On Friday, October 4, 2024, Chief Imam Mudathir Mustapha Gbolagade (JP) of the Anwar-l-Islam Movement of Nigeria delivered a profound and thought-provoking sermon during the Jumu’ah prayers. His sermon, centered on the theme of living a life of purpose, emphasized the importance of reflecting on one’s actions and their ultimate consequences.
Drawing from the story of Pharaoh as narrated in the Holy Quran, Imam Gbolagade warned of the dangers of arrogance, defiance, and polytheism. He recounted how Pharaoh’s refusal to accept the revelations sent by Allah led to his catastrophic demise in the Red Sea. The Imam pointed out that this serves as a timeless reminder of how rejection of divine guidance and excessive pride can lead to one’s downfall. He urged the congregation to heed such lessons from scripture and make conscious efforts to align their actions with the teachings of Islam.
Embracing Virtues for a Meaningful Life
In his sermon, Imam Gbolagade highlighted that the path to a successful and meaningful life is through embracing virtues such as humility, kindness, patience, and friendship. He cited examples from the lives of Allah’s messengers, emphasizing how they exhibited compassion, tolerance, and a soft-minded approach in their dealings with others, irrespective of differences in faith or background.
“The messengers of Allah were embodiments of kindness and humility,” the Imam stated. “They were sent to guide people and set examples of how to live fulfilling lives based on truth and justice. If we are to achieve a life of purpose, we must strive to imitate their qualities, which were commanded by Allah in all holy scriptures.”
Patience, Truthfulness, and Justice: Keys to Success
Imam Gbolagade stressed that essential qualities such as patience, truthfulness, tolerance, respect, fear of Allah, and justice are critical for living a righteous life. He called on Muslims to be mindful of their actions and ensure that they always act with fairness and integrity towards others, regardless of their faith or beliefs.
“Justice is not just for Muslims. It is for all of humanity,” the Imam reminded the congregation. “We must treat every individual with respect, whether they share our faith or not, because Allah commands us to be just to all.”
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The Dangers of Polytheism and Defiance
In his sermon, Imam Gbolagade particularly emphasized the danger of polytheism (associating partners with Allah) and defiance against divine commands. Using the story of Pharaoh as an example, he noted that such acts of disobedience are bound to lead to destruction and suffering. He encouraged the faithful to avoid behaviors that challenge Allah’s supremacy, reminding them that success in this life and the hereafter depends on adhering to Allah’s commandments.
Reflecting on Actions for a Purposeful Life
Imam Gbolagade concluded his sermon by urging the Muslim community to continually reflect on their actions and ensure that they align with Islamic teachings. He emphasized that living a purposeful life requires intentional actions guided by truth, justice, and a constant awareness of Allah’s presence.
As he wrapped up, the Chief Imam offered prayers for the congregation and the wider Muslim community, asking Allah to grant them the strength to live according to His will and to make decisions that lead to success both in this life and the next.
“We pray that Allah grants us the wisdom to make the right decisions, to live our lives in service to Him, and to strive towards righteousness every day,” he said.
A Message of Reflection and Purpose
The sermon resonated deeply with the attendees, as Imam Gbolagade’s message encouraged them to introspect and evaluate their actions. His call for humility, kindness, and justice left a lasting impact on the congregation, inspiring them to pursue a life filled with purpose and guided by faith.
The message serves as a reminder to all Muslims to live with intention, be mindful of their responsibilities to Allah and humanity, and work towards creating a just and compassionate society.
