Friday Sermon: Leave tribalism, it’s rotten and smelly!

In a powerful address, the Friday sermon delivered by Murtadha Gusau cuts through the divisive noise of tribalism, urging a return to the core tenets of Islam. The message is unequivocal: tribalism, with its inherent prejudice and association with the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, is a corrupting force that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) vehemently denounced. By quoting the Prophet's stark description of tribalism as "rotten and smelly," the sermon underscores the gravity of this issue and its incompatibility with Islamic teachings.

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Leave it, for it is rotten and smelly.

The sermon powerfully articulates Islam's vision of a unified community, one where allegiance is forged through faith and righteousness, not by bloodlines or ethnic affiliation. It directly confronts the misguided notion of superiority based on lineage or race, citing the Quranic verse that emphasizes piety as the sole measure of nobility in the sight of Allah. This principle is not merely theoretical; it is demonstrated through historical examples, such as the Prophet's appointment of Bilal Ibn Rabah, a black former slave, as the first Mu'azzin, and his correction of a companion for using racist language.

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He is not one of us who calls to tribalism, or fights for the sake of tribalism, or dies following the way of tribalism.

Furthermore, the sermon highlights the practical manifestations of Islamic equality through congregational prayers and the Hajj pilgrimage, where all distinctions of race and status dissolve in collective worship. While acknowledging the natural human inclination to love one's kin, the message firmly distinguishes this from the forbidden fanaticism of tribalism. It calls for a conscious rejection of prejudice and a commitment to justice, reminding believers that true virtue lies in the heart and in one's devotion to Allah, not in ethnic or tribal affiliations. This sermon serves as a vital reminder for Muslims in Nigeria and beyond to uphold the inclusive and egalitarian principles of their faith.

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Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.