COVID-19: A Rmadan without Umrah
The current Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu once wrote an article in his now rested ‘Friday Column in Daily Trust titled “Memo to Umrah returnees”. The author amongst other things highlighted the huge amount of money Nigerian Muslim (especially from the north) spent on Umrah- which he put at about N20 billion. The author opined […]
The current Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu once wrote an article in his now rested ‘Friday Column in Daily Trust titled “Memo to Umrah returnees”. The author amongst other things highlighted the huge amount of money Nigerian Muslim (especially from the north) spent on Umrah- which he put at about N20 billion.
The author opined that while hundreds of Muslims go for Umrah annually; they always live a bigger Umrah at home.
Essentially, he meant that there are so many noble interventions in which to invest the money that will earn more reward than going to Umrah.
In 2012, this was what the author said about the article- “Since the publication of Memo to Umrah returnees ten years ago, I have continued to receive reaction to it to this day. Most have been wholly supportive, others only partially so or with reservations, while many have been critical. Some friends said it was because I couldn’t myself go, which, as far as ability is concerned, was not entirely inaccurate. Even though, I had turned down offers to join officials or state contingents; so, it couldn’t really been for want of chance.”
The import of the above is to illustrate the diversity of opinion expressed on Adamu’s suggestions which is normal, especially when it comes to a religious practice that Muslim faithfuls had embarked upon for ages. Therefore, it will be absurd to some when such ritual is tagged “misplacement of priority!”
Irrespective of the perspective one looks at it, the reality of the COVID-19 had this year made Umrah in this holy month impossible. Prior to the declaration of the virus as a pandemic by the World Health Organization – a number of Muslims had made budget and plans to go for Umrah during this period. This is the focus of this write up.
The COVID-19 has posed so many challenges to individuals, group, nations and societies, as it has greatly affected their economic well-being. Those mostly affected are the poor people who have no any viable means of livelihood. These are people who live from hand to mouth- their next meal is not GUARANTEED!
Since Umrah is not possible this year and a number of Muslims ( in their thousands) have already budgeted for Umrah, what should they do with the money? Return it to their coffers or give it out to the needy Muslims? The latter would be more noble a decision to make.
Umrah is a spiritual journey that one embarks on in order to obtain Allah’s blessings and mercies. COVID-19 has however made it impossible this year. Given this circumstance, why not alternatively feed the poor servants of Allah in order to attain similar blessings and mercies?
While reviewing an article by Adamu, a onetime Editor of Daily Trust, Garba Deen Muhammad wrote: “As we enter the Ramadan season, we should use it to re-examine our priorities and commit ourselves on doing first things first, as individuals and as a group and as leaders at our various levels in society. If we do so, we will surely narrow, if not eliminate the gap between the poor and the rich; a gap which increasingly turns us into each other’s enemy rather than each other’s friendly neighbors”.
May Allah SWT accept our little efforts as an act of Ibadah, and may we be counted as the inheritors of Jannatul Firdausi. Ameen
Muhammad Shehu Altine ( Magayakin Sagag, Sokoto) writes in from Sokoto.