Friday Sermon: A responsible government must stop the killings of its citizens!, By Murtadha Gusau

Every leader should reflect and ask himself: What will I say when Allah asks about the weak who were under my care and authority? Sincerity, humility, and service to the Ummah are the only shields against the disgrace of that Day. Therefore a leader must be just to earn Allah’s shade and mercy on the Day of Judgment!

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, who created souls and gave them life, who honoured them through Islam and made them precious, and who threatened those who transgress against them with the Fire and its blazing heat. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and abundant blessings be upon him, ameen. To proceed:

Dear brothers and sisters! Recent events show a widening pattern of killings, abductions and reprisals in our country Nigeria, especially in the northern part, stretching from Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, to Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and elsewhere. The scale of fatalities alone demands sustained national attention.

Last week only, at least 50 people were killed and several women and children abducted in an attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya Village, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack occurred on Thursday, 19 February, when the terrorists and bandits on motorbikes surrounded the village, blocking all exits before unleashing terror on defenceless residents.

Respected brothers and sisters! Know that a government is not just an administrative body; it is a trust (amanah) instituted by Allah to uphold justice and protect human dignity. The sanctity of life is a primary objective of Shari’ah, meaning that any responsible and serious government must prioritise the protection of its citizen’s lives above all else. Allah Almighty says:

“…Whoever kills a soul… it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” [Qur’an, 5:32]

This Qur’anic verse establishes that any government failing to protect its citizens from unlawful killing is neglecting its duty before Allah Almighty.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) likened leaders to shepherds responsible for their flocks. A government that didn’t stop the slaughter of the innocent people violates this trust, as the state holds the ultimate duty to ensure security.

Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) exemplified that a leader is accountable for all, famously stating he feared divine questioning even if a sheep died due to neglect. This highlights that a government is responsible for the blood of its citizens.

Injustice is forbidden, as Allah has prohibited oppression among humanity. Allowing the killing of citizens is a severe, systemic injustice that invites divine wrath and punishments.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“The best jihad is to speak the truth to a leader.” [Sunan Abu Dawud]

Citizens have a moral duty to hold their governments accountable and demand that it stops the bloodshed.

Allah the Most High says:

“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell…” [Qur’an, 4:93]

A government that has the power to stop such killings but fails to act bears immense responsibility.

Therefore, the government must protect life, property, and honour of its citizens. Justice must be applied equally, regardless of the faith or status of the citizen. All leaders are accountable to Allah and the citizens. The shedding of innocent blood is one of the greatest sins.

The preservation of human life is a fundamental objective of any law. A government is not merely a political authority; it is a trust and a shepherd responsible for the safety of its flock.

The Qur’an categorises the unjust killing of a single soul as equivalent to killing all of humanity, and saving one life as saving all of humanity. Therefore, a responsible government must stop the killing of its citizens. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“A leader is a shield for his followers. They fight behind him and they are protected by him from tyrants and aggressors.” [Sahih Muslim]

A government that does not protect its citizens from killing has lost its purpose as a “shield.”

When Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA) was leader, he often said:

“If a camel dies on the bank of the Euphrates due to negligence, I fear that Allah will hold me accountable.”

If an animal’s death is the responsibility of the leader, how much more so is the blood of a human being? A responsible government must be vigilant against all loss of life.

Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, the primary responsibility of a leader is the safety, security, and honour of their citizens.

Remember that all leaders will stand before Allah, the Sovereign Judge. The first cases to be settled on the Day of Judgment are the cases of murder. If you have the power to stop a killing, you are a guardian of that life. If you allow it, you are a partner in it.

Therefore a responsible government must stop the killing of its citizens.

The sanctity of human life is a foundational pillar of governance. A responsible government is, first and foremost, a guardian of its citizen’s lives, property, and honour.

Even in times of war, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) prohibited the killing of women, children, the elderly, and the innocent. If this applies to enemies, how much more strictly must it apply to a government’s own peaceful citizens?

Islam guarantees the right of life for every human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

And preventing the loss of life is the highest form of Jihad (struggle) in the context of maintaining societal stability.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, leadership is viewed not as a position of privilege, but as a heavy trust (amanah) for which every individual will be held strictly accountable by Allah Almighty.

On the Day of Judgement, every leader — from a president and a head of state to the head of a household — will stand before their Creator (Allah) to account for those under their care.

Our beloved leader, The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be asked about his flock.”

Allah will ask leaders if they fulfilled the rights of those they led or if they neglected them.

Authentic narrations state that any man appointed over even ten people will be brought on the Day of Resurrection with his hands shackled to his neck. Only his justice and righteousness can untie those chains; otherwise, his sins will keep him imprisoned.

Many people will crave leadership in this life, but the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) warned it would be a source of “humiliation and remorse” on the Day of Judgement for those who were not fit for the task.

The second Caliph, Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, known for his immense justice, famously said:

“Even if a mule were to stumble on the road in Iraq, I would fear that Allah would hold me accountable for neglecting it.”

He spent his nights personally investigating the conditions of his people to ensure no one was oppressed.

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA) led a life of extreme simplicity, once found shivering in a worn-out sheet because he chose to prioritise the needs of the Ummah over his own comfort. He refused any help that might promote his personal interest over the unity of the Muslims Ummah.

A just leader is one of the seven types of people who will be granted Allah’s Shade on the Day when there is no shade but His. Power is described as a test from Allah to see how one uses what they have been given. A leader’s actions are monitored and recorded, reminding them that worldly status will not protect them; only their justice will.

And Muslims are advised not to hanker and scramble after positions of authority. Because if leadership is given without one asking for it, Allah provides divine assistance; if it is sought out, the person is left alone with their heavy responsibility.

Allah has forbidden injustice for Himself and made it forbidden among His servants. Leaders who oppress or cheat those under their care will face severe consequences.

Every leader should reflect and ask himself: What will I say when Allah asks about the weak who were under my care and authority? Sincerity, humility, and service to the Ummah are the only shields against the disgrace of that Day. Therefore a leader must be just to earn Allah’s shade and mercy on the Day of Judgment!

Ya Allah, our lord, unite our great nation, Nigeria around the principles of justice, peace, love and faith.

Ya Allah, put peace and love in our hearts for the diversity that makes our country so beautiful.

Oh Lord, most Strong, Give us the strength to protect and care for our neighbours.

Oh Lord, we pray for our nation, Nigeria, to remain loving, compassionate, remove prejudice from our hearts, and enable us to love our brothers and sisters of all faiths and none.

Make our hearts and minds aware of our heritage, fulfilling duties and responsibilities as a citizen of our country!

Ya Allah, the Most Merciful, allow us to show kindness to those most vulnerable in society.

Protect us from all evil, inspire and guide us in defending those open to abuse.

Lord, the Most Generous allow us to give in charitable activity, and to help those most in need.

Lord give our Governments vision and wisdom, as they take decisions affecting peace in our world.

Ya Allah, our Sustainer, allow us to care for our environments and sustain this world for future generations.

Lord, the Most merciful, Most Generous, please give us the patience to continue to learn from one another and work towards a more peaceful and kind world.

Make true in our nation the ideas of freedom and justice and brotherhood for all those who live for them.

Make our hearts generous so that we may treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Help us to share that which we have with others, for your sake. Strengthen us, love us and be kind to us all.

All praise is due only to The Almighty Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the final Messenger and the seal of Prophets.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.

This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Ramadan 17, 1447 AH (6 March, 2026).