History is made today as the institution of Imamship of Ebira Land was conferred on Alhaji Salihu Abere

In the name of Allah; Praise be to Allah; may peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Apostle of Allah.

History is made today as the institution of Imamship of Ebira Land was conferred on Alhaji Salihu Abere, the former deputy Imam of late Imam Musa Abdullah Galadima (rahimahullah wa rahimana), by His Royal Majesty, the OHINOYI of Ebira Land, Dr Alhaji Ado Ibrahim. I use this opportunity to congratulate the new CHIEF IMAM OF EBIRA LAND, Imam Salihu Abere; also extend my congratulations to the entire Muslims in Ebira Land; and I pray for unity, progress and divine blessings in our Land.

1. Firstly, I wish to bring to the attention of the new Leadership of Islam in Ebira Land to fully understand the responsibility of the position as it covers the interest of the entire Muslims, not only TIJANIYYA sect which he belongs, but also the Izzalah, Terikka, Shia, Ahmadiya, and even THE AHLU SUNNAH (my Ideology), etc. The Apostle of Allah, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما ، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «كلكم رَاعٍ، وكلكم مسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ: والأمير رَاعٍ، والرجل رَاعٍ على أهل بيته، والمرأة رَاعِيَةٌ على بيت زوجها وولده، فكلكم راَعٍ، وكلكم مسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ». وفي لفظ: «كلكم رَاعٍ، وكلكم مسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ: الإمام رَاعٍ ومسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ، والرجل رَاعٍ في أهله ومسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ، والمرأة رَاعِيَةٌ في بيت زوجها ومسؤولة عن رَعِيَّتِهَا، والخادم رَاعٍ في مال سيده ومسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ، فكلكم رَاعٍ ومسؤول عن رَعِيَّتِهِ».

[صحيح] - [متفق عليه]

On the authority of Ibn Omar, may God be pleased with them, he said: I heard the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, say: “All of you are shepherds, and each of you is responsible for his flock: the prince is a shepherd, and the man is a shepherd over his household, and the woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and his children, so all of you are shepherds, and all of you are responsible for his flock » . In a narration: “All of you are shepherds, and each of you is responsible for his subjects: the imam is a shepherd and responsible for his subjects, the man is a shepherd of his family and responsible for his subjects, the woman is a shepherd in her husband’s house and is responsible for her subjects, and the servant is a shepherd in his master’s money and is responsible for his subjects. Each of you is a shepherd and responsible for his flock.” .

[ Correct ] - [ Agreed upon ]

Hadith: All of you are shepherds, and each of you is responsible for his subjects: the prince is a shepherd, and the man is a shepherd over his household, and the woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and his children, so all of you are shepherds, and all of you are responsible for his subjects

Classification: Da'wah and Hisbah . legal policy . duties of the imam .

The explanation: Each of you is a guardian and trustee of his flock and is held accountable for it, so the ruler is responsible for his subjects on the Day of Resurrection, and likewise the man is responsible for his family, commanding them to obey God and forbidding them to disobey God and upholding them with what is rightfully theirs, and he is responsible for that on the Day of Resurrection, and the woman is a guardian over her husband’s house with what he protects, and so is the children. And she will be responsible for that on the Day of Resurrection, and the slave is a custodian and trustee of his master’s money and will be responsible for that on the Day of Resurrection

Therefore you are taking charge of the entire Muslims in Ebira Land, you should be aware of their interests and situations.

2. The process that brought about the emergence of the new Imam was marked with controversies and violence among two major factions of Muslims in Ebira Land following the history of the Imamship tussle that have created a permanent division among the ummah along ideological lines. Such differences call for mutual respect for one another to ensure Coexistence and religion tolerance in our Society. The Law enforcement agents have a duty to play by ensuring that peace accords are put in place binding on all factions, through common belief in the tradition of our Noble Prophet as enshrined in Islamic Principles.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اَطِيْـعُوا اللّٰهَ وَاَطِيْـعُوا الرَّسُوْلَ وَاُولِى الْاَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ ۚ فَاِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِيْ شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوْهُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ اِنْ كُنْـتُمْ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَـوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ ۗ ذٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَّاَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيْلًا

"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."

(QS. An-Nisaa 4: Verse 59)

3. Lastly, by implications, the Institution of the OHINOYI of Ebira Land, being responsible for choosing the Leadership of Islam in the Land, has become a priority and concerns for the Muslims. What ever decide on the affairs of Islam or affects the Muslims, concerns the Muslims. The criteria of choosing the next OHINOYI of Ebira Land should be based on Principles of Islamic Faith.

May Allah bless our Leaders and the Subjects in Ebira Land, and guide us to the Rightful path.

Aameen.

- Abdulbaqy Badamasuiy.