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(Friday Sermon) Verify Any News, Stop Spreading Lie To Ignite Enmity, Crisis And Wars In Society!

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3 years ago

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Imam Murtada Gusau

 

By Imam Murtadha Gusau

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

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

Dear brothers and sisters, surely, today we live in difficult times, full of different trials and tribulations. And one of the ways that we are tried and tested by Allah Almighty is by testing us with rumours and how we react to them. Today, we are bombarded with all sorts of information every day, be it directly from a person, on television, on Newspaper, on social media or via email. And many good-hearted people may just accept them, assuming this piece of news as indisputable facts coming from trustworthy sources. However, as a Muslim, what is our role towards such sayings and claims? What does the Shari’ah say about such information? Allah Almighty says:

Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge of; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.” [Surah Nur: 15]

So before we accept what anyone and everyone says, there are certain points to keep in mind, as we all have to stand in front of Allah Almighty one day.

We have to verify the information and ascertain, to the best of our ability, the truthfulness and authenticity of the news that reaches us. WHY? ……

Because Allah orders you and me to be JUST. Allah Almighty says:

“Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All­Hearer, All­Seer.” [Surah Nisa’i:58]

Please, think about what is being said, who is saying it and about whom is he saying it, before believing it. Allah Almighty says:

“O you who believe! If a Fasiq (evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.” [Surah al-Hujurat 49:6]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from the Shaitan.” [Albani, in al-Silsilah al-Sahihah]

Sometimes something may appear or sound true on the surface but, you may not know the full circumstances behind the statement, news or the report may be taken out of context. Imam Al-Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah) said:

“The believer reserves judgment until the matter is proven.”

Therefore anyone who claims a statement or levels an accusation against another person must provide proof. Allah Almighty says:

“Say (O Muhammad), Produce your proof if you are truthful.” [Surah al-Baqarah:111]

And if they fail to produce any solid proof for what they claim……

“Since they produce not witnesses, they are the liars in the sight of Allah.” [Surah al-Nur 24:13]

The people in charge can explain the facts of the matter and remove any confusion or doubts a person may have. Allah the Most High says:

“When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people); if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, you would have followed Shaitan (Satan), save a few of you.” [Surah al-Nisa’ :83]

Search for and stand up for the Truth, and do not accept any false statements from anyone, even if it is from someone you love or hold close to your heart. Allah Almighty says:

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O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well­Acquainted with what you do.” [Surah Nisa’:135]

The Shari’ah issues a stern warning against passing on all that one hears. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” [Muslim]

Imam Al-Nawawi said:

“Usually a person hears truth and lies, so if he speaks of everything that he hears, he is lying by telling of things that did not happen, and lying by speaking of something other than the way it happened….”

Many people just believe any news they hear and pass it on without even stopping to think that it may not be true. In that case it is a slander against the person that the news is a

that the news is about. And slander is a major sin. Allah the Most High says:

“Woe to every backbiter, slanderer.” [Surah Humazah: 1]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“No man accuses another of an immoral deed or kufr, but it will come back on him, if the person he accuses is not as he says then he is.’” [Bukhari]

And he (Peace be upon him) said:

“No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place where he wishes help.” [Abu Dawud and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]

And Allah Almighty says:

“Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” [Surah Qaf:18]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Indeed a servant may say a word from which Allah’s displeasure is gained and he does not realise it. Allah will put him in Jahannam (hellfire) due to it.” [Bukhari]

Allah the Most High says:

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Surah al-Tawbah 9:119]

And why did you not, when you heard it, say?

“It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah, this is a most serious slander.” [Surah Nur:16]

Respected brothers and sisters, remember, Allah Almighty says:If a Fasiq (liar- evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.” [Qur’an, 49: 6]

And the respected Imam, Abu Al-Fida, Imadud-Din Isma’il Bin Umar Bin Kathir Al-Qurashi Al-Busrawi said concerning the above Qur’anic verse:

“Allah the Exalted ordered investigating the news that sinners and the wicked bring, to make sure of its authenticity. Otherwise, if the sinner’s word is taken for granted and a decision is based on it, regardless of whether the information is true or not, the authorities will be taking the lead of the sinners. Allah the Exalted and Most Honoured forbade taking the path of the corrupted and sinners. This is why groups of the scholars of Hadith refuse to accept narrations from narrators whose reliability is unknown, for they might be from among the wicked people, in reality.”

Dear brothers and sisters, whatever news we hear we must verify it before believing it. We must not circulate it further unless first we establish if the news is based on truth or not. It is Major Sin, to believe a story or news before verifying it, and to spread untrue stories and news in the society because the untrue stories can create enmity, crisis, wars, turmoil, confusion and injustice in society. For all Major Sins there is the punishment of burning by unending Hellfire. For many Major Sins the punishment starts from this world and continues in the Hereafter.

Lastly, I pray, May Allah Almighty guide us and enable us to stand up for the Truth, wherever it may be. Ameen.

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, Dhul-Hijjah 19, 1444 AH (July 07, 2023).

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Civilian Sponsors Were Indispensable to Every Successful Coup in Nigeria, Says Babangida

Published

10 hours ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), has asserted that every successful military coup in Nigeria’s history has depended on active support or sponsorship from civilians, challenging the long-held narrative that the country’s political upheavals were purely soldier-led affairs.

In an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, aired ahead of his 85th birthday on Monday, the former president stated that wealthy civilians have historically played instrumental roles in funding and facilitating military takeovers.

“No successful coup in Nigeria’s history had occurred without civilian involvement,” Babangida declared, according to a transcript of the interview cited by THISDAY.

The former leader used the occasion to offer a rare, personal reflection on the 1985 coup plot against his administration, which led to the trial and execution of his close friend and cabinet colleague, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

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Babangida recounted that he initially struggled to believe intelligence reports linking Vatsa to the conspiracy, given their decades-long friendship. The two had grown up together, attended Bida Middle School, and enlisted in the military in the same year.

He said he summoned both Vatsa and General Mohammed Gado Nasko to his office after a senior officer implicated them. “When they arrived, I asked them about the reports that they had been mentioned in a plot to topple my government. Both of them denied any involvement,” Babangida recalled.

A military commission of inquiry was subsequently established. While Nasko was cleared, the panel found evidence against Vatsa. Babangida described himself as “shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed” by the findings but insisted that military law left him no room for clemency.

“There was nothing I could do to exonerate him from the consequences prescribed by military law. My hands were tied. That was how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa,” he said. Vatsa was executed by firing squad in March 1986.

Turning to contemporary issues, Babangida urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of President Bola Tinubu’s administration amid ongoing economic hardships and security crises.

He expressed confidence that the government’s current policies would eventually yield positive results, calling for national hope and resilience during the challenging transition.

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Residents of Lokon Kango in Mandawari Area, Kano, Seek Government Intervention Over Poor Drainage

Published

19 hours ago

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August 15, 2026

By

 

Residents of Lokon Kango in the Mandawari area of Kano metropolis have called on the government to intervene over the deplorable state of drainage channels in their community, which they say has led to the collapse of two houses.

Mallam Anas Tanga, one of the coordinators of community sanitation efforts in the area, said residents have been doing their best to clear the drains, but their efforts are not enough.

“We are doing our best, alongside other youths. For years, we have been involved in clearing these drains,” he said. “But the extent of the damage is such that even after we do the work, it doesn’t take long before the problem returns.”

On his part, a community elder, Mallam Abubakar, told our reporter how the poor drainage system contributed to the collapse of at least two houses.

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“These houses you see here collapsed as a result of the lack of proper drainage,” he said. “Anytime there is heavy rain, especially at night, we live in fear.”

He appealed to relevant stakeholders to come to their aid.

Malama Ladidi, one of the residents whose home is flooded during the rainy season, also lamented her situation.

“The rainy season is terrible for us and our children,” she said. “We go through a lot of hardship. We don’t even sleep until we have drained the water that enters our rooms. This is a big problem. The youths are trying their best, but the government must step in.”

Finally, one of the youths in the community spoke about the role they played during elections, only to be neglected afterwards.

“All our neighboring areas have had this work done, except us. We are really suffering,” he said. “We helped bring this government to power. We contributed, but now we are not benefiting from anything.”

The residents said they had earlier reported the problem to authorities, particularly the Gwale Local Government, but nothing had been done.

In an effort to get the government’s side of the story, we visited the office of the Gwale Local Government Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Mu’azu Mojo. However, he was not available.

We also tried to reach him by phone and text message, but as of the time of filing this report, we had not received any response from him.

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Kano Governor Yusuf Visits Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Commends Staff, Managements

Published

20 hours ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

 

 

The executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has visited Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided to residents and commend health workers for their commitment to saving lives.

The governor made the visit on Friday night as part of his routine inspections of healthcare facilities to assess service delivery and observe first-hand how patients are being attended to, particularly during night hours.

During the visit, Governor Yusuf inspected patients receiving treatment at the hospital and toured different sections of the facility accompanied by the doctor on duty and other members of staff.

The governor observed the activities of health workers and assessed the manner in which patients were being attended to at the time of his visit.

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He commended the staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for what he described as their dedication to providing healthcare services to the people of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf also acknowledged the contribution of private healthcare providers to the state’s healthcare system, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and private-sector operators in improving healthcare delivery.

The visit, according to the governor’s entourage, demonstrated that the administration’s concern for healthcare extends beyond government-owned facilities to private hospitals and other health institutions contributing to the wellbeing of residents.

Governor Yusuf thanked the management and staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for their efforts and commitment to saving lives.

As a gesture of encouragement, the governor presented the hospital staff with a special award in recognition of their service and dedication.

The governor’s visit also provided an opportunity to appreciate the role of private healthcare providers in complementing government efforts to expand access to medical services across Kano State.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital, located at Tal’udu Junction, opposite Sheikh Al Rayyan School in Kano, operates round the clock and provides healthcare services through qualified doctors and other medical personnel across its various departments.

The governor’s inspection forms part of his administration’s broader emphasis on monitoring healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents receive appropriate medical attention in both public and private health facilities across the 44 local government areas of Kano state.

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