29TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: HIJRAH_ LESSONS AND ANSAR-UD-DEEN (ADS) CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY; SACRIFICE AS FOCUS- BY DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

03-01-1445 AH/21-07-2023 CE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim

This maiden edition of _Khutbah_ in the year 1445 AH in collaboration with Ansar-Ud-Deen Centenary Anniversary offers a great deal of lessons on the peak of which is sacrifice. Muslims world-over celebrate _Hijrah_ in commemoration of the movement of the noble Messenger Muhammad _(SAW)_ from Makkah to Yathrib (now Madinah).

 _Hijrah_ to contemporary historians, enjoys bad and good theories. While bad theories include the notion that he flew away in cowardice, as an Imposter and and Arbiter between Aws and Khazraj tribes of Yathrib, plausible theory shows that he brought the Islamic safety vessle beyond Makkah to Yathrib. Whereas, women had pledged his support from the outset of mission and also in Yathrib and he was advised to take pledge from them (60:11). The second pledge for support is reflected in Qur'an 22:39-40 by offering Muslims privilege for oneself at the face of oppression while war became invariably legalized. As an offshoot of this, the Ummah was established following the maiden conference which brought about the first Charter of peace in the world history - The Madinan Constitution in 622 CE. The Imposter theory became melt down when King John of England nearly lost total sovereignty as a result of losing substantial part of the domain owing to greed and thirst for power. The fall out was to garner a peace treaty separating for him some aspects of governance and Magna Carter was published. It must bes mentioned that between the two peace documents was a period of 800 years; thereby showing the superiority of the former on the latter and the latter as copied from the former.

The final pledge reflects the ultimate ransom for the Muslims as reflected in Qur'an 9:111 which says: "Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of paradise): they fight in His cause, abd slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through thr _Taorah_ , the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant to Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

Notwithstanding, the good theory appears as life not being palatable amidst persecution by Makkans. Emissaries and Missionaries had been in place to Yathrib before the final permission to leave the land of disbelievers -Makkah.

The thrust of Hijrah to the contemporary life include and limited to _tahammul_ (endurance), _musaabarah_ (perseverance), _mu'awanah_ (cooperative help) and _munaazarah_ (visionary) pursuit. This is the import of the maxim: Islam thrives as a safety vessle'.

Whereas the noble Messenger _(SAW)_ urged that: 'A Muslim is he from whom other Muslims are safe, and Hijrah maker is he who shuns what Allah forbids.' Furthermore, Ibn 'Abbas reported that the noble Messenger _(SAW)_ declared on the day of conquest of Makkah: "No more Hijrah after the conquest, but only Jihad with genuine intention. If you should move (from one place to another) do so.' (B.1834, 2783; Muslim1353, 1864).

Summarily, the import of this Hadith according to At-Tatibiy, include the fact that: i. Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah siezed outrightly henceforth, ii. Yet Jihad remains, iii. Severing any place should occur with genuine intention, iv. Movement in pursuit of knowledge is approved of, v. Leaving a place for a better place to practice Islam is good, vi. Heading towards a place capable of adding value to Islam, and vii. Best _Jihad_ is _Jihad_ against one's mind.

By extension, however, the emergence of ADS at the time when Nigerian Muslims were in dire need for liberation regarding getting access to Western education without teats and its centenary anniversary towers as the epitome of sacrifice for founding and sustenance. To this end, while our prayer for the founding fathers is unalloyed forgiveness and abundant blessing we pray for continual progress for the living members and lovers of the society across board.

Till we meet next week, happy new _Hijrah_ year 1445 to all. _Ma_ ' _as_ _salaamah_ .

DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State

- Nigeria