President Tinubu Graces Late President Buhari’s Book Launch

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The family of the late president Buhari, on 15 December, 2025, launched a book entitled “From Soldier to Stateman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”

The event took place at the presidential villa with dignitaries in attendance include: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aisha Buhari, the wife of the late president Buhari, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the president, Dr. Charles Omole, the Author of the book, Adama Borrow, the president of Gambia, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and many others.

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Speaking at the launch of the biography, Tinubu said Buhari’s legacy of integrity and modesty would continue to inspire Nigerians.

The president described the late president Buhari as a “leader of quiet strength and discipline.”

“President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall,” Tinubu said.

He recounted his political journey with Buhari, decorating him as a consistent patriot whose honesty was acknowledged even by critics, adding that their political partnership taught the value of cooperation across differences.

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Prominent Kano Politician Ibrahim Little Sues Danagundi, Ibn Sina Over Hisbah Establishment

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A chieftain and leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Amin “Little,” has filed a legal action at the Kano State High Court challenging the establishment of an Independent Hisbah body in the state.

It will be recalled that Little had earlier written to the concerned parties, urging them to suspend the move in the interest of peace and stability in the state. A copy of the letter, addressed to former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was also sent to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; Baffa Babba Danagundi; Haruna Ibn Sina; and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to his Executive Assistant and Media Aide, Adnan Mukhtar, Little decided to seek legal redress following what he described as the respondents’ persistence and insistence on proceeding with the establishment of the Independent Hisbah.

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“Dissatisfied with their recent actions and continued insistence on moving forward with the establishment process, Little approached the Kano State High Court to seek redress,” Mukhtar said.

Those listed as respondents in the suit include the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Kano State Hisbah Board, Baffa Babba Danagundi, and Haruna Ibn Sina.

In an official statement posted on his Facebook page, Little said:

“I have today instructed my lawyers to file an action challenging the establishment of an Independent Hisbah in Kano State. This follows my recent letter to the parties concerned and their insistence on proceeding with the establishment of the Independent Hisbah.

 

“I believe this move is an attempt to disrupt our peaceful coexistence at a time when the state is facing security challenges.

 

“The peace of Kano State remains our utmost priority.

Kano Sabuwa, In sha Allahu.”

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Commissioning of Kano State Online Media Chapel Marks Historic Milestone in Journalism

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By: Ahmad Muhammad Sani Gwarzo, ANIPR

The commissioning of the Kano State Online Media Chapel at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano State Council Secretariat marked a defining moment in the history of journalism practice in Kano State. The event reflects the continuous evolution of the media profession in response to digital transformation and modern communication realities.

The ceremony attracted prominent personalities from journalism and government circles, underscoring the importance of online media as a vital component of information dissemination, public enlightenment, and democratic engagement in contemporary society.

NUJ National President’s Remarks
In his keynote address, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, described the commissioning as a progressive step aligned with global best practices in journalism, where digital platforms now play a central role in shaping public opinion and narratives.

He emphasized that the Online Media Chapel was not established merely for recognition, but to instill discipline, professionalism, and ethical compliance among online journalists operating within Kano State and beyond.

“Journalism remains a noble profession that demands responsibility, truthfulness, and accountability, regardless of whether it is practiced through print, broadcast, or online platforms,” Abdullahi stated. He cautioned against the misuse of digital platforms for misinformation, character assassination, and unverified reports, warning that such practices pose serious threats to societal peace, national security, and the credibility of the profession.

The NUJ President charged members of the Online Media Chapel to see themselves as ambassadors of responsible journalism, committed to accuracy, balance, and fairness in all their reports. He assured that the national body would continue to provide guidance, support, and policy direction to ensure online journalists are fully integrated into the union’s professional framework.

Kano State Government’s Position
Delivering his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described the commissioning as a timely intervention in the state’s information ecosystem.

He noted that the Kano State Government recognizes the influence of online media in shaping public perception and applauded the NUJ for organizing practitioners under a structured and accountable platform.

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The Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, FNISE, to sustaining a healthy relationship with the media as partners in governance and development. He urged online journalists to use their platforms to promote peace, unity, and developmental initiatives, stressing that responsible reporting remains a key pillar for social stability and economic growth.

“Freedom of expression must go hand in hand with respect for the law, ethical standards, and cultural values,” Waiya emphasized, assuring the chapel of the ministry’s readiness to engage constructively with practitioners to ensure accurate dissemination of government policies and programs.

NUJ Kano State Council’s Perspective
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, welcomed guests and described the day as historic for the council and online media practitioners.

He explained that the decision to establish the Online Media Chapel was borne out of the need to accommodate the growing number of journalists operating on digital platforms within Kano State.

Comrade Dederi noted that the chapel would serve as a platform for capacity building, ethical regulation, and collective engagement, aimed at improving the welfare and professional competence of its members. He reiterated the council’s commitment to fostering unity among all chapels under the NUJ umbrella, emphasizing that journalism thrives best in an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect.

Online Media Chapel’s Commitment
Speaking on behalf of online media practitioners, the Kano State Chairman of the Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, described the commissioning as a dream fulfilled and a turning point for online journalism in Kano State.

He expressed gratitude to the NUJ leadership at both state and national levels for formally recognizing online journalists as critical stakeholders in the media industry.

Comrade Dangambo pledged that members of the chapel would operate with professionalism, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility to the public. He emphasized that the chapel would prioritize training, mentorship, and internal regulation to ensure members uphold the ethics of journalism at all times.

He further stressed the collective resolve of members to combat fake news, hate speech, and sensational reporting that could undermine social harmony, calling on online journalists to see the chapel as a platform for unity, self-discipline, and continuous learning in line with global journalism standards.

Conclusion
The atmosphere of the event reflected shared optimism and commitment by all stakeholders toward strengthening journalism practice in the digital era. Participants expressed confidence that the Online Media Chapel would contribute positively to professional development, public trust, and credible information dissemination.

The establishment of the chapel was widely acknowledged as a proactive response to the challenges and opportunities presented by digital journalism. The commissioning ceremony concluded with a collective call for ethical journalism, unity among practitioners, and sustained engagement in advancing the role of the media in national development.

The Kano State Online Media Chapel now stands as a symbol of progress, professionalism, and adaptation, reflecting the enduring relevance of journalism in a rapidly changing digital world.

 

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