Fear Allah, voting is an amanah (trust), By Murtadha Gusau

Within the title of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All reward is because of Allah, Lord of all of the worlds. Could His blessings and benedictions be upon the Messenger, his family and companions.

Expensive brothers and sisters! Know that the elections are a official means of choosing leaders and representatives of the nation, to supervise the federal government, and enact legal guidelines to serve the residents and advance their pursuits. On this approach, elections embody one of many mechanisms of the precept of session (Shurah) established by Islamic regulation.

The duty of a candidate earlier than Allah is a big one. They need to really feel the load of this duty and perceive its significance, which is able to assist them fulfill their duties with honesty and sincerity for the advantage of the nation and the Ummah. Allah the Almighty says:

“Certainly, We supplied the belief (Amanah) to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, however they refused to bear it and had been afraid of it. However man undertook it. Certainly, he was unjust and ignorant.” [Surah Al-Ahzab: 72]

Due to this fact, it’s forbidden for a candidate to affect the voter’s choices by providing spaghetti, garments, meals, cash, bribes, or every other type of inducement, whether or not beneath the guise of items, help, charity, palliatives, or meals. Abdullah Ibn Amr reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stated:

“Allah has cursed the one who pays the bribe and the one who accepts it.” [Abu Dawud]

Casting a vote can be a big duty that ought to be carried out with integrity and sincerity. Voters ought to be conscious that they are going to be held accountable for this belief earlier than Allah. Allah the Most Excessive says:

“Their testimony will probably be recorded, and they are going to be questioned.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 19]

To clear one’s duty earlier than Allah, the nation, and the nation in the very best method, a voter should adhere to 2 key rules:

1. To decide on the fittest and finest candidate for the job. This requires choosing a candidate who is robust in information and experience and reliable relating to the pursuits of the nation and its folks. Allah the Almighty says:

“Certainly, the most effective one you may rent is the sturdy and the reliable.” [Surah Al-Qasas: 28]

This is the reason the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) excused Abu Zarr (might Allah be happy with him) when he requested for a place of authority, saying:

“O Abu Zarr, you’re weak, and it’s an entrusted responsibility. On the Day of Resurrection, it will likely be a supply of shame and remorse, besides for individuals who take it on with its rights and fulfill their obligations in it.” [Muslim]

2. The voter ought to forged their vote freely and in line with what their faith and conscience dictate, with out being influenced by items, bribes, or biases. Voting is a type of testimony, and it shouldn’t be topic to sale, bargaining, or flattery. Any cash acquired in change for one’s vote is illegal (Haram) and will probably be held accountable for earlier than Allah. Allah the Most Excessive says:

“O you who’ve believed, don’t devour each other’s wealth unjustly or ship it [in bribery] to the rulers so that [they might] devour a portion of the wealth of the folks in sin, whilst you know [it is unlawful].” [Surah An-Nisa: 29]

Revered servants of Allah!Since voting in presidential, governorship, legislative, native governments elections is a belief, a Muslim ought to uphold it and carry out it appropriately. It is usually an affidavit for which one will probably be held accountable earlier than Allah. Allah the Almighty says:

“Their testimony will probably be recorded, and they are going to be questioned.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 19]

Due to this fact, it’s forbidden for a voter to simply accept any cash or items, in change for his or her vote or testimony, from any candidate. That is to guard the belief and forestall unsuitable people from reaching positions of energy. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stated:

“When belief is misplaced, then anticipate the Hour.” They requested, “How will belief be misplaced, O Messenger of Allah?” He stated: “When authority is given to those that don’t deserve it, then anticipate the Hour.” [Bukhari]

For Allah’s sake, how can a candidate who engages in such practices be trusted with the nation’s affairs and sources?

As for compelling folks to swear an oath to vote for a particular candidate, this isn’t permissible in Islamic regulation, neither for the one swearing the oath nor for the one compelling them. Furthermore, swearing oaths for this objective just isn’t sanctioned. Allah the Most Excessive says:

“Don’t make Allah’s title an excuse in your oaths to stop you from being righteous, fearing Allah, and making peace amongst folks. And Allah is Figuring out and Sensible.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 224]

As well as, if somebody swears an oath to vote for an individual who doesn’t have the required {qualifications} for the position, they need to not adhere to that oath as a result of it’s each a mistake and a sin. As a substitute, they need to make expiation for his or her oath and vote for the one who’s extra appropriate for each their faith and their worldly affairs. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stated:

“Whoever swears an oath after which sees one thing higher, let him go together with what is healthier and make expiation for his oath.” [Muslim]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) stated:

“The believer who mixes with folks and is affected person with their hurt is bigger in reward than the one who doesn’t combine with them and isn’t affected person with their hurt.” [Ahmad]

Expensive brothers and sisters! Isolation just isn’t a characteristic of the believer. The one who mixes with others is subsequently higher than the one who isolates himself. We grow to be the most effective Ummah once we ship the message of Allah, of peace, equity, justice, equality, mercy and concord to all folks. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) subsequently inspired us to busy ourselves in delivering goodness.

Allah the Almighty said within the Qur’an:

“There must be a bunch of individuals from amongst you who name in direction of the great, and bids the truthful and forbids the unfair. And it’s these who’re profitable.” [Surah Ali-Imran: 104]

We’re witnessing many elections in Nigeria. We, as Muslims, have a duty to decide on the precise folks with the precise character and the precise angle in direction of humanity – these with dignity and a way of justice.

Allah will ask us about this belief (Amanah). Allah will query us on what we did with our vote. Did you select an evil candidate or the lesser of the evils, or the one who will deliver profit to the nation and the Ummah?

If you happen to neglect to train your proper to vote, you’re losing this chance and you’ll trigger hurt to the nation and the Ummah. At all times vote sensibly. Sure, I do know, there are completely different opinions, however it’s your alternative and Allah will ask you when you carried the duty you got or when you had been passive. We’ve been instructed to do our greatest to take away evil in our midst.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (might Allah be happy with him) stated:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) say:

“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it along with his hand; and if he isn’t ready to take action, then [let him change it] along with his tongue; and if he isn’t ready to take action, then along with his coronary heart — and that’s the weakest of religion.” [Muslim]

I ask Allah the Most Excessive to allow us to at all times select the precise folks to symbolize us. Ameen.

In conclusion, collaborating in elections and voting is permissible, and it ought to be accompanied by elevating consciousness amongst folks concerning the significance of electing those that safeguard the pursuits of the residents and the nation, and who shield the nation’s sources.

All reward is because of Allah, Lord of the worlds. Could the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his household, his Companions and his true followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He will be reached through: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumu’ah Khutbah) was ready for supply right now Friday, 29 Rabi’ul Thani, 1446 AH (November 01, 2024).