Mufti urges Muslims To Learn Culture of Saving
His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda has implored Muslims to learn the culture of saving and improve their financial status so as to fulfill their religious obligations such as paying alms and perform Haj rituals that forms the spiritual growth of believers in the presence of the Almighty Allah.
This was part of the Mufti’s speech at the thanksgivings function organized by Sheikh Twaib Ali Mpaso, the Registrar in Sharia department at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC Headquarters at his ancestral home in Kamuli Municipality, Saturday Sept 2nd, 2023.
Sheikh Mubaje urged Clerics to intensify the divine teachings on Zakah – Alms giving and the Haj ritual to their flock. He noted that two Islamic pillars are hardly talked about, which has contributed to the high levels of poverty within the community. He cited the divine sayings of Prophet Muhammad who noted that whenever such virtues are practiced, they attract Allah”s Grace and blessings to help eliminate agony among his servants.
“It is really strange that I always receive Muslims who are asking me for free Haj opportunities yet some are driving posh cars, live in mansions, and own several businesses. This is being stingy, ungodly and being unmindful of God’s favours onto you,” Sheikh Mubaje said as turned towards the Muslim clergy present and asked them to maximize time and teach Muslims how they can capitalize on their favors to ripe divine rewards from God Almighty.
He advised the guests to look deeper into whatever resources they have such as idle land to see how best they can utilize it for production instead of always lamenting that they are poor. “Suppose you have like 7 acres of land lying idle , can’t you sell only an acre to raise the Haj fares?” he asked.
“Believe me when you do that Almighty Allah will bless you to have more,” he added. Turning to Sheikh Mpaso, the Mufti thanked him for being disciplined for the last 19 years he has served as a member of UMSC staff. “You really deserved going for Haj,” he said. While concluding his remarks, The Mufti called upon Muslim leaders nationwide to strive and put in place income generating projects on the available Mosque land instead of leaving them idle and expose it to grabbers. He later cautioned Muslims to ignore certain cliques in Kampala struggling to undermine UMSC Projects using the media. Other speakers included Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, the Secretary for Haj and UMRA, who highlighted the state of affairs in the Haj Office, Dr. Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the Director of Sharia, who spoke on the benefits of performing Haj, and Sheikh Imran Ssali, the Secretary for Religious affairs. Sheikh Mpaso, his elder brother, Prof Muhammad Waiswa Mpaso and their elderly father Mzee Muwalimu Ali Mugairewo Mpaso mentioned that the function was meant to express their profound gratitude for the favours God has bestowed on them as a family.
Sheikh Ismail Kazibwe, the Kadhi of Kamuli Muslim District and his County Sheikhs also used the event to present the state of affairs in the district.
Present were members of the UMSC National Management Committee including Mr.Sinan Abdu Nsenye, the Secretary for Finance and Planning, Sheikh Ismail Wandeba, the Principal Private Secretary – PPS in the Mufti’s Office, Dr. Muhammad Hussein Bbowa, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti incharge of Busoga, region, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu, the former Director of Sharia, Staff and local leaders, among others