Sheikh Imran Ssali Releases Compilation of Friday Sermons

Sheikh Imran Abdnoor Ssali has launched a compilation of some of the sermons he has delivered at the national mosque since his appointment as one of the Imams in 2014.

During the launch of the book titled “Friday Sermons,” which took place at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC conference hall shortly after Friday prayers on July 21, 2023, Sheikh Ssali revealed that he conceived the idea of compiling the sermons into a book during the lockdown period and prompting of some worshippers.

“In 2019 the entire country was under a lockdown. It occurred to me that I could use the time to compile my sermons in a book to benefit Muslims,” he said. Sheikh Ssali recounted how, upon his appointment as one of the Imams of the national mosque, his senior colleague Sheikh Ali Shiuyo advised him to prepare early and script his sermons.

“I used to write my sermons in notebooks so I had fifteen notebooks at home before I moved to scripting the sermons on paper. When I decided to compile the sermons in a book it became a little easy because I had the sermons already written down,” he said.

However, Sheikh Ssali faced challenges during the editing process, as he lacked a computer. Fortunately, his elder brother, Sheikh Swalleh Kiggundu Munabugerere, the imam of Nakasero Mosque, lent him a laptop. “I had to work with the help of several other people to finally produce their work,” he said. The UMSC national chairperson professor Muhammadi Lubega hailed Sheikh Ssali for taking time off to compile the sermons in book form, saying this was a positive way forward.

Professor Muhammadi Lubega, the UMSC national chairperson, lauded Sheikh Ssali for his dedication to compiling the sermons in book form, considering it a significant milestone. “I have not seen something like this in my 53 years. It’s a milestone in a way that is a record. Many people in life forget their record of what they do for themselves, for others, and in the community. Sheikh Ssali has put this on record and it will remain forever,” he said.

He explained that the lesson for each Muslim is that whoever can put something down should do so for the sake of the Ummah. “I ask Allah to give us the wisdom and guidance especially the sheikhs to emulate what Sheikh Sssali has done. If you want to understand the world don’t hate reading. It’s through reading that you find the record of the past. Secondly, you should strive to see that what you write or what is written about you is good,” he said.

The Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, who presided over the book launch, praised Sheikh Ssali for adding to the available knowledge through this compilation.

He acknowledged the value of written works as they endure over time compared to what is merely memorized. “Whatever is written remains, whatever is memorized disappears with time. I was an Imam in Noor Mosque in Mbale but I could not do what Sheikh Ssali has done.” the Mufti said. Mufti Mubaje also commended the Imams at the national mosque for maintaining the quality of their sermons and stressed that the pulpit should not be used for attacking or abusing others. “The policy of UMSC is not to use sermons to attack or abuse people. The pulpit is not a place for the Khatibus to pour their emotions against others,” he said. 

During the launch, copies of the book were sold, and more than Shillings 5 million was raised. UMSC and the director of Gangu Muslim primary school purchased copies at Shillings 1 million each. The compilation of “Friday Sermons” by Sheikh Ssali serves as a valuable contribution to Islamic literature and provides a resource for Muslims seeking spiritual guidance and knowledge.