By Kabir Alabi Garba

“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13)

Brethren, the theme of our sermon today is particularly important in the context of national unity and interethnic harmony, especially in a nation blessed with many ethnic groups, languages, cultures, and traditions such as Nigeria. Indeed, diversity is not a curse; rather, it is among the signs of Allah’s wisdom and creative power .

A close examination of Qur’an 49V13 quoted above, one will notice that the Almighty did not say He created us into tribes so that we may hate one another, compete in arrogance, or oppress each other.

Rather, He says “that you may know one another.” Differences in ethnicity, language, complexion, and culture are among Allah’s signs as indicated in Qur’an 30: 22 thus: “And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colours.” Our diversity is therefore a sign of Allah—not a reason for division.

One of the greatest diseases that destroys nations is tribalism (‘Asabiyyah). The holy Prophet (SAW) warned against it in the strongest terms. When some companions argued because of tribal identity, the Prophet said: “Leave it, for it is rotten.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). He also said: “He is not one of us who calls to tribalism, fights for tribalism, or dies upon tribalism.” (Abu Dawud).

As a universal religion, Islam abolished the arrogance of lineage. Before Islam, people measured greatness by tribe, clan, and ancestry. Islam changed the standard forever, as the Prophet declared: “There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab; neither of a white over a black nor of a black over a white, except through piety.” Till date, this declaration remains one of the greatest reflections of equality in human history.

Brotherhood in Islam comes in clear terms. No ambiguity as Allah (SWT) says in Qur’an 49V10: “Indeed, the believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.” It should be noted that Allah, in this Quranic verse, did not say believers from the same tribe are brothers. He (SWT) simply says: “The believers are brothers.” Whether one is Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Kanuri, Tiv, Nupe, Ibibio, Efik, Ijaw, Gwari, Idoma, Jukun, or from any other ethnic group, our bond of faith is stronger than every tribal identity.

In Islamic history as documented in the glorious Qur’an, Allah (SWT) united the Aws and Khazraj after generations of bloody conflict. Allah (SWT) reminds them in Qur’an 3V103: “Remember the favour of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together, so you became brothers by His favour.” If Allah (SWT) could unite tribes that fought for decades, surely, He can unite us today if we sincerely return to His guidance.

At this moment, national unity is imperative for Nigeria. Our nation, today, faces many challenges: insecurity, poverty, unemployment, corruption, distrust, hate speech, and political tension. These problems become worse whenever ethnic hatred is encouraged. When people refuse justice because of tribal loyalty, society suffers. When appointments are judged only by ethnicity instead of competence and integrity, injustice spreads. When false information is spread against another ethnic group, hatred grows.

As Muslims, we must never contribute to division. Attention should be paid to the divine instruction in Qur’an 3V103: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

However, unity does not mean agreeing with wrongdoing. Rather, it means standing together upon justice.

Allah (SWT) says in Qur’an 4V135: “O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives.” Justice must never depend upon tribe.

The example of the Prophet (SAW) remains the standard till date as he built a society in Madinah where Arabs and non-Arabs lived together. Bilal was Ethiopian. Salman was Persian. Suhayb was Roman. Abdullah ibn Salam was Jewish before accepting Islam. All became honoured companions. Their value came from faith and righteousness—not ethnicity.

Dear brothers and sisters, as Muslims and as Nigerians, we all have responsibilities towards national unity. Let us purify our hearts from prejudice. Never despise another Muslim because of his tribe or language. We should avoid insulting ethnic groups. Information must be verified in line with the Quranic instruction (Q49V11) that: “If a sinful person comes to you with information, verify it” as many conflicts begin with rumours.

Let us teach our children respect. They should never inherit ethnic hatred from adults. We should all support justice as it creates peace while oppression creates rebellion. Nigeria needs our prayer and we should let our citizenship be a source of mercy, not hatred.

Indeed, Islam permits a person to love his homeland. The Prophet (SAW) loved Makkah deeply. When leaving it, he said that had his people not expelled him, he would not have left. Therefore, loving Nigeria, working for its peace, protecting its unity, obeying lawful authority, paying taxes where due, respecting the law, promoting education, and serving society sincerely are all compatible with Islamic values when done within the limits of the Shari’ah.

Brethren, our congregation every Friday whereby we stand shoulder to shoulder: the wealthy beside the poor. The educated beside the uneducated. The Hausa beside the Yoruba. The Igbo beside the Fulani. The Kanuri beside the Tiv. No one stands in front because of tribe. No one receives more reward because of language. Allah only looks at our hearts and deeds. This weekly gathering teaches us the equality that Islam expects us to practice outside the mosque.

Let us therefore become ambassadors of peace by rejecting hate speech, ethnic discrimination, and injustice. But to strengthen family ties across communities, promote dialogue, support fairness, protect the weak, assist victims regardless of tribe or religion, speak kindly, forgive, and reconcile. These are the characteristics of believers. Let us embrace them wholeheartedly.

“O Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, unite our hearts upon truth. Remove hatred, envy, and tribal prejudice from our hearts. Make us brothers and sisters in faith. Grant peace, security, and prosperity to Nigeria. Guide our leaders to justice, wisdom, integrity, and sincerity. Protect our scholars, our youth, our women, our elderly, and all our communities. Relieve those facing hardship, poverty, illness, displacement, and insecurity. Forgive our parents, our teachers, our families, and all believing men and women, those living and those who have passed away. O Allah, make us among those who listen to the truth and follow the best of it. Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”