In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful PERSONAL SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem MNIM

Preamble The objective of this lecture is to explain to brothers at this seminar the need to show personal sense of responsibility (PSR) or sense of personal responsibility (SPR) in the field of dawah as well as in their personal lifestyles. We observed stagnation in Islamic work in Nigeria and within Islamic organisation. The specific objectives of the seminar are: 1 To embed better understanding the concept of PSR. 2 To enhance our productivity as daiyah on the field of activism. 3 To inculcate in members the spirit of community engagement through PSR, and 4 To state the barriers of PSR and provide solutions. Meaning of PSR or SPR There are many definitions of PSR or SPR. It is not limited to taking care of oneself as the word personal may suggest. I propose the following three definitions: 1. PSR is our moral, social and spiritual responsibility to self, family, community, country and the world at large. 2. PSR refers to taking responsibility for ones action and inaction, without transferring obligations to others. 3. PSR is taking responsibility for your actions, accepting the consequences that come from those actions and understanding that what you do impacts positively or negatively on others around you. When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was given the Risalah by Allah, his PSR was clearly stated in the Glorious Qurn. Allah says: Alif-Lam-Ra. This is a Book which We have revealed unto you in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light by their Lord's leave to the path of the Almighty, the Praised. Q14:1 He demonstrated his PSR as a prophet, teacher, statesman, husband, warrior, judge, caller, trader, imam. Even, when his companions asked him, what is our role (PSR)? He told them is to disseminate the message even if it is one verse. Allah underscored PSR reads thus:

And say "Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All1

Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.Q9:105 The Prophet (SAW) instructs of every Muslim on PSR thus: Each of you is a shepherd, and all of you are responsible for your flocks. (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim) Even previous Messengers of Allah praised people with PSR with excellence in their professions. He stated, "No one has ever eaten any food that is better than eating what his hands have earned. And indeed the Prophet of Allah, Dawud, would eat from the earnings of his hands." (Bukhari, 2/10). Umar ibn al-Khattab said, "I see a man that impresses me, so I ask, 'Does he have a profession (through which he earns money)?' So if they say, 'No,' then he falls from my eyes (and I do not respect him )."(Kanz alUmmal, 4/123) Barriers to PSR As commendable as PSR is, it is lacking in some people, dwindling among some and dead in others. The following are barriers to PSR: Dysfunctional agenda: People with conflicting agenda do not do justice to PSR. Culture of procrastination: People with I-will-do-it posture lack PSR. Poor Time and Resources Management. Lack of reinforcement in Dawah (Reward & Punishment). Culture of default with impunity Even if I dont do your PSR nobody can force you to do otherwise; Lazy attitude to work and life; Waning of determination; Doubt about ones ideology; and Environmental Challenges: poverty. Solutions dying culture of PSR a) Iklas-un-Niyyah: Pure intention b) Cultivate the ethics of obedience to constituted authorities. c) Develop personal vision on individual and collective tasks. d) Personal Improvement or Self-Development e) Good companionship is the key to PSR. Keep good people especially Muslims as friends. f) Expertise g) Remember Accountability h) Be active in the mosque and take part in running affairs of Muslim communities. i) Do your Adhkar regularly before leaving home to enhance your PSR.
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Impact of PSR on Dawah Your PSR could make or mare the development of dawah and growth of the society. Remember AbuBakr Bn Qahafah, Musab Bn Umayr. AbdurRahman Bn Auf, Salman Al-Farsi, Huzaifah Bn Yaman, Zayd Bn Thabit, Uzama Bn Zayd, Khalid Bn Walid, Bilal, Abdullahi Bn Umm Makhthum and host of others. When PSR is pervasive, the work of dawah would be effective and efficient. Allah assures:

Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them. And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear if they worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the rebellious.Q24:54