By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Sunday, June 14, 2026
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Dear brothers and sisters! Wallahi, the bitter truth we don’t want to hear is that, systemic corruption in Nigeria is the root cause of widespread poverty and escalating insecurity. By diverting public funds meant for education, healthcare, and infrastructure, corruption cripples economic development. This deprivation leaves millions destitute, creating a vulnerable population easily driven into banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency. The cyclical relationship between these four factors creates a severe developmental crisis across Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country!
Resource diversion, mindless looting of public funds and contract fraud mean hospitals lack equipment, schools decay, and basic amenities are non-existent. This entrenched poverty forces citizens into a state of mere survival.
Corruption undermines the integrity of the judiciary, law enforcement, and security agencies. The diversion of security budgets leaves the nation heavily vulnerable to internal threats.
High unemployment resulting from poor economic management leaves millions of youths economically frustrated. Insurgents and criminal syndicates exploit this desperation, using them as foot soldiers for banditry, terrorism, and political thuggery.
Respected brothers and sisters! The bitter truth is that, corruption in public and private life breaks the fundamental trust Allah mandates in the Qur’an. It undermines societal development and leads to the vicious cycle of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria. Islam strictly forbids all forms of bribery, embezzlement, and exploitation, holding every individual accountable for their deeds.
Allah the Almighty explicitly condemns corruption and the consumption of other’s wealth unjustly. In Surah Al-Baqarah (Qur’an, 2:188), He says:
“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly by illegal means or send it to the rulers in order that you might sinfully consume a portion of the wealth of the people while you know it is wrong.”
Leaders, public servants, and citizens who engage in nepotism or embezzlement are betraying the trust (amanah) placed upon them, which ultimately breeds despair and societal instability.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) issued strong warnings against the culture of giving and taking bribes. He declared:
“The curse of Allah is upon the briber and the bribed.”
Corruption at the top trickles down, depriving the masses of basic needs and infrastructure, which paves the way for youth restiveness, banditry, terrorism and severe insecurity. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also warned of the severe questioning in the Hereafter regarding how wealth was earned and how it was spent.
When resources meant for the public are hoarded or siphoned by a few, poverty and insecurity thrives. Islam provides a robust system to eradicate poverty through mandatory Zakat, almsgiving, Sadaqah, voluntary charity, and the prohibition of Riba (usury) and hoarding. Upholding these economic teachings ensures wealth circulates fairly rather than being concentrated in the hands of a corrupt few.
Islamic teachings stress that true security returns to society only when individuals reform their hearts and actions.
Addressing these predicaments requires returning to the true teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, where justice, honesty, and purposeful Islamic moral education replace greed and exploitation.
No doubt, corruption is the root of poverty and insecurity in our midst. When leaders and citizens engage in bribery, embezzlement, and injustice, they break societal trust. This greed creates poverty, inequality, and despair, which in turn breeds crime, unrest, and societal instability. Islam requires us to build upright societies by actively fighting this root cause.
Allah the Almighty explicitly identifies corruption as the direct cause of destruction and instability. Whenever mankind strays into injustice and greed, the societal equilibrium collapses, causing widespread suffering.
Allah the Most High says:
“Corruption has appeared in the land and sea because of what the hands of people have earned, so He may let them taste part of the consequence of what they have done that perhaps they will return to righteousness.” [Qur’an, 30:41]
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) likened society to a ship where individuals occupy both the upper and lower decks. If those in the lower deck decide to drill a hole to get water, and those above do not stop them, the entire ship sinks.
This parable teaches that corruption is not just the problem of the corrupt individual; when honest citizens remain silent or fail to condemn corrupt acts, the entire nation suffers the consequences of the resulting poverty and insecurity.
Therefore In Islam, staying silent in the face of corruption or failing to condemn unlawful acts puts the safety and security of the entire nation at risk.
The Qur’an repeatedly narrates the stories of past nations to teach us moral lessons. The Banu Isra’il (Children of Israel) lost their security and fell into internal conflict because their leaders became greedy, abandoned divine law for worldly gains, and consumed the wealth of the people. Their moral decay—lying, breaking oaths, and oppression—directly led to their humiliation and societal ruin.
Injustice in wealth distribution creates resentment and instability. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) strongly condemned those who enrich themselves at the expense of others. He said:
“Every flesh that grows out of unlawful earnings has its abode in the Hellfire.” [Reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar]
Authority is considered a sacred trust (amanah) rather than a prize. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) warned that anyone in a position of authority who dies while being dishonest in their dealings is forbidden from Paradise.
Many great Islamic scholars, including Imam Ibn Taimiyyah, have emphasised that leadership reflects the spiritual state of the people. When a community is corrupt, corrupt leaders emerge. The most effective way to secure a nation and eliminate crime is through spiritual resilience, returning to Islamic ethics, and ensuring both the public and leadership practice absolute justice and transparency.
In every responsible environment corruption is viewed as a root cause of poverty and insecurity. When leaders and citizens abandon moral values, it leads to injustice, poverty, and institutional failure. The connection between corruption and insecurity is profound. When resources meant for the public are diverted into the hands of a few, it creates widespread poverty, insecurity, instability and desperation. This disparity inevitably creates fertile ground for crimes, unrest, and societal instability.
Allah the Most High commands Muslim believers to actively prevent the spread of mischief on the earth. He says:
“And do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order…” [Qur’an, 7:85]
When a society permits bribery, embezzlement, and systemic fraud, it directly breaks the covenant of justice.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) vehemently prohibited all forms of bribery and misappropriation of public funds, warning of the destruction of nations that practice them. He said:
“The curse of Allah is upon the one who offers a bribe and the one who takes it.” [Sahih Ibn Majah]
Also the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stated:
“Whosoever we appoint over a job, and we provide him with sustenance, anything he takes beyond that is misappropriation.” [Abu Dawud]
A famous story during the caliphate of Umar Ibn AbdulAziz highlights that true security comes only from justice. When his administrators wrote to him asking for funds to build walls to protect their city, he replied:
“Fortify your city with justice, and protect its roads by removing oppression.”
Therefore corruption is deeply condemned in Islam. Sincere Islamic scholars and leaders frequently highlight how systemic greed, bribery, and nepotism act as the primary catalysts for insecurity, poverty, and societal decay.
When leaders, public officials, or business owners embezzle state funds, rig contracts, or take bribes, they are effectively starving the public of basic necessities, healthcare, and education. This deprivation creates widespread desperation and frustration among the masses. In Islam, this economic oppression leads to civil unrest, violence, and ultimately, the breakdown of law and order. The biggest threat to a nation is not external enemies; it is the internal enemy of corruption.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“There are no people who break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger except that Allah makes their enemies overpower them.”
So true security only comes when justice prevails. When a society begins to tolerate bribery and favouritism, the rule of law collapses. The powerful get away with crimes while the weak are oppressed. This creates a volatile environment where people lose trust in the state and begin taking matters into their own hands. Insecurity is the natural harvest planted by systemic injustice.
For example, if a wood-boring insect eats the tree from the inside, the slightest wind will cause it to collapse. Corruption acts in exactly the same way. It devours a country’s foundational morality from within.
When we observe corrupt behaviour in our surroundings—whether it is a government official taking a bribe or an ordinary citizen cutting corners—it is a sign that the “inner control” and the fear of Allah have faded. The only permanent cure for corruption is moral renovation. Every Muslim must remember that they are accountable for their wealth and power. True strength lies in ethical self-restraint.
Corruption destroys the moral and economic fabric of society, creating the exact desperation, poverty, and inequality that breed insecurity and poverty. Islam categorically condemns corrupt practices, defining them as injustices that attract divine displeasure. Returning to core Islamic principles is essential to healing Nigeria’s systems.
As mentioned above, when public wealth is embezzled or diverted, basic necessities like infrastructure, public education, and job creation are severely lacking. This deliberate denial of resources marginalises youth and citizens. When people are demoralised, impoverished, and denied their fundamental rights by their leaders, it breeds an environment of frustration, hopelessness, and anger. These vulnerabilities are then easily exploited by violent and criminal factions, leading to kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency.
No doubt, rechanneling public funds allotted for the welfare of the people is a major betrayal of public trust. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) declared:
“Whoever betrays us is not one of us.”
While secular institutions rely entirely on external constraints, police forces, DSS, EFCC and ICPC to fight corruption, Islam goes deeper. It instills a sense of Allah-consciousness. A sincere Muslim believer knows that even if a corrupt act is successfully hidden from anti-corruption agencies, it cannot be hidden from Allah the Almighty.
Every Muslim believer is required to embody the role of a caller to good by speaking out against injustice and preventing others from engaging in corrupt acts.
Respected brothers and sisters! Removing Allah from our problems, thinking that we can solve them without Allah’s help and intervention is the core danger of spiritual disconnect, leading to anxiety, aimlessness, and a heavy, self-reliant burden. True success lies in constant mindfulness, turning trials into spiritual growth, and seeking relief through prayer and patience.
When we remove Allah from our problems, we fall into the trap of self-reliance, which blinds us and hardens our hearts.
Allah the Most High says:
“And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient.” [Qur’an, 59:19]
Our past and present great Islamic scholars and teachers, highlight that removing Allah from the equation often leads to delusion. We start trying to fix our deficiencies in total isolation, failing to realise that life and worship are interconnected. A heart distant from Allah’s remembrance loses its moral compass and easily turns to destructive habits to fill its spiritual void.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters! Do not forget that praying for our leaders to be guided is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. Our great Islamic scholars emphasise that a righteous leader brings prosperity to society. Instead of relying on cursing, the most effective approach is making sincere supplication (Du’a) for their hearts to be touched and their character transformed.
The renowned and respected Islamic scholar Al-Fudail Ibn Iyad stated:
“If I had one supplication (Du’a) to be answered, I would make it for no one but the leader. If the leader is righteous, it will lead to the righteousness of the country and the people.
When advising leaders, Islam encourages offering admonishment privately so it acts as sincere advice rather than public humiliation.
Ya Allah, do not give authority over us to those who do not fear You and do not have mercy upon us.
Ya Allah, instill in them Your fear, so that they will lead justly towards the development of our people and country.
Ya Allah, whoever is given charge over our nation and he is harsh with us, be harsh with him. Whoever is given charge over our nation and he is gentle with us, be gentle with him.
I ask Allah the Almighty to make us sincere Muslim believers upon the Path of the Salaf, sincere, truthful and humble – and that He unites us with the true Muslim believers in the Hereafter.
May Nigeria overcome this security challenges, ameen.
And all praise is for Allah, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Messenger, his family and his true followers.
Written by Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau, the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.