“The unity of Muslims is attained by supporting, energising as well as benefiting one another. On the contrary, their division weakens their strength and puts in-between them, a barrier that would prevent them from doing the right things.”

~ Sheikh Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari

Our Imam, Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari re-emphasised on this wise commandment during a Weekly Lecture organized by Qafilatul Mahabbah, Abuja Chapter, which took place at Jumu’at Mosque, Navy Quarters, Kado Biko, Abuja.

Speaking at Qafilatul Mahabbah, the Imam advocated that it is high time for Muslims to renounce differences and cherish unity for the common good of all Muslims and betterment of Muslim community as a whole. This is in line with the principle of Islamic Da’awa on whose fulfilment, Qafilatul Mahabbah is set to pursue.

The Imam further noted the significance of unity, illustrating how Muslims, during the times of the Prophet (S.A.W), often gathered in Mosque, which apart from observing daily prayers, had also been a canter of learning and education, a meeting point for discussion and enlightment, rationalising in this sense, the ideals unity of Muslims through organised meetings, discussions, dialogue etcetera, to solve problems. Drawing from the spiritual metaphysics of the Prophet (ﷺ), the Imam stamped a revealing remark that, unlike us (ordinary Muslims), the Prophet (ﷺ) foresees things from nothing to existence and yet, sought advice from his companions, work together with them, all a lesson for Muslims to foster and adhere to the principles of unity, mutual co-existence, cohesion and shared spiritual feeling.

Professor Ibrahim Maqari also expressed happiness over the activities of ‘Sheikh Sherif Saleh Mosque Foundation’ as well as recommended the effort of its Chairman, Alhaji Bello Garba, a philanthropist with an altruistic sense of love, service and dedication to humanity. Alhaji Bello, Professor Maqari pointed out, was among the frontline pioneers shouldering the responsibility of reaching out to our people in the rural areas, teaching and counselling young men and women, all in an effort to redeem their spiritual sense of belonging, their true Islamic identity, respect and dignity as well as obtaining permanent peace at home.

While Sheikh Maqari acknowledged the efforts of individuals, he added that, despite his tight schedules at the time, he nonetheless committed to achieving the Foundation’s desired goals. He collaborated with a famous foundation in Abuja, the “Muslim Professionals in Da’awa” and had succeeded in rationalising the idea of employing teachers and posting them to variously near, and far rural areas. He added once again that, the sense of commitment and dedication of Alhaji Bello Garba is an embodiment of all the success achieved that a human memory could hardly escape acknowledging.

Sensing the deepening level of vulnerability of the social milieu, especially among the Muslim creeds, the Imam urged our brothers and sisters to keep supporting each other not only in the times of distress but more ideally, in all life activities. He thrilled on the fact that, had people been aware of the rewards in assisting one another, they would surely have sustained doing so for the rest of their life. The Imam called on all of us, Muslims, to distance ourselves from anything the Prophet (ﷺ) discouraged, disapproved or forbidden; as well as get closer to what he recommended by words or action, cherished, loved and cared for. For that is the only promising way to attain success here, and hereafter.

Furthermore, the Imam simply ridiculed the idea that only the rich among us, or for that matter, the government, could assist. He redressed that the task of assisting each other in Islam, as well as strengthening the Deen and the Muslim community as a whole, has no exclusion to any individual or social class. Indeed, the government, the Imam rightly suggested, is not a reliable organ upon which Muslims could depend. Let  there be no such expectations; our keeping with each other if sincerely attained, is enough to count down many of our real-life religious demands and aspirations.

He added that glad are people whose good deeds portend a promising future, emphasising in this sense, the ideal meaning of community as a group of people sharing common aims and objectives as well as assisting and caring for each other, for the common good of all.

In a remark, Sheikh Hamid Hamidan, acknowledged the significant contributions of Imam Sheikh Professor Ahmad Ibrahim Maqari and accentuated that, being a member of Qafilatul Mahabbah is a great service to humanity and that assisting people should not be left only on the hand of a particular person; there is need to join and extend helping hands towards working out a uniformly committed Muslim agenda for the promotion of peace and harmony as well as disseminating knowledge and information. Love and compassion among Muslims, Sheikh Hamidan reaffirmed, are central to achieving success.

Finally, Alhaji Bello Garba commended the Imam, Professor Sheikh Ibrahim Maqari, for attending the lecture and heeded on his call to initiate foundations, discover new niches and channel various religious platforms to strengthen the religion and foster unity among Muslims. Donations collected from individuals and organisations, Alhaji Bello emphasised, should be invested wisely and the profits should cater for the need of children education and health-care provision.

S M Zaruuk Naik reporting for Qafilatul Mahabbah.